Ephesians: My Wealth, Walk, And Warfare: Lesson 6

A. INTRODUCTION, v.1

1. PRISONER, (v. 1). Not seeking sympathy, but accepts circumstances.

2. WALK WORTHY.

a. Arrange your life to be worthy.

b. Walking involves direction, planning, advancement, and step by step.

3. VOCATION, (Gk. kleiss your life’s work). Walk “Even as he walked” (I John 2:6).

B. HIGH POSITION DEMANDS LOW ESTIMATION, v. 2-3

1. LOWLINESS, v. 2.

a. No pride or self-exhaltation.

b. Sense of unworthiness.

2. MEEKNESS WITH LONGSUFFERING, submission to God’s will, “opposite of short tempered.”

3. FORBEARING, restraint under pressure.

4. LOVE, “Love beareth all things, endureth all things” (I Cor. 13:7).

5. THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT, not ecclesiastical union, but spiritual unity, v. 3.

6. BOND OF PEACE, Peace with God – salvation. Peace of God – victory.

C. SEVEN UNITIES, v. 4-6

1. ONE BODY, a living organism composed of born-again believers.

2. ONE SPIRIT, the person of the Holy Spirit who regenerated each believer.

3. ONE HOPE, the rapture and heaven.

4. ONE LORD, Jesus Christ who must be Lord of all, or He will not be Lord at all, i.e., only one way of salvation, v. 5.

5. ONE FAITH, not a creed, but saving experience.

6. ONE BAPTISM, spiritual baptism when the Holy Spirit places us in the body, whereas it is reflected by water baptism.

7. ONE GOD AND FATHER, not a separate god for each nation, but the God of the nations, v. 6.

8. ABOVE ALL, through all . . . in you all.

a. God is transcendent above the universe.

b. Immanent, near to all.

c. Indwelling in the believers.

D. SPIRITUAL GIFTS ARE GIVEN, v. 7-11

1. GIVEN GRACE, each is given value, opportunity, and responsibility.

2. MEASURE OF THE GIFTS OF CHRIST, wide variety of spiritual gifts, i.e., ability for spiritual service.

3. HE ASCENDED UP ON HIGH, Jesus’ ascension back into heaven.

4. CAPTIVITY CAPTIVE, v. 8.

a. Triumphant return from battle.

b. Victory.

c. Gives gifts to all.

5. DESCENDED, probably into hell to bring Old Testament saints into heaven, v. 9.

6. GAVE APOSTLES, v. 11.

a. Official title of twelve.

b. No apostolic succession.

c. To follow physical Jesus and see resurrected Jesus (Acts 1:21-22).

d. Any who claim this title are deceivers (Rev. 2:2).

7. PROPHETS preached the word (foretellers) and predicted the future (fortellers).

8. EVANGELIST, those who preach the gospel to non-evangelized areas.

9. PASTORS AND TEACHERS, the spiritual gift of caring for sheep, and the spiritual gift of studying and sharing. This is one office with two functions.

E. OUR ULTIMATE PURPOSE ON EARTH, v. 12-16

1. PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS not making them perfect, but equipping them for serving.

2. WORK OF MINISTRY, not doing their work for them, but preparing them for spiritual service.

3. EDIFYING OF THE BODY, strengthening whole church, i.e., quality and quantity.

4. UNITY OF THE FAITH, unity not uniformity, v. 13.

5. KNOWLEDGE OF SON OF God, head and heart intimacy.

6. FULLNESS OF CHRIST, we all become Christlike.

7. NO MORE CHILDREN, not know, not do, and can’t protect self, v. 14.

8. TOSSED TO AND FRO, instability and helplessness.

9. EVERY WIND OF DOCTRINE, shifting false doctrine.

10. SLEIGHT OF MEN, i.e., deceit and dishonesty.

11. LIE IN WAIT TO DECEIVE, intentionally pervert the scripture.

12. TRUTH IN LOVE, speak without any tricks, v. 15.

13. THE HEAD, EVEN CHRIST, the source of everything.

14. THE BODY, the church becomes harmonious, v. 16.

15. INCREASE OF THE BODY, every member is helped or helps, gives strength or receives strength.

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

For more information on the TRBC Pastor’s Bible Class, log on to the Internet for TRBC Home page at www.trbc.org/pbc.