49-20 The Believer's Walk
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 50 viewsNotes
Transcript
Ephesians 4:1-3
Ephesians 4:1-3
We’re starting to get a little taste of spring and some of you are ready to start your gardens. Few things to include:
Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 3112 The Christian’s Garden
3112 The Christian’s Garden
First, plant five rows of peas: Preparedness, Promptness, Perseverance, Politeness, and Prayer. Next to them plant three rows of squash: Squash Gossip, Squash Criticism, and Squash Indifference. Then five rows of lettuce: Let us be Faithful, Let us be Unselfish, Let us be Loyal, Let us be Truthful, Let us Love One Another. And no garden is complete without turnips: Turn up for Church, Turn up with a Smile, Turn up with Determination.
—Moody Monthly
There’s some good principles of Xn living included in that. There are virtues that we understand and recognize to be evidence of living the life that Christ calls us into. The manner of one’s conduct/lifestyle is referred to in the Bible as the believer’s “walk.” Paul uses it 8x in Eph and in our verse he says “walk worthy...”
Word “worthy” fascinating term: “bringing up the other beam of the scales, bringing into equilibrium, equivalent.” The idea is “to balance the scales” and what Paul is saying is the Xn’s conduct must be equal to his identity (to who he is and to the life God calls him to). The one who does this walks in a manner worthy (equal) of his calling. Put forth practically, the Xn who walks worthy is the one who follows the example of LJC—lives a Christ-like life.
the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.
Paul develops 4 details of the worthy walk (3 today; 1 next week) in 4:1-3 that prompt us to examine our own lives to see if we are living according to the standard God sets before us.
1) The Core of the Worthy Walk
1) The Core of the Worthy Walk
vs 1a “therefore” (same 3 gk words in Rom 12:1)—core, the very center of the worthy walk, what makes it possible and what makes the walk “worthy” is based on what has already been discussed.
“Therefore” marks a major transition in Eph from chs 1-3 describing the privileges that belong to believers. Ch1 we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing—Father chose us, Son redeemed us, HS seals us. So Paul prays that Xn would know the hope of their calling, God’s inheritance in the saints, and His power in believers. The calling is demonstrated by God saving the unregenerate and imparting life by His grace and uniting each one together in the body of Christ—the church, and building each one together into the dwelling of God…as citizens of heaven. Paul continues to pray that the Father would strengthen them with power, give them an understanding of love of Christ and fill them with Himself.
These great doctrinal truths become the core for what Paul is about to write in chs 4-6. Based on everything that God in Christ has accomplished for us and in us—He says “I have made you a saint—now live like a saint.” make sure your conduct balances the scale—live as members of the family of God and be like Christ.
but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
This is actually a familiar pattern for the apostle. His transition from doctrine to duty is not arbitrary.
Romans 1-11 deals with doctrine: righteousness of God, uselessness of law and works, saving power of faith, peace with God, promise of glory, gift of love, indwelling Spirit, adoption, reconciliation, union with Christ, deliverance from sin, freedom from judgment, sanctification, justification, glorification—
In midst of that Paul says in 12:1 “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”
Only after he had spent considerable time dealing with doctrine did Paul go on to discuss their duty.
Philippians 1—Paul deals with great theological truths about Christ (consoling character and love) and 2:1 begins “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.”
Colossians 1-2—contain the most exalted presentation of J.C in Scripture and the results of the gospel. Ch 1 declares the incomparable Christ, Ch 2 the Xian is complete in Christ and needs nothing more. Ch 3 Paul tells us we were risen w/ Christ and seated at Rt hand of God, our lives are hidden with Christ in God, when Christ appears we will appear with Him in glory. Then in Col 3:5 “Therefore consider the members of your earthly bodies as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.”
Pattern is to discuss doctrine then launch into the believers responsibility in light of those truths.
In order for us to “walk in a manner worthy…” we must know the foundational principles of the calling. For this reason it is important to know Scripture (the Word of God).
Warren Wiersbe “The Christian life is not based on ignorance but knowledge, and the better we understand Bible doctrine, the easier it is to obey Bible duties”
There are people who will tell you “don’t talk to me about doctrine—its dull and boring, lifeless. I just want to live my Xn life.” But I tell you that you cannot walk worthy without knowing what it is you’re called to. This is why Paul has concentrated so much on doctrinal truths in the 1st half of Eph. It becomes the foundation necessary to walk worthy of the Xns calling.
2) The Cost of the Worthy Walk
2) The Cost of the Worthy Walk
vs 1b “I, the prisoner of the Lord”
This is the 2nd time Paul refers to himself in this manner (3:1). In fact he often speaks of his own bondage.
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker,
yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—
It is good to ask the question why he would mention this 2x in Eph. Technically Paul was a prisoner of Rome but he never saw it that way. He viewed himself as a prisoner of Christ. In this way he describes the purpose and cause of his imprisonment, realizing that the circumstances surrounding his chains were under total control of LJC. For Paul, being united to Christ resulted in submissive obedience to the will of God (he became a missionary to the Gentiles and persecuted/imprisoned for their sake).
He was not seeking sympathy from the saints but reminding them that the believer’s walk can be very costly—might even cost you your freedom.
That’s what could happen when you walk worthy of the calling. When your conduct is consistent with that of JC—you can expect persecution.
Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
If this is what the Lord has for any of us, we can joyfully submit to His purposes knowing that His will is good, acceptable and perfect.
Jesus Himself taught just how costly it is to be called into the faith. Luke 14:25-33
We can sense the current climate in which we live—that tolerance for Xns and the Xn faith/truth is diminishing. To point out that which is sin and unrighteous is no longer acceptable. To express concern over the degradation of society is going to result in clashing with those who want nothing to do with God or Christ. That alone will bring persecution—the believer’s walk is costly.
3) The Call to the Worthy Walk
3) The Call to the Worthy Walk
“walk worthy of the calling...”
Again, the term walk peripateo is one that relates to your conduct, lifestyle, behavior. A good portion of the last half of Eph concerns the believer’s walk:
Walk in Unity (4:1-16)
walk in purity (4:17ff)
Walk in love (5:1-7)
Walk in wisdom (5:15-17)
Walk in the Spirit (5:18)
It is the Lord’s desire that each one He has called into fellowship with Himself, that He has made to be citizens of His kingdom—that we would walk worthy of that to which we are called. In vs 1 Paul expresses 3 features of that calling that should help us understand the importance of walking worthy (balancing the scale).
A. A Serious Calling
A. A Serious Calling
“I…implore you...”
Gk (parakaleo—“to call to one’s side”-denotes strong feeling, intense desire. Sometimes rendered “to comfort, to appeal, to exhort”. There is a sense of urgency in Paul’s tone—even an element of the authority belonging to him as “an apostle.” The urgency stresses how serious it is to walk according to your calling.
The word shows us Paul’s passion for the church (he once persecuted). Very often Paul pleads with people to know God’s truth:
Acts 26:3 “Therefore, I beg you to listen to me.” to King Agrippa
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me.
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
Paul had a passion to come before the Lord’s people and plead/entreat them to know God’s word and act accordingly/worthy.
Knowing God’s word is absolutely critical. If you don’t know God’s word you have no defense against sin—temptation of Jesus.
How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.
Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.
The goal then as believers is to know God’s word and to obey it. You can’t obey what you don’t know. That’s life in general: If you don’t know the speed limit then you’re likely to get a speeding ticket (but tell it to the officer who pulls you over “I didn’t know what it was”). We must know Scripture in order to live according to it.
Now Scripture does not demand from us something we cannot do. We can walk worthy of the calling (serious) by knowing God’s principles and living according to them. It is to that Paul urges, implores us to live obediently.
B. A Divine Calling
B. A Divine Calling
Now, the source of the Xn’s call does not come from himself (“you were called” passive in Eph 4:1).
1 Thess 2:12 “walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.”
This is what theologians call “monergistic” (vs. synergistic) calling. Rom 8:29-30. God saves. Paul establishes that in Eph 1-3. The calling and the saving come from God.
The call here does not refer to an occupational call—“he was called into ministry, sales, rancher, contractor, etc...”
In Scripture we discover 2 different calls of God. There is an external (universal) call that is given to every person (Is 55:1-7)
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.
The general call (to which we’re exhorted to participate in) explains the truths of God’s holiness, man’s condition and the work of Christ. This is the preaching of the gospel which calls sinners to repentance and faith. This call is universal, resistible, it is also sincere. God truly desires the salvation of every person.
“Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” declares the Lord God, “rather than that he should turn from his ways and live?
“For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord God. “Therefore, repent and live.”
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
There is a 2nd call in the Bible— the one Paul is referring to: the sovereign—saving call of God on a believer (AKA—effectual calling—the call that actually brings about regeneration (internal call).
who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,
But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul is urging every believer to walk worthy of the calling with which we have been called. It is a sound theology that recognizes that your salvation is initiated by God and accomplished by God when He sovereignly calls you and places you into His kingdom.
For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
Paul’s point is that your conduct should match the divine call which produces eternal life.
Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;
C. A Gracious Calling
C. A Gracious Calling
“have been called”
Again, this is passive meaning it is God who called you to salvation. It is God who called you to your position in the body of Christ. It is God who called you to your union with Christ. Paul already established that what God has already accomplished in you (choosing, adopting, redeeming, receiving an inheritance, sealed with HS) are the doings of His grace and not your works (Eph 2:8-9). Grace is one of the major themes of Eph and it is God’s grace that deals with us not according to our deservings but according to His loving compassion. Our calling is a gracious calling.
It is safe to say that if God had not called men to Himself they would not come—nor would they want to come.
“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.
The natural man/unregenerate sinner is at enmity with God (Rom 8:7)—the flesh is hostile toward Him it wants nothing to do with purity, righteousness & holiness.
And b/c of the condition of spiritual deadness (Eph 2:1), God made provision for your salvation thru the sacrifice of LJC on the cross.
Now, God was not content to simply extend a general call to all men. He took it a step further and sent His Son
“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
If you belong to Christ—this is your calling. It has been called:
Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession;
who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,
Now, if you’re here this morning and you are not trusting in the work of JC—then you have not been saved. Maybe you’re trusting in your own efforts or hoping that the good will outweigh the bad on the day of judgment. It never will. But God is ready to offer forgiveness to you when you come to Him by believing on the LJC—trusting in Him alone for the salvation God promises to them who put faith in His Son.
Those of you who have already done that—Paul says your conduct should match this high, holy, heavenly calling. Walk worthy of that calling. Strive to do all in obedience to Christ b/c you have been called from the kingdom of sin/darkness/bondage to Satan & transferred into the kingdom of light.
There is only 1 thing that matters from the moment you become a Xn until you see the Lord coming in all His glory—that you walk worthy—living up to who you are in Him. The only thing that matters is how you live on a day-to-day basis.
Suppose God stamped your forehead immediately after you were saved with the message, “I’m a child of God, Watch me.” What would that do to your lifestyle? We do bear the image of Christ—shouldn’t we walk worthy of it? Since we possess all the spiritual blessings in Christ, shouldn’t the balance of our life demonstrate that? Let us walk worthy of Christ!