July 9, 2017
Evening Service

This morning we again saw Paul stress the importance of unity within the church.  We all have our many differences, but we need to focus on what we have in common.

Ephesians 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.

·         Along life’s journey we all have chosen to follow one way to God; through His Son Jesus Christ.  Our goal in this journey is have a “walk worthy of our calling” and to one day make heaven our home and bring along everyone that we can with us.  Being unified together as a body of believers (church) is how God has designed for us to do that.

·         We also answered some questions on how God equipped the church to guide us along our path.  What has He given?  For what purpose were they given?  For how long do we need them?  Why did He give them?

·         The answers all point to one of the goals to be achieved within the church.  Notice it again mentions the need for unity

Ephesians 4:16  from whom the whole body, fitted together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of each part, producing the growth of the body to the edifying of itself in love.

·         We grow as a body together, edifying (building up) one another.  Paul now gives us some very practical advice as to what that growth will look like in our lives.

 

Ephesians 4:17-21  This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should not walk from now on as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,  (18)  having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.  (19)  For they, being past feeling, have given themselves up to lust, to work all uncleanness with greediness.  (20)  But you have not so learned Christ, (21) if indeed you have heard Him and were taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus.

·         Paul gave us some examples of how we should walk and now he gives us some on how not to walk.  The world (Gentiles) has found a way to reason or over think themselves away from God.  Their vanity, lack of understanding, separation from God, blindness to the truth, lust and greed lead them to a place that they explain away God in such a fashion as to justify their selfish and sinful actions.  They don’t want anyone telling them what is right or wrong; they want to do what they want to do.  They basically become their own god.

·         Paul says we as Christ followers are not wired that way IF we indeed have heard and accepted the truth. 

2 Corinthians 5:17 So that if anyone is in Christ, that one is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

·         Our decision to follow Jesus will come with a change making everything new; if not then you have not heard or accepted the truth.  There is no judging needed only inspecting the fruit that is being produced by that person.

·         I believe this is one of the points we need to make to those outside the faith that are unhappy and dissatisfied with their lives.  God offers them a chance to start over and make things all new.  A chance to start fresh and follow a plan that is written by God Himself.

·         Paul now gets very practical in explaining how this change occurs.

Ephesians 4:22-24 For you ought to put off the old man (according to your way of living before) who is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, (23)  and be renewed in the spirit of your mind.  (24)  And you should put on the new man, who according to God was created in righteousness and true holiness. 

·         Here Paul describes this as to “put off the old man.”  It is that “old man” selfish attitude that was put to death in the waters of baptism.  We are to put on the “new man” by renewing the spirit of our mind striving to live a life of righteousness and true holiness.

·         Look how he challenged the Roman church to change:

Romans 12:1-2  I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service.  (2)  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God.

·         We are to present our lives as a living sacrifice to Him and not conform to the world’s standards, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds.  We have been made new; given a changed life.  These things are all taught, displayed, and accomplished by being a active member of the church (how to be a living sacrifice, not conformed but transformed).  They don’t happen immediately but it is a process of steps to get to the point God wants you to be.  It also comes through effort and desire.  We must battle the flesh (old man) and old bad habits removing from our lives.

 

Ephesians 4:25-29 Therefore putting away lying, let each man speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.  (26)  Be angry, and do not sin. Do not let the sun go down upon your wrath,  (27)  neither give place to the Devil.  (28)  Let him who stole steal no more, but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, so that he may have something to give to him who needs.  (29)  Let not any filthy word go out of your mouth, but if any is good to building up in respect of need, that it may give grace to the ones hearing.

·         These things are not to be in our lives as we try to “walk worthy of our calling.”   We must continue to work to “put away” these attributes from our lives.

·          Don’t lie but always be truthful even when it hurts.

·          It is okay to be angry but don’t let that anger lead to sin (self- control).   Don’t allow that anger to dwell in your heart for long; clear it out every night.

·          Don’t dabble in areas you know you should steer clear of so as to not give the devil an opportunity to get into your life (don’t play with fire or you will get burnt).

 

 

·         Don’t steal, but work hard so you can not only support yourself but help others as well.  That is another aspect of the church that helps to support one another.  We give as we have been prospered and help support those within the church that truly need help.

·         Let your words be good, wholesome and edifying giving grace to those you speak to.  There is power in your words; power to build or tear down.

 

Ephesians 4:30-32  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you are sealed until the day of redemption. 

·         When we allow the “old man” in us to arise and show himself in one of these areas we “grieve the Holy Spirit” that lives within us.  Just as right living pleases our Lord, our sinful actions grieve Him.  In grieving Him, it does not mean He leaves us, but He has made a way of restoration. That is why I John 1:9 is in place for our confession and God’s forgiveness.

 

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

·         Because our relationship with God is one of love and forgiveness, when we sin it should also grieve us and drive us to the point of confession and restoration.

 

Ephesians 4:31-32  Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and tumult and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.  (32)  And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.

·         Paul closes this chapter with another practical list of dos and don’ts.  Don’t allow bitterness, wrath, anger, tumult, evil speaking or malice to be a part of your life.  When you see these attitudes seek forgiveness.

·         Let these attitudes be prevalent in your life; to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving to each other.  Paul described these “Fruits of the Spirit” more in depth in the Galatian letter.

 

Galatians 5:22-25  But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith,  (23)  meekness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  (24)  But those belonging to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.  (25)  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

·         I like the challenge he left for us at the end of that.  “If we live in the Spirit, let us walk in the Spirit.”  That would be a “walk worthy of our calling.”

 

Heavenly Father, thank you for Your Word and the simple clarity of it; may we not grieve the Holy Spirit but have a life that is worthy of our calling.