As we saw last week in Ephesians 4, we are to spare no effort to “keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (4:3), and we’re never to give up on that pursuit, no matter how difficult or tiring. However, as we affirmed very importantly, that pursuit of unity is grounded in both the knowledge of Christ and the truth of scripture. It is never unity at the expense of truth, but unity in the truth and the knowledge of the Son of God. In order to pursue that life-long goal, effectively and enduringly, we must “be completely humble and gentle” and we must be “be patient, bearing with one another in love” (4:2). But it raises a question, are there limits to the pursuit of unity? And if so, what are they, why, and how should they be applied and lived out? This week we come to the flip side of the coin, as it were. We turn from the Call to Christian Unity, to “The Call To Christian Fidelity”, as we consider the appeal of Jude, to “contend for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints”. As we’ll see, they are not opposing truths, but different sides of the same truth, and equally essential to the church’s effectiveness and endurance.

As we worship together this Sunday we continue our expositional series of messages entitled A Firm Foundation, taking a close look at the building blocks of God’s church. This Sunday we turn our attention to a critically important, but often neglected topic. Of the many important elements that we might put at the top of the list as vital to the church’s health and effectiveness, it’s probably safe to say this is one, that for many people, might not even make the list at all. And yet, in what is arguably the single, greatest, vision and description of the eternal nature and purpose of the church, Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, it was of first and foremost importance. One commentator called Ephesians “the crown of St. Paul’s writings”, and another “the divinest composition of man”. It was John Calvin’s favorite letter. In the first three chapters Paul gives a breathless sweep of the church’s origin, nature and purpose from eternity to eternity, praying that the eyes of our hearts might be opened in order that we might know “the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people” (1:18). Given that, what do you suppose would be Pau’s most ardent concern? In answer to that question, we turn to Ephesians 4:1-16, “The Call to Christian Unity”, as we give ourselves to understanding the meaning and application of this important truth and priority.

The gospel and the church by their very nature and purpose are counter-cultural. It is vitally important to affirm that we are committed to Christ above our culture and that our engagement must be shaped by biblical thinking and values and must resist what is incompatible to Christ in our culture. However, It is not enough that the church should counter the values of the dominant culture. We must be a counter-culture for the common good. We want to be radically distinct from the culture around us and yet, out of that distinct identity, we should sacrificially serve neighbors and even enemies, working for the flourishing of people, both here and now, and in eternity. To that end, as we continue in our series “A Firm Foundation”, we wrap up our three-week focus on the subject of Mission this coming Sunday by turning to Luke 10:25-37. “The Definition Of Neighbor”. We’ll take a look at how Jesus turned the table on a very skilled attorney to reshape his imagination of what constituted neighbor.

This week we turn our attention to 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, “The Truth About Cultural Relevance”. No text (some would say pretext) has done more to shape contemporary approaches to mission. This morning we will take a fresh look at what the Lord, through the pen of the Apostle Paul, is and is not saying to us in this very important and timely passage of scripture.

Over these first few weeks worshiping together we have taken a close look at the most essential elements on which to build a firm foundation for an effective and enduring ministry. Beginning this coming Sunday, and for the next several Sunday’s, we’ll turn our attention to the important subject of mission. Nowhere has the impact of business and marketing had a more profound and pervasive influence than on the church’s approach to outreach and evangelism. Mission is vitally important, and of great concern to God. After all, the book of Acts begins with the birth of the church at Jerusalem and ends with Paul in Rome, the then known capital of the world, where for two whole years “he proclaimed the Kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ–with all boldness and without hindrance!” (Acts 28:31). Indeed, the Lord God is a missionary God. But what are the how-tos of mission? And is scripture itself a reliable and adequate enough guide to instruct and equip us? In answer to that question we’ll look first this week at Acts 2:42-47, “In Praise of the Ordinary”, as we seek to understand the ways and means by which God empowers his church for soul saving, kingdom building, mission.