Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Ephesians 4:1-6

Tonight, we are going to change directions in our study of the book of Ephesians. As we begin chapter four, we will begin looking at the practical application of what was covered in the first three chapters. At this point, Paul starts to instruct the church in Ephesus on how to WALK daily in their Christian lives.

Up to this point, Paul has covered some deep doctrinal topics. We have discussed the eternal plan of God for the believer; we have looked at the great blessing of God. We have talked about the power and knowledge of God.

We spent some time talking about the work of God in the salvation of the believer, and then the response of the believer to that work. This involved the mercy and grace of God. This salvation brought us to a place of reconciliation and peace before the heavenly Father. Lastly, we have talked about the establishment of the church, and the citizenship of the new heaven and the new earth.

Now we will take all those doctrinal truths and apply them to our daily walk as Christians.

Ephesians 4:1-6 (NASB)

4 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

If we look at what God has done for us in our salvific process, we might begin to wonder, what can we do in return. The truth is, there is nothing we possess or are worthy of accomplishing in our fallen nature that in itself would be worthy of the sacrifice made by God to redeem us. We are so deeply indebted to God, that should we begin now, we could never say thank you enough.

So, what can we do? Truly, very little. But, one thing we CAN do, and must do, is to do as Paul urges the church in Ephesus to do, and that is to “WALK worthy of your calling.”

The Greek word translated here to

“Walk,” means “to make one’s way, and is Hebrew for “to regulate one’s life, or conduct one’s self.”

In other words, walking worthy of our calling is to live and conduct our daily lives accordingly. God has exalted His children to a grand position, and we should walk in that honored position.

Let’s look at

Three points concerning walking:

I. How to walk worthy (Ephesians 4:1-2)

II. The purpose of walking worthy: to keep unity and peace within the church (Ephesians 4:3)

III. The seven basic reasons WHY (Ephesians 4:4-6)

I. How can believers walk worthy? (Ephesians 4:1-2)

Ephesians 4:1-2 (NASB)

4 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

In our day-to-day lives, how should we live? At work, school, church, home? With family, friends, or fellow believers?

Once we are a member of the family of God, there are certain expectations for our behavior.

A. With all humility (Philippians 2:3)

Humility is the opposite of selfishness. Instead of always being concerned for what is best for me,

- Humility says, what is best for others or the common good.

In many situations, especially in thriving ones, you will always find

- Two problems that rear their ugly heads: selfish ambition and vain conceit.

Some

1. People will be selfish and always seek what is in their best interest.

This is the opposite of who the Lord has called us to be. Because of this, they will give into flattery, jealousy, desire for positions or recognition, and forming cliques. If they don’t get what they want, they turn against others and cause disunity and division. In the church, this is a bad deal.

Philippians 2:3 (NASB)

3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves;

Others will

2. People will show vain conceit; they just want all the attention.

This person will do anything in life to get the spotlight on themselves, no matter whose life they may step on.

The spirit that MUST prevail as we walk worthy of our calling, is a spirit of humility or lowliness of mind. Our consideration must be for others before ourselves.

B. With all gentleness (James 3:13)

Gentleness is to be tender, humble, and considerate. This does not mean weakness, but strength under control. A gentle person can control their attitudes and actions toward others.

James 3:13 (NASB)

13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.

C. With patience

Two things to note about patience:

1. Patience NEVER strikes back

Instead of striking back, the patient Christian suffers a situation or person for an extended period of time.

2. Patience is one of the great traits of God.

God still endures and is patient with us; we should do the same.

D. Bearing with one another in love

Agape

- Love regardless of the person's ability to be loved.

In fact, it's love for a person who is unworthy of your love.

Galatians 5:22-25 (NASB)

22 the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25 If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit as well.

II. What is the purpose of walking worthy? (Ephesians 4:3, 1 Corinthians 1:10, Philippians 1:27)

Ephesians 4:3 (NASB)

3 being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

- Believers are to work at keeping the peace so that they can stay bound together for the unity of the body of Christ.

In Christ, there is no dividing means. All nationalities, peoples, languages, and colors. Every person is a candidate for salvation regardless of any identifying characteristics. Everyone comes before the Lord on a level playing field. No manner of life gives anyone an advantage before the Lord.

When a person comes to Christ, they are indwelt with the Spirit of God. This Spirit binds us all together as the capital “C” church. We have a spiritual bond brought about by the Holy Spirit of God with all other believers. Setting aside all differences, divisions, and prejudices, we are to take up a spirit of love, peace, and unity; especially in the church.

But a sad fact is this, not every believer walks in the Spirit – not all the time. Our old self trickles in and brings with it the pride, critiques, griping, jealousy, and hurt.

When this enters the church where unity SHOULD prevail, it can be catastrophic. That is the reason Paul gives us this charge; “diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds us.” The word translated here as diligently may be translated in your Bible as “make every effort.” The literal meaning is to “work to take care and to do one’s very best, and to make haste to do it.” Walking worthy of the calling of God is to do your best at all times to keep the unity within the church. Nothing burdens the heart more than disunity and divisiveness among His people.

We might as well get used to it now because in eternity, we will all be there TOGETHER in unity and peace. Therefore, walking worthy of the calling of God now is to live in the love and unity of the Spirit today.

1 Corinthians 1:10 (NASB)

10 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Philippians 1:27 (NASB)

27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

III. Seven basic reasons Why (Ephesians 4:4-6)

Ephesians 4:4-6 (NASB)

4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, onefaith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

Seven basic reasons why we should walk in such a way to keep unity and peace within the church. Given the Spirit of God which indwells every believer, we would think the church is always a place of unity and peace, but unfortunately, it's not.

1. There is only “ONE Body” (1 Corinthians 12:13, Romans 12:5)

Though we find many denominations of the church, there is only one body of believers, the Capital “C” church. Through the many, God is creating ONE body unto Himself who believes in His Son. When a person believes in Christ, God does a few things.

That person receives a new birth, becomes a new creation, and receives the divine nature of God and the Holy Spirit of God. God causes the believer to bear the fruit of His Spirit. AND the person is placed into a NEW body of believers called the CHURCH.

1 Corinthians 12:13 (NASB)

13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

Romans 12:5 (NASB)

5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually parts of one another.

2. There is only “ONE SPIRIT” (John 3:5-6, Acts 13:2, Romans 8:14)

- The same Holy Spirit who dwells within ONE member of the family, dwells within EVERY member of the family.

What we must keep separated is the fact that there is what we would call the visible church, and the invisible church. The visible church is the church we see on Sunday mornings. This body of people may or may not be a part of the invisible church. The invisible church is made up of those who are truly believers and followers of Jesus Christ. Not everyone who sits in a pew on a Sunday morning is truly a follower of Christ. BUT, within every member of the invisible church dwells the same Holy Spirit.

It is God’s Spirit that causes men to be born again.

John 3:5-6 (NASB)

5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit.

It is God’s Spirit that calls, gifts, and directs each member to fit into and work within the church.

Acts 13:2 (NASB)

2 While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set Barnabas and Saul apart for Me for the work to which I have called them.”

Every member of the body is to do its part in carrying out the mission of the body. Acting independently of that is not being of the same spirit.

3. There is only “ONE Hope” (Romans 15:4)

- Every genuine believer has the same hope, our great day of redemption.

That is a new world created perfectly for Christ and His people. Life on the new earth will encompass love, peace, and unity. What God wants from us is to live in that today. That should be the driving force behind what we do today.

Romans 15:4 (NASB)

4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

4. There is only “ONE Lord” (1 Corinthians 12:5)

There is only one Master and King. Every believer has knelt before the same Lord.

A. As His subjects, we are to live as He said, righteous and pure, bearing the fruit of the spirit.

B. We are to carry out His orders as one body.

1 Corinthians 12:5 (NASB)

5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.

5. There is only “One Faith”

While there are a multitude of subsidiary beliefs and ideals; there is only ONE faith, and that is faith in the Lord Jesus.

- If a person comes before the Father, they must come in the same faith in Christ.

As we said earlier, we are all on the same level playing field. Faith in Christ is the only means of salvation.

6. There is only “ONE BAPTISM” (1 Corinthians 12:13)

In our believer’s baptism, we submit to the instruction of Jesus and identify as being a member of the same body, the church. Divisiveness brings shame to the ordinance of Baptism.

1 Corinthians 12:13 (NASB)

13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

7. There is only “ONE God and Father of all” (1 timothy 2:5-6)

This is our profession of faith. There is one God, who is the creator of all things and as such is supreme over all things. There is one Father who loves all and controls all.

If there is only one God and Father of all believers, how then can He be leading two believers to stand in conflict and opposition to each other? The answer: He’s not. One or both believers are following their own fleshly, carnal ways. Someone or both are not following the will and way of God.

1 Timothy 2:5-6 (NASB)

5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.

Ephesians 4:1-6 (NASB)

4 Therefore I… urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.