A Place For You

Text: Ephesian 4-6

Place Preached - (Brampton International Baptist Church)

Date Preached - (04/28/02) PM

Introduction:   

Review of Series to this point…(Doctrinal Section)

Eph. 1 – In Heavenly Places

Eph. 2 – In the Household of God

Eph. 3 – In the Heart of God

Preview of next three messages….(Practical section)

Eph. 4 – Working for God

Eph. 5 – Walking with God

Eph. 6 – Winning Through God

I. Working For God Ephesians 4:11-16

ILLUS: Relate my work experiences on the farm, in Dad’s business etc.   Hard work, Long hours, the work is not always pleasant!!

Now you might say I was CALLED to that by virtue of my relationship with Dad. I was also EQUIPPED for the work.

And I like to believe that my work added something to the EFFECTIVENESS of my Father’s work.  I was part of a TEAM effort.

Most of you can relate to hard work - and we buy into that, - and to the concepts I included in the preceding illustration – CALLING – TRAINING – TEAMWORK.

But we also have a spiritual work to do (for the Christian it is all spiritual) which has a lasting and eternal value.

In our text we find some great principles regarding our spiritual work.

NOW we will see that in the spiritual walk and work we are CALLED, we are EQUIPPED and we are part of a TEAM.

A. We are called to a Walk/Work vs.1

Since we have a calling… How should we carry out that calling?

Three qualities are found in our text.

1. Worthy vs.1 – DEF.

We are different than the world and it ought to show in the way we approach our spiritual responsibilities.

2. Humbly vs.2

Philippians 2:3  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Vs. 3  “ENDEAVOURING” means it must not always be easy!!

What if I don’t feel like walking WORTHY, HUMBLY, or SPIRITUALLY?  Or what if I feel others are not?

You don’t have a choice, that’s what you’re called to!!!

B. We are Perfected for the work vs.12

The idea is that we are completed, equipped or furnished for all that God has for us to accomplish.

1. Who is Equipped?

Vs.7 “Everyone of us”

2. How are we equipped?

a). Through the Holy Spirit. (SEE above verses)

b). Through the Spiritual gifting of others vs.11

c). Through the Word of God

d). Through Trials

James 1:2-3  My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 

3  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

3. For What Purpose are we Equipped?

The work = The Edifying of the Body

C. We are joined together for the increase of the work vs.16

Why a body?

1. A Picture of Christ

2. Pictures Submission to Christ

We are under His headship vs.15

3. The Effectiveness of the body working together is greater than the sum of Individual members working alone.

There is a synergy (EXPLAIN)

LOOK UP & READ I Cor. 12:12-27

II. Walking With God - Ephesians 5:1-2

We read of Enoch who walked with God, and Noah, others.

What does it mean to walk with God? 

Ephesians 5:1 provides us as good a definition as there is to be found in the Bible.

Ephesians 5:1  Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

Walking with God means following God.  The word “Followers” means imitators.

How then are we to imitate or follow God?

A. By Walking in Love vs.2

We are talking about the love of God here!!!

Romans 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Your life must be characterized by love.   In all of your words and thoughts and actions.

1. We are to love because of Christ’s Love.

1 John 4:19  We love him, because he first loved us.

We have no excuse, no alibi, no option but to walk in love.  We ourselves are loved by God with an everlasting love!!!

2. We are to love as Christ has loved us.

a). He gave Himself for us vs.2B

We are by nature “Takers” – God is by nature a “Giver”.

b). His sacrifice brought Glory to God vs.2C

God is glorified by our sacrificial love.

B. By Walking in Light vs.3-14

Vs.8 – “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:”

Now there are principles and prohibitions in our text.

Let’s tackle the Principles first.   The Prohibitions have increased clarity and force once we understand the principles.

1. The Principles vs.8-14

a). Transformation vs.8-9

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

TRANSFORMATION – Define & Explain

b). Separation vs.10-12

That means as far as the world (*Explain) is concerned we have...

*(Not Physical World, Not it’s people, but this world system)

NO Felllowship….vs.11 / NO Fondness….vs.12

c). Manifestation vs.13-14

REPROVE – Admonish, convince, convict.

MANIFEST – To render apparent, show (Show & Tell?)

What reproves?  Our lips or our life?  Our words or our walk?

2. The Prohibitions vs.3-7

Strong, Forceful Language…

“let it not be once named among you” vs.3

“Be not ye therefore partakers with them” vs.7

These are the things that characterize those w/o Christ vs.5

C. By Walking in Line vs.15-33

Vs. 15 – “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,”

CIRCUMSPECTLY - The word expresses that "accuracy" which is the outcome of carefulness. It is connected with akros, "pointed."  (VINES) - See CAREFUL, DILIGENT, EXACTLY, PERFECT.

How do we walk in line?

A. Realize the Seriousness of the Times vs.16

B. Realize the Importance of God’s Will vs.17

C. Recognize the Necessity of a Spirit-Filled life vs.18-20

D. Recognize God’s Place in our Personal relationships vs.21

III. Winning Through God – Ep. 6:10-19

The following are excerpts from the speech delivered by President George W. Bush on Sept. 20, 2001.  days after the terrorist attack on NY City.

“On September the 11th, enemies of freedom committed an act of war against our country.

“We have seen their kind before. They're the heirs of all the murderous ideologies of the 20th century. By sacrificing human life to serve their radical visions, by abandoning every value except the will to power, they follow in the path of fascism, Nazism and totalitarianism. And they will follow that path all the way to where it ends in history's unmarked grave of discarded lies. Americans are asking, "How will we fight and win this war?"

We will direct every resource at our command -- every means of diplomacy, every tool of intelligence, every instrument of law enforcement, every financial influence, and every necessary weapon of war -- to the destruction and to the defeat of the global terror network.

“We will starve terrorists of funding, turn them one against another, drive them from place to place until there is no refuge or no rest.

And we will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism. Every nation in every region now has a decision to make: Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists.

“Our nation, this generation, will lift the dark threat of violence from our people and our future. We will rally the world to this cause by our efforts, by our courage. We will not tire, we will not falter and we will not fail.”

We have a much more serious battle.  We are involved in a spiritual war!!

Question: What does spiritual victory look like?

A. Spiritual Victory is for the believer vs.10

“Finally, my brethren”

1 It is for Believers Only

1 John 5:19  And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

2. It is for every Believer

Hebrews 7:25  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

B. Spiritual Victory signifies a spiritual battle vs.11B & 12

1. It is not a physical battle

“We wrestle not against flesh and blood”

2. We are battling Satan vs.11B

WILES – methodia - denotes "craft, deceit" "a cunning device” (meta, "after," hodos, "a way")

The archenemy of our souls is a master tactician in spiritual warfare.

LOOK UP & READ II Cor. 11:13-15

C. Spiritual Victory is of ultimate importance vs.10

“Finally” - Paul does not use this term to speak of that which is final in sequence (EXPLAIN)  Rather it refers to that which is of ultimate or final importance.

Why is Spiritual Victory of ultimate importance?

1. Because of the Gospel Message vs.19

2. Because of God’s Glory – Matt 5:16

3. Because of our Spiritual good.

D. Spiritual Victory comes only through God vs.10

Zechariah 4:6  Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

1. Because of our Position in Him

“in the Lord”

2. Because of our Comprehension of Him

“in the power of His might”

3. Because of our Submission to Him

James 4: 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

E. Spiritual Victory is not for the half-hearted.

“Having done all” vs.13B

What does wholeheartedness in the spiritual battle look like?

1. Appropriate God’s provision

“Put on” vs.11

2. Anticipate the Battle

“The evil day” vs.13

3. Accept every Responsibility

“Having done all”

The “ALL” refers to everything Paul has previously taught in this letter.

F. Spiritual Victory is an ongoing matter.

“Stand” Vs.11 – Vs.13 – Vs.14

STAND - note TENSE. - "continue safe and sound, stand unharmed": "to stand ready or prepared": a figure, of one who vanquishes his adversaries and holds the ground, Eph. 6:13; also of one who in the midst of the fight holds his position "to persist, continue, persevere"

This is a daily matter!!

2 Corinthians 4:16  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

Conclusion:     (Review)

MAIN POINTS