Walk worthy of your calling…  (3 things)

• The second half of the book… 
  • Having finished chapters 1-3 – the doctrine of the blessings we have in Jesus Christ…
    • We move on to chapter 4-6 – the practical duty we have in following Jesus Christ…
    • Knowledge is not enough – we need to put into practice the things we learn…
    • You could be the smartest person in the world – but it will do you no good if you do not use it…
    • A smart person sitting inside a house on fire – is dumb if he does not get up and run out!
    • In the same way we can know all about what God has done for us…
    • But if we do nothing with out knowledge – then it really does us no good!
  • They key word for the next 3 chapters is ‘walk’…
    • Ephesians 4:1 – Walk worthy of the calling…
    • Ephesians 4:17 – Do not walk the same way as those who do not know Jesus…
    • Ephesians 5:2 – Walk in love / Ephesians 5:8 – Walk as children of light…
    • Ephesians 6 – We are to walk in victory…
      
• 1^st – Walking in unity… vs. 1-6 (3 things)
  • 1^st – Live a life worthy of the calling… vs. 1
    • Paul – a prisoner of Jesus Christ – implored the saints to walk worthy…
    • In light of all God has done for us / given to us – Ephesians 1-3…
    • Paul encourages us to live a life that reflects the investment God has made in us!
    • It is estimated it takes a company about P25,000 to train up a new employee…
    • They are willing to invest that cost – in the hopes getting a valuable employee…
    • In the same way God has invested a great deal into making us saints…
    • Given us every Spiritual blessing in the heavily places – given us the Holy Spirit…
    • All so that we might live and walk a Holy life following after Jesus!

• 2^nd – The definition of a worthy walk… vs. 2-3
  • Walk in humility – the opposite of pride – it means we reflect Jesus…
    • We have a tendency to think life is all about us – which is pride…
    • Life is not all about us – in fact we are nothing – life is all about Jesus…
    • But this does not come naturally to us – we need to choose to put on humility…
    • Colossians 3:12 – “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves… in humility.”
    • The closer we are to Jesus / more we understand His love – the more humble we will be!
  • Walk in meekness – is the opposite of revenge – it means we do not seek our own justice…
    • It is not a lack of power – it does not mean we cannot avenge ourselves…
    • Instead it means we choose not to ‘get back’ at those who hurt us…
    • Jesus was meek – not that He lacked power – but He did not seek revenge…
    • Why – because God came to love His enemies – to bless those who hated Him…
    • Matthew 5:44-46 – “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you… that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
    • So we also should be meek – and love / not seek revenge on those who hurt us!
  • Walk in patience – bearing with others in Love…
    • Meaning even when others do stupid things – we put up with them…
    • Not because we have to – but in response to the Love of Jesus given to us…
    • When we think about how many times God has put up with our poor choices…
    • How could we not also endure the bad decisions of others!
  • Walk in the unity of the Spirit – bound together in peace…
    • When we are not humble / meek / or patient – we are going to be divisive…
      • Division causes the church to be ineffective for Jesus – keeps us from shining…
      • Rather than seeing the love of Jesus in us – the world sees us fighting each other…
      • Satan loves to cause division in the church – then we will not be able to fight him
      • When we are busy/exhausted fighting ourselves – we are not fighting for the lost!
    • The key to having unity within the church – between all churches – is Jesus!
      • When we focus on Jesus – we can overlook the little differences!
      • All believers are to agree on the essential doctrines of the Bible – salvation in Jesus!
      • On non-essential issues – all believers are to agree – to disagree / not cause division…
      • Focus on the major issues – overlook the minor less important ones!
• 3^rd – Unity because there is unity in God… vs. 4-6
  • There is only one Spirit…
    • There is only one body – one church – drawn by the Spirit to Jesus…
    • As far as God in concerned – there are only two groups – believers / un-believers…
    • All of those who believe in Jesus – are part of the one church of God!
    • We are going to spend eternity together – start getting along with each other now!
  • There is only one Lord – speaking of Jesus…
    • There is only one faith that saves us – through the cross of Jesus Christ…
    • Jesus is the ONLY way to get to heaven – the only way to have eternal life – I Timothy 1:25 
    • There is only one Baptism – speaking of water baptism…
    • Jesus gave the command to baptize all believers in Matthew 28:19-20…
    • The public confession we make before the whole world of our salvation!
  • There is only one God and Father of all…
    • Ultimately the Father is the one who is above all – through all – and in us all…
    • Three different persons – God the Spirit / God the Son / God the Father…
    • With three very different ministries – but they are just One God!
    • So just as God has unity – we are also walk in unity within the church of God!

• 2^nd – The gifts to help us walk worthy… vs. 7-11 (3 things)
  • 1^st – Each of us was given a gift by grace… vs. 7
    • God gives us gifts – they are not earned – they cannot be purchased – Acts 8:20…
      • I Peter 4:10 – “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
      • All believers who believe in / have faith in Jesus – have at least one gift…
      • Special abilities – talents – areas where we excel and do better than others…
      • We do not decide what gifts we receive – God gives them to us…
    • There are 7 ‘primary’ gifts – listed in Romans 12:4-8
      • That are complimented with 9 ‘spiritual gifts’ – listed in I Corinthians 12:8-10
      • To be used in the 3 ministry gifts given listed in Ephesians 4:11
  • 2^nd – The gifts are given to us by Jesus Christ… vs. 8-10
    • Quoting Psalm 68:18 – the same Jesus who ascended up to heaven – Acts 1
      • Is the same Jesus who gives men gifts – to enable them to walk worthy!
      • Now you might argue – I though the Spirit is the one who gave the gifts – yes…
      • So who gives us the gifts – the Son or the Spirit – they are the same God!
    • Paul adds – Jesus ascended into heaven – only after descending into the earth…
      • When Jesus died on the cross – His spirit went down into the lower earth…
      • Jesus went to hell – where there were two rooms – Luke 16
      • One side a prison for those who reject salvation / the other a place of comfort…
      • Before the cross – no one could go to heaven – the price for sin not yet paid…
      • But there were many who died in faith – looking forward to the coming Messiah…
      • I Peter 3:19 – Jesus went preached to them – those who were in Abraham’s bosom…
      • Isaiah 61:1 – Jesus then opened the prison’s doors – and took them to heaven!
  • 3^rd – The 4 ministry gifts of the church…. vs. 11
    • The gift of an the apostle…
      • The word ‘apostle’ simply means someone who is ‘sent out’ to preach the Gospel…
      • The picture is that of an ambassador – a representative of God to the world…
      • Sent out to share the Good News – the hope of salvation through Jesus!
      • The calling of an Apostle is still alive in the church today…
      • God ‘sends us out’ to tell others – our family – friends at work/school about Jesus!
    • The gift of a the prophet…
      • First and foremost preaching the Word – it can also be predicting a future event… 
      • All of the Prophets of the OT – came to call a rebellious Israel back to the Lord…
      • The purpose of prophet is to call God’s people to repentance – return to God…
    • The gift of the evangelist…
      • Evangelist – one of 3 uses in the NT – also Acts 21:8 / II Timothy 4:5 
      • Evangelist – a bringer of good tidings – the Good news – Gospel…
      • The gift or calling of preaching the Gospel – focused to telling others about Jesus!
    • The gift of a the pastor / teacher (one gift)…
      • The word pastor – is someone who watches over the people of God…
      • The word teacher – is someone who feeds the people of God…
      • There are men who are gifted pastors – they love the and watch over the people…
      • But they have no ability whatsoever to teach the Word of God…
      • There are other men who are very gifted teachers – can explain the Word…
      • But care nothing for the people – after the teaching they are no where to be found…
      • There is one ministry – but two very different aspects of that ministry!
        
    • Every person holds at least one of these ministries…
      • All of us are called to be either an Apostle – go out as an ambassador of Jesus…
      • Or we are called to be a Prophet – calling those who are far from God to repent…
      • Or we are Evangelist – called to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ…
      • Or we are a Pastor / Teacher – called to protect and feed the people of God!
        
• 3^rd – The purpose of the gifts… vs. 12-14 (3 things)
  • 1^st – To equip the saints for ministry… vs. 12
    • The gifts are to help perfect others in their walk with Jesus Christ…
    • The way we do that is by giving others the Word of God – Romans 10:17
    • II Timothy 3:16 – “All scripture is given by inspiration of God… that the man of God may be perfect.”
    • So that others may be able to serve Jesus in the ministry – as apostles / prophets / teachers…
    • The life of the Body is teaching others the Word of God – so they can teach others the Word!
  • 2^nd – To encourage the Body of Christ…
    • The reason why we come together as believers – is to hear the Word of God…
    • So we can be encouraged – built up and strengthened in our walk in Christ…
    • That is why we teach through the whole Bible – Genesis to Revelation…
    • We do not teach topics / or from other books / and we not just preach salvation…
    • We teach the whole counsel of God – so that we have strength to walk worthy!
  • 3^rd – To mature those who believe in Jesus… vs. 13-14
    • Jesus is the standard our maturity is measured against…
      • If we think we are no longer kids – men – we may need to measure ourselves again…
      • It is only as we are in the Word – built up in our faith – that we mature in Christ…
      • And we will never always be maturing – till the day we see Jesus face to face!
    • Mature so that we have stability in our walk…
      • Men love to try and trick us – deceive us – keep us from following Jesus…
      • And if we listen to them – we will be like a ship tossed about in a bagio…
      • Never knowing where we are – where we came from – or where we are going!
      • It is only as we are grounded in the Word – that we will know truth from a lie…
    • Speaking the truth in love…

Helping each other grow and mature in our walk in Jesus Christ!

We are called to confront others when they get caught up in sin…

But our motivation is not to condemn them – we are not trying to ‘beat them up’…

Our motive should always be love – we want to see them walk worthy in Jesus!

So the Body is healthy – growing – and full of love…

We all have our place within the body of Christ – our purpose God has given to us…

Each role is vital for the church – the body of Christ – to function properly…

If any part is missing – or not serving properly – the whole body suffers…

We might never notice we have a ‘big toe’ till we injure it – then that is all we think of!

But try running without a foot – every part is important / every role is necessary…

We are many different parts – but we all come together as one body/family…