Ephesians 4:2 – 3 Pastor Todd C. Davidson January 24, 2016 UMOJA
Paul spends the first three chapters of Ephesians spelling out in detail all that God did for us by His grace. Now he brings a call and challenge to live rightly…He is making the case! When we really understand how much God did for us, Paul’s conclusion is that we should naturally want to follow HIM. Understanding who we are is the foundation of a “worthy walk” UMOJA
We don’t walk worthy so that God will love us, but because HE does love us…our dedication must be motivated out of gratitude, not out of a dutiful desire to earn “merit pay” A strong focus on a worthy walk helps us have unplugged unity What does a worthy walk look like? UMOJA
I. Lowliness and Gentleness: a. Humility (not false humility) b. Our joy comes from HIS presence, not from our pursuits of power and positions c. My gifts are given by God UMOJA
I. Lowliness and Gentleness: d. Understanding that everyone has access to God’s grace, love, peace, protection, provision (There are no big pieces of chicken at God’s table…all of His children have equal access) UMOJA
II. Longsuffering and bearing with one another: a. The characteristic of a forgiving, generous heart b. We need this so that the inevitable wrongs between people in God’s family will not work against God’s purpose of bringing all people together in Jesus the Christ UMOJA
III. Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace: a. Humility and forgiveness naturally guides us to fulfill the gift of the unity of the Spirit b. We do not create unity. God has created unity by His Spirit; our duty is to recognize it and keep it…our bond is Spiritual! c. God’s love for all of us, in spite us, is what unites us! UMOJA
III. Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace: d. Each of us is a card carrying member of the “Lost now found” group e. The early church fellowship was not merely enrollment and registration for membership, but involved their union with Christ by faith f. Divisions in churches never begin with those full of love to and for the Savior! UMOJA
If we are to have unity in the Spirit, then we must commit to growing spiritually UMOJA
IV. Make Spiritual growth a commitment and priority a. This must be more important than academic preparation; and social mobility i. Education that builds character ii. Commerce with morality b. This is a willful decision UMOJA
V. Spend time with God VI. Live in the Word VII. Pray in Faith UMOJA
VIII. Have Fun with other Christians IX. Minister to others a. In service, we find strength X. Lead others to the Christ of faith UMOJA
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