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Sermon #4061

Christian Unity

A Sermon on Ephesians 2:19

Originally preached April 22, 1956

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Scripture

Ephesians 2:19 ESV KJV
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, (ESV)

Sermon Description

What makes people unified? Is it the way they act? The same interest? In this sermon on unity from Ephesians 2:19 titled “Christian Unity,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones states “Nothing else can bring men together truly but this—this gospel.” In Ephesians, Paul is addressing the reality that both Jew and Gentile were side by side in standing before God through Jesus. This reality would have stunned the readers of Ephesians. No “righteousness” that Jews had would earn right standing before God and no lack of religious heritage for the Gentile would hinder salvation through Christ. Their righteousness was as filthy rags before God and all are on the same plane (Isaiah 64:6). All sinners are absolutely helpless before God. However, as Dr. Lloyd-Jones notes, Christians are those who are agreed upon the cross, know Jesus Christ, and share Christ’s righteousness. Also, Christians are one because they are brought to one Father by one Spirit (Eph. 2:18). Dr. Lloyd-Jones also notes that all who are in Christ are fighting the same battle, have the same struggles, and are able to carry each other’s burdens as they journey through this life. They are also comforted by one savior. Though living this life may be challenging, Christians are marching towards one eternal hope.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. The sermon focuses on Ephesians 2:19 - "Now, therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God."
  2. Dr. Lloyd-Jones notes that it's important to pause and summarize what has been said so far to avoid losing the main message.
  3. The main message is that Gentiles, who were once far from God, have now been brought near through Christ. This is a miraculous thing that only God's power could accomplish.
  4. Dr. Lloyd-Jones outlines several principles from this passage:
  5. To be a Christian, one must realize they are a sinner in need of a savior.
  6. Nothing but the gospel can truly unite people. Superficial unity will not last.
  7. True Christian unity is inevitable for those transformed by the gospel. It is not manufactured by humans.
  8. The unity of Christians comes from shared beliefs and experiences, not superficial attributes.
  9. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that before the gospel, Jews and Gentiles were divided by prejudice and sin. They needed radical change.
  10. The gospel shows that all people are sinners and helpless before God. This demolishes distinctions and brings unity.
  11. All Christians share the same Savior, Jesus, and the same salvation through His blood. There is no unity apart from this.
  12. All Christians share the same Holy Spirit, who gives them new life and new desires. This produces unity.
  13. All Christians share the same Father - God. Like a family, they may disagree but are fundamentally united.
  14. All Christians face the same trials, temptations, and enemies. But they also experience the same grace and deliverance.
  15. All Christians are journeying to the same eternal home - heaven. They share the same hope.
  16. True unity is based on shared spiritual realities, not superficial attributes. But divisions between true Christians are sinful.
  17. Dr. Lloyd-Jones cares most about a person's relationship to Christ, not their labels, attributes or affiliations. Unity is in Christ.

The Book of Ephesians

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.