Tyner Community Church

05/31/2026

12/13/2025

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭

Please turn to 𝐄𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟒:𝟏-𝟔

In these verses that I’ll be covering tonight, I truly believe that Tyner Community Church is walking worthy. But sometimes we need to be reminded of these truths and have these truths refreshed in our spirit

(𝐕.𝟑) will be our main focus

V. 3 tells us to:

”𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫” to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.—

In ‭Col. 3:14‭ ‭αγαπη‭ (love) is the ‭συνδεσμος‭ (bond). But there is no peace without love. ‭{Eph. 4:2}‭

Colossians 3:14 NASBS
Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

‭ 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫/𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭‭.The Greek spoudazo (present tense form) carries the emphasis of fulfilling an obligation; ‘be eagerly anxious, conscientiously diligent’ to bring about the unity of the Spirit.‭

Philippians 1:27
Only let your conduct be 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐲 of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭, 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 for the faith of the gospel,

In the original Greek, vv. 1-6 are one long sentence

(the theme of these 6 verses is): The Believer Is to Walk Worthy of His Calling,

Paul’s tells us in V.1,

👉V.1–“I” therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

So, There is one thing that we must do: we must walk worthy of our calling. We must walk worthy of the honored position to which God has exalted us
(2:5-6) tells us about that exalted position it says

👉 He made us alive “together” with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up “together”, and made us sit “together” in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:5-6
God has exalted us to sit “together” in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

Paul’s prayer—for the Colossians in Ch.1, V. 10
👉that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Walking requires us to be consistent. When we were born, walking was not an immediate skill we performed. It was something that had to be learned and perfected. The same is true in the spiritual realm. Walking with God is A practical skill that takes time to learn.

Once A person believes in Jesus and becomes A member of God’s people and of God’s church, what must he do to walk worthy of God’s great calling to bring honor to the name of Christ and His church?

Let’s look at some answers found in V. 2
👉V. 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

So
1. The believer must walk with all lowliness: be humble.
2. The believer must walk with all meekness: without resentment; must be submissive.
3. The believer must walk with longsuffering: be patient, and enduring.
4. The believer must walk forbearing others in love: be compassionate, self-controlled.

Application:
The attributes in verse 2 will never be ours unless we make the choice to yield to the Holy Spirit. These attributes or attitudes become ours when we give Him permission to work in our hearts.

Again (From V.1–The way to walk worthy): is found in V. 2
a. With humility & gentleness
b. With patience
c. With love

a. (Regarding V.2) The purpose for walking worthy in this manner: Is To keep the unity, the peace stated in V. 3 —which says:

👉V. 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. for what reason well, this is stated in-vv. 4-6

👉V. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
👉V. 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
👉V. 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

I’ll-break down verses 4-6 as we progress through this study.

THE PURPOSE FOR WALKING WORTHY: Again—

TO KEEP THE UNITY AND THE PEACE stated in (v. 3)

The purpose for walking worthy is onefold unity. Believers are to work at keeping the peace so that they can stay bound together in the unity of God’s Spirit. Jesus has broken down all walls and barriers existing between men. Everyone can now be saved:

⇒ all nationalities
⇒ all peoples
⇒ all languages
⇒ the poor
⇒ the rich
⇒ the black
⇒ the white
⇒ the red
⇒ the yellow

Every person is precious in the sight of God. When A person approaches God through Jesus, he comes like everyone else: on the same ground and on the same level. He is no better and no worse than anyone else: he is A man who stands in need of God’s forgiveness; and he, along with everyone else, is bowing before Christ and accepting Him as his Lord and Master.

The man, just like everyone else, is subjecting himself to become the servant of Christ. Wealth, position, social status it is all forgotten. The only thing that matters is the salvation and life which Christ offers.

The point is this: when A person comes to Christ in such A spirit, the Spirit of God enters his life and binds the person to all other believers. There is A great spiritual bond of peace wrought by the Spirit of God between all believers.

All divisiveness, differences, and prejudices are set aside; and A spirit of love, peace, and unity are to exist. And
Within the church there is A prevailing spirit of peace and love wrought by God’s Spirit.

However, note A tragic fact: not every believer walks in the Spirit not all the time. Too often, believers allow self and the old life to re-enter the picture such as their old …

• prejudices
• differences
•gossiping
• hurts
• jealousies
• complaints
• criticisms
• grumblings
• gripes
• pride
• arrogance
• comparisons
• dislikes

The result is catastrophic for the church: divisiveness all leads to
(A disturbance of the peace of the Spirit of unity).

This is the reason for this charge by Paul. Note the word “endeavor” V.3. It means being diligent, working to—take care,—doing one’s—very best,—and making haste—to do it.

The only way to walk worthy of God’s great calling is to “work at” keeping the peace and unity which Godhas given us. Nothing cuts the heart of God like divisiveness between His people, divisiveness which tears apart His church.

There are numerous reasons for church splits. Such reasons usually fall under the umbrella of A power trip and power struggle. Someone goes on A power trip and it turns into A power struggle.

Thom S. Rainer, author on church splits states “I have neverbeen associated with
A church split, however every church I have known to split was because of A power struggle.”

There’s usually two—
Underlying Factors that cause this—
* Focus Shift: When the focus moves from Christ to personal and organizational agendas, self-interest, or tradition.
* also A factor is—
* Spiritual Immaturity: Inability to handle disagreement with grace, humility, and reconciliation, often seen in “worldly" or childish behavior.

God is displeased and dishonored when A church splits. Church splits do not demonstrate the love of Christ. Church splits are A terrible testimony to the Body of Christ. Church splits do not send A Christian message to an unbelieving community.
A church is to be unified and in harmony with one another.
It is A shame when our sin and pride divide the body of Christ. What are we going to do when we get to heaven and see the very people we argued with? Or those who are
so divisive may not go to heaven. God is not the author of confusion. Satan wants to divide, deceive, and destroy.

Allow me to read this
Illustration:
Simply said, division is a wall between two sides. In the 1960’s the Berlin Wall was erected by the Communists of East Germany to prevent East Germans from uniting with West Germans. History tells us that this was no innocent barrier: many were killed trying to scale the wall that divided the East from the West. This wall of division separated friends from friends and family from family. The result of this division brought death and despair. At times, it seemed that the wall would stay up forever.

But God had another plan. The Communist world was turned upside down as the people in Communist countries were swept up in a global wave of nationalism and the desire for freedom. The Berlin Wall had no power against the forces of unity and freedom—and it fell, becoming prize souvenirs for collectors. (End of Quote)—

Types of Berlin Walls are built every day in churches and between believers. A childish example of this is in A church where the deacons had the sole authority of replacing the carpet and two deacons were in great disagreement it was reported that one deacon challenged the other to go out into the parking lot to settle their differences once for all resulting in A church split.

There is no wall worth the cost of division. The only way to keep the unity of the Spirit in the church and between believers is to remain “walking in” the Spirit.

🩸It’s Examination Time: 3 examination points—
# 1. How hard do you and I work at preserving the unity of the Spirit? You can be called by God and yet ruin everything by being an instrument of division.

# 2. What causes the division of the Spirit:
a. Instead of lowliness or (humility), there is pride.
b. Instead of meekness or (gentleness), there is arrogance.
c. Instead of longsuffering or (patience), there is impatience.
d. Instead of forbearance, there is A critical spirit.

# 3. Because we all have to battle with the old nature in us, A “working walk” is required of the believer. Humility, gentleness, patience, and forbearance do not come naturally … they come supernaturally.

𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲:
There are simply some thingsthat are contrary to love and joy and peace that hurt and damage the body …
Such as—

• an ill spirit
• a struggle for position
• self-centered differences
• a reactionary spirit
• feeling superior
•a spirit of competition
• seeking our own way
• forming cliques
• being selfish
• being envious
• being angry

Jesus said in—
👉 John 17:21-23 - that they all may be “one”, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be “one” in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 —And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be “one”just as We are “one” :23 —I in them, and You in Me

Unity isthe accomplishment ofChrist’s reconciling work through his blood, which brought Jew and gentile together in “one”new people and brought that people to God, fully redeemed by the cross.

There’s an old story told that A researcher in Africa, placed A basket of fruit under A tree and told A group of African children, “Whoever gets there first wins the fruit.” But when he gave the signal to run, the children didn’t race against each other. They held hands and ran together. Then they sat down and shared the fruit. —𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲!

We often hear vv. 4-6 simply stated as A Scripture reference in support of various doctrinal elements without understanding the actual in-depth context for which it was written.

❗️So, we’ll let the Holy Spirit give these verses their “intended” meaning.

Again, In the original Greek, vv. 1-6 are one long sentence.

𝟒-𝟔—There are seven basic reasons why we should walk worthy and strive to keep the peace and unity of God’s Spirit “in the church”
Far too often the church is the place where the peace and unity of believers fly apart. Again, there are seven reasons why this should never happen seven reasons why believers should always walk in the peace and unity of the Spirit.

these reasons in vv. 4-6 are worthy to look into:

a. Only one body
b. Only one Spirit
c. Only one hope
d. Only one Lord
e. Only one faith
f. Only one baptism,
g. Only one God and Father of all

Let’s break down, these 7 reasons:

Reason # 1
1. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 “𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲.”

There are not two bodies nor several bodies of believers. However, in this imperfect world, there are many different denominations and churches. But note what God is doing: God is creating only “one” body of people who trust and follow His dear Son.
👉1 Corinthians 12:13
For by “one” Spirit we were all baptized into “one body”—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free-and have “all”been made to drink into “one Spirit.”

Such barriers previously mentioned have no place in the church, not in the new body which God is creating. There is only “one body” of true believers. This is the reason we are to strive to keep the peace and the unity of the Spirit. Only as we keep the peace and unity of the body can we walk worthy of God’s great calling.

👉(Ro. 12:5). “So we, being many, are “one body” in Christ, and every one members one of another”

Reason # 2
2. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 “𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭.”

The same Spirit that dwells within one member of the body dwells in all members of the body.
Acting independent of the body is of another spirit, for there is only “One Spirit” creating the body of Christ.

👉 1 Corinthians 12:7,11,13 says
And Take note of the word “All”

[7] But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of “all” : [11] 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭 works all these things or (gifts), distributing to each one individually as He wills. [13] For by “one Spirit” we were “all” baptized into “one body”—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free and have “all” been made to drink into “one Spirit.”

Reason # 3
3. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 “𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞.”

Every genuine believer has the same hope: the great day of redemption. It is to be A new world created perfectly for Jesus and His people. Life in the new heavens and earth will be A life of love and joy and peace a life of “oneness” and unity and brotherhood all perfected.

What God is after is for us to live as we shall live in the future. Our future lives in the new heavens and earth are to be the pattern for the way we live together NOW.

We shall be redeemed and reconciled to God and to “each other” all living together in A perfect world of love and joy and peace for ever and ever. The hope for eternity the hope that fills our hearts for such A world is to be the driving force NOW that stirs us to live “together” in peace and unity in preparation of our eternal home.

We see the hope of our calling in:

👉 Ephesians 1:18: "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know “the hope” to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in His holy people"

Reason # 4
4. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 “𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐝.”

Every believer has bowed before the same Lord to become His subject and to receive His orders. As His subjects, believers are “unequivocally” instructed …
• to live as He said: holy and righteous —and pure lifes—bearing the fruit of His Spirit —stated in:
👉 (Ga. 5:19–21).
And….we are—
•to carry out His orders as “ONE BODY”

👉1 Corinthians 12:5
There are differences of ministries, but the “same Lord.”

Reason # 5
5. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 “𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡.”

There is only one faith that leads into God’s presence, and that is the faith founded by the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no other approach to God. If A person wishes to live with God to be approved and accepted by Him that person has to approach God through the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The point is this: every believer has come to God in the very same way by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith in Him is the only way, the only true faith. Therefore, standing before God and having come to Him through the same faith, there is no room for any differences. We all stand on the same ground, on the same level.

👉Jude 1:3
Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to “contend earnestly” for “the faith” which was once for all—delivered to—“all the saints.”

Reason # 6
6. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 “𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐦”

By being publicly baptized, all believers have given public witness to their faith. Each has been identified as being A member of the same body. How? —By being initiated through the same ordinance. Therefore, having entered the church, the body of Christ through the same ordinance, we should not become divisive.

Divisiveness denies and brings shame to the meaning of baptism and to the Lord Divisiveness shows that our commitment is shallow. It shows that our sincerity in being baptized was shallow. It shows that we care little for Christ and fellow believers AND for our baptism experience, for the great ordinance which initiated us into the church the body of Christ consisting of ALL fellow believers.

👉Romans 6:3, 5
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

For if “we” have been “united together” in the likeness of His death, certainly “we” also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,

Reason # 7
7. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 “𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐥𝐥.”

With V.6, Paul finishes the sentence he began in V.1. He encourages believers to live in accordance with their profession of faith, their unity in the Spirit, and their conviction that God the Father through Jesus Christ the Son has brought them into A reconciled relationship and “oneness “ with God and with other believers.
Here, In V. 6–Paul sums up the Jewish conviction: 👉 (from—)(Deut 6:4). “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one”

As we have seen in vv.4-6, Paul also speaks in A similar way to the Corinthians, when he declares that there are A variety of gifts —but the “same” Spirit, and A variety of services but the “same” Lord, and A variety of workings but the “same” God who works all things in “all”—👉(1 Cor 12: 4–6).

Illustration:
When we have become one with each other, all of us who are Christian believers will become nourished and will grow expediently .
The article “What Good Is A Tree?” Reader’s Digest explained that when the roots of trees touch, there is A substance present that reduces competition. In fact, this unknown fungus helps link roots of different trees, even of dissimilar species. A whole forest may be linked together. If one tree has access to water, another to nutrients, and A third to sunlight, the trees have the means to share with one another and to be unified.

Like trees in A forest, Christians in the church need to be unified in supporting one another.

The point is striking: If there is only one God and Father of all believers, how then could He be leading two believers to stand toe to toe against each other? —The answer—is obvious: He could not. One or both believers are following their own fleshly, carnal ways. Someone is not following the only God and Father.

Here In V. 1-3, Paul exhorts his congregation to live out their calling in A manner that matches their “called” status before God. They are to show humility and patience, bearing with each other in love and making every effort to maintain unity. Paul’s words “make every effort” carry A sense of urgency and priority.

In Closing:

Let it be our prayer individually and as A church to endeavor in receiving A clean bill of health on God’s report card for each one of us in preserving the unity of His Spirit in the manner prescribed in these verses.

04/28/2024

April 28, 2024

Read: Luke 12:22-31
“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?”
Luke 12:25-26

“Never try to carry tomorrow’s burdens with today’s grace.”
—Anonymous

IN WORD:Worry is a plague. We encounter difficult situations and think about the ways we want them to turn out. Or worse, we think about all the ways we don’t want them to turn out, obsessing about everything that can go wrong in them. We play a mind game called “What if?” We ask ourselves, What if something goes wrong? What if I get sick? What if I don’t have enough money to eat? What if my work fails? What if . . . ? The possibilities are limitless. And they grow larger the more we think about them. In our minds, the potential disasters swell and overwhelm us. When they do, our Protector and Provider seems to grow small and faith disappears. What is the solution? We know there is a place of rest for the believer—Jesus has promised it to us. But how do we get there? Jesus tells us in verse 31 to set our minds on the kingdom. This is hard to do. In a crisis, we are prone to set our minds on the desired outcome. We fix our gaze on the preferred result and ask God to accomplish it. That outcome may be good and holy, but as long as it is our hope, we are not focused on Jesus and His kingdom. Jesus asks us to set our minds on God and accept what He accomplishes. The outcome may be exactly the same in both cases; but calm in our hearts will only be a reality in the latter approach. We cannot experience the peace of faith when our eyes see God as a tool to accomplish our purposes. Our eyes can be either on God or on outcomes. Not both.
IN DEED:Jesus is constantly telling us to think in a way contrary to our fallen nature. It’s difficult; we need frequent reminding. But it’s the only way to internal rest. Pry your hopes off of your circumstances and put them on the Person who promises peace. Desire only Him, and you will never be disappointed. Or worried.

08/15/2023