Walk Worthy (Eph 4)

Introduction:

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is different compared to many of the other New Testament letters he wrote. Like Romans, Ephesians was not written so much to address problems in a particular church; more so, it was written to explain some of the great themes and doctrines of Christianity.

Paul explains all that God has done for us.

Through Christ, God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places

Were Chosen

Adopted

Accepted

Redeemed

Forgiven

Sealed with the Holy Spirit

We are God’s purchased possession through the blood of Christ

2. The first three chapters Paul builds on all that God done for us through Christ

In Chapter 4, Pauls calls on the Ephesians to walk worthy of their calling.

Through maintaining unity inside the church

Remember, much of chapter 2 and 3, Paul peels back the mystery of God’s plan of bringing Jew and Gentile together to form the church

The church today can divide over a number of topics such as, all the social issues going on in the world.

We can be so busy fighting with one another that were not fighting the true enemy.

Dr. Constable from the Dallas Theological Seminary said this,

"I do not think the Devil is concentrating in the nightclubs or on skid row or in the underworld or in the Mafia. [He already has these under his control.] I think he is concentrating on the church on Sunday morning. He is working on the spiritual front, and too many sleepy Christians seem to be totally unaware of that. The Devil is working in an area where we least expect to find him. He is not out on the town on Saturday night. He has gone to bed early so he can get up and go to church on Sunday morning. The spiritual battle is being fought wherever a man is giving out the Word of God, where a church is standing for the Word of God. That is the place the Devil wants to destroy, and that is the place of the spiritual battle

1. (V1) Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called

A) Paul a prisoner

On house arrest

Additionally, Paul recognizes he no longer lives for himself, but he is a bond servant or a willing slave

His life belongs to the Lord, thus he calls himself a prisoner of the Lord

As a young Christian, I remember being afraid to turn over my life to God.

I mistakenly thought my way was more exciting and more enjoyable

God has a funny way with keeping me on my toes

-Last night I got the call, we need you to teach and immediate panic set in, what am I going to teach?

B) Paul beseech you He urges us to walk worthy of the calling

We all have a calling on our life

Eph 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them

2.(V2-3) Paul describing walking worthy

How should we walk in our calling?

A) Worthy of the calling

Lowliness (Giving others preference to others)

Gentleness

Longsuffering: (Has been defined to have the power to take revenge, but it never does. It’s a characteristic of a forgiving, generous heart)

Bearing with one another in love

Endeavoring (Working to keep unity of the Spirit

-When there is division in the church the unity of the spirit is broken and there is no peace

B) It comes down to biblically loving our brothers and sisters

1 Corinthians 13:4–7 “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”

3. (V4-6) One body, One spirit, One hope

Remember, Jew and Gentile hated one another, but as Paul discuses in chapter 2 and 3 the wall of separation that once divided the two groups has been brought down

4.(V11) Christ Himself gave the gifts to the church

John 16:7 “But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.”

A) Through the Holy Spirit we have the gifts

Apostles (Sent off)

Prophets (Prophesy)

Evangelists

Pastor

Teacher

5. (V12) For the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry

Edification, to build up spiritually

6. (V13) The perfect man as they continue to mature in the Lord

7. (V14) Tossed to and fro

By the trickery of men

Colossians 2:8 “Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.” NLT

8. (V15) Speak truth in love

We can speak truth but if its not in love it will not be recieved

If we are unwilling to speak truth are we truly loving one another

9. (V16) A healthy body is one where everyone does it’s share

God has given each of us gifts and different personalities for a specific purpose