The One Thing (6 of 9)
Series: Identity Theft
Craig Smith
Ephesians 4:1-16
Big Idea: Jesus is building up his church to demonstrate the reality of God's reconciling work.
I. Introduction
The second half of Ephesians is about practical application of theology. (39 of the 40 imperatives occur here...the other imperative is in 2:11 and just says ''remember'')
From the corresponding section 3:1-13: faith in Jesus gives us power to bend. Now Paul explains specifically how to exercise that power and what's at stake.
II. Main Body
A. All for One
Therefore, as a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
First thing to notice here is the ''therefore.'' Not all translations have ''therefore''...some have ''then'' or something like that. But the key thing here to understand is that this ''therefore'' encompasses the entire first half of Ephesians. The first half was basically a description of what God has done and now, Paul says, because of everything that God has done, here's what you're supposed to do. That little bit, ''live a life worthy of the calling you have received'' is basically the thesis statement of the entire 2nd half of Ephesians. What follows is a set of descriptions about how to do that, how to live a life worthy.
Second, notice that Paul urges us to live a life worthy of the calling we have received. Not worthy of the gift of salvation, but of the calling. Christianity does not just proclaim freedom from sin...it proclaims freedom for purpose. The Gospel is an invitation to be set free from sin so that we can begin cooperating with God in accomplishing his purpose in the world.
Third, I want you to notice that Paul urges this ''as a prisoner of the Lord''. Why? Because Our circumstances do not change our calling. [explain]
Now Paul begins to explain what a life worthy of the calling looks like:
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one anothe ...
Series: Identity Theft
Craig Smith
Ephesians 4:1-16
Big Idea: Jesus is building up his church to demonstrate the reality of God's reconciling work.
I. Introduction
The second half of Ephesians is about practical application of theology. (39 of the 40 imperatives occur here...the other imperative is in 2:11 and just says ''remember'')
From the corresponding section 3:1-13: faith in Jesus gives us power to bend. Now Paul explains specifically how to exercise that power and what's at stake.
II. Main Body
A. All for One
Therefore, as a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
First thing to notice here is the ''therefore.'' Not all translations have ''therefore''...some have ''then'' or something like that. But the key thing here to understand is that this ''therefore'' encompasses the entire first half of Ephesians. The first half was basically a description of what God has done and now, Paul says, because of everything that God has done, here's what you're supposed to do. That little bit, ''live a life worthy of the calling you have received'' is basically the thesis statement of the entire 2nd half of Ephesians. What follows is a set of descriptions about how to do that, how to live a life worthy.
Second, notice that Paul urges us to live a life worthy of the calling we have received. Not worthy of the gift of salvation, but of the calling. Christianity does not just proclaim freedom from sin...it proclaims freedom for purpose. The Gospel is an invitation to be set free from sin so that we can begin cooperating with God in accomplishing his purpose in the world.
Third, I want you to notice that Paul urges this ''as a prisoner of the Lord''. Why? Because Our circumstances do not change our calling. [explain]
Now Paul begins to explain what a life worthy of the calling looks like:
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one anothe ...
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