Untitled Sermon (13)

4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in lo

Ephesians 4:1–7 KJV 1900

1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 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. 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Paul Opens with statement of inclusion.

He says

I the Prisoner of the Lord

I am in this battle with you

You are not alone

It is from this position that pleads with them.

Walk worthy of the vocation that you are called to.

What did he mean by this?

The word worthy

Stresses added value

Authenticity

As ministers of the Gospel we need

Prayer

Preparation

Perseverance

Patience

Authenticity requires

Commitment

Confidence

Competence

Comfort

It is never the goal of ministry to create followers of us, but followers of Christ.

lets us know that not all Ministries are the same.

Our goal is not to minister the same but our ministry.

Spirit empowered ministry is not easy.

Sacrifice

Submission

As ministers we don’t get the opportunity to minister.... we must live out our calling daily.

It is our life that provides the greatest credibility to what we say.

Goal of ministry is not popularity, notoriety or fame. Ministry is an activity of service.

Look at the terms of the text.

Meekness, longsuffering, forbearing one another in love

Why

To keep the spirit of unity

The bond of peace.

Though the style of ministry may be different, the spirit of ministry should be the same.

We must remember

We can only affectivly minister based upon the grace we have recvieved.

18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body

1 Corinthians 12:18–25 KJV 1900

18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

Caring for one another

11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being man

1 Corinthians 12:11–14 KJV 1900

11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 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. 14 For the body is not one member, but many.

At the highest priority in the church is spiritual unity.

This is the chief place of agreement.

The Spirit is the core marker of relationship

Man is know by the spirit that is in him.

What spirit dominates our church family?

Love, Joy, Peace, Faith.

Is there a spiritual hunger in our midst?

Spiritual Hunger

Attendance

Prayer

Repentance

Increased Spiritual Maturity

Are we growing up or growing fat.

10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a

1 Corinthians 13:10–11 KJV 1900

10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Maturity says

We change

We advance

We recognize priority

4 As I looked, behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, and a great cloud, with brightness around it, and fire flashing forth continually, and in the midst of the fire, as it were gleaming metal.

Ezekiel 1:4–10 KJV 1900

4 And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire. 5 Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. 6 And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings. 7 And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf’s foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass. 8 And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings. 9 Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward. 10 As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.

Ezekiel provides insight into the spiritual nature of Christ.

This spiritual connection is seen in the History of Christ contained in the Gospel

The four faces

Lion

Ox

Man

Eagle

Four Gospels

Matthew Christ as the King

Mark. Christ as the servant

Luke. Christ as man

John. Christ as God

Four personalities

Authority

Servanthood

Hospitality

Divine power

17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.

Ephesians 4:17 KJV 1900

17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

A different walk

5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 5:1–2 KJV 1900

1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Walk in love

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lor

Ephesians 5:15–17 KJV 1900

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Use your time wisely

Prepare

Pray

Resource

Present