Walking the Walk
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Good morning Church! I hope each of you are doing well today! I want to thank you for joining us this morning and all those who may be joining online as well.
Last week, we looked at Paul’s monumental prayer and the week before that, we looked at God’s mysterious plan revealed. Up to that point, we had looked at how Christ was our Chief Cornerstone and the riches we have in Christ, who we used to be, who we are and who we are to be in Christ!
Such a rich little Book is the Book of Ephesians!
And today, we’re going to transition from Paul’s teaching on how good Christ is and how rich we are in Him, to how we are to walk because we are in Christ.
Chuck Swindoll says — Like a doorway from the classroom of knowledge to the laboratory of experience, most of Paul’s letters contain a “hinge”—a point where they shift from principle to practical, from doctrine to duty, from orthodoxy to orthopraxy.
For example, in Romans 12:1 Paul begins his practical section with, “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God …” In Galatians 5:1 he writes, “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” Similarly, in Colossians 3:1 Paul says, “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”
Notice that all of these hinges contain the word “therefore.” It’s a word that prompts us to look back before pressing on. In other words, Paul pauses to say, “In light of all the great theological truths I’ve just shared, act in the following way.” Ephesians 4:1 represents the literary hinge of Paul’s letter.
Think of the profound doctrinal principles he has been developing so far in the letter:
• our adoption as God’s children (1:4–5)
• the hope of our inheritance (1:11, 18)
• the truth of Christ’s glorious rule (1:20–23)
• the riches of God’s lavish grace (2:1–10)
• our unity with God and each other (2:11–3:13)
• the glory of the Lord’s incomprehensible love (3:14–21)
In light of the believer’s calling and position in Christ, Paul exhorts the Ephesians to walk in a manner worthy of that calling (4:1), taking steps marked by humility, gentleness, patience, tolerance, love, unity, peace, and hope (4:2–6). He also emphasizes the unity of the body in the process of spiritual growth, noting that Christ has given to the church gifted apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to build up believers in their faith (4:7–16). Through this process of corporate spiritual growth, believers can set aside the “old self” and put on the “new self,” empowered by the Spirit to live lives pleasing to God (4:17–32).
Having been grounded in profound theology, let’s follow Paul through the gateway into the practical arena of everyday life.
The title I have given today’s message is “Walking the Walk” and if you call yourself a Christian this morning, then this message is for you.
There are many titles one can hold in this world...i.e. President, Vice President, Assistant Vice President, Governor, Emperor, King, Queen, Prince, Princess, Magistrate, Senator, House Member, Mayor, Manager...the list goes on and on but the greatest title one can hold, on this side of eternity, is the title of Christian!
For without that title you are no different than any other man/woman roaming the streets of this doomed ole world. The reality is, without this title—Christian—you will meet the same fate as every other living being that has ever roamed no matter what title you hold.
But...if you hold the title of “Christian” you have a future and a hope that the rest of the world does not have! You have a future and a hope that will stand the test of time without faltering one little bit.
Kings/Queens will come and go, Presidents will change along with all the other titles we mentioned above but you my friend, shall never fade or wither.
You see, your title entitles you to something special—something man has been chasing since he lost it in the garden of Eden, and that thing is eternal life—something that no other title can offer. It is truly a special thing that we so often take for granted!
Often times, we give it no second thought. We let days pass by without thanking God for gracing us with this title. We get caught up in the world and begin to look more like it than the world to which we truly belong.
And so this morning, Paul gives us “Christians” some practical advice on just how we ought to walk...how we ought to live our lives on this side of eternity to prepare for the eternity to which we are going.
And for this reason, I pray that if you hold this sacred, precious, title of Christian this morning, that you will pay special attention for you have been given the greatest gift ever given unto mankind—a gift that surpasses all understanding—a gift that as we’ve seen through Paul’s writings, mere words themselves cannot describe—a gift that should not be taken for granted.
So, with no further ado, if you have your Bible’s with you, I’d ask you to take your copy of God’s Word and turn with me to the Book of Ephesians Chapter 4 and we are going to take a look at the first 6 verses this morning.
Ephesians 4:1-6 if you have it, would you say, Amen.
The Clarification of the Chains — (Vs. 1a)
The Clarification of the Chains — (Vs. 1a)
Paul begins his practical application of the aforementioned by again referring to himself as “a prisoner of the Lord.”
As we seen at the beginning of Chapter 3, where Paul referred to himself as “a prisoner of Jesus Christ”, Paul understood he was no prisoner of Rome but rather he was right where God wanted him to be.
I want to say just really quickly here that I admire and aspire to be more like Paul. Sometimes in life we think we know what’s best for us; we don’t understand why God has us where we are or keeps us where we are, and we ask for a change in our position and yet it doesn’t come.
It’s really hard when we think we know what’s best for us, not to get discouraged when our prayers seem to be unheard or unanswered but the reality of the situation is, God knows best and that is a very difficult lesson to learn....especially when you are in waiting.
Paul was a man on the move. From the moment he was called into the ministry, he has been on the move planting Churches and traveling from city to city spreading the Gospel and edifying the Churches.
But now he’s stuck, or so it would seem. He’s on house arrest in Rome but Paul was able to see through the smoke and mirrors and understand that he wasn’t under arrest by Rome but rather he was now a prisoner of the Lord and as a Prisoner of the Lord, Paul would do some of his finest work!
I love what John Phillips says about Paul here...
John Phillips — With these words Paul dignified his chains. He was not the prisoner of Nero. He was the prisoner of the Lord. A mere caesar could not arrest an apostle without God’s permission. Paul was undaunted. Since he had to wear a chain, he wore it like a chain of office. If every move he made had to be accompanied by the rattle of fetters, he made each clank of iron a note in a melody of praise to God. He converted his prison into a palace. He considered himself shut up with God.
Since Paul could no longer roam the world in evangelistic zeal, he became a prayer warrior. Soldiers barred the way to this world, but no soldier could close the way to Heaven. Since Paul could not preach, he prayed. Since he could not plant churches, he upheld those who could at the throne of grace. Since he could not go to Spain, he prayed for Spain. He prayed for Timothy, Titus, Luke, and Aristarchus. He prayed for the saints at Jerusalem, Antioch, Philippi, Ephesus, and Rome. He prayed for the caesar, the senate, the Roman people, the world, and the soldier who shared his cell. God shut Paul up with his pen and his prayers, so Paul praised Him by writing letters and interceding at the throne.
So Paul begins his application by making sure the Church knows that God is in control and not man and then he moves on to the Character of the Called.
The Character of the Called — (Vs. 1b-3)
The Character of the Called — (Vs. 1b-3)
Paul says here...
1 I... beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
The word “beseech” used here means to urge or encourage. The NLT translates it very well when it says...
1 I... beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.
1 I...Implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,
Paul was pleading with the Christians here in Ephesus to listen to his words of application.
He says, “I beg you to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called.”
The word “worth” means in a certain manner; properly or suitably.
“I beg you to walk suitably, properly, according to the calling wherewith you have been called.”
When you think of it in the “certain manner” light, what manner is he calling them to walk in?
A Christian manner, right?
“I beg you to please walk the walk. Walk properly as a Christian. Walk suitably as a Christian. Walk in such a manner that Christ would be pleased with you!”
I wonder this morning how many of us can honestly say that we are walking worthy of the calling in which we’ve been called?
Now listen, I’m not talking about the calling of your gifts...I’m simply talking about your calling as a Christian!
If you call yourself a Christian are you walking like one?
The word “vocation” Paul uses here is a noun that means calling but is related to the verb form of the word which is only used in the New Testament of callings issued by God.
Again, the NLT translates it best...
1 Therefore I...beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.
1 I THEREFORE...appeal to and beg you to walk (lead a life) worthy of the [divine] calling to which you have been called [with behavior that is a credit to the summons to God’s service,
Listen friend, you didn’t just wake up one day and say, “Oh, I think I will become a Christian today!”
No, the Holy Spirit of God moved upon your heart and called you to be saved and if you hold that title of Christian this morning, then dear friend that was a divine calling upon your life!
The God of all creation has called you to be a part of His family! He has called you to a higher service—a Holy service; not to mankind but to Him!
You have been drafted by the King of Kings and Lord of Lord’s! You are now a Child of the Most High God!
And because of this higher calling, you are held to a higher standard!
Think of all the dignitaries and magistrates in the world today. They are in the spotlight day in and day out. Everything they do is scrutinized to the highest degree. If they make a mistake, guess what...the whole world hears about it!
Well, what Paul is trying to get across to the believers here in Ephesus is this...if you have been called into the fold of God, you have become a part of the most Royal family and every eye in heaven and earth is going to be on you and most importantly, the eyes of almighty God, which see all, are watching and therefore, we ought to walk worthy of the calling that God has placed upon our lives!
Walk in a manner that is suitable, proper and pleasing to Him!
It doesn’t matter if it’s pleasing to the world because they aren’t the one’s you will be answering to one day. It only matters that your life is pleasing to God!
John Phillips said — A Christian’s character must be in keeping with his calling. And what a calling it is! Paul had to ransack his vocabulary to find words to describe what is ours in Christ in the heavenlies, and then he said that we are to walk worthy of that calling. 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.
Then, Paul gives the Ephesian believers some points of application here on how to walk the walk.
He begins by telling them to walk “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.”
The word “lowliness” refers to an attitude of humility. The term expresses humility as a quality that stands in contrast to pride or arrogance.
Paul told the Philippians in...
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Chuck Swindoll said — Quite simply, for the Christian it means putting Christ first, others second, and self last. The word painted the picture of a crouching slave—abject, servile, in complete subjection to his master.
So, first off Paul tells us to walk with all lowliness—humility—putting the needs of others before our own.
Jesus said in...
45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
This, first and foremost, should be the attitude of a Christian. As I was thinking about this and why this first the first thing I thought of was how it stands in stark contrast to the enemy...Satan.
He waltzes around in a robe of pride and cloak of arrogancy which is why he is where he is today and Paul says we should be right the opposite.
So, we should start our walk with humility and then Paul says, meekness.
Often times meekness is mistaken for weakness but meekness means power under control. Here, it is translated “gentleness.”
John Phillips — The word meekness challenges us to cultivate the spirit of the Lord Jesus (2 Corinthians 10:1). Meekness is not much admired among men because they too readily mistake it for weakness. But meekness is admired in Heaven. Only a strong person can display complete self-control and restraint in the face of extreme provocation. This kind of meekness is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23).
Curtis Vaughan says — “Meekness” conveys the notions of gentleness toward men and submission to God. It is a disposition that manifests itself in mildness, patience, and quiet restraint. Such meekness, of course, is not a natural trait but a work of divine grace in the heart.
Chuck Swindoll — As we see in Christ’s own self-description, humility and gentleness go hand in hand. Whereas humility is an attitude of mind, gentleness refers to the outward manifestation of a person’s humble demeanor. Gentle people are not harsh with others, don’t fight to get their way, and don’t turn everything into a winner-takes-all competition. Instead, they demonstrate consideration for the needs and feelings of others.
Paul tells the Christians in Ephesus here that in order to walk the walk, it must start with humility and gentleness. And then he says they must also be accompanied by “longsuffering.”
This word means patience.
So, we are to walk with all lowliness (humility) and meekness (gentleness) with longsuffering (patience).
Being humble and gentle isn’t always easy is it?
It takes work. It’s hard. If it was easy everyone would do it and the world would be a much better place but it’s not easy!
It takes time and dedication! It takes hard work and discipline. And if I’m being honest, I don’t know that the older I get, that it’s not getting harder to be humble and gentle!
I don’t ever suggest anyone pray for patience (done that few times and man, will God teach you some lessons through it) but we all need it!
But Paul, says here that that if we are going to walk the walk, then we must walk it with humility, with gentleness, and with patience.
The writer of Hebrews said it like this...
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
When times get hard and we’re struggling to walk in humility and gentleness and patience, we ought to look unto Christ for think of all the afflictions He had to endure and didn’t even do anything wrong!
A man wrongly accused, condemned, and sentenced to death for coming to save a bunch of sinners like you and I!
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
Christ is our supreme example of humility, gentleness, and patience!
Then, Paul continues on by saying we ought to forebear one another in love.
Curtis Vaughan — Forbearance, the fourth quality that attends the worthy Christian life, further explains longsuffering. The man who is “forbearing” is able to make allowances for the faults of his fellow believers, to bear with them in their weaknesses and failings. “In love” shows that this is not to be done grudgingly but in a loving manner, with a sense of “family affection” (Moule, Epistle to the Ephesians, p. 104). The Greek word suggests the attitude that seeks the highest good of others.
Chuck Swindoll — Just as humility and gentleness form a firm footing in our worthy walk, patience and tolerance also work together. Patience predisposes us to endure all kinds of circumstances; tolerance helps us endure all kinds of people. Tolerant people reach out with forgiveness, understanding, and sympathy. They treat others with grace—letting them grow with Christ in different ways and at different paces. Tolerant people welcome others with a warm embrace because their hearts have been embraced by Christ.
The final stepping-stone on the path to unity is love—once again, agapē [26], or unconditional love that expects nothing in return. In many ways, the previous four virtues describe what real love looks like, which is why Paul says we must have humility, gentleness, patience, and tolerance “in love.” Love looks out not for one’s own interests but for the interests of others (Phil. 2:4). All of these stepping-stones together point the way to true unity.
Which leads us to the last part here when speaking to the Character of the Called.
Paul says in Verse 3...
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
The word “endeavouring” in the Greek means...to make every effort.
As Christians, we are to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
When we are walking as Paul said to walk—in humility & gentleness, with patience and forbearance—and most importantly, in love towards one another, we will be a unified body of believers led by the Spirit of God!
But, we know that it’s not something that’s just going to happen, we have to work at it. We have to strive for unity. That’s why Paul says here, to endeavor—to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Sometimes that means things won’t go the way that we want them. Or not everyone is going to think the way we think. But we should be humble, we should be gentle, we should practice patience and forbear one another IN LOVE, knowing that there is a bigger and greater plan in place than our own desires or wishes.
That’s what the Character of the Called, the Character of the Christian should look like!
Now, the only questions that remains is this...how many of us here this morning will look at this short list of character traits and say, “man, I have some work to do!”?
I know I do. I have a lot of work that needs be done.
So, Paul speaks to the believers in Ephesus about The Character of the Called and then, he continues his practical application by explaining to the Christians here in Ephesus The Composition of the Called.
And the biggest point that he tries to drive home here reverts back to what he says here in Verse 3 which is Unity! Look at what he says...
The Composition of the Called — (Vs. 4-6)
The Composition of the Called — (Vs. 4-6)
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Chuck Swindoll — So fundamental is unity to the Christian walk that Paul shines a light on seven of its facets. These are seven things that all believers share, regardless of denomination, location, age, worship preference, or any other things that might divide orthodox, Bible-believing, evangelical churches. In this list, note that these are present realities—they don’t just exist in some ideal future when God finally breaks down the barriers to church unity. Rather, these are seven pillars upon which practical unity can be built.
So, let’s break this list down one by one...
Paul says here… “There is one body.”
John Phillips — We look at the church today and we see it torn and divided.
In the words of hymnist S. J. Stone,
… with a scornful wonder
Men see her sore oppressed,
By schisms rent asunder,
By heresies distressed.
Men look at the church and see it divided into Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox communions. They see state churches, countless nonconformist groups, and the endless splintering of the professing church into denominations, sects, and factions.
They see liberals and fundamentalists, charismatics and conservatives. They see churches divided on doctrine, churches espousing opposite views on church government, churches bitterly divided on issues. And the confusion over all these divisions is aggravated by a multitude of heresies and cults all claiming to be Christian.
There is, however, only one church. Where man sees disunity, God sees unity. He sees a church comprised of men, women, boys, and girls who have trusted in Christ for salvation, who have been washed from their sins in His blood, and who have been born from above. They are all one in Christ—some living on earth, even more living in Heaven. Life, not light, unites the body of Christ. All who are saved and are members of that body share one life—the life of Christ. That is the unity of the church.
Chuck Swindoll — Jew and Gentile, slave and free, male and female, rich and poor, young and old—all of these otherwise conflicting types of people have been placed in “one body,” the church.
There was never meant to be “the old people’s church” and “the young people’s church.” God didn’t establish a “rich people’s church” and a “poor people’s church.” He didn’t have in mind a “black church” and a “white church” … or a “traditional church” and a “contemporary church.” There is one body.
I have often said that this is where the devil is doing a great job of handicapping the Church today.
Jesus said in...
25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
And if you look at what we’ve done down throughout the ages, we’ve fed right into Satan’s hand by allowing him to separate us as believers!
The Church is not a unified Church today. It is splintered into factions as Phillips stated but it was never intended to be that way!
There is one body, the body of Christ, and if we could all just come together on that one thing...the Lord Jesus Christ...man what a mighty move of God would take place!
There is one body!
Then, Paul says...
There is one Spirit
Chuck Swindoll — The same Spirit of God gives life to and dwells in every believer. He calls us through various means. He gifts us in various ways. Yet He indwells all of us equally. There are not different Holy Spirits for different people and different groups (1 Cor. 12:4–11). One Holy Spirit gives all of us new life.
John would say in...
1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
There is one Spirit, who lives in, guides, teaches, and instructs all Christians!
John Phillips — It is the Holy Spirit who imparts that divine life. His first work is to convict and enlighten. Then He regenerates, adds the new believers to the body, indwells, fills, seals, anoints.
Paul said, “If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Romans 8:9).
The indwelling Holy Spirit distinguishes the genuine believer from someone who merely professes to be in the church. One has the Holy Spirit; the other does not. One has spiritual life; the other does not. Those who share new life in Christ do so because of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
There is one body and one Spirit and then Paul says...
There is One Hope of Your Calling
The hope of our calling is eternal life. Paul would write to Titus in...
2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
But the only way we can inherit the hope of eternal life is by putting our trust in the one person who is the reason for our hope of eternal life and that is the Lord Jesus Christ!
He is our hope.
Paul said in...
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;
Which leads us to the next part...
One Lord
There has only ever been one who stepped down from His throne in Heaven to rescue His own creation.
Paul would tell the Corinthians in...
6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
John Phillips — “One Lord.” That is our way of saying, “I’m saved.” This is the common confession of the redeemed. We may express the message in different ways, belong to different communities of faith, and hold to different convictions, but we have only one confession: Jesus is Lord.
There is one body, one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord and then Paul says...
One Faith
Listen friend, there aren’t many different types of faith that will ensure you will get to Heaven. There is only one.
One faith, in one Lord, by One Spirit.
If your faith is in anything besides the Lord Jesus Christ this morning, then you have a false faith in a false God.
Phillips said — “One faith.” That is our way of saying, “I’m sure.”
Jude 3 speaks of “the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” That is the faith Paul had in mind here—that great body of assuring truth that Luke called “the apostles’ doctrine” (Acts 2:42), the foundation stone on which our certainty of salvation rests (Ephesians 2:20; 3:5).
There is only one faith. The bottom line of all Christian belief is Christ: Christ as He is revealed in the Scriptures; Christ as God the Son, eternal, uncreated, self-existing, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, holy, loving, and true; Christ as the second person of the godhead, coequal with the Father and the Spirit, possessing all the attributes of deity, creator, and sustainer of all things, ineffably sublime; Christ as the Son of man, virgin-born, conceived of the Holy Ghost, immaculate, triumphant over sin’s curse, victor over demons and disease and disaster and death; humble and holy, loving and lowly, patient and pure, glorious, gracious, and good.
Christ is the One foretold by the prophets; the One who fulfilled the law; the One who pleased God in His character, career, conduct, and conversation; the One who went about doing good, healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead, fed the multitudes, stilled the storm, walked the waves.
Christ is the One who was rejected, betrayed, falsely accused, crucified, and buried; the One who died for us to purge our sins; the One whose body defied the corruption of the grave; the One who rose from the dead and ascended on high; the One who sat down at God’s right hand, sent the Holy Spirit, heads the church, and is coming again.
Christ is the essence of our one faith. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
There is one body, one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one faith and then Paul says there is...
One Baptism
In...
11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
Paul wanted to set the record straight and let the whole world know that there was one baptism and that was the baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Chuck Swindoll — Regardless of the various methods of baptizing, the age of a person when he or she is baptized, or what words are used in the observance, all Christians believe that baptism is the rite of initiation into the Christian faith. Through baptism we publicly proclaim our identification with Christ—an outward sign of an inward reality. The methods may vary, but every true Christian church practices this essential ordinance.
John Phillips — That is our way of saying, “I’m separated.”
This one baptism effectively separated the believers from the world. In many instances it was the crucial test of a person’s faith. It was the ultimate confession that could cost him his job, his family, his friends, and sometimes even his life. It still remains the test in some cultures. In Muslim lands, among some Jews, and even in some so-called Christian lands, believers can pay a high price for being baptized.
When performed publicly—in a river or at a seaside resort, for instance—baptism is still a daring confession of faith that announces loudly to a watching world that the believer has died with Christ, has been buried with Him, and is now raised with Him to live in newness of life.
There is one body, one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and last but most importantly there is...
One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all!
Chuck Swindoll — As the last of his seven facets of unity, Paul mentions the first person of the Godhead: God the Father. As those saved through faith in His Son and the regenerating work of the Spirit, all Christians look to one Father.
If anybody would still doubt that all believers are truly united with one another, Paul makes it crystal clear that the one God is “over all and through all and in all” (Eph. 4:6).
As the Spirit, the Son, and the Father are one, so we are also one, we who were created in God’s image and re-created to be conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor. 3:18).
As we come to a close, I want to share what John Phillips says about this final section because he does so so beautifully.
And I really want you to sit up and listen to this and let it sink way down in your soul this morning so if you’re with me say, amen.
John Phillips — Our Father is absolute in His power. As Paul wrote, there is “one God and Father of all, who is above all.” No foe can daunt us. No fear can haunt us. No power in Heaven, earth, or Hell can triumph over Him. He is above all. He rules the galaxies, from earth to the uttermost star. No government on earth can overrule His decrees. He is above all, and He is our God and Father. Blessed be His name!
Our Father is absorbed in His purpose: “One God and Father of all, who is … through all.”
The Greek preposition translated “through” here is dia. In this context dia has the general sense of dividing a surface in two with an intersecting line. Dia includes the idea of proceeding from and passing on out. It denotes any cause by means of which an action passes to its accomplishment—the passing through whatever is interposed between the beginning and the end of such action. God is through all. In other words, “Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world” (Acts 15:18). God knows what He is doing, where He is going, and how He will accomplish His purposes.
Nowhere is this more evident than at Calvary. There God allowed the opposition of earth and Hell to unite against Him and have its diabolical way. The Greek, Latin, and Hebrew letters on Jesus’ cross proclaimed not only His title—“Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews”—but also the world’s united contempt (John 19:19).
Greek reasoning, Roman rule, and Hebrew religion joined to endorse the crucifixion of God’s King. Hell triumphed! Satan won!
God had sent His only Son. Now He had no more heralds to send. As in the parable, the people said, “This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours” (Mark 12:7). For a little while, it looked as though God was checkmated by men on earth and by plots of the pit. But not so! God was simply on His way through.
The dark hill of Calvary was not the end of the journey. God was “proceeding from.” He was intersecting time, drawing a line through the ages. He was dividing the human race in two: saved and lost, believing and unbelieving, reprobate and regenerate.
He allowed men to bury His Son in the tomb. He allowed Jesus’ body to lie there while He finished drawing that line. Then, having “proceeded from,” He “passed on out.” Jesus came out of that tomb, ascended into Heaven, took His place at God’s right hand in glory, and began the countdown to Armageddon. Our Father is absorbed in His purpose.
Our Father is also abiding in His presence: “One God and Father of all, who is … in you all.” En, the preposition translated “in” here, denotes “being or remaining within, with the primary idea of rest and continuance” (The Companion Bible).
We are familiar with the concepts of the Holy Spirit indwelling the believer (1 Corinthians 3:16) and the Lord Jesus indwelling the believer (John 15:4).
Here we learn that the Father also indwells the believer. The thought is beyond all thought! God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are all at home in our hearts.
Talk about unity!
This is the finality of what Paul was trying to get across to the believers, the called, here in Ephesus...There is one body, one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all who is above all, and through all, and in us all!
Close
Close
As we come to a close this morning, I want you to ask them to come get us a song and I want you to just simply think about what it means to be a Christian—the blessing of being called by the God of all creation and saved by His one and only Son and guided by His Holy Spirit!
What a most blessed title it is...Christian!
It leaves us only to ask...am I walking worthy of the title?
Is my life reflective of what it truly means to be a Christian?
When the world looks at me, do they see Christ in me?
When the world looks at our body do they see unity?
Do they see Christ in us? At work in us? At work in our Church? At work in our Children? At work in our efforts?
I’d dare say each of us have some room for improvement in our walk this morning.
When we give the invitation here in just a moment, if there are some improvements you need to make...this altar is open.
If you are here and need to be saved...if you need to trust in Christ...to make Him Lord of your life...this altar is also open for you.
Whatever the need may be...won’t you come?
