The Day to Day of Church Life: Part One

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:1-8

Opening Prayer

Introduction

I’m a sports fan...

Sometimes I listen to sports radio

This week I heard the story of the 1994 NFL draft when the Indianapolis Colts General Manager Bill Tobin drafted linebacker Trev Alberts instead of quarterback Trent Dilfer.

After the draft, Tobin went on a rant to the media. He was upset by a media member named Mel Kiper who was critical of the draft decision.

In slightly edited form, this is what Tobin said

“Who is Mel Kiper, anyway? Here's a guy who criticizes everybody, whoever they take. He's got the answers to who you should take and shouldn't take. In my knowledge of him, he's never ever put on a jock strap. He's never been a coach, a scout, an administrator. And all of a sudden, he's an expert. He's in our papers two days ago, telling us who we have to take. We don't have to take anybody that Mel Kiper says we have to take. Mel Kiper has no more credentials to do what he's doing than my neighbor -- and my neighbor's a postman who doesn't even have season tickets to the NFL.

Credentials

Paul

Ephesians 4:1 ESV

1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,

Chs. 1-3 - Gospel - Paul made the case that no one is worthy

You are not Worthy but Live Like You are.

So this raises the question, what does it look like to walk worthy?

In chapter’s 1-3, Paul made the case that the christian people form a new kind of society.

There are two main points

The new society is One (Jew/Gentile)

The new society is Holy (set apart)

Broadly speaking, walking worthy is one that is in unity and in purity

Specifically, in this passage, this is played out with this big idea:

Big Idea: Walking worthy of your calling means using your gifts in the church for unity and purity.

Ephesians 4:2 ESV

2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

Three parts

Humility and gentleness

Patience

Bearing with one another in love

I. Day to day church life demands Christlike character (2).

Ephesians 4:3–6 ESV

3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

II. Day to day church life demands unity based on our One Faith (3-6).

Ephesians 4:7–8 ESV

7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”

III. Day to Day church life is enabled by the gifts that we have been given (7-8).

Big Idea: Walking worthy of your calling means using your gifts in the church for unity and purity.