Living Worthy: Embracing Spiritual Maturity and Unity

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound call to live a life worthy of the calling we have received in Christ, as outlined in Ephesians 4:1-14. This passage challenges us to embrace humility, gentleness, patience, and love, fostering unity within the body of Christ. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of spiritual maturity, urging us to grow beyond spiritual infancy and resist the deceitful schemes of the world. We are reminded that our spiritual blessings in Christ are abundant and sufficient, encompassing holiness, adoption, redemption, forgiveness, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

The narrative of the misguided shepherd boy serves as a cautionary tale against blindly following deceptive voices that promise false visions. Similarly, the prosperity gospel, which equates material wealth with spiritual success, distorts the true message of the gospel. This doctrine misleads believers into thinking that faith guarantees material prosperity and physical health, neglecting the biblical teachings on suffering, trials, and the true nature of God's blessings.

We are called to actively apply and defend our spiritual blessings, living in humility and unity, and submitting to the guidance of spiritual leaders. The prosperity gospel's focus on material gain is contrasted with the biblical emphasis on spiritual health and contentment. True prosperity lies in godliness with contentment, recognizing that our faith and spiritual growth are of far greater value than material wealth.

As we partake in the Lord's Supper, we are reminded of the sacrifice of Jesus, who descended to live among us and was crucified for our sins. This act of grace calls us to live lives that reflect the transformative power of the gospel, rooted in the truth of God's Word and shielded from the winds of deceitful teachings. Let us remain steadfast in our faith, seeking the shelter of God's truth and living lives that honor the calling we have received.

Key Takeaways:

1. Spiritual Maturity and Unity: We are called to grow beyond spiritual infancy, embracing humility, gentleness, patience, and love to foster unity within the body of Christ. This growth requires us to actively apply and defend our spiritual blessings, living lives that reflect the transformative power of the gospel. [37:26]

2. The Danger of Deceptive Teachings: The story of the misguided shepherd boy and the prosperity gospel serve as warnings against following deceptive voices that promise false visions and equate material wealth with spiritual success. True prosperity lies in godliness with contentment, recognizing the value of spiritual health over material gain. [52:05]

3. The Sufficiency of Spiritual Blessings: Our spiritual blessings in Christ are abundant and sufficient, encompassing holiness, adoption, redemption, forgiveness, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. These blessings call us to live lives worthy of the calling we have received, rooted in the truth of God's Word. [40:38]

4. The Reality of Suffering and Trials: The gospel acknowledges the reality of suffering and trials as part of the Christian journey. We are encouraged to find joy in these challenges, knowing that they refine our faith and draw us closer to God. [57:01]

5. Living a Life Worthy of the Calling: As we partake in the Lord's Supper, we are reminded of Jesus' sacrifice and the call to live lives that honor the calling we have received. This involves being rooted in God's truth, resisting deceitful teachings, and living in a manner that reflects the grace and love of Christ. [12:00]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [10:35] - Greetings and Prayer Requests
- [12:00] - Focus and Distractions
- [31:28] - The Misguided Shepherd Boy
- [34:18] - Ephesians 4:1-14 Overview
- [35:43] - Spiritual Blessings in Christ
- [36:39] - Paul's Sidebar on Ascension
- [37:26] - Spiritual Maturity and Unity
- [39:18] - Living a Life Worthy of the Calling
- [40:38] - The Sufficiency of Spiritual Blessings
- [45:17] - Spiritual Infancy and Growth
- [49:54] - The Danger of Deceptive Teachings
- [52:05] - The Prosperity Gospel
- [57:01] - The Reality of Suffering and Trials
- [12:00] - Living a Life Worthy of the Calling

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 4:1-14
- 1 Timothy 6:6-10
- James 1:2-4

#### Observation Questions
1. What qualities does Paul urge believers to embrace in Ephesians 4:1-14 to foster unity within the body of Christ? [34:18]
2. How does the story of the misguided shepherd boy illustrate the danger of following deceptive teachings? [31:28]
3. What are the spiritual blessings mentioned in the sermon that believers receive in Christ? [40:38]
4. How does the prosperity gospel distort the true message of the gospel according to the sermon? [52:05]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. In what ways does spiritual maturity contribute to unity within the church, as discussed in Ephesians 4:1-14? [34:18]
2. How can believers discern between true and deceptive teachings, especially in the context of the prosperity gospel? [52:05]
3. What does it mean to live a life worthy of the calling we have received, and how does this relate to the sufficiency of spiritual blessings? [39:18]
4. How does the acknowledgment of suffering and trials in the Christian journey challenge the prosperity gospel's teachings? [57:01]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own spiritual maturity. Are there areas where you feel you are still in spiritual infancy? What steps can you take to grow in these areas? [45:17]
2. Have you ever been influenced by teachings that promise material prosperity as a sign of faith? How can you guard against such deceptive teachings in the future? [52:05]
3. Consider the spiritual blessings you have received in Christ. How can you actively apply and defend these blessings in your daily life? [40:38]
4. How do you respond to trials and suffering in your life? Can you find joy in these challenges, knowing they refine your faith? [57:01]
5. In what ways can you foster unity within your church community by embracing humility, gentleness, patience, and love? [34:18]
6. As you partake in the Lord's Supper, how can you live a life that reflects the transformative power of the gospel? [12:00]
7. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to resist deceitful teachings and root yourself more deeply in God's truth. What practical steps can you take this week to achieve this? [49:54]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Spiritual Maturity and Unity
In Ephesians 4:1-14, believers are called to live a life worthy of their calling in Christ, characterized by humility, gentleness, patience, and love. This passage emphasizes the importance of spiritual maturity, urging Christians to grow beyond spiritual infancy and resist the deceitful schemes of the world. Spiritual maturity involves actively applying and defending the spiritual blessings received in Christ, fostering unity within the body of Christ. By embracing these virtues, believers can reflect the transformative power of the gospel in their lives, contributing to the unity and growth of the church. [37:26]

Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively contribute to the unity and growth of your church community this week? Consider specific actions or attitudes you can adopt to foster a spirit of humility, gentleness, patience, and love.

Day 2: Recognizing the Danger of Deceptive Teachings
The narrative of the misguided shepherd boy and the prosperity gospel serve as cautionary tales against following deceptive voices that promise false visions. The prosperity gospel, which equates material wealth with spiritual success, distorts the true message of the gospel. It misleads believers into thinking that faith guarantees material prosperity and physical health, neglecting the biblical teachings on suffering, trials, and the true nature of God's blessings. True prosperity lies in godliness with contentment, recognizing the value of spiritual health over material gain. [52:05]

1 Timothy 6:6-9 (ESV): "But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction."

Reflection: Reflect on any teachings or beliefs you have encountered that equate faith with material success. How can you guard your heart against these deceptive teachings and focus on the true spiritual prosperity found in Christ?

Day 3: The Sufficiency of Spiritual Blessings
Believers are reminded of the abundant and sufficient spiritual blessings they have in Christ, which include holiness, adoption, redemption, forgiveness, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. These blessings call Christians to live lives worthy of the calling they have received, rooted in the truth of God's Word. By recognizing the sufficiency of these blessings, believers can find contentment and purpose in their spiritual journey, knowing that they have everything they need in Christ to live a godly life. [40:38]

2 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."

Reflection: How can you actively remind yourself of the spiritual blessings you have in Christ? Consider creating a daily practice or habit that helps you focus on these blessings and live in gratitude for them.

Day 4: Embracing the Reality of Suffering and Trials
The gospel acknowledges the reality of suffering and trials as part of the Christian journey. Believers are encouraged to find joy in these challenges, knowing that they refine their faith and draw them closer to God. Suffering and trials are not signs of God's absence or displeasure but opportunities for growth and deeper reliance on Him. By embracing this perspective, Christians can navigate life's difficulties with hope and perseverance, trusting in God's faithfulness and purpose. [57:01]

James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: Think of a current or past trial you have faced. How can you view this experience as an opportunity for spiritual growth and deeper reliance on God? What steps can you take to find joy and hope in the midst of suffering?

Day 5: Living a Life Worthy of the Calling
As believers partake in the Lord's Supper, they are reminded of Jesus' sacrifice and the call to live lives that honor the calling they have received. This involves being rooted in God's truth, resisting deceitful teachings, and living in a manner that reflects the grace and love of Christ. By focusing on the transformative power of the gospel, Christians can live lives that are worthy of their calling, bringing glory to God and impacting the world around them. [12:00]

Colossians 1:9-10 (ESV): "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 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: What specific actions or changes can you make in your daily life to live in a manner worthy of your calling in Christ? Consider how you can reflect the grace and love of Christ in your interactions with others and in your personal spiritual journey.

Quotes

1) "The prosperity gospel, it distorts spiritual blessings and turns them into material blessings. I listed seven different spiritual blessings and you have all of these spiritual blessings and they say that that's not enough. They say that there are other things that you need to have. The teachings claim that faith in Christ guarantees material wealth, guarantees success, and physical well-being. But the Bible does say that there are blessings. The prosperity gospel distorts the message by making material prosperity a central aspect of God's plan, often neglecting the idea of suffering and hardship." [53:24] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "The gospel teaches about God's unmerited favor. It is by grace you are saved. It is by grace you are saved. Not by anything else. Not by how big your bank account is, not by how much money you gave, not by any works that you could possibly do. It is your grace, God's unmerited favor upon your life and therefore we live a life worthy of that grace. The gospel recognizes suffering, trials. The prosperity gospel does not recognize. James chapter one says, consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds." [01:07:51] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "The gospel recognizes that suffering and grief, hardship, sadness are part of the journey that we're all in. Do not be deceived by people who promise you differently, promise you that if you just believe you won't be sickening. If you just believe you're going to be wealthy. If you just believe, you just act, God is now obligated to give you those things which your heart, desires most long after. A lot of times it's as a serpent talking to Eve. Just go ahead, go ahead and take a small bite. It's okay." [01:09:07] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "God emphasizes spiritual health over physical health. You need to know that God is more interested in what you're going to do and where you're going than whether or not you have money in your bank account. I was talking with a brother this morning and the brother talked about how he was just trusting God and God once again provided for him at the right time his need above and beyond everything that he needed. Right? He's much more interested and more precious than all the gold and silver and jewels. Your faith is what is precious." [01:06:48] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "The prosperity gospel says that you can speak things into distance. It's called the word of faith. The word of faith, you just name it and then go and claim it because God gave it to you. That's what they proclaim. There are some pastors and teachers that claim that you do that. Now, they're twisting some things. They're twisting truth. They're twisting psychological issues as well. You know, a baseball player can't get up and think, I think I might hit the ball. They've got to actually visualize it and see themselves hitting that ball or they'll never hit it." [57:50] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "A spiritual infant is tossed back and forth. I want you to imagine a cork bottle on an ocean bobbing up and down. They're not rooted. They're not grounded on anything. They're just kind of swaying with the wind. Oh, this pastor says this. I'll go this way. This person says this. I'll go this way. Oh, there's no endurance in them. They're tossed back and forth. And there are men who are very cunning and women who are very cunning and are very crafty. And they seek to deceive you in many of their ways and their words. They seek to deceive you." [49:54] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "You are sealed with the promised holy spirit when you believe the moment that you believe the holy spirit came upon you and he's given you these gifts and other gifts you are marked sealed permanently you're his what are you gonna do you gotta pray have you ever thought of the fact that your prayers your prayers are a blessing to others you're a priest you're your holiness and so you get the privilege the honor of going in front of god on behalf of other people praying for them going before god on behalf of your name you get a church every spiritual blessing has been given to you you're holy you're adopted you're redeemed you're forgiven you're chosen you're sealed you get to pray church this is great do you need anything more" [42:09] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

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