As Paul begins talking about righteous living that flows from a believer's calling, he stresses the importance of a believer's character toward his brothers and sisters in Christ. Those character traits help believers to bear with one another and to preserve the unity of the Holy Spirit.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-3

The epistle to the Ephesians transitions from talking about all of the things that Christ has done in unifying believers to Himself and to one another. If those blessings are true, and believers have been called to belong to Christ, that calling will result in conduct that is consistent with it. As believers, we need to walk worthy of God's calling in Christ Jesus.

Passage: Ephesians 4:1

Paul ends the first half of his letter with a prayer. All of these blessings that he has explained in chapters 1–3 do not happen automatically. They are ours in Christ. But since they are from the Lord, we need to seek the Lord in laying hold of them.

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14–21

We all need regular reminders of the bigger picture of our salvation... the bigger picture of the church. And 'bigger picture' doesn't mean 'something we should think about every once in a while for an interesting perspective,' it means the purpose of our faith!

Passage: Ephesians 3:7–13

Truly good, God-honoring works flow from regeneration and are God's creation. God makes those who were formerly dead alive in him by grace, and he has prepared the good works that his new creations will walk in.

Scripture: Ephesians 2:10

Believers can rejoice in the spiritual blessings in Christ because of God’s commitment to his purposes. He blesses believers by making his master plan known to them, by making believers his possession, and by guaranteeing their inheritance by the sealing of the Holy Spirit.

Passage: Ephesians 1:9-14

The last piece of Spiritual Armor Paul describes is the only piece of armor that is offensive. It helps us answer the question, “How do I attack?” Up to this point, every piece of armor has been a defensive tool against the enemy’s tactics. This Sword of the Spirit is an offensive weapon against the Evil One himself. Fighting sin, fighting the flesh, and fighting off the devil’s attacks requires the ability to use God’s word with skilled precision. You must know when to use it, how to use it, and where to strike with it. Just as with a sword. Want to defeat sin in your life? You should. Then make learning how to use God’s word with precision and accuracy a regular part of your spiritual growth. Resist the devil with the Sword of the Spirit, and he will flee from you.

Passage: Ephesians 6:17

Main Idea: Be learning how to make use of God’s word with precision and accuracy.

The believer’s confidence, strength, and hope for daily obedience is anchored in the eternal promise of their salvation. The realities of justification, sanctification, and glorification which are accomplished through the blood of Jesus Christ teach the believer what it means to live saved from the penalty of sin, the power of sin, and one day the presence of sin. To take up the helmet of salvation means to believe in these realities every day, and walk obediently as a new creation in them.

Main idea: Taking up the helmet of salvation means living saved.

Passage: Ephesians 6:17

The devil’s arrows are dipped in the tar of deceit and lit by the flame of wickedness. Lies, deception, half-truths, doubts: These are what the flaming darts are made of. The shield of faith is the believer’s only hope when it comes to defending against these attacks. The promises of God, assurance of salvation, eternal blessings in the Gospel of Christ: These are what the shield of faith are made of. The believer’s hope is that, in all circumstances, the shield of faith will hold up against the schemes of the devil. Therefore, it is our duty to make faithful use of it.

Main Idea: Take up the shield of faith

Passage: Ephesians 6:16

The devil’s arrows are dipped in the tar of deceit and lit by the flame of wickedness. Lies, deception, half-truths, doubts: These are what the flaming darts are made of. The shield of faith is the believer’s only hope when it comes to defending against these attacks. The promises of God, assurance of salvation, eternal blessings in the Gospel of Christ: These are what the shield of faith are made of. The believer’s hope is that, in all circumstances, the shield of faith will hold up against the schemes of the devil. Therefore, it is our duty to make faithful use of it.

Main Idea: Take up the shield of faith

Passage: Ephesians 6:16