This document contains a prayer asking God for wisdom and compassion, passages from Ephesians about unity and maturity in Christ, and notes from a sermon on what mature unity looks like according to those passages. It emphasizes qualities like patience, gentleness, humility, love, and speaking truth in love. It suggests processing big decisions in community rather than isolation and engaging with others even if introverted by nature. The document closes with a prayer for unity among God's people.

1. Prayer
Almighty God, fountain of all wisdom, you know our
necessities before we ask, and our ignorance in asking:
Have compassion on our weakness, and mercifully
give us those things which for our sense
of unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness
we cannot ask; through the worthiness of your
Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen.

2. The Church Calendar
August 1

3. Ephesians 4
MATURITY and UNITY of SPIRIT

4. 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
EPHESIANS 4:1-6

5. Christ himself gave the apostles,
the prophets, the evangelists,
the pastors and teachers, to equip
his people for works of service,
so that the body of Christ may be
built up until we all reach unity in the faith
and in the knowledge of the Son of God
and become mature, attaining to the
whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
EPHESIANS 4:11-13

6. Then we will no longer be infants,
tossed back and forth by the waves,
and blown here and there by every
wind of teaching and by the cunning
and craftiness of people in their deceitful
scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in
love, we will grow to become in every
respect
the mature body of him who is the head,
that is, Christ.
EPHESIANS 4:14-15

7. Ephesians 4
MATURITY and UNITY of SPIRIT

8. Darrel & Julie Proffitt

9. - Patience, gentleness, humility, love
MATURE UNITY LOOKS LIKE…

10. - Patience, gentleness, humility, love
- Diving in and getting involved;
engaging in community, whether
instinctively introverted/extroverted
MATURE UNITY LOOKS LIKE…

11. - Patience, gentleness, humility, love
- Diving in and getting involved;
engaging in community, whether
instinctively introverted/extroverted
- Processing big decisions in community
and – if possible – in person, not isolation
MATURE UNITY LOOKS LIKE…

13. - Seeking a life partner
- Considering a new job
- Deciding on a new place to live
- Purchasing a new vehicle
- Choosing where to go to college
- Starting/selling a business
- Major home renovations
- Surgery/medical treatment
- Adoption/foster care/infertility treatment
- NOTE: from folks worthy of TRUST
SEEKING WISDOM IN COMMUNITY

14. - Patient, gentle, humble, loving
- Diving in and getting involved;
engaging in community, whether
instinctively introverted/extroverted
- Processing big decisions in community
and – if possible – in person, not isolation
- Speaking truthfully and lovingly
(not being mean, speaking harshly
and LABELING it “loving”)
MATURE UNITY LOOKS LIKE…

15. Ephesians 4
MATURITY and UNITY of SPIRIT

16. O God who is Prince of Peace: Give us grace
to grasp the great dangers we face in unhappy division;
take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else
may hinder us from godly union and accord;
that, as there is but one Body and one Spirit,
so we may be all of one heart and of one soul,
united in one holy bond of truth and peace,
of faith and charity, and may with one mind and
one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Benediction