WestonWilliams.com

Today we mark a turn in the book of Ephesians; there are six chapters in the book.  The first three are doctrinal and deal with the foundational understanding of the work of Christ’s sacrifice.  The last three are practical and deal with the way that believers ought to conduct themselves.  Last week we closed with the prayer that closes the first three chapters and today we round the corner.  It’s as if Paul in chapters 1-3 says, “Let me tell you about Christ,” he prays and then says, “Let me tell you what you need to do in response.”  So, you’ll find that these next three messages are much more hands on for us the readers.

This turn is started with verse one which says, “I I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called.”  In other words – “Be who you already are!”

We exist as one body. (Ephesians 4:1-6)

1. The defining moments of salvation don’t just bring about personal salvation, they bring about corporate inclusion.  You won’t get to heaven and have a private room on a quiet cul-de-sac.  You’ll be part of the great family of God that celebrates together.
2. What are the things that unite us?
   1. “One body” – We all belong to the church, the body of Christ.
   2. “One Spirit” – We all share one Spirit.  You don’t get a Spirit of God and me another, we share the same one.  Which means the same Jesus lives in my heart and yours!
   3. “One hope” – We all hope for the same thing and that is the salvation of all.
   4. “One Lord” – We submit to the same authority.
   5. “One faith” – We share one hope and certainty
   6. “One baptism” – We are baptized the same and share the same experience of salvation.
   7. “One God and Father” – We are part of the same heavenly family.
3. We get divided when we forget this, that we are part of the same body, animated by the same Spirit hoping for the same thing – that the world we come under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

We are gifted for one body. (Ephesians 4:7-16)

1. Ephesians 4:8 makes it clear that we were set free by the captivity of Christ (as we examined last week).  Here we see that part of this liberating process is that Christ gives us gifts.  The imagery here is that of a victorious general or king who after defeating a people leads the prisoners out in a train following them.  Here we follow God and are the testimony to his victory.
2. Normally the victorious king receives gifts, but here he gives them!  What gifts are these?  The gift Christ gave to the church was people!  You are Christ’s gift to the church and as such Christ has given you a gift to share!
3. We have so much talent within this congregation and so many of you work so hard for this church and its people.  Thank you.  Others of you contribute greatly financially to our work.
4. Many of you do both!  Yet, I know that there are many of you who don’t give anything or don’t give what God is calling you to.  I look at the home improvement industry’s growth in America, the cosmetic treatment and plastic surgery industry growth, the burgeoning industry of spas, the explosive growth of auto sales and I think of the words of Haggai.
5. Haggai 1:1-7, We are called to build God’s temple – contribute to his work before our own.  Yet, we use our own gifts for our own purposes.
6. There isn’t a need in this church that can’t be met by the resources that are held by the individuals in this church.  But we can not build up this body until you make a personal sacrifice.  We can not grow while I hold back on my gifts.
   1. Part of the maturing process is being prepared for works of service (4:12).  Are you serving the church?  If not then how mature are you really?
   2. We as a church only grow as we grow as a body.  As the church, the ligaments, the pieces, the organs and the parts grow into the head of Christ we grow together!  Otherwise we have a deformity. (4:15-16)
7. Notice, in Haggai God doesn’t condemn paneled houses, he doesn’t condemn Home Depot, spas or luxury items.  What God is saying however is this – “First things first!”
   1. For too long the people of the church have said, “I’ll get involved, I’ll contribute, I’ll volunteer – when my life is settled, when my house is in order.”
   2. God tells us something different, he tells us the truth when he says, “Until you take care of my house, until my body is in order, your will never be.”  This is why what we earn is blown away or falls out through the holes in our pockets.  It’s because God’s priorities have not been met.

We choose unity by personal sacrifice. (Ephesians 4:17-5:1)

1. Paul talks about some of these sacrifices:
   1. Ephesians 4:18, We must grow!  Refusal to grow in knowledge (this is not ignorance, it’s refusal to know see: Romans 1:28).
   2. Ephesians 4:22-24, You give up selfish sinful pursuit in favor of corporate godliness.
   3. Ephesians 4:26, Give up your right to sin in anger – give up your right to be right.
   4. Ephesians 4:28, You give up your right to work for yourself, now the body has a claim on you and you have a responsibility for the body that is in need.
   5. Ephesians 4:29, You give up your right to tear others down – now it is your job to empower and  build up the other believers.  As Kenny Boles says bluntly in his commentary, “If you can’t build up – shut-up.”
   6. Ephesians 5:1-2, Give up the right to self glory – you exist to glorify God by sacrifice.
2. What happens when a spouse holds back in their marriage is that distance grows in that couple until one day they realize they don’t know each other anymore.
3. What happens in a team when one player holds back, they want to save themselves for the playoffs – they never make the playoffs because they didn’t all give.
4. Too long we have said, “I’m going church shopping and I’m going to find the one that best fits my needs.”  We neglect to say, “I’m going to interview churches where I can grow and help them grow.”  The relationship is mutual, you are not consumers, I am not a performer, we are partners together.

Today I want to call you to deeper commitments at the church in sacrifice and service.

1 Peter 2:21, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.”-
-