The Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints | Ephesians 4:1-6

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• Sermon Notes

  The Holy Catholic Church: The Communion of Saints

  Reflections on Ephesians 4:1-6

  As your pastor, I want to share some key insights from this week’s sermon, exploring what it truly means to say, “I believe in the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints.” These notes are meant to deepen your connection with our church family and help you reflect on our unity in Christ, drawing from Ephesians 4:1-6.

  What Does It Mean to Belong?

  Many of us identify closely with our favorite sports teams or hometown traditions. We know what it means to wear the colors of our allegiance, and where we draw the line! That powerful sense of belonging helps us understand why the Apostles’ Creed emphasizes our place within the Church—the “Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints.”
  Here, “catholic” doesn’t mean “Roman Catholic” but comes from the Latin for “universal.” When we profess belief in the “Holy Catholic Church,” we affirm our place within the worldwide, timeless family of believers—past, present, and future.

  The Immensity of Belonging

  Consider how the Church began with a handful of Jesus’ earliest followers—fishermen and tax collectors from all walks of life. After Jesus’ resurrection, that small group grew to about 120. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit moved, and 3,000 more were added in a single day. Over generations, Christianity has spread across continents, reaching billions. Today, estimates suggest there are over 2.6 billion Christians alive, joined by all those who have gone before and all who will come after.

  What Unites Us as One Family?

  What makes us a family is not our backgrounds, ethnicity, or traditions, but our calling in Christ. Before we ever reach for God, God reaches for us. Ephesians 4 calls all believers to live worthy of this calling. God initiates, calls us together, and teaches us, through the Holy Spirit, how to live set apart—“holy”—for His purpose.
  Being holy isn’t about perfection; it’s about being claimed by Christ, set apart by His grace, and made new in Him. Our status as a “holy church” is God’s work, not something we achieve ourselves. We are all imperfect, yet deeply loved, forgiven, and being shaped by Jesus.

  Who Are the Saints?

  In the Bible, a “saint” is simply anyone who belongs to Jesus. All who trust Christ as Savior are saints—not just those who are especially virtuous or pious. Even the messy, divided, imperfect believers addressed by the Apostle Paul were called saints, since it is God who gathers and keeps His church.
  Because Christ holds us, even death cannot separate us from that belonging. This truth connects us not only to believers around the globe, but also to all who have gone before—family, friends, and fellow worshippers who are now with the Lord.

  Living as the Communion of Saints

  To be the “communion of saints” means to share life together—Christ’s gifts, forgiveness, Spirit, and hope. We grieve our losses, celebrate lives well-lived, and give thanks for those who have shaped us spiritually.
  How do we live this out, practically? Ephesians 4 gives the blueprint:

  • Be completely humble and gentle

  • Be patient, bearing with one another in love

  • Strive for unity through the bond of peace

    Humility means we won’t always get our way, and that’s okay. Gentleness shows in how we handle disagreements. Patience gives everyone room to grow. Bearing with each other means loving even when it’s hard.

  What Holds Us Together?

  Paul reminds us:

  • One body and one Spirit

  • One hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism

  • One God and Father of all

    We are not gathered by preference or similarity, but by the call of Jesus—forgiven, set apart, and united in Him. This changes how we approach church life. Instead of asking only, “What can the church do for me?” we consider, “Who needs me today? Who needs encouragement, love, or a listening ear?”

  Serving and Supporting One Another

  Real-life examples of the communion of saints abound:

  • Providing meals for families

  • Praying and sending cards during illness

  • Volunteering in ministries

  • Supporting missions and partnerships worldwide

    We share in the global mission of Christ, using our resources, prayers, and gifts to bless people we may never meet this side of heaven. Each act of service, from packing a shoebox to supporting missionaries, is a way of making God’s love visible and tangible.

  Passing Faith to the Next Generation

  We are entrusted with the responsibility to care for children, support the vulnerable, and pass on the faith to those yet unborn. Just as those before us placed “crayons”—opportunities to share God’s love—into our hands, so we leave marks of Christ’s love for those who will follow.

  The Church as a Masterpiece

  Imagine a box of pristine crayons—unused, perfect, tucked away. A crayon is meant to be used, leaving color and beauty in its wake. In God’s hands, our diverse experiences and backgrounds create a masterpiece of grace.
  Our unity in Jesus is our strength. God uses our differences and imperfections to color His world with the beauty of the gospel.

  Two Reflections for the Week

  1. Reflect and Reach Out:

     Think of one person who has impacted your spiritual life. If they’re still alive, thank them with a call or a note. If not, thank God for their influence.

  2. Extend God’s Love:

     Consider who God is calling you to reach—someone who needs encouragement, friendship, or care. Take practical action to “color” their world with Christ’s love.

  We Stand Together

  Brothers and sisters, we do not stand alone. We belong to Jesus and to each other. As we receive His love, let’s go and leave His color—our acts of love, service, and faith—in the lives of others.
  Let’s be the communion of saints, together.

• Discussion Guide

  Discussion Guide: The Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints

  Based on Ephesians 4:1-6 and the Apostles’ Creed
  Aligned with ECO (Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians) Theology

  Opening Prayer

  Begin by inviting God to guide your discussion and to knit your group together in love as you reflect on the unity of the church and the call to be God’s people in the world.

  Warm-up Questions

  • Share about a time when your sense of belonging to a group (such as a sports team or community) was important to you. What made that group feel like “home”?

  • Who is someone in your life who helped you come to know Jesus or grow in your faith?

  Key Themes for Discussion

  1. Understanding “The Holy Catholic Church”

  • The conversation focused on the meaning of the word “catholic” in the Apostles’ Creed, clarifying that it means “universal,” not Roman Catholic specifically.

  • Discuss: What does it mean to you that the church is “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic”?

    • Why is it important for Protestants to affirm their place in the “universal” church?

  2. Belonging to God’s Family

  • A key theme that emerged was our belonging to one another because we belong to Jesus. “Because we belong to Jesus, we belong to one another, that we are part of God's family and we do not stand alone.”

  • Reflect: How have you experienced the truth that “God calls us first to him…and then calls us together”?

  • What are some ways our church lives out its calling as God’s family?

  3. Holiness and Imperfection

  • The discussion explored the biblical meaning of “holy”—being set apart for God’s purposes, not moral perfection: “We can be a church full of imperfect people, yet still be considered holy, 'cause he's the one who calls us.”

  • Discuss: How does knowing the church is holy because of Christ, not our own merit, change the way we view ourselves and others in the church?

  4. Saints and the Communion of Saints

  • One concept discussed was that “All believers are saints” — not just those who are exceptionally virtuous, but all who belong to Jesus.

  • Reflect: How does this challenge or encourage you in your faith?

  • Share about someone who has been a “saint” in your life by pointing you to Jesus or supporting you in faith.

  5. Unity and Diversity

  • Several points were raised, including the diversity within the body of Christ, illustrated by the box of crayons: “It takes all those colors to truly create a masterpiece. Our strength is our unity in Jesus, and God uses our diversity to help us fulfill His mission and to color our world.”

  • Discuss: How does our church reflect the unity and diversity described here? Where can we grow?

  • Share practical examples from your group or congregation where diversity strengthened ministry.

  6. Living as the Communion of Saints

  • The conversation focused on practical outworkings like humility, gentleness, patience, and bearing with each other in love (see Eph. 4:1-6).

  • Reflect: What does it look like for you personally to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” in your relationships at church?

  • How have you received or given care within your church family?

  Application

  • Who is someone God may be calling you to “color” this week—to serve, encourage, pray for, or reach out to in Christ’s love?

  • Is there someone you need to thank or reconnect with, as a sign of gratitude for how they have impacted your spiritual life?

  • Where is God inviting you to step out of comfort, humility, or self-focus, and draw others into the life of Christ’s family?

  Closing Prayer

  Give thanks for the “great cloud of witnesses” who have run the race before us and for the unique part each person in your group plays in Christ’s body. Ask God to help you love, serve, and bear with one another, leaving marks of Christ’s love for generations to come.