Walking in a Way that is Worthy

But again to be with you all if you would turn in your Bibles to the book of Ephesians this morning. The book of Ephesians is where we will be this morning. I'm thankful for the songs that we sang this morning reminding us who we are in Christ.

Helping us focus on really why we are here. We're here to worship God and give him praise honor and glory. Well as You turn there, or if you are there already. Let's take a minute, and let's go to the Lord in prayer.

Prayer for Worship, Salvation, and the Church

Gracious Heavenly Father we are thankful for the opportunity to gather together as a body of believers to worship you. We thank you Lord God that you would have given us Lord Psalms and hymns way we may sing our praises unto you.

For you are the one who has given us life and life abundantly through your Son Christ Jesus our Lord. We once were dead in the trespasses of our sins yet By your grace and by your mercy you have made us alive together with Christ.

Lord thank you for the reminders that Lord we have heard as we sang together this morning. Thank you for your grace and mercy and each in every one of our lives. Lord we think of pastor Rob as he is in Southern, California Long Beach as he ministers to the body of Christ there at Long Beach.

We pray that Lord you would lift him up. And we pray that you would lift the body of Christ up there in Long Beach that Lord They would be strengthened and encouraged to continue to live out what you have called us to live out a Life that is set apart useful for your good work.

And Lord I pray for each one of us here Lord as we Lord would sit underneath your word. That Lord you would give us wisdom and discernment that we may honor you in our lives. That we may understand what it is that you would have us to know in your word.

To live for you and for your glory. Lord your word teaches us that our lives are not our own. We are yours we have been bought with a price and now we're to glorify you with our lives and Lord we are so thankful for the gift of salvation.

Because Lord as your word teaches us that we were dead in the trespasses of our sins. What we deserve we have not been given in Christ Jesus. We have been freed from the penalty of our sin and now Lord God We have been given new life in Christ by which we may be pleasing and honoring to you.

We are no longer your enemies. Oh God, and we praise you and we thank you for that Lord we thank you for life and for breath and for the opportunity to be encouraged by one another through your word. Lord I pray this morning that as we look at Ephesians I Pray that Lord you would prepare my heart To be pleasing and honoring to you.

That Lord what I say would be to the building up of your church the body of Christ. That we may all Be one in you. That we would be strengthened to love and to care for one another and to Proclaim the gospel the good news to this lost and dying world.

Lord only you are worthy of all praise honor adoration exaltation and. So Lord, I asked that you would be gracious and merciful. As we look to your word May I abide in your strength? May you be glorified?

May you be honored? Give me clarity of speech Lord God that I may clearly Teach and understand your word for your glory and for your honor in Christ's name we pray. Amen. Well again, we are in the book of Ephesians this morning.

God in his grace has given me and my family The great opportunity to be with you all as your pastor fulfills his prior commitments. Until he can be with you here full-time. Each time I have the privilege to be with you.

I Get excited about the plans God has for his church. The visible and invisible church the local body of Christ the corporate body of all believers. It wasn't long ago that we at Valley Bible Church Just down the road here where my family and I attend.

Had a similar situation as you. We had called our pastor, but he wasn't able to be with us for some time in the time of our waiting. We had great we had a great privilege to hear that gifted pastors encourage and exhort us as they taught us the Word of God.

It is a great blessing To know that God loves his church the body of Christ. He loves the individual church bodies who are seeking to glorify him. I think sometimes of my dear brothers and sisters who are at Grace Bible Church in Bozeman who are at Emanuel Bible Church in Great Falls and other churches around the world that I've gotten to worship with individually.

God and his loving-kindness Has laid his life down in order that we would be his bride his body a people for his own possession. We are the family of Christ the church, which he has purchased with his own blood.

The Church Purchased by Christ’s Blood

Acts 20 28. The Apostle Paul in his letter written to the church of Ephesus. The book of Ephesians Reveals to us God's plan for the church as I look around here at Laurel Bible Church. I See many individuals who have come together.

Because God has worked in your heart to bring you to the understanding and to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Yet we all are very different. Paul writing again as he did in the book of Philippians in Rome in prison most likely in house arrest.

Chained to a prison guard in a rented living quarters. He writes to the church in Ephesus he had visited them twice before he had written this letter and He writes to them around 60 or 62. He begins his letter reminding them that he is the Apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God.

Chapter 1 verse 1. He is proclaiming the sovereignty of God over all things even over our own lives as he has Blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Chapter 1 verse 3 in The book of Philippians we will understand that the first three verses will teach us our position in Jesus Christ and The last three excuse me.

The first three chapters will teach us our position in Christ. The last three chapters will teach us how we are to live out our position in Christ as believers. Our Heavenly Father Before the foundation of the world chose us in him that we would be holy and blameless before him.

Chapter 1 verse 4. We are set apart for his own possession. God predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to himself through the kind intention of his will. Verse 5 of chapter 1 in Ephesians.

Believers have rejection through the shedding of the blood of Christ. We are forgiven our sins according to the riches the wealth and grace given to us in Christ Jesus. We like every person who is born into this world products of disobedience to God.

All mankind is dead in their sins never able to please God unrighteous unholy Enemies of God condemned by their own disobedience yet God in his grace. Through his perfect plan made you and us you and I alive in Christ.

You and I as believers. Just like the church in Ephesians Heard the message of Jesus Christ and responded in faith because of God's Predestination his kind intention according to his purpose according to the counsel of his will.

Verse 11. Chapter 1 as Believers, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. Verse 13. The Holy Spirit living in us is a Reminder a monument of the of God working in us to be his possession to the praise of his glory.

Verse 14. For with the Holy Spirit We show the working of God in us as he produces in us the fruits of the Spirit love joy peace patience kindness goodness self-control faithfulness gentleness. So that we as the body of Christ may become complete in him.

Paul in his letter to the church in Ephesus is burdened for the church. Each individual member as he prays in verse 18 He prays that their hearts would be enlightened that they would understand the hope that we have in Christ through God's calling.

And What are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the believers? The greatness of his power towards us as Believers by the working of the strength of his might in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and Also seating us with him at his right hand in the heavenly places He says far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named Jesus Christ is the head and Paul prays That we would know who he is that we would know him.

Ephesians chapter 1 15 Through 20 Jesus Christ is our head. He is the one whom we are to submit to. He is our great Savior and Lord. Jesus Christ was fully man and fully. God was obedient to the point of death even death on the cross and The father has exalted him above all.

It is he Who made it possible? For us to be his church his possession without sin pure and holy and set apart to glorify and to honor God. In Chapter 2 Paul reminds us in the book of Ephesians of our position before God.

He has redeemed us. We were dead in the trespasses of our sins. Walking in the ways of this world according to the spirit that is working in the sons of disobedience we were Submitted to the lust of the flesh.

The lust of the flesh Ruled our lives and we indulge in the desires of the flesh and of the mind and were children marked out for the wrath of God, but because of the great riches of God's mercy and his great love for us He has made us alive in Christ.

He has raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places to show the glory of his grace. Chapter 2 verses 1 through 5 the love of God is demonstrated by the gift of his son to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins as In verse 8 of chapter 2 by grace you have been saved through faith yet not of yourselves.

It is the gift of God not of works. The works brothers and sisters that we show as believers. Are the works which God has already prepared beforehand for us that we would walk in them in Fact as believers when we show the fruits of the Spirit we are showing God at work in us and We are showing that we are really of God that he is Our Lord and Savior that he has in fact Redeemed us as believers apart from God.

We would have no desire to walk in the ways that please him. Now as believers all the good that we do are because God has prepared it before us to walk in brothers and sisters here at Laurel Bible Church as You and I Have been given the lavishness of God's grace.

For we were not a chosen nation like the Israelites or the Jews. We had no hope without God, but God in his grace and his mercy Brought forth his son To redeem not only the Jews, but also you and I. You see the Jews tried to be the people God had called them to be but they could not do it.

In fact, they rather showed themselves To be a sinful nation who could not obey God. Just like you and I as Gentiles who could not obey God without God's grace and his mercy. Living within us. You see the scripture teaches us clearly that we cannot work our way into heaven.

There is no good in us By which God may be pleased. It is only by the grace of Jesus Christ dying in our place. The scripture teaches us that God demonstrates his own love towards us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.

Paul is reminding the church here in Ephesians That as believers we are called by God to be his people. And in Ephesians we see here the mystery that is revealed is that the Gentiles and the Jews together are now a part of the body of Christ and Paul the Apostle Paul was set apart that he would preach to the Gentiles.

And so he makes known this mystery that the Gentiles too are also a part of the body of Christ. Here in Ephesians the body of Christ is made up again of Jews and Gentiles who have put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is our cornerstone our foundation whom the whole building. Being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord built together By the Holy Spirit. Paul proclaims here in Ephesians in chapter 3.

Paul reveals as I have said this mystery that Jews and Gentiles now as believers those who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ are now the body of Christ. They are God's people. To glorify him and to honor him together as the body of Christ.

This was God's perfect plan from the beginning. This was the revealing of God's perfect plan here in Ephesians chapter 3. That was not made known to man until the time as Paul would become the minister of the gospel.

The Gentiles You and I are Given the grace of God to be joint heirs with the Jewish believers the body of Christ. The church the body of Christ is now made up of all who will call upon his name. There is no distinction all tribes all nations are called to Christ to repent of their sins.

And Scripture teaches that no one will be rejected who call upon his name. John 6 37. Paul shares with the church again here in Ephesus. Another prayer for them that they would be strengthened through the power of the Holy Spirit.

That Christ would dwell in their hearts and that they would know. What is the breadth length and height and depth of the love of Christ? So that they would be rooted and grounded in love. You see the body of Christ is made up of many individuals.

Who have different gifts different talents. Who in many ways would probably not be Together without the body of Christ without Christ drawing us. To become the body as we are new creatures in Christ. We are set apart now to live.

To build up one another for his glory and for his honor. The first three chapters as we have looked at in brief. Help us understand who we are in Christ. We are made alive in chapter 2 verse 5. Having been given a seat with him in the heavenly places so that we may proclaim to the world that we have in Christ the praise of his glory.

The last three chapters help us understand how we work this out in our lives as believers as the body of Christ. Chapters 4 through 6 give us practical ways in which we are to live out. Our lives in the body of Christ in a sacrificial way.

Which is unlike the world we live in. Brothers and sisters we live in a day-to-day of self autonomy. Pete people today live as though it is a virtue to be self-centered self-consumed self-reliant.

The world has no time to stop and help one another if it is not in some way benefiting their own pursuits. In chapter 4 We will find That God is calling the church to humble Ourselves that we may be servants of one another that we may build up and strengthen one another.

Walking Worthy in Humility, Gentleness, and Patience

Follow along with me as we read chapter 4 of Ephesians. Paul writes to the church. Therefore I the prisoner of the Lord implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling by which you have been called.

With all humility and gentleness with patience showing tolerance from one another in love. Being diligent to preserve the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body one spirit just as you also were called in one hope of your calling one Lord one faith one baptism one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gifts. Therefore it says when he ascended on high he led captive a host of captives and gave gifts to men. Now this is expression that he extended Ascended what does it mean except that he had also descended in the lower parts of the earth?

He who ascended is himself also who descended far above all the heavens so that he might fill all things and He gave some as Apostles and some as prophets and some as evangelists and some as pastors and teachers.

For the equipping of the Saints for the work of service for the building up of the body of Christ. Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God to the mature man to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

As A result we are no longer to be children tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of Doctrine by the craft by the trickery of men and by craftiness in deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth in love we are to grow up in all aspects unto him who is the head even Christ.

From whom the whole body being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies. According to the proper working of each Individual part causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

So this I say and affirm together with the Lord. That you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walked in the futility of their mind being darkened in their understanding excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them because of the hardness of their heart and They having become callous have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.

But you did not learn Christ in this way if indeed you have heard him and have been taught in him. Just as truth is in Jesus. That in reference to your former manner of life you lay aside the old self Which is being corrupted in accordance with the lust of deceit and that you being rude Renewed in the spirit of your mind and put on the new self Which is in the likeness of God and has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth therefore Laying aside falsehoods speak truth each one of you with his neighbor.

For we are members of one another. Be angry yet do not sin do not let the Sun go down on your anger and do not give the devil an opportunity. He who steals Must steal no longer, but rather he must labor performing with his own hands.

What is good so that he will have something to share with the one who has need? Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word it is good for edification according to the need of the moment.

So that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you.

Along with all malice be kind to one another tender-hearted forgiving each other just as God in Christ Jesus Also has forgiven you. This morning. We will be looking at just the first three verses here in Ephesians chapter 4.

Paul is reminding the church. In chapter 4 verse 1 that our circumstances must not dictate our walk in Christ as He reminds them that he is the prisoner of the Lord as He sits in Rome chain to guard a prison guard.

He is reminding the church the church here in Ephesus who they are to be for the glory of God. Paul is not consumed by his circumstances rather. He is using his circumstances. To think and to build up other Believers who make up the body of Christ.

Paul is not concerned rather by his Sufferings. But rather the church and how the church will be pleasing in honoring to Christ brothers and sisters our Calling dictates our walk. How we live our lives as we face trials and temptation.

Do we show ourselves to be self-reliant or do we show ourselves to be dependent on God? And on one another in Christ Jesus. What happens when things don't go the way we want them to. Do we kick the dog or lash out at those closest to us.

Do we immediately praise God for his sovereign control and ask him to strengthen us to walk? In a way that is worthy of his calling in us. Do we think of those? Who may be struggling? And ask God to give them strength to live for him in the midst of suffering you Have just gone through.

I believe the book of Philippians as Paul Teaches the church in Philippi what it means to live for the glory of God in Paul in the in the book of Philippians shares with the church his own personal struggle.

His struggle is that he would love to be with Christ and to be seated with him and his glory. But he knows that it is more important for him to Proclaim the good news of the Word of God and to build up the church in The in Philippi and he says to them that he would continue To build him up for the glory of God.

He says in Philippians chapter 1 verse 21. He says for me to live as Christ and to die as gain. But if I'm to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me. I Do not know which to choose, but I'm hard-pressed from both directions.

Having the desire to be to depart and be with Christ where that is very much better. Yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Convinced of this I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your prognosis and joy in faith.

So that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus. Through my coming to you again Again. You see Paul was not concerned about his own life rather. He was concerned about the body of Christ and We see his concern here in the book of Ephesians as he Continues to teach the church in Ephesians how they are to function with one another brothers and sisters.

Paul calls us here To walk in chapter 4 verse 1 In a manner worthy of our calling by which we have been called in Christ. Are we walking worthy of our calling as we are living? Excuse me as we are alive in Christ.

We are no longer to live as the world does in chapter 2 1. We were living as slaves to our flesh. Indulging in the desires of the flesh and in the mind children of wrath enemies of God. But By the grace of God we have been called out of that life.

So that we as the body of Christ may build up one another for the glory of God. We are to no longer live for ourselves. But for him who laid down his life for us as he demonstrated his love for us in giving us his life a sacrifice unto God on our behalf.

Jesus Christ laid down his life that you and I may have life as members of the body of Christ. We have been called to be one in Christ. We are individual members of One another. We have been given gifts as believers to build up the body of Christ.

Each of us have been uniquely given gifts by God to build up one another in Christ Jesus. So that we may serve one another in love. That we as a body of Christ may be built up to the fullness of Christ.

Verse 16 of chapter 4 a Pastor and mentor of mine. Which I'm sure all of you guys have heard just a couple weeks ago. John MacArthur Says we are all snowflakes in the body of Christ. Endquote. Each one of us has different gifts to serve the body in a unique way.

That is fulfilling for the one serving in his or her gift and also for the one being served as we live with one another and serve one another. Paul teaches us three ways here in Ephesians chapter 4 1 through 3.

Preserving Unity Through Spirit-Empowered Virtues

To preserve the unity of the body of Christ in the bond of peace. These here are given to us in verse 2 he says with all humility. Gentleness with patience showing tolerance one another in love. Be diligent to preserve the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.

Paul understands that we as believers know that God has began a good work in us and He reminds the church in Philippi that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

You see God desires to be intimately involved with those whom he has called and chosen to be his people and He desires that we would be complete in Christ. That we would know him and serve him and honor him with our lives.

Paul reminds the church in Philippians of His first joy for them as they heard the gospel and they responded to the gospel. But he says to them make my joy complete. In the book of Philippians He reminds them that his joy is not complete until he sees the unity of Christ in the body of believers.

He Calls them in chapter 2 to love one another more importantly than himself. In Philippians chapter 2 he says that as believers There's be no selfishness No conceit. But to serve one another with humility.

Thinking of others as more important than ourselves not looking out for our own personal interests. But to think of how we may build up one another in the body of Christ. Paul here in Ephesians chapter 4 gives us three ways that we may express a Genuine form of unity that we may preserve unity in the body of Christ.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit We are To put out put on humility gentleness and patience. This must come from the work of the Holy Spirit in us as believers. Galatians chapter 5 teaches us that the flesh Does not know the things of God.

If you turn back just a page or two to the book of Galatians. We see Paul in the church of Galatians reminding the church in The Galatian region what it means to live in the fruits of the Spirit. He reminds them in verse 19 now the deeds of the flesh are evident which are immorality impurity sensuality idolatry sorcery enmity strife jealousy outbursts of anger disputes dissensions Factions envying drunkenness Carousing and things like these of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things Will not inherit the kingdom of God.

This should not mark us as believers He goes on to say. But the fruit of the Spirit in verse 22 is love joy. Peace patience kindness goodness. Faithfulness gentleness self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Now those in verse 24 who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful challenging one another and envying one another.

You see humility and gentleness comes from the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. And that is why I believe Paul reminds the church here that we as believers are to be diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

You see in Christ. We have the power over sin. The unbeliever does not. The unbeliever is enslaved to his sin. But as believers in Christ, we are new creatures and no longer sin has control over us. We have the power to put it to death.

We have the power in Christ To be pleasing and honoring to him. Humility. Humility is pictured for us as Jesus Christ was obedient to the Father in his perfect plan from the foundation of the world. Philippians 2.

Jesus being in the form of God did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped. Jesus did not seize clutch or grasp on to his position with the Father. He had nothing more to gain. He was and is God the Son of God.

And he lived to fulfill his role as the Son of God to entrust himself to the Father's perfect will. He is our perfect example of humility. He did not demand privileges. His own glory his own honor. He sought to glorify the Father in his obedience.

Just as we have been called in the body of Christ to glorify God together with one another in unity. Gentleness is the second way of preserving unity in the body of Christ. Gentleness may be also seen as meekness.

This is demonstrated as we have self-control as Our Lord and Savior was reviled and yet did not. He did not revile the scripture says in return. While suffering he uttered no threats by keeping Entrusting himself to him who judges rightly.

1st Peter chapter 2 21 through 25. As Believers we are to fix our eyes on Jesus the author and the perfecter of our faith Who for the joy set before him endured the cross. Despising the shame has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews chapter 12 1 through 3 says the third way We are to we are called to preserve the unity is patience. The scriptures teach us of the prophets. Noah in the Old Testament built the ark of God for a hundred and twenty years being obedient to God and Proclaiming the gospel and yet only eight people Him and his son's wives came on to the ark.

James speaks of Job and his suffering in trusting himself to God. Other prophets like Ezekiel Daniel Jeremiah who are obedient to the faithfully serve the Lord in the midst of trials and opposition. Patience is patiently waiting or Entrusting ourselves to the Father being slow.

To look elsewhere, but to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ. Humility gentleness and patience Should be the mark of you and I as believers. So that we may preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

As You and I work together as the body of Christ. We are to be seeking the opportunity to build up one another. Our goal and focus is to be complete in Christ. For his glory and for his honor. We are to give praise and honor and adoration to God Who has qualified us to be his inheritance?

That we may become one as he and the Father are one for the glory of The one and only true God who has predestined us and chose us and called us to be his people the body of Christ. Brothers and sisters we have been given a great measure of grace.

We have been given the power through the Holy Spirit to live for the glory of God. Paul reminds the church here in Ephesians that we as the body of Christ Are to work hard to love and to care for one another.

We need to be looking out for one another. Sadly enough I find even in my own life Being consumed by just what is around me and what is going on in my own life. Am I really looking out to see who may be struggling who may be in need of encouragement and prayer?

Paul reminds the church That we are to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. In humility and gentleness and patience showing tolerance for one another. Which means at times people are gonna rub us the wrong way.

In fact, we're gonna rub people the wrong way not even knowing we have done it and Sometimes knowing we have done it. But God calls us to be gracious and to be loving. That we are to be patient. That we are to be loving one another as Christ loved us as Paul was patient with the church in Philippi and Galatians and Ephesians that they would be filled up To the glory of Christ.

That they would be one body pleasing to the Lord you and I have a great opportunity as Fellow believers in Christ to preserve the unity of the Spirit to love and to care for one another in the body of Christ as you prepare For your pastor to come.

I'm sure many of you are doing this but be praying for him. Be praying for him and his family. For the change that will take place for them as they minister to your body be praying for one another here as The change takes place here for you in the body of Christ.

There will be much change That will call us To grow together and to encourage and to strengthen one another and it is for the glory of God. For he is our glory to whom we are to glorify and to honor. Let's pray Gracious Heavenly Father.

We thank you for once again for the opportunity to study your word to see how you have brought us out of death and Into life and into the body of Christ. Where we be as one another worship you. That we would be united in one as one To glorify you and to honor you and to worship you as you have called us to Lord.

Help us not to be distracted by the things of this world. Help us to fix our eyes on Jesus the author and the perfect of our faith. Help us to be reminded Lord God of those who have come before us. Who has prepared the gospel for us to hear?

That we may in turn Build up one another and that we may prepare our own hearts to proclaim the gospel to those who haven't heard That Lord one day We would be built up as the body of Christ in its fullness.

For your glory and for your honor Lord. May you be exalted. May you be honored in Christ's name we pray. Amen.