Reading: Ephesians chapter 4 verses 1-16:
(OHP) Introduction with reading.
Ill:
• There were two doctors with the same name who lived a few doors apart.
• One was a Christian and a lay preacher, the other made no profession of faith.
• One night a rather sick person, who was also a Christian,
• And wanting help from a fellow believer,
• Knocked mistakenly at the door of the non-Christian doctor.
• “Are you the doctor who preaches?” he asked.
• “No”, the medic replied, “I am the doctor who practices”.
• “Oh”, said the sick person, “I’ve always understood the two things were inseparable”.
All of Paul’s letters contain a beautiful balance between doctrine and duty:
• And Ephesians is the perfect example.
• The first three chapters deal with doctrine, our riches in Christ,
• While the last three chapters explain duty, our responsibilities in Christ.
Both sections have a key idea:
• The key idea in the first half of the book was wealth;
• You and I are spiritually rich in Jesus Christ (e.g. chapter 1 verse 3).
• The key idea or word in this last half of the book is walk (Eph. 4:1, 17; 5:2, 8, 15),
• E.g. how we apply Christianity to everyday life.
In these last three chapters Paul urges us to walk, to apply truth to four areas of our lives:
• Walk in unity (Eph. 4:1-16), walk in Purity (Eph. 4:17-5:17),
• Walk in harmony (Eph. 5:18-6:9), and walk in victory (Eph. 6:10-24).
• In fact these four “walks” perfectly parallel the doctrine,
• That Paul has taught us in the first three chapters.
Our Wealth Our Walk
Called by grace to belong to His body (chap. 1) Walk worthy of your calling—the unity of the Body (4:1-16)
Raised from the dead (2:1-10) Put off the grave clothes (4:17-5:17); walk in purity
Reconciled (2:11-22) Walk in harmony (5:18-6:9)
Christ’s victory over Satan is the mystery (chap. 3) Walk in victory (6:10-24)
In these last three chapters Paul urges us to walk, to apply truth to four areas of our lives:
• Walk in unity (Eph. 4:1-16), walk in Purity (Eph. 4:17-5:17),
• Walk in harmony (Eph. 5:18-6:9), and walk in victory (Eph. 6:10-24).
Note: A walk is a good picture to compare the Christian life to:
(1). It demands life.
• Dead people cannot walk.
• It is an activity of the living.
• We talk in terms of good and bad people,
• The Bible talks in terms of people being dead and alive.
• Chapter 2 of this letter said; you are either spiritually dead in your sins,
• Or you are spiritually alive, you have experienced new life in Jesus Christ.
(2). It requires growth.
Ill:
• Kathy grew from sitting to wobbling, to crawling to walking.
• Walking is a sign that she is physically growing.
• As Christians we ought to be spiritually growing in our faith,
• We should be growing UP in our faith and not just growing OLD!
• Not the number of years you’ve been a Christian that’s important,
• But are you maturing in your faith, growing more like Jesus?
(3). It requires freedom.
• Someone who is tied up and bound cannot walk.
• Walking requires freedom.
As Christians we can tie ourselves up with all sorts of things.
• Some Christians are bound by sinful habits and a sinful lifestyles.
• Ill: Play with fire and you get your fingers burnt.
• Some Christians are involved in things that may not be wrong or even sinful,
• But they may still prevent us progressing in the Christian life.
Quote:
“Often the good is the enemy of the best”.
(4). It demands light.
• No-one walks in the dark,
• Darkness limits your vision and could cause you to encounter danger.
• As Christians we are told to “walk in the light” (title of chapter 4 verses 17 onwards).
• To make a conscience effort to progress in the things of God.
(5). It cannot be hidden.
Ill:
• Tele-Tubbies, because of the rain Dipsy decided to walking around the house.
• Normal people walk out and about where they will encounter people and things.
• Jesus called us; “The light of the world”, not “The light of the church”.
• We have to live out our faith in the world in which we live.
(6). It suggests progress.
• We walk to achieve something,
• It is purposeful.
• E.g. It gets us from A to B.
• E.g. Or it brings us pleasure as we enjoy a walk in the countryside.
Question:
• How is your walk?
• Are you making progress or spiritually stagnant?
This link between belief and behaviour is very important:
• In some Bible versions verse 1 starts off with the word “Therefore”.
• There is a link back to what has just been said.
• God has reminded us in chapters 1 to 3:
• Of all that he has done for us in Jesus Christ;
• Now in response to his love for us;
• He says can you do something for me?
Ill:
Very similar to Romans chapter 12.
The main idea in these first sixteen verses is the unity of believers in Christ.
• This is simply the practical application of the doctrine taught in the first half of the letter:
• Chapters 1 to 3 are the theory, chapters 4 to 6 are the practice.
• Because God has reconciled (brought together) Jews and Gentiles to Himself in Christ.
• The oneness of believers in Christ is already a spiritual reality.
• We don’t have to pray for unity, we have it already in Christ.
• Our responsibility is to guard, protect, and preserve that unity.
To do this, we must understand four important facts.
(A). The Grace of Unity (verses 1-3)
1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Unity is not uniformity.
• Unity comes from within and is a spiritual grace,
• While uniformity is the result of pressure from without.
Ill:
• Uniformity is when we all have to be the same.
• Ill: T.V. Film: Witness - E.g. wear same clothes, eat the same food, listen to the same music.
Ill:
Unity is when two people might hold very different opinions to each other,
• Yet they are willing to work together,
• The stronger bond (Christ) overrides their personal preferences or opinions.
Ill:
Paul used the human body as a picture of Christian unity (verses 13-16):
• Each part of the body is different from the other parts,
• Yet all the parts work together to make up one body.
If we are going to preserve what verse 4 calls the “unity of the Spirit”:
• We must possess the necessary Christian qualities,
• And there are six of them listed here.
(1). Humility (verse 2). (“Be humble” K.J.B. “Lowliness”).
• It means knowing ourselves, accepting ourselves, and being ourselves,
• Humility means I cannot do everything, but I can do something!
We tend to gravitate between two extremes:
• Think more highly of themselves than they ought to!
• And those who have a low appreciation of themselves.
• Humility means being balanced;
• Recognising I cannot do everything, but I can do something! I have something to contribute!
(2). Gentleness (verse 2) (K.J.B. “Meekness”).
Gentleness or meekness is not weakness:
• Ill: Graffiti: “The meek will inherit the earth…if that’s alright with you!”
• Gentleness or meekness is power under control.
Ill:
• In the Greek language, this word was used for a soothing medicine,
• A horse that had been broken,
• And a soft wind.
• In each case you have power, but that power is under control.
(3). Be patient (verse 2). (K.J.B. “Long-suffering”).
• It literally means “long-tempered,”
• The ability to endure discomfort without fighting back.
Ill:
• Pearl oyster is formed when an irritant particle intrudes itself into its shell,
• It cannot reject the irritant,
• So instead it covers it with a precious substance extracted out of its own life,
• And it turns the intruder into a pearl!
• By being patient with people, and working at the situation,
• We can turn an irritating situation into something good.
(4). Bearing with each other (verse 2). (K.J.B. “Forbearance”.
Quote G.K. Chesterton:
“The Bible tells us to love our neighbours and also to love our enemies,
probably because generally they are the same people”.
Quote:
“You can choose your friends but you are stuck with your family”.
How we handle those who annoy us, those who rub us up the wrong way is a sign of maturity:
• I can love anyone who loves me, that requires no demands and no spirituality,
• But when I am offended or put upon, then that is where real love comes into play.
• Love is first of all an act of the will, not merely an emotion.
• With God’s help we determine to love and the feelings come later.
Ill:
• Remember how God is patient towards us.
• Never forget the parable of the unmerciful servant, Matthew chapter 18n verses 23-35.
(5). Make every effort (verse 3). (K.J.B. “Endeavour”).
• The next charecteristic that contributes to the unity of the Spirit is endeavor.
• Literally it reads “being eager to maintain, or guard, the unity of the Spirit.”
Ill:
A Church minister may say to a newly wedded couple,
• “It’s great that you love each other,”
• “But if you’re going to be happy in marriage, you gotta work at it!”
That is true for each Christian:
• We must constantly be endeavoring to maintain this unity.
• Ill: Fourth bridge mentality.
(6). peace (verse 3). “the bond of peace.”
Ill:
• If I am annoyed and angry at another motorisat when I am in the car,
• That can show itself when I get home and I am iratible with my wife.
In a similar way:
• If a believer is not right with God,
• Then sooner or later that will show itself with other believers.
• But when “the peace of God” rules in our hearts,
• Then we build unity, not conflicts.
(B). The Ground of Unity (verses 4-6)
There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—5one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Worth noting that Paul did not discuss spiritual unity in the first 3 chapters of this letter:
• He waited until he had laid the doctrinal foundation.
• He waited until he had reminded the Ephesians of what they believed!
• Unity is important but not at any price,
• Christian doctrine is important, without it we have no Christian faith.
The message of Christianity is:
• First: getting right with God.
• Second: getting right with each other.
• Ill: Don’t get the cart before the horse,
• We can only get right with each other if we are right with God.
In these verses Paul names for us;
• Seven basic spiritual realities that unite all true Christians.
• Seven essential truths.
(1). One body (verse 4).
• The body here is the body of Christ in which each Christian is a member,
• IF you became a Christian then at that very moment you became a member of that body.
Two truths related to the body (the Church) of Jesus Christ:
• One happens automatically.
• One is voluntary.
Ill:
• Kathy was born she automatically entered the human race - the universal family.
• But soon after her birth she left hospital and joined a local family i.e. the Curley’s
The same principles apply spiritually:
(a). Automatic:
• You became part of that one body – the universal church of Jesus Christ.
• That happened automatically you did not have to do anything but be “Born again”.
(b). Voluntary:
• If you are a Christian you must decide which local family of believers you will join,
• You need not just to attend a place of worship, but to become part of a family.
Ill:
• No such thing as spiritual orphans in the Bible.
• It assumes and teaches if you love Christ you will love his people (body).
(2). One Spirit (verse 4).
There are millions of Christians around the world:
• People from various countries and cultures,
• People from every background representing the wide scope of humaity.
• One thing that we all have in common,
• Is the Holy Spirit.
That means that we don’t just belong to God:
• But that we belong to each other in the Lord.
• Ill: Family all over the world!
(3). One hope (verse 4).
The Christians hope is Jesus Christ:
• Past (forgiveness – Ephesians chapter 1 verse 7),
• Present (advocate – 1 John chapter 2 verses 1-2)
• And future (we shall be with him – John chapter 14 verse 1-2).
Before we were Christians (saved) the Bible teaches:
• When we were lost, and we were “without hope” (Ephesians chapter 2 verse 12);
• But in Jesus Christ, we have a “living hope” (1 Peter chapter 1 verse 3).
Ill:
(4). One Lord (verse 5).
• Obviously this is the Lord Jesus Christ,
• The one who died for us, lives for us, and one day will come for us.
• It is difficult to believe that two believers can claim to obey the same Lord,
• And yet not be able to walk together in unity.
Ill:
• Someone asked Ghandi, when he was the spiritual leader of India,
• “What is the greatest hindrance to Christianity in India?” He replied, “Christians.”
If Christ accepts us:
• Then we too must accept one an another!
• Recognising the Lordship of Christ will help us to do that!
(5). One faith (verse 5).
Christians may differ in some matters of interpretation and church practice:
• But all true Christians agree on “the faith”.
• To depart from “the faith” is to bring about disunity within the body of Christ.
The early Christians recognized a body of basic doctrine,
• That they taught, guarded, and committed to others (2 Tim. 2:2).
• It became the basis of the early Christian creeds.
• Ill: Athanasian creed & the Ni-ce-ne creed,
• Are statements of beliefe emphasing our one faith!
(6). One baptism (verse 5).
• Since Paul is here discussing the one body,
• This “one baptism” is probably referring to the baptism of the Spirit.
Note:
• Water baptism is not often talked about in the New Testament letters.
• Because there was no need to, if someone got converted, they also got baptised.
• So when for example Paul mentions water baptism in Romans chapter 6,
• But he talks about it as a past event “Didn’t you realise when you got baptised..….”
• I don’t think the New Testament writers ever thought;
• That folks would be converted and then treat baptism as an optional extra!
Listen, I am not playing games tonight:
• If you are a Christian, and you are going on with the Lord.
• I am challenging you to get baptised (because this book teaches it! And you need it!)
And while we are be blunt:
• Let me say if you are not a Christian, then why not!
• You need it for this life and the whole of your eternity depends on it!
The baptism paul is speaking about:
• Has already y happened, it happened at your conversion
• E.g. 1 Corinthians chapter 12 verse 13.
12The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
Christians (as we will see) are commanded to be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18):
• But we are never commanded to be baptized with the Spirit,
• For we have already been baptized by the Spirit at conversion.
(6). One God and Father (verse 5).
Paul likes to emphasize God as Father (Eph. 1:3, 17; 2:18; 3:14; 5:20).
• We are children in the same family, loving and serving the same Father,
• So we ought to be able to walk together in unity.
• Just as in an earthly family,
• the various members have to give and take in order to keep a loving unity in the home,
• So God’s heavenly family must do the same.
• Ill: The “Lord’s Prayer” opens with “Our Father”—not “My Father.”
(C). The Gifts for Unity (verses 7-11)
7But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8This is why it says:
“When he ascended on high,
he led captives in his train
and gave gifts to men.”9(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
In these verses Paul moves now from what all Christians have in common,
• To how Christians differ from each other.
• He is discussing variety and individuality within the unity of the Spirit.
• God has given each believer at least one spiritual gift:
• And this gift is to be used for the building up of God’s people.
Note: We must make a distinction between “spiritual gifts” and natural abilities.
(a). Natural gifts:
• When you were born into this world God gave you certain natural abilities,
• perhaps in art, athletics, music or some other area.
• In this regard, all people are not created equal,
• Because some are smarter, or stronger, or more talented than others.
(b). Spiritual gifts.
• In the spiritual realm, each Christian has at least one spiritual gift,
• No matter what natural abilities they may or may not possess.
• A spiritual gift is a God-given ability;
• To serve God and other Christians.
Not all the spiritual gifts are mentioned in these verses:
• There are at least 22 spiritual gifts mentioned in the Bible:
• A number of passages in the Bible deal with Spiritual gifts.
Ill:
• Romans 12:6-8.
• 1 Corinthians 12:8-10.
• 1 Corinthians 12:28.
• 1 Corinthians 12:29:30.
• Ephesians 4:11.
• 1 Peter 4:11.
• And they fall into three natural categories:
• Support gifts, Service gifts, Sign gifts.
There may well be many more gifts given that are not mentioned:
• If you are a Christian then you have at least one gift (don’t argue because the Bible says so!)
• Maybe you have two, who knows, may be 7 or 8.
• When you discover that gift,
• That is your contribution to the body of Christ, the local church.
Question: How does the Christian discover and develop their gifts?
Answer:
• By fellowshipping with other Christians in a local Church.
• Another reason why it is essential we become part of a local Church (and not just attend it)
• Gifts are not toys to play with.
• They are tools to build with.
• Paul teaches in verses;
• That Christ is the Giver of these gifts, and he gives them through the Holy Spirit.
In Verse 8-10: Paul quotes Psalm 68 verse 18:
• Which is a victory song written by King David.
• And he applies it to Jesus Christ as the winner (the victor).
Ill:
• In ancient times a general who had won a battle;
• I.e. he conquered a town.
• He would return home to a victory parade,
• And behind him chained to his chariot were all his prisoners of war.
• Along with the prisoners were the spoils (the treasure) of that city,
• The general would share the spoils (gifts) with his followers, his soldiers.
This is the picture idea in verse 8:
• Only there is a difference, in this case,
• The “prisoners” are not Christ’s enemies, but His own people (Christians)
• Before we were saved, we were held captive,
• Enslaved by sin and by Satan,
• But when we became Christians we swapped owners:
• And we were taken captive by Christ.
• And because we have put ourselves under his authority,
• He is willing to share with us the spoils of his victory.
Verse 11: Paul names four gifts that God has placed in the church:
(1). Apostles (verse 11a).
• The word means “one who is sent on a mission.”
• Jesus had many disciples, but He selected 12 Apostles (Matthew chapter 10 verses 1-4).
• A disciple is a “follower” or a “learner,”
• But an apostle is someone “chosen by God to represent him”
Ill:
• There are no Apostles today in the strictest New Testament sense.
• The Apostles were those who had met the risen Christ personally (1 Cor. 9:1-2).
Ill:
• Ephesians chapter 2 verse 20 tells us;
• That these men helped to lay the foundation of the church:
• “The foundation laid by the Apostles and prophets”,
• And once the foundation was laid, they were no longer needed.
(2). Prophets (v. 11b).
• We here the word prophet and think predictions of future events,
• But this was not the main function of a New Testament prophet
A New Testament prophet is one who proclaims the Word of God;
• Christians in the New Testament churches did not possess Bibles,
• Nor was the New Testament written and completed.
• How could a local Church discover God’s will?
• His Spirit would share God’s truth with those possessing the gift of prophecy.
(3). Evangelists (verse 11c).
• The word means “Bearers of the Good News.”
• These men travelled from place to place to preach the Gospel and win folks to Christ.
• All Christians should “do the work of an evangelist,”
• But this does not mean that all Christians are evangelists.
(4). Pastors and teachers (verse 11d).
• The fact that Paul does not say “some pastors and some teachers”,
• Indicates that we have here one office with two ministries.
The word Pastor means “shepherd,”
• The local church is often pictured as a flock of sheep,
• Those who are gifted as pastors are responsible to feed and lead the flock.
• The food that nourishes the sheep is the Word of God.
• That is why we emphasize and study it so much in this Church.
Note:
• 1 Peter chapter 5 verses 1-4,
• The word “elder” is used and is another name for “pastor”.
• So in this Church we have elders/pastors/leaders
• If you do not know who they are see me, or ask someone afterwards.
(D). The Growth of Unity (verses 12-16):
2to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Paul was looking at the church on two levels in this section.
(a).
• He saw the body of Christ, made up of all true believers,
• Growing gradually until it reaches spiritual maturity,
• Verse 13b:
• “attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ”.
(b).
• But he also saw the local body of believers ministering to each other,
• Growing together, and thereby experiencing spiritual unity.
Notice (verse 12):
• The Christians do not look to the leaders to do the work.
• They are to share in the work with them.
• The leaders are supposed to “prepare God’s people for works of the service”.
• There is no clergy/laity gap here, we are a family working together.
4 signs of spipiritual growth:
(1). The first evidence of spiritual growth is Christ likeness (Verse 13b N.L.B.)
“That we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ”.
(2). The second evidence is stability (verse 14 N.L.B.)
14Then we will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different or because someone has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like the truth.
(3). The third evidence of maturity is truth joined with love (verse 15).
“Speaking the truth in love”
Quote:
“It has well been said that truth without love is brutality,
but love without truth is hypocrisy”.
• It is a mark of maturity when we are able to share the truth with our fellow Christians,
• And do it in love.
Quote: Proverbs chapter 27 verse 6).
“Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful”
(4). One more evidence of maturity is cooperation (verse 16 N.L.B).
Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
We realize that, as members of the one body and a local body,
• We belong to each other,
• We affect each other, and we need each other.
• Each believer, no matter how insignificant he or she may appear,
• Has a ministry to other believers.
• The body grows as the individual members grow,
• And they grow as they feed on the Word and minister to each other.
In summary:
So, then, spiritual unity is not something we manufacture.
• It is something we already have in Christ, and we must protect and maintain it.
• Truth unites, but lies divide.
• Love unites, but selfishness divides.
• Therefore, “speaking the truth in love,”
• Let us equip one another and edify one another,
• That all of us may grow up to be more like Christ.
