Walk Worthy

Walk Worthy

Griffith Baptist Church – 9/7/08

A.M. Service

Text: Ephesians 4:1-6

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

The Introduction

Verse 1 gives a very direct expectation, to walk worthy.

What is it to walk worthy?

Surely it is not strangely lost on us that we are walking in this life as pilgrims?

Psalms 1:1 - Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly . . .

1 Thessalonians 2:12 – That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

Colossians 1:10 - That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

To walk worthy is to walk in such a way that, should Christ at any time and come and judge us, that we would not be ashamed.

Do you walk worthy?

Could you, at this very moment, honestly say that you are ready to meet the master and give an account?

My greatest thought is my accountability to God. - Daniel Webster

I remember when I worked for Sports World as the bookkeeper and Human Resource Manager, that Sam, my boss, would take off for a week at a time to go raise money and make contacts. I knew, when he came back, that he wanted me to give an account of our income and everything else pertaining to my job that he, as president, needed to know. Sometimes, he would surprise me and call me out of the blue and want a report and I had to have it in front of me at all times. I had to walk worthy of the trust he put in me and be ready at a moments notice.

What does God require of us as it pertains to His church?

Transition Statement: First, to walk worthy means to develop a character that reflects the Savior

Body

1. Walking Worthy Means Developing A Character That Reflects The Savior – 2

A. Sometimes we’re like the comic strip character, Charlie Brown, who said, “There’s no problem so big that I can’t run from it.”

i. We should never run from good character just because it’s sometimes difficult

ii. We should be drawn toward the imitation of Christ.

B. The Qualities of Christ are meant here to be imitated within the life of every believer and transferred and effected in the body of Christ, the local church.

i. There is no doubt that Jesus Christ possessed these qualities

ii. Humility (lowliness) – Matthew 11:29 – Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Phil. 2:5-8)

iii. Gentle (meekness) – Matthew 11:29 - Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

a. Meekness is not weakness (power under control)

b. Example: anger (should not control us neither should it continue on)

c. Jesus was meek but cleared the temple

iv. Patience (longsuffering) – 2 Peter 3:15 - And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

v. Endurance (forbearance) - Hebrews 12:2-3 - 2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

vi. Love – John 15:12 - This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. (John 3:16)

C. These are the inner building blocks of the maturing believer

i. They aid the body of Christ

ii. They keep us from having an ego that is self-serving

iii. They help us see and exercise our true place in the body of Christ

Transition Statement: Second, if we are going to be found walking worthy, it means doing what is best for Him and His church and not for self.

2. Walking Worthy Means Doing What Is Best For The Church and Not For Self – 3

A. Endeavor = diligence

i. The unity of the church is a very important issue to Jesus Christ

ii. The Holy Spirit is the fulcrum upon which this unity rests

iii. Peace is the glue that holds it all together

B. Romans 14:17-19 – 17For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 18For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. 19Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.