Grace Messages

We have been looking at how NOT to live the Christian life and how TO live the Christian life and this morning we are going to look at some practical, visible, and observable actions of a “Worthy Walk.” 11 Commands are used in the closing section of chapter 4 (verses 25-32) to describe what type of observable behavior should follow when the believer is walking worthy – when they are walking in line with how they have learned THE Christ!

Last week we looked at “How NOT to Live the Christian Life,” and we considered a step-by-step explanation of how we sin. Verses 17-19 provided a technical break down of HOW we sin from start to finish. It all starts in the mind – it starts with WHAT we think about! So, in contrast to walking in the futility of our minds, we are to be proactively occupied with something else…or someone else!

If you’ve ever wondered WHY, as a believer, you struggle with sin OR if you’ve ever wondered WHY you struggle with the same kind of sin over and over again, this morning we are going to look at a step-by-step explanation. For you athletes out there, we are literally going to have a film session! This passage describes the downward spiral of sin, and gives a technical break down of HOW we sin from start to finish. This detailed section is given to us so that we can make some adjustments in our thinking so that we are not dominated by sin.

Last week, we continued looking at God’s Church Growth Program – specifically about the GOALS OF GOD in doing it the way He set it up to be done. This morning, we will see that In order for GOD’S GOALS to be realized, it is essential that each and every part does its share. This means that in God’s Church Growth Program, God has a part and individual believers have a part, but both must do their part in order for growth to happen – and we know God always does His part…

Last week, we began looking at God’s Church Growth Program and this is something to be excited about – Paul definitely was! We considered NOT only spiritual gifts given to believers but GIFTED MEN given to the Church at large. Two of the GIFTED MEN had revelatory gifts (apostles and prophets) and the other two GIFTED MEN had equipping gifts. But WHY did Jesus do it this way? We are going to consider Jesus’ goals or desired outcomes for doing it this way.

After explaining the UNITY believers possess IN Christ in verses 1-6, Paul begins to explain God’s method of working out this UNITY. His method, although seemingly counterintuitive, is through diversity of spiritual gifting. In diversity, God has put together a plan to “build His Church” and “fill the world with Jesus Christ.” It involves two MAIN components – (1) Individually gifted believers who are prepared to utilize their spiritual gifts because of (2) Individually gifted MEN given to the church as gifts.

Having spoken about the UNITY we possess as believers, Paul now explains God’s method of working out this UNITY – it is through diversity of spiritual gifting. This seems counterintuitive – diversity typically DIVIDES! So, although it seems counterintuitive and does not seem like it should work, it will, IF we walk ”worthy of our calling” – this is God’s plan and as we will see this morning, Jesus did a lot to put this plan in motion.

Verses 4-6 describe seven aspects of THE unity accomplished by the Spirit of God by uniting us IN Christ. The mention of “endeavoring” to keep the unity of the Spirit in verse 3 is what springboards Paul into listing these seven aspects of UNITY that every believer possesses. If God has taken these incredible steps to UNIFY us, shouldn’t this be of value to us as well? This section is the answer to the prayer of Jesus Christ in His high priestly prayer in John 17:20-23.

To Vaccinate or not to Vaccinate? That is a question on many of our minds these days. This question engenders many strong emotions on both sides of the issue. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could turn in our Bible and read a verse about God’s view of the COVID vaccination debate? Unfortunately, that verse or passage DOES NOT EXIST! However, what does exist is God’s mind for us towards non-essential issues. This morning, we will consider four principles to instruct how believers should approach and think through non-essentials including, but not limited to: the COVID-19 vaccination, the wearing of masks, drinking, how you school your children, what clothing you wear, what type of entertainment you participate in, etc.

The SIT portion of Ephesians has come to a close at the end of chapter 3. There are 40 commands in the book of Ephesians, and only one of those was found in the first three chapters. We now enter the WALK portion of Ephesians, where the word “walk” is used 6 times through mid-Chapter 5. Additionally, the remaining 39 commands start in 4:25 and go through the end of the book. Many would say, “Good! Now, we FINALLY get to the practical section of the book!” However, we are NOT to walk without remembering and relying upon what we learned in the SIT portion. The SIT portion is “assumed” by Paul the rest of the way – we must know WHO we are and the HOW to access the resources we ALREADY possess if we are going to WALK in a worthy way!