Intro: Bruce Howell tells of “I Can’t Change Jesus” Bill Irwin, a man who is blind, has a talking computer he uses to study the Bible. He’s had a few chuckles over some of the pronunciations. "For a long time," Bill says, "the computer pronounced Holy Bible as ’holly bibble’ until I figured out how to modify it." But there was one thing Bill couldn’t change. The computer uses the Spanish pronunciation for Jesus Christ--HEYsus Krist. "The programmer is Hispanic," Bill said with a smile, "and he made sure that HEYsus Krist cannot be altered." I like that. It reminds me that among the things in life that can be changed to suit my taste, one remains tamper-resistant--I can’t change Jesus. When life is unsettled, I gain great comfort from the Bible’s affirmation that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Heb. 13:8). But the statement is also a stern rebuke to my tendency to try to modify the words and character of Christ when I don’t like what He says. How easy it is to forget that I came to Christ longing for Him to transform me, not the other way around! Praise God that His Word and His love are perfect and unchanging. And praise Him too that in His love He is working to change me1
If you identify with Jesus Christ he is working to transform you. We have spent several weeks learning what our identity is in Christ. Now as Paul often does he moves from doctrinal to practical. We are moving from the way we think to the way we act.
I have told you several times your identity will determine your activity. Paul is saying let your identity in Christ determine your activity. In other words live like you mean it. Live like Christ is your savior and your lord. He is not only our maker but also our master. Paul clearly urges you to prove it in your day to day life and relationships with others.
I. Live in a way that proves you belong to God (Ephesians 1.1)
Ephesians 1.1 “I, a prisoner in the Lord, encourage you to live the kind of life which proves that God has called you.”
Paul says I urge you I encourage you to walk worthy of your calling. He uses the Greek word axios, literally “bringing up the other beam of the scales.”
Paul is saying live a life in balance with your beliefs. If you believe all that we have spoke of from 1.1 to 3.21 of Ephesians then your lifestyle should be in balance with what you believe.
Your identity should be balanced by your activity. In the first three chapters we are called to salvation in Christ. We are called to a rich life in relationship to God through Jesus Christ. It is not only a call to salvation but a call to service. A call to something as Phil Hall said is bigger than us.
If He is a supplier of all your needs do you live as a steward putting Him first in your finances, your time, and your abilities?
If He is all sufficient do you depend on Him for your every need? If He is holy and calls us to be holy do you live in the world but you not of the world? If He is all knowing do you seek His guidance first? If he came not to serve but to be a servant is your first thought for others? If He came to seek and save that which was lost does the lostness of your friends and family grip you heart and move you to pray and share what Christ did in your life?
Paul is clear true belief leads to trusting action.
II. Live in a way that promotes unity (Ephesians 4.2-6)
Part of living a life that is in balance is living to promote unity.
Ephesians 4.2 gives four character traits that are part of our activity as Christians. These traits or qualities have to do with our relationship to others. This is highly appropriate for us as we represent Christ and build relationships.
A) Be humble and gentle
Greek and Roman cultures in Paul’s day considered humility and gentleness to be weakness showing lack of self-respect.
Even in the Old Testament God desired a different character for His children.
Isaiah 57.15 “The High and Lofty One lives forever, and his name is holy. This is what he says: I live in a high and holy place. But I am with those who are crushed and humble. I will renew the spirit of those who are humble and the courage of those who are crushed.
Jesus expected his disciples then and now to be humble toward each other and serve one another.
Humility is part of our attitude, character or identity. Gentleness is part of our activity. Gentle people do not have to force their priority or personality on others. This is controlled strength. Gentle people do not have to get their way but instead pave the way to unity.
As long as truth and love are not compromised gentleness is the principle.
C) Be patient and loving
Patience or longsuffering (no room for short tempers) is here the ability to accept each others faults and failures and not taking any vengeance for ourselves.
Short tempers are fuses that lead to a lot of blow ups and break ups.
Bearing with one another carries the idea of empathizing and having a willingness to forgive our fellow Christ followers.
The guiding principle to these character traits is love. It carries the idea that sometimes loving others or seeking their best is not easy.
DL Moody “Satan separates, God unites; love binds us together.
If we identify with Jesus then we operate on love. Love binds us together and promotes unity in our diversity of thought, gifts, dreams, etc. . .
If what you are doing in or for the church is not promoting unity then stop it!
There are huge differences among us. However there is a huge God who unites us!
Notice the call to unity:
4.4-6 There is one body and one Spirit just as you were called in one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Notice also that unity is not automatic.
4.3 “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
The Spirit unites us in the bonds of peace if we will allow Him to lead us there.
III. Live in a way that provides for growth (4.7-12)
Pastors/teachers evangelists are given to challenge you to grow in truth and love and the knowledge of God. As a pastor myself, Shane, and James are called to feed you but not be your only source of spiritual sustenance. The challenge I gave you two weeks ago. I don’t expect everyone to take the challenge. However as your pastor I expect you to at least pray about and see what God intends for your life.
As pastors we are not called to be your professional Christian. 4.12 We are called to equip you with the tools to live a life that is growing in your relationship with Christ so that you can prove that you are His. We are all called to serve.
You are to take what we teach chew it up and digest and apply it to your life.
We are to trust Christ in a child like way but we are also to grow in faith and knowledge.
A man called a pastor’s office at a church one day to inquire into membership in the church. He stated that he would not be able to get involved or anything, but he felt it was important to have some religious affiliation. The pastor advised this man that the church he pastored might not be the best fit for him, but he knew of a place where he would fit in quite nicely. The man asked about a phone number, but the pastor only gave him an address. On Sunday morning, the gentlemen followed the directions and pulled up into the yard of a dilapidated building. The roof was falling in, the doors were locked, and vines were growing into the windows. This gentleman called the pastor and told him that he had given him the wrong directions. "Oh no," the pastor replied. "Not at all. That is the place. That church has a membership roll filled with people who did not want to get involved or committed. That is what will always happen to a church whose members are interested in religion not relationship."
Paul urges us to use our resources and skills for the building up of the body.
Have you found a place of service at Immanuel? If not ask myself, ask James, ask Shane, ask Kat, ask Donnie, ask Larry. We have places for all of you to serve. That is the purpose of teaching that the truth will be planted in your heart and that love will work it out in your life.
We are not here to be entertained but to experience the rich life of Christ and be transformed in order to serve.
IV. Live in a way that produces maturity (4.12-16)
Maturity is love and truth operating in every aspect of our life.
Donald Grey Barnhouse.
Love is the key. Joy is love singing. Peace is love resting. Long-suffering is love enduring. Kindness is love’s touch. Goodness is love’s character. Faithfulness is love’s habit. Gentleness is love’s self-forgetfulness. Self-control is love holding the reins.
Read 4.13-15
The more appropriate translation of speaking the truth in love is truthing in love. It is so much more than speech. It means to speak and to do truth.
Honest words and lives filled with integrity. We as the body of Christ take on Christ’s character and we live like we mean it.
What is our first goal as a church?
We are called and encouraged to grow up into maturity in Christ.
Illustration the core:
Touch One, Reach One
Conclusion: Are you living like you mean it? Are you allowing the teaching of Gods truth to mature and build you into the body of Immanuel? When we live in a way that promotes unity, and growth that leads to maturity we prove that we belong to Jesus Christ
How can we know if we as the church are growing up into the fullness of Christ?
If we are walking in unity and maturity forgiving each other’s faults, restoring those that fall and sharing with those that are lost.
