Eph 4:1-6
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 12 viewsPauls from lofty theology in the mind to its practical outworking in our hearts.
Notes
Transcript
Tanzania- special place
Tanzania- special place
Missions is such a beautiful thing
We have been told by people that as believers we need to go
The command isnt optional- its go
But once you go things move from your head to your heart
The need you have been told exist- is now one you cannot help but remember and desire to go again
For the first three chapters Paul has poured the theology and the richness of Gods goodness toward the Gentiles into their minds
But knowledge of what Gods has done is not the end to which Paul is aiming
He is aiming by power of HS at their hearts
I pray thats it the intent of every sermon and every study here
We are not looking for to just add a new thought or idea into our brain
The intent is heart transformation
The saying goes- “You stepped on my toes preacher- to only hear in response back, “I missed because I was aiming for your heart”
Thats Paul from here to the end of the book
Vs 1- Once again- “Therefore”- every time we see it, you look back in the previous chapters before you look ahead
In light of every thing Paul has said the last three chapters, The Soveriegn Call of God in salvation, the adopting of the Gentiles as joint heirs in the kingdom and the church always being Gods plan A comprised of both Jew and Gentiles sent out in power to the lost world around us
Paul says because of all that knowledge and grace I am prisoner of Christ
I think he is reminding them that following Jesus wont be easy but they are walk worthy of the God who called them
Paul is in prison while writing this letter and that isnt off limits for them
But more so than Pauls status- is the necessity to walk worthy of the calling of God which in turn is what put Paul in prison anyways
Many people have facts about living the Christian life
If you asked them certain Bible questions they may even be able to tell you the right answers
But its only facts in the mind
It never translates to new life in their heart
That may be you today- Pride will tell you people will say talk about you
They will- Every God Fearing Saint will hug your neck and leave saying praise God one more person was saved by Christ today
I think Jesus words in Matthew may be more true for those sitting underneath preaching today than who are not
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
But he continues and speaks to what the Ephesians and all believers should be like
Its reads alot like job requirements from a help wanted ad
Believers who are walking worthy of our calling display
Humility
-this is a very interesting word because of how it used in our language
“He/She came from humble beginnings”
-It seems to connote a derogatory response in our mind
But I think one way to think of humility is not to think less of yourself and belittle yourself but to just think of your self less
Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians & Colossians A. The Call to Unity (vv. 1–6)
Humility does not mean to see yourself as some pitiful excuse for humanity, some low life above whom all other human beings exist, some piece of refuse at the bottom of the human pile. Rather, humility means to see yourself as God sees you: with infinite and inherent value but with no more value than anyone else. It means being willing to accept God as the authority over your life rather than insisting on being your own supreme authority. It means you are willing to order your life in such a way as to serve God by serving others.
We see this on display in Pauls life but also in Christ
complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Because we know the love of God because we look to Cross and see humility lived out in the life of Christ
So should we live that out as well
2. Gentleness (Meekness)
depending on your translation, gentleness and meekness could be interchanged
These words to have a different connotation than what they actually mean
I have heard meekness to be power under control
Gentleness/meekness isnt weakness
Moses was the said to be the meekest man on the earth at the time of the book of Numbers
Who looked the most powerful man on the planet in the face 10 times and commanded him to let Gods people go
Nothing weak about him- but it was his Spirit guided composure that set him apart
Jesus is the perfect example- did you expect anything else?
Whether its driving the Temple clean or standing before Pilate- Jesus was power under control
The definition of a weak person would be someone who knows what is right but yet fails to do it
Gentleness and meekness are not displayed that way in the Bible
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
What is seen isnt a cowardly way out- but an act of spiritual work deliberately doing the hard things in the Spirit of Christ would handle it
3. Patient
Your bible may say longsuffering- that is an accurate word
-that believers are to endure long with others
-Its one thing endure long with claiming believers living in sin
We have scripture to handle that- but even that is is done in the spirit of patience
But what comes to mind with patience is not rushing Gods timing
Perfectly poor example- Abraham and Sarah- they became impatient on Gods plan for them and took matters into their own hands and made a mess
They also had been waiting over 90 years for a child- nearly 15-20 years since Gods promise to have Isaac was made
Patience is the mark of the maturing saint
Saul is another perfect poor example
Instead of waiting for Samuel to come sacrifice the animals as he was told would happen
He impatiently sacrifices them himself- which was not allowed- and when you read 1 Sam 13- it literally feels as if moments later here comes Samuel
His impatience cost him his kingdom and may be more telling of his heart
But when you look at Simeon in the bible- the man who was waiting patiently for the Messiah because he was told he would see the Messiah with his own eyes
You leave that account in Luke, having learned of a man mature in his faith in Christ
Patiently waiting and trusting in Gods promises
But many times, people are impatient and take things into our own hands
Impatient with Gods view of marriage, sexuality, self control, and in doing so it shows our heart
4. Bearing with one another in love
At times that is a very true statement
We bear with one another
Inside the mixed Jew/Gentile church context bearing with one another would critical
Some times it requires that we put some personal preference aside for the betterment of other
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
In virtually the same way, Paul writes in
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Bearing with on another doesnt mean ignoring sin, disregarding or allowing people to continue in it undisciplined
Because the same fella spoke in
And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.
you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.
When dealing with real brothers and sisters we are to do all things in love
These are the characteristics of God fearing people
Which we would be missing the point if we didnt mention vs 3
Why are these so necessary in our lives?
They pushes onward in unity together on the mission of Christ
Whats the opposite of humility? Pride- pride kills unity of the Church
Whats the opposite of gentle or meek spirit- Anger- anger kills the unity of Church
Whats the opposite of the patience- Impatience/Selfishness- these kill the unity of the church
Whats the opposite of the bearing with one another- Hate- hate kills the unity of the church