Living the life - Ephesans 4 onwards
30th July John Griggs
Recap of our Ephesian series so far:-
Chris Hanbury 'Who am I in Christ' introduction to Ephesians
Pete Elwin 'Called to praise' Eph 1 v 1-8
Jamie Featherby 'A guaranteed inheritance' Eph 1 v 9-14
Sue Elwin 'Power for those who believe' Eph 1 v 15-23
Laurence Singlehurst 'Made alive in Christ' Eph 2 v 1-10
Trevor Withers 'Jesus the peacemaker' Eph 2 v 11-16
Trevor Withers 'the spirit of revelation' (bricks) Eph 2 17 to the end
Mark Eddison 'God made known through the church' Eph 3 v1-7
Trvor Withers 'Being known and established in love' Eph 3 v 8-10
Up until now the Ephesians teaching has been about who and what Jesus is. From chapter 4 it is about how we should live as a result.
Ie differently!
Eph 4 v 1 What is the calling we have received - 'Live a life worthy'
Eph 4 v 2 'Humble, gentle, patient, bearing with one another in love'
Eph 4 v 3 & 4 'Make every effort ... keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. One body and one Spirit ... one hope'
Verse 6 Lord of all, works through all, is in all. Difficult to comprehend if you're living in the south of Lebanon at the moment. Things happen in our lives which make it hard to understand this verse.
Verse 11 & 12 gifts given to all not just the church. Outward focus.
V 17-32 what is stealing, paperclips from the office, time, jumping the queue. Earn an honest living so we can support the poor. Use kind helpful words, not unkind or joking hurtful words.
Chapter 5 v 11 do not get involved in worthless things which people do eg watching too much tv, gossip, computer games,
Wake up!
Eph 5 v 14 WAKE UP OH SLEEPER, rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you. Wake up to the things we can change.
Book: The Christian's secret of a happy life by Hannah Whitall Smith. Available free from http://www.ccel.org/s/smith_hw/secret/secret02.htm
What is the secret? Seek first the kingdom of God. What are you seeking: success, money, worthless things mentioned above, to help the poor, to live the Christian life.
Live by faith – are you? What does it mean for you?
Trust in God. Where are you putting your burdens, we we trying to carry them ourselves?
If we don't have a transparent life how can people see what God is doing in us.
Put your life in motion – now!
Surrender and yield wholly to the lord. Ask him to reveal any hidden areas of rebellion, and surrender them. If nothing is revealed do not worry, it means you have already surrendered. Then believe that all is done, you have surrendered, your life belongs to God now, do not doubt what you have done, once surrendered always surrendered. God takes what we give him and when we surrender our life he will use it.
Share with people around us how our lives have been transformed, and how God is working in us, even when we're struggling.
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