The eleventh message from the book of Ephesians.

Ephesians chapter four marks a major change in the book. In the first three chapters, we read of our standing or position in the eyes of God, while chapters 4-6 are primarily about our state or condition before men.

Let’s start today by reading the first 3 verses from chapter four. Ephesians chapter 4:1-3:

Eph 4:1  I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

Eph 4:2  With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

Eph 4:3  Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

We looked last time how we should walk worthy of being called a Christian. We now come to the hard part—putting that to practical use.

The goal in these first three verses is to have unity and peace. We will need the four things listed (lowliness, meekness, longsuffering, forbearing with love) if we are to have unity and peace.

Unity and peace is something worth fighting for. It is worth sacrificing our own pride, ways, and opinions for. It is a precious thing!

2Co 13:11  Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

The tenth message from the book of Ephesians.

Ephesians chapter four marks a major change in the book. In the first three chapters, we read of our standing or position in the eyes of God, while chapters 4-6 are primarily about our state or condition before men.

Notice chapter four starts with “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,”

In the previous chapters, we learned how God sees us and what we have in Christ. Now we will learn how to walk as a child of God in this evil, sinful world.

Today, I would like us to look at walking worthy of the vocation Jesus has called us to.

Eph 4:1-3  I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

We looked last week at how we are all given the grace of God. First, for salvation and then for service and growth. 

All Christians have a calling, not just an occupation or trade to provide for their physical needs—but a higher calling—a spiritual calling as a child of God. Many Christians feel a calling from God—a spiritual vocation—is not for them. It is for the pastor, evangelist, or teacher in the church body. Or, they have a hard time finding out what calling God has for them. 

The simple answer to these problems is that in the New Testament, all children of God are called to many things.

Today we will look at seven things we are all called to.

The ninth message from the book of Ephesians “What have you done with God’s grace” which is found in Ephesians 3:7, 8.

Paul was given the grace of God in his life, just as all believers have. Why was this grace given to Paul according to Ephesians 3:8? That he should preach the gospel among the Gentiles. Let’s read Ephesians 3:7, 8:

Eph 3:7-8  Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 8  Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

If we study a little more, we can find out more about this grace given unto him in 1 Corinthians 15:10:

1Co 15:10  But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Paul did much for God because of the grace given unto him. But look what he said: “… and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain;…”

Paul was given grace, and then he used it for the glory of God. He did not waste it and he did not receive it in vain.

The question for today is this: has God given you His grace in vain?

The eighth message from the book of Ephesians “Christ dwelling in our hearts” which is found in Ephesians 3:12-20.

Christ dwells in our hearts, giving us strength, faith, knowledge, love, and power.

Being an effective Christian and minister for God requires us to have these things. We need the power and strength of God if we want to grow as His child and be used of Him. 

In verse seven Paul states “according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.” And then in verse 20 “ Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”

Today I would like us to look at how Christ gives us the power and ability to minister in His name.

The seventh message from the book of Ephesians “A Mystery Revealed,” found in Ephesians 3:1-12.

A Mystery Revealed (vs. 1-12)

In the first twelve verses we read of a mystery that was hidden for thousands of years. This mystery was revealed to the apostle Paul. This mystery was not the church which is the body of Christ, for that was known before Paul was saved and started preaching.

So what was this “mystery” in verse three? It is defined in verse six : “That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:” This mystery is that the Jews and Gentiles would be one body, you can read more about that in chapter two.

The sixth message from the book of Ephesians “Our Foundation” which is found in Ephesians 2:20-22.

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:20-22)

The body of Christ has a firm foundation that has stood the test of time and troubles. It has gone through the fire and remains. The author of the Church, the body of Christ, is Christ Himself. He is the corner stone and the foundation was built upon the apostles and prophets—which we now have as Scripture. We can continue building upon this foundation by teaching, preaching, and believing in the words of God.

The fifth message from the book of Ephesians called “The children of God,” found in Ephesians 2:5-18.

Chapter two starts with six things we had or were before we were born-again—before Jesus saved us. We looked at that last time.

Today we will look at nine things we are given when Jesus Christ saves us. These are things we now have by the grace of God.

What a blessing it is to know have peace with God and will live forever with our Saviour!

Chapter two starts with six things we had or were before we were born-again—before Jesus saved us. Later we read of seven things that a child of God has.

Let’s look today at what we were or had before Jesus Christ saved us. These are things we had by nature, or birth without Christ.

A person who is not saved or born-again is not a child of God. A person becomes a child of God by faith alone in Christ.

Gal 3:26  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

We often talk about what a child of God has—but what about those who are not God’s children? What do they have and how do they walk in this world? 

This chapter gives us a list of things an unsaved person has and how they act.

Eph 2:1-3  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

While on earth, in a body of human flesh, Jesus Christ as the Son of God submitted Himself to His Father and His humanity. But—He is now risen and God the Father has given Him His rightful throne in heaven. He has now assumed not only His humanity but deity. And one day He will sit and rule on His throne here on earth.

Let’s look at the six things the Lord Jesus Christ has received from the Father.

Paul loved and prayed for the brethren at the church in Ephesus. He was thankful for their faith and love, he did not cease to pray for them, he desired they would be filled with the wisdom and knowledge of God, that they would know the hope and riches they can find in Christ, and last he desired they would have the power of God in their lives.

Let’s strive to be thankful for and pray for all our brothers and sisters in Christ. If we are praying for one another we will have much more love and unity in the church!