God’s Plans for the Church

Ephesians 4

God’s Plan for Christians

Ephesians 4:1–3 CSB

1 Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

A Worthy Walk

Ephesians 4:1 “1 Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received,”

The Fruit of the Spirit

Ephesians 4:2 “2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,”

Unity of the Spirit

Ephesians 4:3 “3 making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

The Bond of Peace

Ephesians 4:3 “3 making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

The Unity of Christians

Ephesians 4:4–6 CSB

4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at 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 all.

One Body

One Spirit

One Hope

One Lord

One Faith

One Baptism

One God and Father of all

Spiritual Gifts for the Church

Ephesians 4:11–12 CSB

11 And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,

Apostles: Church Planters

Prophets: Interpreters of God’s Word

Evangelists: Sharing the Good News of Jesus

Pastors and Teachers: Shepherds

Pastors and Teachers: Equippers

Equipping the Saints To Do the Work of Ministry

To Build Up the Body of Christ

Maturing Children of God

We are made Holy by God;

Ephesians 4:14–15 CSB

14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. 15 But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ.

Training Leads Us to Maturity

Eph 4:14 “14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit.”

Untrained Christians are Spiritual Infants

Untrained Christians are Spritually Ignorant

Untrained Christians are Spiritually Unstable

Willing to listen to whatever sounds good,

Not what is right

Unity In the Body of Christ

Ephesians 4:16 CSB

16 From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part.

Repentance Leads to Newness

Ephesians 4:22–23 CSB

22 to take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires, 23 to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,

A Christian Loves the Body of Christ

And love does no harm

Ephesians 4:25 CSB

25 Therefore, putting away lying, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, because we are members of one another.

A Christian Speaks Truth to the Body

Ephesians 4:32 CSB

32 And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.

A Christian is Compassionate

A Christian is Forgiving