Checking Your Attitude

Ephesians 4:1-3

“Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.”

Verse 4 is the main scripture of any church. When churches spilt, when they have division, fall outs and other mess that Happens is because they have chosen to ignore this passage.

We as the church have been given a direct order from God Who has called us to this church.

Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.”

Ephesians follows a theme common in Paul's writings: connecting theory with practice. In this book, however, he goes into greater depth before making the transition. As a letter meant to be read by more than just the believers at Ephesus, this is an important look at how Christian belief should translate into Christian action. The first three chapters lay out spiritual ideas, the last three chapters show how these truths should be applied in the life of a mature believer. Paul focuses heavily on love, the unity of the Christian church, and the incredible value of our salvation through Christ. Paul's compelling description of Christian unity. Every saved believer, regardless of talent or skill, Jew or Gentile, male or female, is saved by the same faith in the same God. Each Christian, therefore, is part of a single, universal family of believers in Jesus Christ. At the same time, God gives different gifts to different people, so that they can serve the many roles needed to accomplish His purposes here on earth. Rather than being concerned about what gifts we might lack, each Christian can rejoice in our unity, and focus on serving God to the best of our ability.

How do we do this church? Jesus is mentioned 3 times in the New Testament where he says He’s the bridegroom. Matt.9:15, Mark 2:19-20, John 3:29, These passages highlighted the intimate relationship between Jesus and His followers likening it to a that of a bridegroom and bride. It’s a marriage that we must do all we can do to ensure we keep the unity in the bond of peace. So where do we start. Verse 1 told us to make sure our calling is an election sure that we focus on living a Godly life. That’s were we proclaimed before God and Man as they witnessed your confession and that you are ready for the missionary journey of going out and seeking the lost and helping them along with us to work together to keep His Unity. So how do we do that?

Today, we’ll explore what it means to “check your attitude” and enter into worship and fellowship with a mindset that promotes unity and peace. People leave churches because of personality differences or I say Attitudes.

We will examine the attitudes that can either build up or tear down the church and learn how to cultivate the heart God calls us to have. In Ephesians 4:3, Paul gives a simple yet profound instruction: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” In other words, our attitudes and efforts are essential in maintaining the unity that God desires for His people. Let’s see what Paul shares with us in this text. First thing we need to know is that

In order to ensure we can do this the apostle Paul’s prayer in chapter 3 calls on the Spirit of the Lord on the name of Jesus. How we need that inner strength, pray for perseverance, wisdom and courage. Pray that Christ will dwell in your heart through your faith. We must be willing to surrender every area of our lives to Christ. so that He can take residence in our thoughts, desires and actions.

1. Attitudes Can Build or Break Unity (v. 3)

Unity within the church is fragile. It requires intentional effort from each of us, and our attitudes play a critical role in either building up or breaking down this unity. Paul urges us to be proactive in keeping the unity of the Spirit. This means we need to bring attitudes of peace, love, and humility that align with our calling.

Negative attitudes like pride, selfishness, and bitterness can disrupt the harmony that Christ intends for His body. When we hold onto grudges or look down on others, we create division. On the other hand, when we practice humility, patience, and love, we build the bond of peace.

James 4:1-3 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

Spiritual attitudes are crucial in shaping our relationship with God, others, and ourselves.

Let’s talk about the virtues that are needed inside our attitudes

Always (Endeavoring) to be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.

2. The Attitude of Humility and Gentleness

Always, endeavoring used in the NKJV it means to Be Zealous, eager, quick, use speed, urgency to want to put these virtues in your heart. DO YOUR BEST TO SHOW YOUR GRACE TO OTHERS

The first of these is humility. This virtue is listed first because of Paul’s emphasis on unity. because he wanted to counteract their past pride, so as to facilitate obedience to and dependence on God. Christ was the supreme example of humility (Phil. 2:6–8). 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross (NKJV)

In Greek culture, humility was thought of as a vice, to be practiced only by slaves. But Paul stated that saints should be completely humble in their daily walks. This is the opposite of pride. On the other hand, Christians should not promote false humility, but should recognize who they are in God’s program (cf. John 3:30; Rom. 12:3).

30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. John 3:30

Rom.12:3 Because of the privilege and authority[c] God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.

Their pride was so bad they didn’t even realize their separation from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers to the covenant of the promise and having No hope and without God. There are people out there who are in need of hope and if we dont see them, then we have lost sight of the grace given to us. But we must ensure that our humility is real. Let’s not perform humble acts for recognition, nor self-depreciation, meaning downplaying achievements while others will disagree and praise you.

Jesus Himself embodied these attitudes. He did not come to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45). He invites us to follow His example. When we come to church with a humble heart, we acknowledge that we are all sinners in need of grace. We are less likely to be judgmental and more likely to extend grace to others.

Second, a believer is to be gentle or “meek” (prautētos; cf. the adverb of this word in Gal. 6:1; Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.

This is the opposite of self-assertion, rudeness, and harshness. It suggests having one’s emotions under control. “ Don’t let your emotions get the best of you” it does not suggest weakness. It is the mean between one who is angry all the time and one who is never angry. One who is controlled by God is angry at the right time but never angry at the wrong time. Moses was known as the meekest of all men (Num. 12:3, kjv). Yet he got angry when Israel sinned against God (Ex. 32). Christ was meek and humble in heart (Matt. 11:29). Yet He became angry because some Jews were using the temple as a place for thieves (Matt. 21:12–13). Let the inner spirit guide you by placing

Patience allows us to bear with one another’s weaknesses.

Third, believers should exhibit patience. Patience is the spirit that never gives up for it endures to the end even in times of adversity (James 5:10). It is the self-restraint that does not hastily retaliate a wrong (cf. Gal. 5:22; Col. 1:11; 3:12; 2 Tim. 4:2).

Colossians 3:14–15 | Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

Attitudes of humility, gentleness, and patience foster unity among Christians. Having stated these three virtues, Paul then stated the manner in which they are to be carried out in one’s conduct: bearing with one another in love and making every effort (the Gr. has a participle, “making every diligent effort”) to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Christians are not to make unity but to guard what God made in creating the “one new man” (Eph. 2:15–16). They are to keep this unity “through the bond” which consists of “peace.” Concern for peace will mean that Christians will lovingly tolerate each other, even when they have differences.

Closing

How can we make or ensure that we consistently pursue to keep unity in the church in this marriage? By checking your attitude. As we come together in worship, the attitudes we bring with us shape our experience, our relationships, and our unity in Christ. ,

Ephesians 4:30-31 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Spiritual attitudes should Reflect Christ’s Character

Spiritual attitudes influence how we treat and forgive others.

Spiritual attitudes are vital for personal growth in faith.

Spiritual attitudes are the evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work within us.

Spiritual Attitudes are what keeps Forest Park healthy and vibrant.