Are Christians fully part of a kingdom not of this world or do we have divided loyalties? Was Paul imprisoned by Rome and hated by his own nation for his faith? How did he encourage us to live?
Therefore, as a prisoner for the Lord, I encourage you to live as people worthy of the call you received from God. (Ephesians 4:1 CEB)
Is a good local church one filled with humility, gentleness, and patience even with occasional difficult personalities?
Always be humble and gentle. Patiently put up with each other and love each other. (Ephesians 4:2 CEV)
Can someone who believes differently in non-essentials maintain harmony? What is the bond that creates church unity, having the same opinions or keeping the peace?
eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3 ESV)
Are Christians already united in some very important essentials?
There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:4-6 HCSB)
Is everyone given special and unique gifts?
But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. (Ephesians 4:7 KJV)
When Christ returned triumphantly to heaven after his resurrection and victory over Satan, did He give generous gifts to men?
This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” (Ephesians 4:8 NIV)
Had Jesus also been in the grave?
Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? (Ephesians 4:9 NASB)
Did He also ascend higher than all the heavens?
He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things. (Ephesians 4:10 NKJV)
What are some of those gifts to the church?
Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. (Ephesians 4:11 NLT)
In plain English, some are messengers, some are inspired speakers of divine truth, some are bringers of good news, some are shepherds and instructors. Why?
for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12 WEB)
Until when?
until we all reach the unity of faith and knowledge of God’s Son. God’s goal is for us to become mature adults—to be fully grown, measured by the standard of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:13 CEB)
What happens as we mature in the faith?
Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. (Ephesians 4:14 HCSB)
Should we just avoid all controversy, or is there a way to handle challenges to orthodox doctrines and practices?
Love should always make us tell the truth. Then we will grow in every way and be more like Christ, the head of the body. Christ holds it together and makes all of its parts work perfectly, as it grows and becomes strong because of love. (Ephesians 4:15-16 CEV)
Do Christians follow the nations or do we have a new kingdom culture?
Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. (Ephesians 4:17-18 ESV)
What is a common element among the nations of this world?
They became callous and gave themselves over to promiscuity for the practice of every kind of impurity with a desire for more and more. (Ephesians 4:19 HCSB)
How has Jesus changed us? What have we put off?
But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation [conduct] the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; (Ephesians 4:20-22 KJV)
What other changes does Jesus make in us?
and that you are to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. (Ephesians 4:23-24 NASB)
How does business and personal life change?
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. (Ephesians 4:25 NIV)
What about anger?
“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. (Ephesians 4:26-27 NKJV)
What about theft?
If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. (Ephesians 4:28 NLT)
What about foul or abusive language?
Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29 WEB)
Can we bring sorrow to the Holy Spirit?
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30 ESV)
What should we get rid of?
Put aside all bitterness, losing your temper, anger, shouting, and slander, along with every other evil. (Ephesians 4:31 CEB)
What should we replace these bad habits with?
Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ. (Ephesians 4:32 CEV)
Instead of bringing worldly ways into the church, we are called to be a heavenly kingdom, totally different from the nations in which we live. Are we learning to live worthy of the call we received from God? You decide!
