Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-3

C.I.: A Godly Lifestyle, Part 1

Put on an apron & mix up a bunch of brownies. – “My favorite dessert = brownies!”
”Made from different materials (oil & water… don’t mix), light & dark, dry & wet.
But put them through the fire … heavenly!”
“Church = Many differences, light & dark, rich & poor, young & old. - Put them through the fire = Heaven!”
So since we are all so different – how can we get along? – Today we’ll see what we owe to each other!

I. What We Owe Each Other, (Ephesians 4:1-3)

A. To “Walk” Together, (v. 1)

1. As in our last series from Philippians – this letter was also written from a Roman jail.
a. (v. 1a), “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy….”
1) Notice, Paul did not see himself as Rome’s prisoner – he was (gladly) held by Jesus.
2) Paul had already spoken of this – (3:1), “I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of
you Gentiles.” – Paul wasn’t a Gentile – but he was willing to suffer for them!
3) Surely, we are never told to do something in the Bible – that someone else hasn’t done for us.
4) And so once again – we are seeing a behavior modeled for us – that we ourselves must adopt.

2. What does it mean to “…walk in a manner worthy…” (re-quote v. 1)
a. When the Bible speaks of a person’s “walk” – it is talking about their lifestyle (examples…):
1) (4:17), “…walk no longer as the Gentiles also walk in the futility of their mind.”
2) This includes such things as, (2:1-2), “You were dead… in which you formerly walked…”
3) But now, (5:2), “…walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us.”
4) (5:15), “Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, bust as wise.”
5) Thus, we owe it to each other – to have a lifestyle that is consistent with God’s will for us!

b. In the same way, our lifestyle must be “…worthy of the calling with which we have been called.”
1) There are many ideas out there – about how God “calls a person.”
2) So tell of “a still small voice in the middle of the night” – others speak of portents & signs.
3) But the Bible tells us how God “calls” each of us – (II Thess. 2:14), “It was for this that He
called you through our gospel, - that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
4) The gospel call is so we may obtain “the glory...” – so our walk must be in keeping with this!
6) Thus, we owe it to each other – to walk (live our lives) – in the glorious manner of our Lord.
7) For the scriptures say - (I Jn. 2:6), “The one who says he abides in Jesus – ought to also….”

c. Therefore if we are going to “walk” together – then we owe it to each other - to be sure we both agree on the importance of walking together with Jesus!
1) (Amos 3:3), “Can two walk together unless they have made an agreement?”
2) (I Jn. 1:7), “If we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another!”

B. To “Live” Together, (v. 2)

1. Because of our many differences – it is only natural that problems may arise. – So God says, “…with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love.”
a. “Humility” = A proper understanding of who we are before God; we have nothing worthwhile to
offer to Him – and everything we have/are we owe it all to Him – Isa. 64:6; Rom. 3:10; 7:18.
1) No wonder God says, (Rom. 12:3), “Let no one think more highly of themselves than….”
2) (I Pt. 5:5-6), “Clothe yourselves in humility towards one another, for God is opposed to the
proud, but gives greater grace to the humble. – Humbles yourselves therefore under….”
3) So we owe it to each other – to not be proud, haughty, or arrogant towards each other.

b. “Gentleness” = (used of tamed wild animals) – shows something that is in under the control
of someone else. – For the Christian, this quality shows we are under God’s control.
1) Jesus applied both of these terms to Himself – (Matt. 11:28-29), “Come unto Me, all who are
weary… - Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle & humble in heart….”
2) So when dealing with others – let us not only understand who we are – but also whose we are!

c. “with patience, showing forbearance in love” = The word for patience means longsuffering. –
Forbearance means a willingness to “put up with” someone/thing. (Both words go together!)
1) As believers we appreciate how much God had to put up w/us - and how patient He was!
2) Thus, we owe it to each other – to practice what we have received, - (Rom. 3:25), “…in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed.”
3) Clearly, God patience was offered out of His love for us – so too then should we be patient with others. – (I Cor. 13:4), “Love is patient!”

d. As believers who live and walk together – how many “spats, quarrels, hurts & problems” would
be avoided – if we chose to put these qualities into our lives!

C. To “Be” Together (v. 3)

1. Our being with each other requires 3 things: - (v. 3), “…being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
a. “Diligence” = requires an earnestness, taking pains with some situation.
1) (Heb. 4:11), “Let us be diligent to enter that rest [Heaven], lest anyone fall short by following that same example of disobedience.”
2) In the same way then as we earnest desire to go to heaven – we owe each other the same type of diligence in “…preserving the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

b. “Unity of the Spirit” = a oneness based on what we have in common via the Spirit (i.e., the word)
1) This unity is so important – that Jesus prayed for His followers to have it.
2) (Jn. 17:20-21), “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me…
3) Therefore, we need to strive with diligence – to be unified w/believers in re: things of God!

c. “bond of peace” = “Bond” is from the same word as “prisoner” in v. 1. So as Paul saw himself
as a “prisoner of Christ,” – we should see ourselves as prisoners of peace! - Can’t get away!
1) The peace we have – is because of what Jesus has done for us – on the cross!
2) (Eph. 2:13-14), “Now in C.J. you who were far off – have been brought near by the blood of Christ. – For He Himself is our peace, - who made both groups [Jews & Gentiles] into one.”
3) Thus, we owe it to each other to: Walk – Live – Be Together as Christ desires for us to be.
4) For as mixing different things together according to the directions makes great brownies – So too does it make for great congregations – when we follow God’s directions here!