(This is the second sermon on the Christian walk in Ephesians)
Last week we looked at "the walk of the past" in Ephesians 2:2, and "the working walk" in ephesians 2:8-10. Tonight we turn to Ephesians 4:1-3 where we find "the worthy walk." I. Verse 1 - We are encouraged to "walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called." A. "Vocation" means that we have all been called to work, or works, for the Lord. B. There are things that we are supposed to be doing in the church and in the community. II. Verse 2 - We are told how we are to take this worthy walk. A. "With all lowliness." As in all things we are serve humbly before God and people. B. "(with all) meekness. Meekness is not weakness. It is controlled strength, like a broken horse, for example. C. "with longsuffering" This literally means to suffer long, to serve in spite of what we have to overcome. D. "forbearing one another in love." In love we overlook the personallity differences, etc. and get along for the sake of Christ and of the work that He has called us to do together. III. Verse 3 - Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. A. "Endeavering" means to work at it. B. "to keep the unity of the Spirit." This means that if we stick with verses 1 and 2, we will keep unity in spite of differences, and will disagree like Christians not heathens. C. "in the bond of peace" This speaks for itself. There will be peace if we work together humbly in a spirit of peace. Is your walk with Jesus a "worthy walk"? It is important for it to be.
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Titus was serving on the island of Crete, which was famous for courrupt living. The moral conditions in which they lived was not very different from our own. This is a timely text for today. In times of great immoratlity it is imperative for Christians to live distinctive Christian lives, and not let the old ways intrude into the new ways. Let's look at the old and the new.
I. Verse 3 - The old way of life A. We were foolish, senseless and disobedient in regard to God and people. Like many today their lives were their business and what they did was their business, not God's. B. We were enslaved to lust and pleasures. Much like today, pleasure had become an idol, and "if it feels good do it" was the prevailiing philosophy. C. We were malicious, holding grudges against people and intent on doing them harm. The Christian aim should be to do good to people and not say or do things that would do them harm. II. Verses 4-8 - The new way of life A. Vss. 4-7 - Something happened that changed our lives and gave us a new perspective on life. These verses will tell us why we are not the same....... B. Vs. 8 - Our new lives should be characterized by good works. This means that we are to witness to other people, live a life that shows how different Christ can make life, and we should minister to people in the name of Jesus. C. It should be our goal to hate the old way of life and love the new way of life. The devil will certainly try to bring the pleasures of the past life back into our minds and hearts. This will demand staying in the Bible and in prayer. Each of us should ask: "Am I living the new life to the fullest extent? Am I making a difference where I am?" If everybody in the church lived like us, what kind of church would it be? We need to ask ourselves if we are making a difference? This is an incident that we are familiar, and we probably know people just like this young man. He wanted eternal life but on his own terms, not Jesus. Let's take a look at him.
I. Vss.17-18 - He was respectful. A. He called Jesus "good master..." B. A lot of people say nice things about Jesus: 1. good man 2. good prophet 3. etc. C. None of these are good enough. II. Vss.19-20 - He was religious. A. Religion will send a lot of people to hell. B. Knowing the commandments in the head is not enough. C. Having done all of the commandments is not enough. Eph. 2:8-10 III. Vss. 21-22 - He rejected Jesus. A. He thought that what he already had was good enough. B. He wasn't willing to reject the "one thing" that kept him from the kingdom. That was his love for His possessions.(It could be "one thing" for as many reasons as there are people who reject Jesus.) C. Don't reject Jesus because He is the only way - there is no other. This man is an example for many people today. You might be an example, because you haven't really accepted Jesus. Respecting Him is not enough and being religious is not enough. Bro. Joe We have all surrendered to something or someone. We really need to surrender to God, to Jesus. We need to overcome our self-life and give it to one higher than ourselves. This is what our text is about.
I. Vs. 1 - The Plea A. "I beseech you...." 1. It is a plea for us to live the kind of life that will make a difference for the kingdom of God. 2. It is a personal plea to you! B. The basis of the plea is "the mercies of God..." 1. Not law but grace, and not just "have to" but "want to." 2. Not grudging but loving. 3. Not to stifle but to set free. C. The extent of the plea. 1. "Present your bodies..." (Give total self.) 2. "As living sacrifices..." 3. "Holy, acceptable unto God..." 4. It is not unreasonable. 5. "Renewing of the mind..." II. Vs. 2 - The Purpose A. One purpose of surrender is to change the focus of our lives. 1. "Not conformed to the world..." Not poured into the world's mold, but God's. 2. "But transformed..." Change of heart and mind. Completely turned around -- like Paul. B. Another purpose of surrender is to enable us to discover the will of God for our lives 1. Until we surrender we will not really care about the will of God. 2. Until we surrender it will be difficult to know the will of God, let alone do it. C. God wants you to change the focus of your life by discovering His will. 1. It is important! 2. It is necessary for fruitfulness! 3. It means living joyfully for Jesus! III. The Pattern A. The pattern for surrender is found in Jesus. 1. He surrendered His life totally to the will of the Father. 2. He surrendered to death!!!!! B. We are obviously not perfect as Jesus was, but He can show us what a surrendered life can be and do. 1. He was willing to go wherever the Father chose Him to go. Are we? 2. He willing to be whatever His Father chose Him to be. Philippians 2:5-8 Are we? 3. He was willing to do whatever the Father wanted him to do. Are we? C. You want have to do it alone. Philippians 2:13 Have you really surrendered your life to the Lord? Will you hear the plea? Will you accept the purpose? Will you strive to live the pattern? |
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