Paul makes it clear that we must grow up in Christ. He wrote, “11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the [a]edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;” (Ephesians 4:11-13). 

We are given these “people” to equip us for the work of the ministry. To edify, literally means to build up. As we study this subject this will become clear. We cannot become Christians and then stagnate–we must keep growing in our understanding to a perfect man, the the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. 

JESUS MUST OF THOUGHT THAT UNITY WAS OF THE UPMOST IMPORTANCE.

JESUS FORETOLD OF UNITY…He spoke of there being one flock and one Shepherd – John 10:16.
JESUS PRAYED FOR UNITY…He prayed fervently that His believers be one – John 17:20-23 “20
JESUS DIED FOR UNITY…His death on the cross broke the wall of division – Ephesians 2:13-16

In the first three chapters the Apostle Paul taught us who we are in Christ, saints in Christ, chosen by God, predestined for adoption, redeemed by the blood of Christ and God’s own inheritance. As such the eyes of your heart have been opened. You who were once dead in your trespasses and sins—God has made alive…made you for good works. 

Now here at chapter 4 Paul shifted the focus from who we are to how we are to live as His children. “I, therefore, the prisoner [a]of the Lord, [b]beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1-3). 
Now, listen on as we begin to learn how God wants us to be transformed. . . 

Question: Is tithing is required of the church? Tithing is “tenthing” or giving of ten percent (10%). Tithing did take place under the old covenant. But, some carelessly handle the Word of God and apply these Old Testament examples to the New Testament Church. We now are living under the law of Christ (Heb. 9:16-17), we are no longer under the schoolmaster (Gal. 3:25), hence we are no longer under the old law which has been nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14). Paul says “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Col 3:17), that is by the authority of Christ. 

Where in the new covenant does God bind tithing? He didn’t!

Paul Prays for Strengthening – “14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father [a]of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,” (Eph. 3:14). You are strengthened, God does not simply want you to know it, but to live accordingly…

Jesus says, “You are the light of the world…” (Matt. 5:14), Paul said of the saints, “to the intent that now the [a]manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the [b]principalities and powers in the heavenly places,” (Eph. 3:10). 
Yes, every Christian is to be a Revealer, that is one who reveals the good news, the light in the darkness, the church of Christ to the world. 

“Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory” (Eph. 3:13)

Jesus said, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church…” (Matt. 16:18), and “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:16), Paul said, “4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in [a]you all.” (Eph. 4:4-6). Why then are there so many distinctly different and divisive “churches”? Why is there so much religious confusion? 

The answer is because men have sought to pervert or distort the gospel (Gal. 1:6-8), and have done so since day one. But that is why God gave us all that pertains unto life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3), the truth (John 17:17) and why the only way out of all the confusion is to “Let God be true and every man a liar” (Rom. 3:4).

Paul says, “11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:11-13).

But now says Paul (v.13), indicating a change. All who have obeyed the gospel of Christ are included in that simple, yet powerful statement. Listen as Paul explains the change from old to new, from before and now after Christ.