May 29, 2011
Morning Service

In the first three chapters of Ephesians Paul, through the Holy Spirit, has revealed to us the mystery of God’s plan, which has been hidden up till then.  Christ came to unify the world through faith in Him.

 

He also revealed that the church is Christ’s body with Him being the head.  It is now the church’s task to proclaim and live out this message of hope and unity.

 

In the final three chapters Paul now begins to focus in on the individual Christian and the character traits we need for the church to be successful in her task.  We, as the church, are the way God now works and speaks in this world.

 

 Eph 4:1  I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the calling with which you are called,

• Walk- our life style, our journey.
• Worthy-though we can no way earn our salvation by works, we who have attained it have a desire to glorify God with our actions, words, and, way of life. (we are the only Bible some people will ever read)
• Paul now illuminates us to what that walk looks like.

 

Eph 4:2-3  with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love,  (3)  endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

 

We see here five virtues; attitudes or traits each of us need to possess in order to walk worthy of our calling.

1)     Lowliness (Humility)-there was no Greek word that fit this virtues’ true meaning.  This attitude was despised by society at this time.  (Christ is making all things new)

a)     Humility stems from self knowledge.  We become conscience of who we really are (inner man) and come to grips with our many weaknesses, selfishness and failures.  We do this not by comparing ourselves to others but to Christ.

b)     Phi 2:3  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.

2)    Meekness (Gentleness)-an attitude that submits to God’s dealings without rebellion and man’s unkindness without retaliation.

a)    2Co 10:1  And I myself, Paul, beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ; I, who indeed to look upon am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.

b)     One commentator compares meekness to a well trained animal.  Every natural passion and instinct is under perfect control (yielded to the Holy Spirit’s guidance).

3)     Long suffering (Patience)-describes an attitude of never giving up, enduring to the absolute end, completing the task.   (Roman army example)

a)     One who has the power to take revenge, but never chooses to do so.  (big dog & a pup)

b)     One who bears insult & injury without bitterness or complaint.

c)      Enduring unpleasant people who bear different opinions and ideas than our own, knowing that is what Christ has done for us.

4)     Love-the attitude of showing unconquerable benevolence; seeking only the highest good for others no matter what the circumstances.

a)     I Cor 13 is the love chapter and it spells out exactly what true love looks like.

b)     Love is not only an emotional feeling but also an act of the will.  We must be able to love the unlovely and unlovable and those who do not love us. 

c)      Col 3:14  And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

5)     Peace-having a right relationship with others, empowered by our relationship with Christ.

  Allowing God to dictate our attitudes creates a peace within us knowing that He is always faithful and is always at work in our lives and relationships.

a)    Joh 14:27  Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

b)    Phi 4:7  And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

c)     There is no greater witness than when we face adversity in our lives, that we are at peace with God.

 

Eph 4:4-6  There is one body and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of 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 you all.

 

We see here Paul spell out the basis of our unity.

·         One body-Christ is the head and He has only one body (the Church). 

o   The church is one regardless of language, location, culture or race.

o   We are one in our attitude of love for Christ and our neighbors.

o   We are together on our journey towards God.

·         One Spirit-the Greek word here also means the breath.

o   Each church is alive (breathing) only if it is obeying the Spirit of God’s teachings.

o   Each of us posses that Spirit .

o   1Co 3:16  Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

·         One hope of our calling-all Christians are striving for the same goal.

o   Each one may have their own methods, organizations or even some beliefs but, we all are trying to make heaven our eternal home and take everyone we can with us.

o   We also cling to the hope that He will return and take us there.

o   Joh 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, so that where I am, you may be also.

·         One Lord-if we as Christians had a creed it would be “Jesus Christ is Lord” (Phil 2:11)

o   1Co 8:6  but there is to us only one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we by Him.

·         One Faith-we are unified by our complete commitment to Christ.

o   We are forever bonded together in our surrender of our will to Christ.

·         One Baptism-we have all experienced the same death-burial-and resurrection in the waters of baptism.

o   1Co 12:13  For also by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free, even all were made to drink into one Spirit.

·         One God

o   Father of all-making us all brothers and sisters.  Children not slaves.

o   Above all-He answers to no one and is in control of everything

o   Through all-He is involved guiding, sustaining, and loving us.

o   In you all-He maintains a presence in our lives.  We are God created- God controlled-God sustained-and God filled world.

 

We serve a God who desires to control your heart.  He has given us the plan to follow.  We are not alone.  The Spirit is always with us and we have each other to lean on.

 

How energizing it is to know that we are part of God’s plan to reach this dark and dying world. 

 

2Th 3:13  But you, brothers, do not be weary in well doing.