ONE: The Series Introduction
What we believe God’s desire for the church is… and for you
Ephesians 4:1–6 (NIV) As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have
received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to
keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called
to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all
and through all and in all.

1. Who is He speaking to?
● A chosen people
● A royal priesthood
● A Holy nation
Ephesians 2:10-13 (NIV) For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God
prepared in advance for us to do. Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called
“uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human
hands)— remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and
foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus
you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

2. What God desires –to gather from the many individuals one who brings glory to God
● Me and We
● Fellow citizens of the Kingdom
● Children of God- brothers and sisters
● A living temple
● A body with different roles
● A church with a mission
Ephesians 2:15–22 (NIV) by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose
was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both
of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you
who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by
one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and
also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself
as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the
Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Ephesians 3:6 (NIV), John 10:16 (ESV)

3. The results of a Holy Nation
1 Peter 2:9–10 (NIV) But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession,
that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were
not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received
mercy.
Exodus 19:5–6 (NIV) Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my
treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy
nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”
Ephesians 3:10–11 (NIV), Matthew 5:14–16 (ESV), John 17:20–23 (NIV)

4. Why is being the Lord’s church so hard?
● People were converted but not discipled
● People are independent rather than interdependent –people don’t trust
● Other things more important – priorities
● People are easily distracted
● The devil’s special attack is on the church –because it is Gods representative to the world

So, what am I asking you to do?
1 Corinthians 1:10 (NIV) I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of
you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly
united in mind and thought.
Acts 2:42–47 (NIV) They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of
bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.
All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to
anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in
their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.
And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

This is why we do what we do at Real Life – ONE
A. Read the book of Ephesians with us
B. Surrender to the Lordship of Jesus– reprioritize your life around Gods vision for the church.
● Remember the rich young ruler – he went away sad (Matthew 19:16)
1. Commit to the Lord’s church as a part of His Holy Nation
● Become a member, if you are not
2. Commit to the family — behaviors that create fellowship
● Commit to being in church for weekend services, commit to a small group
3. Commit to be a part of the body – serve with your gifts and resources
Ephesians 4:2 (NIV), Colossians 3:12–17 (NIV