The bride and groom wanted a verse about love that casts out fear (1 John 4:18) on their wedding cake, but the pastry chef omitted the “1,” and instead the cake featured a reference to Jesus’ conversation with the woman who had had five husbands. This amusing mix-up sets the stage for a sermon on the details of the fourth chapter of the Letter to the Ephesians and on what makes the church healthy (Eph. 4:1-16). Unity, generosity, maturity, and stability function like the members of a single body: only together do they allow the community to grow and weather storms, just like redwood trees that stand firm thanks to their intertwined roots. Listen and ask yourself whether you are truly maturing in your faith, or simply growing older.
Discussion questions
For your small group or for personal reflection after the sermon.
- In Ephesians 4:1-6 Paul uses the word "one" seven times and urges us to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit. According to this passage, what builds unity, and why does it take effort rather than just happening?
- Paul writes that after ascending, Christ gave gifts to people to equip the saints for building up the body (Ephesians 4:7-12). What does this picture say about the role of every believer in the church?
- The sermon reminded us that Jesus told the blind man to go to the pool of Siloam and the lepers to go to the priest. How do these stories help you understand your part in building unity in the church?
- The pastor gave four questions to help discover your gift: joy in preparing, joy in doing it, looking forward to the next time, and impact on others. What do these questions reveal about your gift and how you already use it?
- Over a span of years Paul calls himself the least of the apostles, then the least of all the saints, and finally the worst of sinners. What spiritual growth do you see in yourself over the last five years, and where do you feel stuck?
- Redwoods have shallow roots but survive storms because their roots intertwine. Whom can you actually help weather a storm this week, or whom can you allow to help you?
