The Daily Walk
Ephesians: Rooted and Grounded • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Introduction
Introduction
Chapter 4 brings us to the practical portion of this letter. One commentator called this chapter,
An Exegetical Summary of Ephesians Chapter 4
the constitution of the church [AB].
While chapters 1-3 contained many things regarding our salvation and give us an application to come to Christ for salvation, these later chapters are more focused on the life of the saved. Application is only as good as the doctrine that it is based on. This morning, we will learn what our daily walk is called to be and how we can show forth Christ’s love.
Remember, the letter of Paul to the Ephesians, an important epistle in the Bible, has much to say on the subject of what our church should be. Paul will show us the importance of unity, faithful leadership and biblical order in the church. We will see the vital part that their family plays in the life of every Christian. We have seen the blessings of God through His salvation. We will also see the reality of the spiritual warfare around us.
Written by Paul the Apostle, Ephesians is a letter that begins high on a mountain top in chapter one. We see the amazing blessings of the Trinity toward saved man. In chapter two, we see two paragraphs that give us the truth of grace for mankind. We are saved by grace. We are united by our sin and His salvation. Chapter three gave us insight into the task of Paul as an apostle and his prayer for the church at Ephesus. Salvation is a major focus of those doctrinal chapters in Ephesians.
Remember, the central theme of Ephesians is the unity of believers, in Christ, as part of the local church.
Paul is speaking from his heart to the people of this pagan city of Ephesus. His heart is full of grace and peace for these Christians. Paul has sought throughout his ministry to be an example of what a believer should be. As we will see this morning, Paul terms this lifestyle of the believer, his “walk.”
We got a dog about a month ago. His name is Wally and he loves to go on walks or on runs with me. Whenever he sees another person walking or another dog in a yard, he does not bark or wine. Instead, he straightens up and acts like he is on parade. I cannot figure out if it is because he is curious of the different things he sees or just because he thinks he is on display. His reaction to those he comes in contact with is a careful reflection of who he is.
Our Christian life is like a walk with my dog. We ought to be careful to keep our conduct right as it is displayed before a lost world. How many times can you count that someone you have heard of has brought a bad name on a church or on Christians? In the world, we expect to encounter sin. In the church, we ought to reject sin.
Today we need to take stock of how we look on our daily walk with God. Paul calls the Ephesians to task for their walk. He uses this word “walk” or peripateo in seven verses in Ephesians. Walking was the way that we were in the past.
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Walking is the way that we are now in Christ.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
How is your walk today? How can you walk worthy today?
Declaration
Declaration
Living out our unity in Christ is as simple as showing His love and peace to one another. We are unified in Him. Today, we must live out that unity in front of them (the lost world). We live out verses 4-6 by being like verses 2-3.
1. Walk Worthy
1. Walk Worthy
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
Because of the previous chapters, Paul begins chapter 4 with a “therefore”. Doctrine is the foundation of practical Christian living. Again he uses the title “prisoner of the Lord” to show that he is carrying out the necessary suffering and service to the Lord.
How are you living today? Paul is making a request here that the church at Ephesus would check their living and adjust accordingly. Paul says to the Ephesians, “Walk”. A walk is not the fastest way to move along. A walk may take longer than a run. However, walking is the personal transportation of life. Paul requests that we walk.
Paul says “Walk worthy”. This walking that matches up to expectations. There is an example and a pattern that we are to follow in our walk. The expectation is the life of Christ who walked up a hill one spring morning and gave His life in your place. In Philippians, Paul says
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;
What are we walking worthy of? Are we striving to be worthy of our salvation? Are we striving to be worthy of accolades or praise? We are to “walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.” A vocation is a calling. It is something that is a result of grace from God and is specific to a task in the world. It defines a person and sets them apart from others without this vocation.
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
The rest of the passage clarifies and expands this encouragement to walk worthy. Paul requests that the Ephesians and us today are not just readers and listeners but doers of the Word of God. Does the Bible affect your daily life? Do you walk like you talk? Paul begins with a request that the Ephesians practice the reality of chapter 1-3.
Walk Worthy
2. Walk Worthy in Love
2. Walk Worthy in Love
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
A. With Lowliness
A. With Lowliness
Worthiness needs definition. It needs expression. It needs explanation. Paul begins explaining the request in verses 2-3. First, we are to walk in lowliness. Believers are humble because we are sinners saved by grace. Nothing I could do, nothing you could do, could get us out of our sinful state. God is the one who saved us from our sin. As Paul is preaching to the Ephesian elders in Acts, Luke records
And when they were come to him, he said unto them,
Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,
Humility requires constant adjustment. Pride requires constant elimination. Check your pride at the door of the Christian walk for we have nothing in ourselves to boast of. God based salvation on grace so that pride could have nothing to do with it!
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
B. With Meekness
B. With Meekness
How do you view yourself? Are you a good person? Are you alright with where you are in your career or lifestyle?
Or do you look at yourself as God does? Do you look at yourself in the mirror of God’s Word and seek to improve the picture that it shows? Not only humility but a tender kindness to others is needed when we see that we are all one in our sinful condition and our need for Christ’s salvation. Meekness is this recognition that we must be as kind to others as God has been to us. Meekness is found in the example of Christ.
Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
Meekness is the result of Christ in the heart shown out to a lost world.
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
C. With Longsuffering
C. With Longsuffering
There will be many trials in your life. There will be many encounters with challenging people. There will be many times that you will work with people that you may not like or agree with. How do you act in those ever present times? Many times, I am challenged by those situations and I have to constantly check my emotions and will at the door of the Christian walk.
Think of these situations in a different way. How does God act in those times? God acts in love and mercy to a world that rejected Him. We are to walk with patience or longsuffering in the constant trials of life. That means no complaining. That means no deviation. That means looking toward the final ending of perfection in Christ!
Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 4373 Thanks for Your Patience
Two Christians were driving through an area where the road was being widened. At the end of the repair zone, a sign informed travellers, “Construction Ended. Thank You for Your Patience.”
“I think that would make an appropriate epitaph for my life,” said one of the Christians.
D. Forbearing in Love
D. Forbearing in Love
Have you ever had to put up with someone that was annoying or just would not leave you alone? Our walk is to be one in which we continue on faithful in the midst of circumstances that test us and try us. Forbearing is found here with the adjective of love, a key word in this book. The love of God is our pattern. The death of Christ is our entrance. Be faithful in loving the people around you as Christ has died for them.
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
E. Endeavouring for Unity in Peace
E. Endeavouring for Unity in Peace
The word “endeavouring” here means effort. Effort is needed in living the Christian life. Effort is needed in the service of the King. Zeal lived out in effort is a worthy endeavour. Be zealous with haste and dispatch to walk worthy of the calling of God to you today. The defeat of your effort is not an option.
Unity gives us the idea of harmony in a group of people. There is harmony in those who are connected by their presence in Christ. This harmony must be maintained and lived out in the church and in the community. The word “bond” shows us something that keeps separate items together. At work we “band” a pallet together to keep the items from falling off in transit. Peace is the bond or “band” that keeps the church together in unity. Next week, we will see the purpose of this unity,
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
We have this bond of peace. Peace is the calmness that only God can give. We have peace with God through the death of Christ. We have the peace of God through His work in us for salvation. Let peace be the way that unity is passed on to others as we saw several weeks ago in chapter 2.
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
What do all of these characteristics of the Christian’s walk have in common? They are all the character and actions of God toward this lost world. We strive for the expectation of perfection. We show the illustration by our profession.
Walk Worthy
Walk Worthy in Love
3. Walk Worthy in Love because of Unity
3. Walk Worthy in Love because of Unity
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
The aspects of Christian Unity is the subject of verses 4-6. Paul recognizes that, because of our connection to God in Trinity, unity is already present and available. We are able to experience the unity of verse 3 because of these seven listed truths.
A. One Body v. 4
A. One Body v. 4
The idea of a “body” has been seen throughout this letter. In chapter one, we see that Christ is the body who contains fulness.
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
In chapter two, the “body” is the oneness that is created by the reconciliation of God by the death of Christ.
And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
In chapter three, the “body” is the combination of the Gentiles and Jews in Christ through the Gospel.
Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
There is One Body in the church if we live by the doctrine of the Bible.
B. One Spirit v. 4
B. One Spirit v. 4
There is One Spirit that is the Holy Spirit. He lives inside of each Christian. He seals them at their salvation. He pleads their prayers before the throne. The Holy Sprit unites us in the church of God.
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
C. One Hope v. 4
C. One Hope v. 4
There is one hope that we are called to. One aspect of the calling of God is that one day we will see the one who calls from a distance face to face. What a day that will be when our expectations here are met with visibility there! What hope is found in the finished work of Christ.
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
One commentator has called the church “the camp of those that hope”. Our hope is a confident expectation that God and Christ will carry out their promises.
The Epistles to the Ephesians and the Colossians Ephesians 4:4–6
Manzoni has happily styled the Christian church “the camp of those that hope”.
D. One Lord v. 5
D. One Lord v. 5
There is one Lord. Christ is that Lord. He is the one who is over the church as its Head. He is the coming King of Kings. We have already seen twice in Ephesians that Christ has been elevated and honored for His sacrifice for sinners. Paul writes to the Corinthians that diversity in the church does not have to result in division.
And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
E. One Faith v. 5
E. One Faith v. 5
There is one Faith. This faith here is not only saving faith. Instead, it is the comprehensive body of Christian doctrine. We believe the Bible is true. We believe that God is Trinity. We believe that Christ lived a sinless life and died for us. We believe the Gospel is for all men. These are the pillars that hold up this faith.
The Epistles to the Ephesians and the Colossians Ephesians 4:4–6
The church rests on the given (Forsyth), not on conjectural or subjective data.
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
F. One Baptism v. 5
F. One Baptism v. 5
There is one baptism. Baptism is included here in its nature as a picture that we all enter the Christian life through the same path. That path is the path that Christ took. Because it led to a cross and His death, so our sin is dead in Christ. Because it led to burial in a tomb, so our sin is separated as far as the east is from the west in the depths of the sea. Because it led to the resurrection on the third day, so we receive eternal life in Him. Baptism is a picture what happens at our salvation.
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Baptism unifies us as a part of the church. It pictures salvation by grace through faith which makes us a part of the body of Christ. Baptism unites us.
G. One God and Father v. 6
G. One God and Father v. 6
There is one God. God here is the First Person of the Trinity, the Father. We see here that three of the seven aspects of this unity are the Three Persons of the Trinity. How does God relate to man? God is characterized by His Omnipresence on, Interest in, and Love for this sin-cursed world. God’s holiness is expressed as love to redeem mankind from their sin. God is above all. God is working through all. God is in all. What will man do with God? Moses commanded Israel,
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:
Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament Walk in Unity (4:1–6)
God works and relates in numerous ways, but there is only one God.
Walk Worthy
Walk Worthy in Love
Walk Worthy in Love because of Unity
Conclusion
Conclusion
Paul writing as a prisoner. He has already used this example at the middle of chapter 3 to show them that they should not be discouraged in his sufferings. Here, in chapter 4, Paul is saying "I cannot go and walk before men because I am in prison. You can. However, follow my example of faithfulness by practicing these virtues. As you practice these virtues, you show the reality of your unity."
How are we unified? One body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God. Unity is important to the church of Christ. We need to do a better job of looking for things to join with instead of separate from. Truth and error cannot fellowship. Sin and obedience cannot fellowship. Preaching the Gospel allows fellowship.
Living out our unity in Christ is as simple as showing His love and peace to one another. We are unified in Him. Today, we must live out that unity in front of them (the lost world). We live out verses 4-6 by being like verses 2-3.
Think about how temporary unity seems to be in a group of people. What is the biggest danger in the church for maintaining its unity? What can we say surely will affect division in the body of Christ? One word: Selfishness.
When we are selfish, we listen to the call of our own desires instead of the call of Christ. We are all different. We come to Christ from different places. We come to Christ from different families and jobs. We come to Christ with different thoughts, feelings, and interests. Selfishness is choosing to focus on what isolates each of us. Walking worthy in love because of unity is choosing to focus on mobilizes each of us. We are unified in these seven things in verses 4-6. None of the seven are inclusive, divisive, or selfish. Paul calls us in chapter 4 to walk worthy of His calling.
3 Unity and diversity must work together or one will destroy the other. Unity without diversity is uniformity, but diversity without unity is anarchy.
Warren Wiersbe
A Gallery of Grace (2002)
The calling of Christ leaves us with a choice of how we will respond to Him. How are you responding to the call of Christ today? Are you walking toward His calling or away from it? Walking is something that we do every day. Walking is something we did before salvation. Walking is something that we do after salvation. Walking is something that requires choices. What is your choice today?
If you have never accepted Christ as your Saviour, you are not able to walk worthy. Instead, you are walking the same way that you always have, you are walking in your sin. Sin is a problem that we all have. Salvation is a solution that we can all take advantage of. Christ has paid for your sin on the cross over 2,000 years ago and today you can take that first step of a new walk in Him.
