Living a life worthy of the calling, Ephesians 4:1-16 以弗所書 4:1-16 Jon Wright 30 th Dec 2012...
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Transcript of Living a life worthy of the calling, Ephesians 4:1-16 以弗所書 4:1-16 Jon Wright 30 th Dec 2012...
Living a life worthy of the calling,
Ephesians 4:1-16以弗所書 4:1-16
Jon Wright
30th Dec 2012
Oasis – Bread of Life
Three major topics (v1-16)
Unity and how we can be united
Gifts given by Jesus to build up the body and their diversity
Growing into maturity as individuals to be a part of the body as a whole
A life worthy of the calling (v1)
1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
1我為主被囚的勸你們:既然蒙召,行事為人就當與蒙召的恩相稱
We are called, as ambassodors
Where ever we are our calling remains
No disgrace in being in prison because of our calling
How to live in unity (v2-3)
Be completely (not partially)
Humble – so we do not believe ourselves to be the head
Gentle – power under control
Patient – needed when interacting with each other
Forbearing – to delay a response when others miss things
Bond of Peace – a result of living in unity
Note unity does not mean uniformity!
Called into Unity (v4)
One Body
One Spirit
One Hope
One Lord
One Faith
One Baptism
One God and Father of all
Jesus was a conqueror (v7-10)
He descended from heaven to earth
He then conquered death itself
Ascended back to heaven
Like a winning general from a war distributed gifts to the people of His kingdom.
Scripture here mirrors Moses at Mnt Sinai, Moses ascended met with God and then descended with the Law. Jesus Himself descended here and initiated change from the Law to Faith, sealed with the Holy Spirit.
Gifts of Jesus to build up the body (v11-13)
Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher
Gifts are given to build up the body not the individual (remember we need to humility)
They should bring unity not division
Individuality is needed in the body, we can’t all be hands, our very diversity is part of how we bring unity
Grow up, stop being like infants
Christians are not completed works
They need to mature
The biggest thing is that they need to want to mature
Mature Christians will not be lead astray by false teachers etc
It involves transformation, deciding to think/act/live a different way
A way worthy of the calling