Living Out Ephesians 4: Unity, Love, and Active Participation

Devotional

Day 1: Active Participation in the Church

Each believer is uniquely gifted to contribute to the church's growth. It is only when every member actively participates that the church can build itself up in love. This calls for moving beyond spectatorship to active involvement, seeking to understand and utilize our gifts for the edification of the body. [00:53]

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (ESV): "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."

Reflection: What unique gift or talent do you possess that you can use to serve and build up your church community this week?

Day 2: Living Worthy of Our Calling

We are urged to walk in a manner worthy of the calling we have received. This involves revisiting and deepening our understanding of God's love and grace, not just acquiring new knowledge. Our lives should reflect the weight of the gospel's promises. [10:40]

Colossians 1:10 (ESV): "So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Reflection: In what specific ways can you align your daily actions with the calling you have received from God?

Day 3: Growing in God's Love

The love of God is not a topic to be mastered and moved on from but a reality to be continually revisited and grown in. We are called to deepen our comprehension of God's love, which surpasses knowledge, and to let this love cast out all fear. [12:22]

Ephesians 3:17-19 (ESV): "So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

Reflection: How can you intentionally deepen your understanding of God's love today, and how might this understanding change the way you interact with others?

Day 4: Unity and Love in the Church

Our calling involves humility, gentleness, patience, and a commitment to unity and love within the body of Christ. The church is not just a place for teaching but a community where love and service are paramount. [31:08]

Romans 12:10 (ESV): "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor."

Reflection: Is there someone in your church community with whom you need to reconcile or strengthen your relationship? How can you take a step towards unity today?

Day 5: Reverence for Communion

In a world that often mocks the sacred, we are called to be a church that reveres the sacrifice of Christ. Communion is a profound act of worship, a heartfelt response to the immeasurable grace we have received, and a declaration of our commitment to live lives worthy of the gospel. [35:22]

1 Corinthians 11:26 (ESV): "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."

Reflection: How can you prepare your heart and mind to approach communion with a deeper sense of reverence and gratitude this week?

Sermon Summary

Ephesians chapter 4 calls us to a profound understanding of God's vision for the church. It emphasizes that each of us has been uniquely gifted to contribute to the body of Christ, and it is only when every member actively participates that the church can truly build itself up in love. This chapter is not just a text to be preached but a reality to be lived. The desire is to become an Ephesians 4 church, where every individual seeks to understand and utilize their gifts for the edification of the church, moving beyond mere spectatorship to active participation.

The call is to walk in a manner worthy of the calling we have received. This is not about acquiring new knowledge but about revisiting and deepening our understanding of God's love and grace. The truths of Ephesians 1-3 are not stepping stones to be left behind but foundations to be continually revisited and built upon. We are urged to grow in our comprehension of God's love, which surpasses knowledge, and to live lives that reflect the weight of the gospel's promises.

Paul's plea is for us to live lives that are worthy of the calling, not out of obligation but out of a deep-seated desire to honor the immense love and grace we have received. This involves humility, gentleness, patience, and a commitment to unity and love within the body of Christ. The church is not just a place for teaching but a community where love and service are paramount.

In light of the world's current state, there is an urgency to live out these truths. The call is to be a church that reveres the sacredness of communion, standing in stark contrast to the world's mockery. We are to be a people who treasure the sacrifice of Christ, recognizing the profound significance of His body and blood. This reverence is not just a ritual but a heartfelt response to the immeasurable grace we have received.

Key Takeaways

1. Active Participation in the Church: Each believer is uniquely gifted to contribute to the church's growth. It is only when every member actively participates that the church can build itself up in love. This calls for moving beyond spectatorship to active involvement, seeking to understand and utilize our gifts for the edification of the body. [00:53]
2. Living Worthy of Our Calling: We are urged to walk in a manner worthy of the calling we have received. This involves revisiting and deepening our understanding of God's love and grace, not just acquiring new knowledge. Our lives should reflect the weight of the gospel's promises. [10:40]
3. Growing in God's Love: The love of God is not a topic to be mastered and moved on from but a reality to be continually revisited and grown in. We are called to deepen our comprehension of God's love, which surpasses knowledge, and to let this love cast out all fear. [12:22]
4. Unity and Love in the Church: Our calling involves humility, gentleness, patience, and a commitment to unity and love within the body of Christ. The church is not just a place for teaching but a community where love and service are paramount. [31:08]
5. Reverence for Communion: In a world that often mocks the sacred, we are called to be a church that reveres the sacrifice of Christ. Communion is a profound act of worship, a heartfelt response to the immeasurable grace we have received, and a declaration of our commitment to live lives worthy of the gospel. [35:22]
** [35:22]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Introduction to Ephesians 4
[00:30] - God's Desire for the Church
[01:13] - Becoming an Ephesians 4 Church
[02:24] - Living Beyond Spectatorship
[03:21] - Reading of Ephesians 4
[04:21] - Gifts for Building the Church
[05:38] - Walking in Newness of Life
[06:46] - Speaking Truth in Love
[08:03] - Prayer for Transformation
[09:30] - Walking Worthy of Our Calling
[12:03] - Growing in God's Love
[15:49] - The Weight of the Gospel
[20:10] - Our Position in Christ
[25:38] - Living a Life of Equal Worth
[31:08] - Unity and Love in the Church
[35:22] - Reverence for Communion

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Paul urge believers to do in Ephesians 4:1, and how does he describe the manner in which they should walk? [03:21]
According to Ephesians 4:11-12, what roles are given to equip the saints for the work of ministry? [04:21]
How does Paul describe the unity of the church in Ephesians 4:4-6? [03:40]
What is the result when each part of the body of Christ is working properly, as mentioned in Ephesians 4:16? [05:19]

Interpretation Questions

What does it mean to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling" in the context of Ephesians 4:1, and how does this relate to the rest of the chapter? [09:30]
How does the concept of unity in Ephesians 4:3-6 challenge the current state of division within the church? [31:08]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that understanding and utilizing our gifts can transform the church community? [01:53]
How does the sermon emphasize the importance of revisiting foundational truths, such as God's love and grace, in our spiritual growth? [12:03]

Application Questions

Reflect on your own spiritual gifts. How can you actively use them to contribute to the growth of your church community? [01:53]
In what ways can you deepen your understanding of God's love and grace this week? Consider specific actions or practices. [12:03]
How can you foster unity and love within your church, especially in situations where there might be disagreement or division? [31:08]
What steps can you take to ensure that your participation in church is active and not just as a spectator? [02:24]
How can you approach communion with a deeper sense of reverence and gratitude for Christ's sacrifice? [35:22]
Identify one area in your life where you feel you are not living "worthy of the calling." What changes can you make to align your life more closely with the gospel's promises? [10:40]
How can you encourage others in your church to discover and use their gifts for the edification of the body of Christ? [04:21]

Sermon Clips

"well tonight we're going to start Ephesians chapter 4 and I'm excited about this I'm excited about every week in Ephesians it's just been so good but Ephesians 4 is particularly meaningful to me because I feel like I've been chasing this for years and I still haven't I haven't seen it I haven't experienced it because Ephesians 4 is about God's desire for the church he talks about how somehow he's gifted us all and somehow we each every one of us and those who aren't with us tonight we all have been given some sort of gift for the body and it's only when every single part does his for her part that the church actually builds itself up in love" [00:00:03]

"and so when I read Ephesians 4 I've been going God I want this so badly and so the last thing I want to do is just preach through Ephesians 4 my prayer is that we become an Ephesians 4 church that this actually happens I mean I I just go gosh I'm I'm too old to just preach sermons on this we have to look at this as God Almighty God's word his desire for the church and for us to go yes I want to be that I want to become that I want to see what it's like if a whole group of people decide I want to know what my gift is to the church and I want to build this church up in love that there are no Spectators that are just going okay well I just wanted to find a place with a good you know message you know some good worship a nice service for an hour like I'm just done with that I want to be United with a group of people that say I want this I know this is still possible today I know that this is what Christ died for I know that he can do immeasurably more than all that I ask or think so therefore he says church this is the way you ought to live" [00:01:13]

"and so we're going to take our time through Ephesians 4 um because this is not so much about teaching it as it is as Elders we're getting together and going how do we become this what do we need to change we'll change anything but God we have to become this so I'm just going to have uh Lisa come come up and read Ephesians chap 4 um and so let's uh remember that this is the word of God and Revere this I therefore a prisoner for the Lord urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called with all humility and gentleness with patience bearing with one another in love eager to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of Peace there is one body and one Spirit just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call one Lord One Faith one baptism one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all but Grace was given to each one of us according to the the measure of Christ's gift" [00:02:58]

"therefore it says when he ascended on high he led a host of captives and he gave gifts to men in saying he ascended what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions the Earth he who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens that he might fill all things and he gave the apostles the prophets the evangelists the Shepherds and teachers to equip the Saints for the work of Ministry for building up the body of Christ until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God to mature manhood to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ so that we may no longer be children tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of Doctrine by human cunning by craftiness in deceitful schemes rather speaking the truth in love we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head into Christ from whom the whole body joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped when each part is working properly makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love" [00:04:02]

"now this I say and testify in the Lord that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do in the futility of their minds they are darkened in their understanding alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to their Hardness of Heart they have become callous and have given themselves up up to sensuality greedy to practice every kind of impurity but that is not the way you learned Christ assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him as the truth is in Jesus to put off your old self which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds and to put on the new self cre Creed after the likeness of God in true righteousness and Holiness therefore having put away falsehood Let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor for we are members one of another be angry and do not sin do not let the sun go down on your anger and give no opportunity to the devil let the thief no longer steal but rather let him labor doing honest work with his own hands so that he may have something to share with anyone in need let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths but only such as is good for building up as fits the occasion that it may give Grace to those who hear and do not grieve the holy spirit of God by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you along with all malice be kind to one another tenderhearted forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you" [00:05:38]

"so Lord we thank you for your instructions to the church and we ask your Holy Spirit Come Fill us so that we can become this church please change all of our hearts help us to see how huge this is in your eyes may we not be casual about this may we be excited to become the people the church that you've called us to be and empowered us to be in Jesus name amen well like I said we're going to take our time through Ephesians 4 cuz uh James says don't be hearers who deceive themselves do what it says we don't want to be people who deceive ourselves going oh w we went through the book of Ephesians or we just listened to Ephesians 4 that's great you're a hearer of the word but the Bible says he wants us to be a doer of his word and that's exactly what he talks about in Ephesians 4 and we're just going to look at one verse today we're just going to look at that first verse because it's it's huge um because he says in in uh chapter 4:1 he goes I therefore a prisoner for the Lord urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you've been called that word therefore I therefore um but any of you who have done any type of Bible study you know that whenever you see the word therefore you ask the question what is the therefore therefore and it is there because of everything that he said before beforehand he's saying in light of all these truths that we've been listening to for the last 3 months all the things that God has done for us remember we're just the object receiving all this blessing from God and he says in light of all of that I therefore as a prisoner here's Paul in prison impr prison for the faith for the gospel so he is serious about this and in prison he's saying I'm begging you I'm urging you because of all these things that I've said walk in a manner that is worthy of the calling to which you've been called" [00:07:52]

"I don't want to go and and feel like okay we taught one through three now let's move on to four this is a big problem a big mistake that we make in the church is you teach that I'm the the most guilty of this once I teach something I don't like to teach it again I want to move on to something new but when you really look at the scriptures it's not this is these aren't bits of information that you learn it's like okay well I learn to add and then I learn to subtract then I learn to multiply then I learn to divide you don't need to teach me how to add again you don't need to teach me how to count again like that's that's right we learn right and then okay I learned some Algebra I don't need that anymore I learned some geometry we we move on to the next level in life in so many topics but with the scriptures that could be our biggest mistake is when we feel like oh I already learned about the love of God when I was a little kid I sang Jesus loves me this I know I move on from the cross I understand Jes Jesus died on the cross for me no but we're actually supposed to in life keep revisiting the love of God that's why that's why he says Paul is talking to his Believers he goes I'm on my knees begging God saying God would you help them to comprehend how wide how long how high how deep is your love I want them to know how wide how long how high how deep this is something that we keep growing in that's why Peter says grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ it's not enough to pray a prayer and go oh I know him now he says grow in this knowledge of him it's not enough to say oh I I was saved by grace through faith no he says grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus and so these truths that we learned in Ephesians 1 are not so that we go okay I got it now and let me move on to the next thing no we're going to keep revisiting it because this is our motivation and we're supposed to grow in our love for Christ and our understanding of his love for us and that's something I I messed up on early in life you know you you learn these things and you treat the love of God like every other topic where you go okay I got that let me move on on to the next thing we do not move on from the love of Christ we grow in our understanding of how much he loves us we we get rid of more and more insecurity in our hearts that we didn't even know we had and it's when that perfect love exists between you and God that's what casts out all fear and so we will continue to revisit this and Paul here is saying therefore as a prisoner I'm urging you to walk not just learn but to walk in a manner that is worthy of the calling I don't know about you but I I've I just don't know how much more time we have um I'm not making any prophetic thing I'm just looking at the world right now and going this is so crazy and even if the world isn't ending I'm not getting younger I'm ending um and I just look at this and go God I want to walk this way but the the key word word here is therefore Paul uses this in uh the book of Romans in the Book of Romans which is such a beautiful extensive like amazing picture of the Gospel explanation of the Gospel he explains how what everything that Jesus did for us on the cross and then in chapter 12 he finally goes therefore because of everything that I taught you I'm asking you to live as living sacrifices and here in Ephesians he's doing the same thing after everything that he says he goes now therefore I'm begging you live this way live in a way that is worthy so I just want to remind you of the thereforce um why Paul is urging us to live a life that is worthy of the Gospel just want to remind you of all the promises everything you've been given in Christ from Ephesians 1 through3 as I was going through this list as I was writing out this list and just meditating on everything I was just getting so emotional today so emotional yesterday you did all this for me so I'm not just going to run through a list for you go okay okay okay okay okay yeah these are all the things that we learned I hope this is a time of worship for you I hope as you are reminded of everything that this God in heaven who Lisa reminded us and that song reminded us every breath that I breathe comes from him it's his breath that's in my lungs right now so there's this almighty God who is dwelling in unapproachable able light that is keeping our hearts pumping right now keeping our our our our lungs filling with oxygen and this is what he says I want you to I want you to know this is why we live a life worthy of the calling because that God in heaven has blessed us he blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the Heavenly places because that God chose us before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and blameless before him we live this way because that God predestined love love predestined us for adoption as his sons and daughters we live this way because this God has redeemed Us by his blood he's given us Redemption by his blood the Forgiveness of sins we live this way because of The Riches of his grace that he has lavished on us we live this way because you and I we have actually obtained an inheritance from him we live this way because we have been sealed by the promised Holy Spirit who is a guarantee of our inheritance until we actually acquire it the third person of the Trinity is actually sealed within us we live this way because we are the riches the Glorious Riches of his inheritance The Riches of his glorious inheritance in the Saints God cannot wait to inherit us we live this way because of the immeasurable greatness of power toward us who believe according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him the heaven L plac is far above all rule Authority power and Dominion we live a life that's worthy of the calling to which we've been called why because we were dead okay you were dead in your trespasses and sins you were by Nature an object of Wrath but God being rich in Mercy because of the great love with which he loved us even when we were Sinners he made us alive together with Christ and by Grace we've been saved we live this way because you and I right now we are seated with Christ in the Heavenly places far above all rule Authority power and Dominion we are seated we are seated positionally with Christ in the Heavenly places we live this way because in the coming ages he wants to show the immeasurable greatness the immeasurable Riches of his grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus we want to live a life that is worthy because we were created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them we live this way think about this because we had no hope and were without God in the world but we were brought near to God by the blood of Christ because we were reconciled to God in one body through the cross we are fellow citizens with the Saints and we are members of the household of God that's built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets and Christ is the Cornerstone and we are being built into a dwelling place for God by the spirit we live this way because we know the mystery that we who are Gentiles are fellow Hees and members of the same body we live differently because we know that through the church through us the manifold wisdom of God is being made known to the rulers and authorities in the Heavenly Realms we live differently because we've been strengthened with power through his spirit in our inner being so that Christ dwells in our hearts through faith because we are rooted and grounded in in love we live a worthy life because we comprehend how wide and long and high and deep and because we know the love of Christ which surpasses comprehension it's beyond comprehension we live a life that is worthy because we can be filled with all the fullness of God and we live a life that is worthy of our calling because God is able we pray to a God who is able to do far abundantly more than all that we ask or think according to the power that's at work within us so it's in light of all these amazing promises that Paul goes so I therefore because of everything I just mentioned all these weighty amazing promises he goes I'm begging you I'm in prison begging you live live a life that is worthy of this calling to which you've been called" [00:09:30]

"I was looking at this word worthy you know these scales you guys don't know what these are but um they actually I remember you seeing these in the post office and different things I mean it was the idea is you know these ancient scales you would put a weight on this side and then you know by this you would measure everything else whether no that's too light or that's not worth it that's not worthy it's not equal and and what what Paul is saying was have you heard everything that I just said to you he chose you before the foundation of the world he he predestined in love that you'd be adopted as his child you were destined you were an object of Wrath and now you're going to be lavished with his grace do you understand how weighty this is and he goes and now look at the way you walk look at the way you live your life is it Worthy is it is it an equal thing in this balance the idea is this is the cross he said let's put the cross on this side excuse the goofy doll but it's like okay now let's put you here is your walk are you living in a way that is worthy of equal worth This is distracting okay I want you to imagine yourself sitting here okay in light of everything we just said are are you catching like the weight of everything that God almighty God sends his holy holy holy son down on the earth to die on a cross for our sins and this was chosen by he was was predestined by him in love he did this because we were by nature objects of Wrath and he says in light of the weight of that and all all the promises I just shared with you now here's your walk with the Lord are you walking in a way that is worthy of these great truths see I'm one of these guys that I always want to do just enough I don't know what kind of student you were but for me I just I just wanted to do enough to you know if I wanted to make honor rooll then I want to just barely make it um I I just wasn't this overachiever when it came to school I I remember going to one of my Seminary professors and I go look I don't really need this particular class in life um so just tell me what I need to get a D minus so that I still graduate I just want to do enough um uh that class is not going to be useful to me there was only one class that I did that in I wasn't like I I like school a little bit so but the idea is I you know when I when I do construction you know I was doing construction with LM in Hong Kong and I would just look at stuff I that's good enough you know it's good enough no one's going to notice that but he no no no fix it I'll fix it on I was like ah it was good enough and so often in our Christian walk we can have that same type of attitude where it's like you know what I'm better than that guy at least I've gotten rid of the major sins in my life at least I know that I'm forgiven and that's not what we're called I hope that's and this is not to guilt anyone this is not to make you feel bad about anything the whole point is don't you in light of everything you heard don't you go man I want to live a life that is worthy of the calling to which I've been called I don't want to just have a church that you know be a part of a church that you know teaches the word of God and this or that I'm going no with everything that he has done for me I want us to be a congregation that goes okay not I have to serve I have to love but that in your heart there's like this the love of Christ com compels you and you go I just want to be I really want this I'm telling God you know as I'm studying this passage as we God I want to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which I've been called and it's interesting when you think about the calling to which you've been called you know when we think calling a lot of people will immediately think of like a Billy Graham or someone that has this big you know or had this giant public Ministry like okay what's my calling but really In this passage he continues and he just goes what's your calling he goes to be humble and gentle and patient and bearing with one another in love eager to maintain the unity of the spirit and the bond of Peace we'll be talking about this in the weeks to come but if you look you know it's it's the same thing that he does in Ro Romans 12 in 1 Corinthians 1 in Philippians 1 and 2 that calling the first thing he wants to address is our unity and love for one another and so this is why we have you in the house Gatherings is we want you as you grow in knowledge as I'm teaching you we also want to grow in love for one another as we grow in our love for God we want to grow in the way that we serve one another because this is very important to God" [00:25:38]

"when we take communion each time we do this we want to do it in a way that is worthy I've been really eager particularly eager this week to come into this room and break bread and take of this cup with you in the presence of God I have wanted this so badly I've been looking forward to this moment ever since I saw what happened at the Olympics in that opener when they made a mockery in front of every nation on Earth they make a mockery of the Last Supper having drag queens acted out and I'm thinking about this is the most precious Most Holy most just re thing we can do the most sacred thing we can do on this Earth and here we are as human beings mocking it mocking everything that God is about and this cross that means everything to me the body and blood of Jesus which is everything to me and we're going to we're going to mock this we're going to ridicule this we're going to laugh about this and it's okay it's not okay with me it's brought me to tears that I'm a human being on this Earth a part of this group of people it's embarrassing it's like in Ezekiel 9 when when when God says hey Mark on the put a mark on the foreheads of the people that are actually grieving and groaning and and they're they're disturbed by the things that are going on in the land like I am and I'm just picturing God who so love this world that he gave his son and then you have people just making a mockery and I'm like part of me is like Lord would you please show yourself to be the one true God there's another part of me as a Believer going forgive them Lord they don't know what they're doing but then there was another part of me that says I can't wait to get in this room because I want God in heaven to look at us tonight and see a group of people who reverently take of the bread and cup and remember Jesus and remember that last supper when he says this is my body broken for you I want to take of this more reverently than I ever have that's my goal tonight I want to just look I want God to go look God look at my heart look at my soul I'm about to take of this bread and it means everything to me that you broke your body for me I'm about to drink of this cup and I treasure your blood so much because this is what redeemed me this is why I'm forgiven this is why you have lavished your grace upon me and in the ages to come I'm going to receive the riches of your grace and kindness towards me in Christ Jesus can we do that tonight as a church just have our heart so right saying God we want to do the opposite of what was shown on television to the whole world this week we want you to see a group of people who value who treasure The Old Rugged Cross" [00:35:22]

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