JFC (EPH 3:14-4:10)

Our Christian Responsibility in Light of all He has done for us

Introduction: Paul in the first three chapters has been building on all that God has done for us

As we get into Chapter four, Paul shifts His attention to the responsibility of the Christian

Before we get into chapter four, Paul prays for Ephesians as well as us. (The heart of a shepherd)

Paul was praying that his readers would enjoy intimate fellowship with their Lord

Before you can fulfill your calling, you must experience true intimacy between us and God

1. (V14) When I think of all this

A) The theme for the past three chapters is all that God has done for us

Gifted every spiritual blessing in the Heavenly realm (Chapter 1)

Paul explains the Gentiles are no longer outsiders, but in fact we share equally the riches and the blessings of God (Chapter 2-3)

2. (V16) Paul prays according to God’s unlimited resources

A) Paul asking a lot in his prayer, however, it’s not to much for our God because He is the creator of everything and it’s according to His unlimited resources

Unlike our bank accounts which will run out of funds

2.1 Paul praying God will empower our inner strength through the Holy Spirit

A) Not our strength but His

Maybe you feel weak, are you depending upon your’e strength or the Lord’s?

Zechariah 4:6 “It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”

As we feed our spirit and wait upon Him, He will strengthen us

Reading the Word, Prayer, worship, fellowship, and serving

3. (V17-18) As you trust Christ you’re roots grow deep in God’s love and keep you strong

A) A strong Christian is someone who fully puts their trust in Christ, strength comes as we continue to trust in Christ

Paul trusted Christ and was motivated by love as he shared the good news with the Gentiles

He was strong in the Lord as he was, Imprisoned, beaten, sleep deprived, etc, yet content and joyful

1 Timothy 6:6 “Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.”

The only way to have contentment is to trust in God and in His plan

B) A strong Christian has their roots deep in God’s love

4. (V19) May you experience the Love of Christ

Made complete with the fullness of life and power that comes from God

May He give you the power to understand (Head knowledge)

May you experience the love of Christ (Think about your life prior to Christ)

2. The love of Christ is life changing, as we go from a self-focus to Christ focused, which leads to fulness of life

a. If the love of Christ hasn’t changed your life, than are you really saved?

3. Complete with the fullness of life and power that comes from God

John 10:10 “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

It’s through living for Christ that you can experience a life that is rich and satisfying

5. (V20) God is able to accomplish infinitely more than we ask or think

A) However, we are reminded of God’s power and ability to answer far greater than we ask or think

6. (V21) All Glory to God

A) We must be carful to take any credit for the work God is doing through us

Chapter 4 (Unity in the Body)

Why is Paul bringing up unity for the church?

We are all Christians and we get along all the time, right?

Remember, for context, Paul is speaking to Gentile and Jewish believers who have many cultural differences.

For many years they did not like one another

Do we have division in church today?

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) Paul a prisoner for serving the Lord

a. Paul was on house arrest for serving the Lord

b. Prisoner for Christ because he no longer lives for himself

Philippians 3:8 “Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ”

1.1 Live worthy of your calling

What is your calling?

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

No matter who you are, God has given you abilities and gifts. He has placed you in areas of influence to share your hope

b. Whatever your calling is, live worthy of it

1.2 (V2) Describes our actions or the way treat one another

Be humble

Gentle

Be patient W/ each other

Make allowances for each other faults because of your love

1.3 (V3) Make every effort to keep yourself united in the spirit

You must work to keep unity

Love biblically

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.”

1.4 (V4-6) Why is unity important?

How can be effective at fighting the enemy when are fighting one another

a. One in all

1 Body

1 Spirit

1 Hope

1 Lord

1 Faith

1 Baptism

1 God