Walk In A Worthy Manner

Kenneth Baratta

Epistle to the Ephesians • Sermon • Submitted 4 years ago

Ephesians 4:1–6

Fruit of the Spirit

Walk

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Happy New Year!

2020 was a bit of a wacky year to endure, but we have survived it and now we are on to 2021.

To kick things off with this year, I would typically preach a “New Years message,” one in which I seek to encourage the congregation (and myself) to improve in a particular area of our spiritual lives.

However, I think returning to our study in Ephesians will function very well as a “transition sermon” into the New Year.

By way of reminder as to the ground we have covered thus far:

Chapter 1

From Paul’s addressing of the Ephesian believers and their faithfulness, we see that all who are in Christ are chosen by God to be Holy and Blameless because we are Sealed Heirs of God’s riches. In order to accomplish this in our lives, we have access to God and His power to work in our lives.

Chapter 2

By the great grace of God, He has broken down all barriers that exist between us and Him, as well as between us and others. With that being the case, we must seek to not build up barriers that prevent others from coming to Christ.

Chapter 3

Since the mystery of being united in Christ has now been revealed, we have Spiritual Strength through the indwelling Holy Spirit through which we can have Fellowship with God. As a result, we will gain the Comprehension of Christ’s Love and will become Full of God, to His Glory.

Walk In A Worthy Manner

Introduction

As we now move into Chapter 4, the Apostle Paul is going to be pointing out particular issues as it relates to living as a believer.

This, honestly, is one of the best chapters in the Bible to be challenged with as it relates to “New Year’s Resolutions.” We could really refer to this as “New Life Resolutions”…as in, our new life in Christ ought to have new habits and new expectations.

Or perhaps you are not “new in Christ,” but you need to renew your thinking or your mindset. Maybe you need to a re-definition of what it means to be a Christian.

As we get into Chapter 4, the Apostle Paul tells believers that they are to walk worthy of their calling.

So, the question must be asked: how do we walk worthy of our calling in Christ

In Ephesians 4:1-6, we will examine three points of focus of walking worthy of our calling

Fruit of Walking Worthy

(verse 1)

As Christians, there is a high expectation that is placed on us to represent Jesus Christ to others.

One such expectation is that we show Him through our good works. Looking back at a couple points that Paul has made in his letter thus far:

Paul commends them for their faith and love

Ephesians 1:15 ESV

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints,

Paul says that believers are created for good works

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Paul prays that believers receive strength from the Spirit to have faith and love for others

Ephesians 3:16–17 ESV

that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

Other passages of scripture that support this point of doing good works...

Jesus tells his disciples to love one another

John 13:34–35 ESV

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Believers sacrificed to care for one another

Acts 2:44–45 ESV

And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

Believers are to stimulate one another to love and good deeds by gathering together

Hebrews 10:24–25 ESV

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Our faith in Christ is to be accompanied by good works

James 2:14–18 ESV

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

Our faith in Christ must be accompanied by good works or we are not fulfilling what we are called to do (c.f. Ephesians 2:10)

Attitude of Walking Worthy

(verse 2)

Actions are not enough when it comes to serving God. We need to have the proper heart attitude.

Lots of people do good things in order to receive the recognition that comes with it.

Matthew 6:1 ESV

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

However, a proper, Christ-honoring attitude and motivation occurs when we are doing good things because of the Holy Spirit that is present within us...we are living obediently to Christ.

Paul has already alluded to the impact the Holy Spirit has in our lives:

we are sealed with the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 1:13–14 ESV

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

the Spirit gives us access to God

Ephesians 2:18 ESV

For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

we have confident access to God and capability of being empowered through His Spirit

Ephesians 3:16 ESV

that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

Other passages of Scripture that allude to the truth of having an attitude of walking worthy:

Galatians 5:16-26 - it is obvious to others if we are living by the Spirit’s leading or not

Philippians 2:3-4, 14-16 - we are to think of others and hold forth the Word of Life

Colossians 3:1-2, 5, 8-9, 12-17 - our focus is to be on the things above while we love one another and do all for God’s glory

Our right attitude and mindset can only come from choosing to think differently than the world (c.f. Romans 12:2)

Romans 12:2 ESV

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Goal of Walking Worthy

(verses 3-6)

Everything we do in life must have an end goal in mind or else we are not going to have a reason for anything we do. For those who are in Christ, our end goal is to bring glory to God (c.f. 1 Corinthians 10:31)

1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

In Ephesians 4, Paul says that we are to maintain the unity of the Spirit

Our goal of walking worthy, with the right actions and the right attitude, is to be united in Christ

Look at the “oneness” in verses 4-6

Ephesians 4:4–6 ESV

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

We live in a world that promotes pluralism in the classroom and condemns exclusivism in the media

The Christian faith is not pluralistic…it is not tolerant…it is exclusive!

In Ephesians 4:4-6, the Apostle Paul shows us in what ways it is exclusive.

Philippians 1:27–2:2 ESV

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

John 17:17–21 ESV

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.