Rooted In Your Wealth 13

Is It Possible To Walk Together?

Text: Ephesians 4:1-6

Introduction

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Eight: Let’s Walk Together (Ephesians 4:1–16)

The first three chapters deal with doctrine, our riches in Christ, while the last three chapters explain duty, our responsibilities in Christ. The key word in this last half of the book is walk (Eph. 4:1, 17; 5:2, 8, 15), while the key idea in the first half is wealth. In these last three chapters, Paul admonishes us to walk in unity (Eph. 4:1–16), purity (Eph. 4:17–5:17), harmony (Eph. 5:18–6:9), and victory (Eph. 6:10–24).

If I was to ask everyone if they thought they were a “good driver,” most of you would say YES. The one who would give a better non-biased answer would be those whom you drive around.

It is important for every believer to never be guilty of living in an echo chamber of those (including yourself) who always approve of your decisions, actions and beliefs. The fact that we are coming to the “walk” of the believer, the person must abandon settling for what they think of themselves and seek out those who will give you honesty. The best person to start with is God.

1) Our Great Need For Unity

A. Paul speaks from a lonely prison cell

You know the saying, “You don’t know what you have until you don’t have it.”

It wasn’t that Paul did not have any Christian friends, it was the simple fact he was in isolation away from the fellowship of fellow believers.

The Roman government labeled Paul as a criminal.

Something special about a group of believers gathering together with genuine affection toward one another, is that you are reminded of who you are in Christ, what you have in Christ and the fact you will one day worship Him in His glorified presence.

“Beseech” = Paul was encouraging them to respond to God in a particular way.

He is basing the exhortation to duty on what he has taught already.

I need you to learn something very important to your Christian living.

Something you and I can never claim is IGNORANCE.

We have been given God’s Word.

When we make understanding Bible truths a priority, our obedience will become easier.

People make claims of ignorance all the time!

“Don’t talk to me about doctrine—just let me live my Christian life”

“It makes no difference what you believe, just as long as you live right”

B. Your calling should be your exclusive motivation

“walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called”

Colossians 1:10 “10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;”

1 Thessalonians 2:12 “12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.”

Turn to: Philippians 1:27 “27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;”

“…of the vocation (calling) wherewith ye are called”

It is vital that you understand that God “calling you to salvation” is a gift of grace.

You were called not only to receive NEW LIFE, but also a NEW DIRECTION.

The primary motivation of God’s call to you to be obedient, is not receive blessings, but because He has already blessed you!!!

You goal should always be to live up to your calling.

Quote: “We are going to be like Christ for all eternity so we need to begin being like Him now. The place to begin is at home, at school, at work, at play, in the church, and in our community. We must begin with one another, with those whose lives are linked with ours.” John Phillips, Exploring Ephesians & Philippians: An Expository Commentary, The John Phillips Commentary Series (Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp., 2009), Eph 4:1b–2.

2) Our God Path Toward Unity

Let’s define unity.

Quote: “Unity is not uniformity. Unity comes from within and is a spiritual grace, while uniformity is the result of pressure from without.” Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 35.

This does not mean that particular differences you have from one to another are removed.

It means you have loving fellowship even in light of those differences.

First, notice verse 3

to be eager v. — to have or show keen interest, intense desire, or impatient expectancy.

A. The grace of lowliness (humility)

Define: “Humility is the noble choice to forgo your status, deploy your resources or use your influence for the good of others before yourself. More simply, you could say the humble person is marked by a willingness to hold power in service of others.” Dickson, John. Humilitas (p. 24). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Someone once said, “Humility is that grace that, when you know you have it, you have lost it.”

Humility has to do with you bringing yourself low.

To the point of being a servant to all.

Turn to: Romans 12:3 “3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”

It is not a grace that leads you to think less of yourself (self worth), but to think of yourself less (priority).

Quote: “True humility assumes the dignity or strength of the one possessing the virtue, which is why it should not be confused with having low self-esteem or being a doormat for others. In fact, I would go so far as to say that it is impossible to be humble in the real sense without a healthy sense of your own worth and abilities.” Dickson, John. Humilitas (pp. 24-25). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Example: Jesus never thought of Himself less that truly God, yet He wash His disciples feet.

Couple of key thoughts: 1) Humility is “willing” & 2) Humility is “social”

B. The grace of meekness

Define: Not weakness but power under control.

Bible examples:

Moses — Numbers 12:3 “3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)”

Yet, he exercised tremendous power.

Jesus — Matthew 11:29 “29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

He drove out the money changers.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Eight: Let’s Walk Together (Ephesians 4:1–16)

In the Greek language, this word was used for a soothing medicine, a colt that had been broken, and a soft wind. In each case you have power, but that power is under control.

Example (you could include humility): “Three young men hopped on a bus in Detroit in the 1930s and tried to pick a fight with a lone man sitting at the back of the vehicle. They insulted him. He didn’t respond. They turned up the heat of the insults. He said nothing. Eventually, the stranger stood up. He was bigger than they had estimated from his seated position—much bigger. He reached into his pocket, handed them his business card and walked off the bus and then on his way. As the bus drove on the young men gathered around the card to read the words: Joe Louis. Boxer. They had just tried to pick a fight with the man who would be Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the World from 1937 to 1949, the number one boxer of all time, according to the International Boxing Research Organization (second on the list is Muhammad Ali).” Dickson, John. Humilitas (pp. 26-27). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

C. The grace of long-suffering

This literally means “long-tempered.” An ability to endure without fighting back.

This is truly an expression of LOVE.

1 Corinthians 13:4 “4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,”

This often gets challenged when we don’t get out way or when someone says or does something that irritates us.

As we are viewing “long-suffering” we must include “forbearance.”

Forbearance = patience

1 Corinthians 13:4 “4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,”

Galatians 5:22–23 “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

D. The grace of peace

Paul says, “endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”

Endeavouring = being very conscientious or studious

Illustration: Did your parents ever tell you to “pay attention.”

Our thorough study of the things of God is what shows us approved to Him.

You are always in God’s school.

Quote: “We are in the school of God, where the chief subject in the curriculum is Christ. We are to study to be like Him; we are to apply our minds to the problems He sets before us.” John Phillips, Exploring Ephesians & Philippians: An Expository Commentary, The John Phillips Commentary Series (Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp., 2009), Eph 4:3.

Illustration: The kind of tests that I like are the open response kind. It actually gives you the faith chance to demonstrate whether or not you have solid grasp on the material you were just taught. This is primarily to the benefit of the student.

Conclusion

When looking back at some particular instances in your life, would you say you passed the test? Meaning, is the person of Jesus Christ being expressed in and through you. Whomever is being expressed through your actions not only impacts your spiritual health, but that of the body of Christ.

Are you on God’s path to walk in unity together with you brothers and sisters in Christ?

I don’t want you to ask yourself, I want you to let God way in on that reality!