Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

https://www.foxnews.com/us/oklahoma-pastor-spit-mans-face-during-sermon

Not what you expect at church on Sunday morning, but what should you expect?

What should you expect of your church?

We often lose sight of the significance and importance of the local church.

Maybe for good reason… the church hurt us.

Or, we were a part of a church that was anything but a biblical church.

Or, we’ve never thought about how significant the church really is.

Maybe part of the reason why we don’t understand the significance of the local church is because we don’t have the right expectations of the church.

Ephesians 4 - A new section in Paul’s letter.

First half of letter (1-3) - Who we are as followers of Jesus.

Second half (4-6) - How we should live as followers of Jesus.

Paul writing about unity and maturity that takes place in the body of Christ.

As we consider Paul’s words, three expectations we should have of our church.

You should expect your church to be unified in the work of the Gospel.

“Therefore, walk worthy of the calling you have received...” Therefore connects to everything Paul has already said.

Walk worthy of the calling?

Call to salvation - Live in such a way that reflects that you’ve been brought into the family of God.

How do I walk worthy of the Gospel?

Live in unity with your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Jesus has brought us near to each other.

Unity is UP TO YOU.

It’s up to all of us.

Unity is not uniformity.

What makes us one is not that we look the same way or like the same things - what makes us one is the work of Christ.

Christ has taken diverse people and made us one.

Unity is achieved when a diverse people commit to each other for the purpose of the mission of Christ.

Unity happens when we embrace the right things, reject the wrong things, and celebrate our shared testimony.

Embrace:

Humility = Think of others before I think of myself.

You’re not the most important person in the room.

Jesus is.

Live like it.

If Jesus is the most important person in the room - What does He want vs. what I want.

Gentleness = being tender in the way you treat others.

Guarding your words because you want to build people up.

Patience = enduring with people when it’s easier to walk away.

Patience is bearing with each others, flaws and all.

These are all ways that Jesus treats us.

Reject

Self-centeredness - You’ve seen how churches hurt when everyone is more focused on preferences and own agendas rather than the mission.

Harshness - You’ve felt the sting of the words of Christians who maybe even spoke truth but in hurtful way.

Impatience - “Why can’t you get it?

Why can’t you change?”

Make demands instead of help.

Celebrate our shared testimony

Paul fully aware of the diversity in Ephesus…Yet a reminder of oneness.

One body - common existence.

One Spirit - Spirit drew us all to the Father.

One hope - all hoping for the return of Christ.

One Lord - Jesus

One faith - Embrace truth

One baptism - Gone through waters symbolizing our death to sin and life in Christ.

One God and Father - We are adopted by the Father

Notice Trinity.

Expect your church to strive for unity.

https://www.wral.com/fedex-delivery-driver-rescues-child-from-crash-in-south-carolina/20206396/

- No one was concerned about trivial matters - just the mission… Urgency

You should expect your church to equip you for the work of the Gospel.

“Grace was given to each of us...” NOT talking about saving grace but ministry grace.

Quote from Ps. 68:18.

Context: a parade in ancient times for a conquering king.

King paraded the streets displaying his bounty - marching his captured enemies before the people.

To honor the king, people give gifts.

God is our conquering king - we give Him gifts of our praise and devotion.

Paul sees Christ as fulfillment of Ps. 68.

Wording is a bit different.

Does Paul simply misquote Ps. 68? Make a mistake when he quotes the verses in Ephesians?

No… quoting and explaining - Christ has conquered - He receives our gifts of praise and devotion (1:18), but He also gives gifts… Why does the King give gifts?

vs. 9 - Jesus is unlike any other King.

He is the Ultimate Giver.

Jesus is the King who descended - came to a broken world, conquered sin and death by dying in our place, rose again, and ascended to the right hand of the Father - He has authority to give gifts and HE is worthy of us using the gifts He has given us for His glory.

Spiritual gifts - several passages in NT talk about spiritual gifts.

We are all spiritually gifted. 1 Cor.

12 - body functions properly when each member uses his/her spiritual gift well.

But… in this passage Paul focuses on leadership gifts.

Apostles and prophets - the twelve, prophets of OT, NT prophets that didn’t function in the same way as OT.

Evangelists, pastors and teachers (close connection)

Why does Paul focus on people who are given leadership gifts?

Because those who have these gifts have responsibility to equip saints for the work of the ministry.

Everyone does the work of the ministry, and you need godly leaders who can train you to use the giftedness God has given you for His glory.

If church is going to equip you:

Know what your church is NOT

NOT a social club.

NOT a place to cater to your religious preferences.

“It feels like church when...” When the people of God gather, worship, and study the Word it’s always church regardless of what it “feels” like.

NOT a weekly pep rally.

(Get my spiritual batteries recharged.)

NOT a place to escape the craziness of the world.

(Rather, a place to train you to engage a crazy world.)

The church is the bride of Christ, the body of Christ, with every member using their gifts, abilities, and resources to live on mission together for the glory of Christ.

Know what your leaders are NOT

NOT hired hands who exist to provide you with spiritual services.

NOT religious gurus.

Your leaders do not have all the answers!

On the journey with you.

NOT program creators.

NOT referees.

“When I have problems in my family - I’m coming to you...”

NOT CEOs of a religious organization.