LOVE & UNITY ...as processes of edification. Ephesians 3:14-4:16
LEARNING Christ’s Truth. Ephesians 4:17—5:17
GLORY OF THE BELIEVER’S UNION – PRESENT & FUTURE. (3:13-16) & THE GLORY OF THE FATHER - THE POWER OF HIS SPIRIT IN OUR INNER MAN.
Remember: Paul has clearly presented some most amazing truths. Now “in Christ Jesus:” there is a new citizenship, a new hope and a new relationship.
The foundational basis for the mystery of a New Covenant ministry for the called-out ones has just been revealed! The core teaching is that Jew and Gentile are now being formed into one body of which Christ is the Head! Tribulations? n 2 Corinthians 4:15 Paul explains …all these things “… are for your sakes, that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:15
PRAYING ABOUT NEW HEARTS: The answer of this prayer, is essential for our hearts to change and become like the new heart promised by God in Jeremiah 31:33 “…I will put my law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Ezekiel 11:19 “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh.” + verse 20; (36:26)
THE INNER MAN is meant to undergo a genuine “change of heart” changed according to the “riches of His glory.” The result will be inner spiritual strengthening or spiritual maturing (with wisdom from above – See: James 3:1-18) of the heart that allows the temple, the body, the fellowship, the fellow heirship, the participation in the very promises of God.
TO DISCUSS WITH SOMEONE:
THE CHURCH - NEW STABILITY AND COMPLETENESS
READ AND THEN DISCUSS ... 3:17-18 CHRIST DWELLING IN OUR HEARTS –
- How does this prayer for faith work in carrying-out a role in our daily living?
- What does mean by praying for us to be rooted and grounded in love?
- What is implied by the prayer for our ability to comprehend …?
- What is being prayed for in regard to the fulness of God?
THERE IS ‘ONE!” - Then the list begins and the question should be asked as to the reasons for this listing of “ones” was included by Paul under the Spirit’s inspiration?
THE HOLY SPIRIT’S PROVISION. Understanding God’s “Oneness” (4:4-6a) Examples of God’s will in our life’s spiritual situations.
“There is one…” Depending on how you view the text one may well recognise eleven, nine, or only seven UNITIES: (1.) One God and Father of all {4:6]. (2.) One Lord {4:5a]. (3.) One bond of peace {4:3]. (4.) One body {4:4a]. (5.) One Spirit {4:4b]. (6.) One hope of your calling {4:4c]. (6.) One faith {4:5b]. (8.) One baptism{4:5c]. (9.) the unity of the faith {4:13a] (13b. knowledge. 13c Fulness) . The key to these examples is that they are, just that,
YOUR CHURCH - 4:7-13 ATTAINING CHRIST’S “FULNESS.” The idea of a corporate identity is one that explains the identity that emphasizes the congregation’s shared structure, leadership and responsibilities.
THE GIFTS THAT (IN)CORPORATE US. Grace was given! (7)
THE GUIDES OF OUR CORPORATION. Gifts were given! (8-10)
THE GOALS OF OUR CORPORATION. Unity can be yours! (11-13)
YOUR CHURCH - 4:14-16 MEMBERS OF “ONE ANOTHER.”(15 minute)
The church is a fellowship where we learn to love one another as Christ loved us. The maturity of any church depends on this mutual respect, concern and submission in a context of true Truth. Ephesians 4:13 clarifies that no genuine oneness and no lasting meaning to life can be found without a personal (epignosis) or intimate and genuine relationship based knowledge of Jesus Christ (as) the Son of God. Such completeness or genuine meani ngfulness in and to life comes with spiritual and emotional maturity that is based upon Christ Jesus, the Lord. He is viewed by Paul as our mutual standard, measure, norm or model. The Christian leaders of verse 11 were, as we saw, given to equip the believers to build-up (edify) one anotherin this unity formed around Jesus Christ - The way, the truth and the life.
THE MANIA OF DECEPTION. 4:14
Identify the doctrinal attacks? in 4:14a- the cunning schemes of men?
THE MATURITY OF LOVE. 4:15a The Amplified Bible begins with the word “Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly].”
THE MINISTRY OF EDIFICATION. 4:15b, and 16 No church is complete until we learn to love one another as Christ loved us. The maturity of any church depends on this mutual respect, concern, submission and service to Christ.
4:15 “but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ...”
4:16 This growth is edifying (or up-building) and may be understood even as a process of “building up” another ... with God working through the Word of God but always through the lives of other believers within the congregation of the Saints. MUTUAL EDIFICATION
OUR CHURCH - 4:17-22 LAYING ASIDE THE “OLD” MAN.
1 THE VANITY OF THE MIND.
2 THE LESSONS OF CHRIST.
3 DEALING WITH THE OLD MAN.
Christian communication like any other type of communication is rooted and packaged in one’s world view or philosophy of life and simply stated is committed to exchanging thoughts, opinions, or information within that framework. In our text we see that verses 17 to 19 provide us with a strong, negative view of communication influenced by a worldly philosophical outlook on life.
Verse 20, sets the stage for a study of just how we have learned Christ.
The Bible as God’s Self-revelation is the highest form of communication that exists. Christian communication is primarily concerned with the delivery of true Truth, but it is also concerned with revealing and counteracting the efforts or causes of those that would block the truth - the message or communication of eternal life, life in Christ. God in His providential wisdom has “spoken” communicated with man! Heb 1:1 …
THE LESSONS OF CHRIST. v. 20-21
1 John 2:6. “We are to walk in the same manner as He walked.”
MATTHEW 11: 28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 “Take My yoke upon you and learn (of) from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
But what about those that don’t seem to see things in this ‘way’? “If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by (in - nasv) him”
DEALING WITH THE OLD MAN. v. 22-23. that “laying aside the old self” (v. 22) - the “old manner of life” ... “which is being corrupted in accordance with the lust of deceit.” This is “indeed” logical for anyone with a “newly regenerated & maintained “renewed” mind in Christ!
PUTTING-ON THE “NEW” MAN. 4:23-32
THE CHRISTIAN’S RENEWAL. 23-24
THE CREATION OF A NEW MAN. 25-29
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF “BODY LIFE.”
PREPARING FOR OUR MARRIAGE TO CHRIST. Ephesians 5:1
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and
gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
EPHESIANS 5:1-2 Be like your heavenly Father by being like His Son, Jesus Christ, the Lord. Preparing for our marriage (‘our - eternal - unification in fellowship’) with Christ calls for a change in our nature: our attitudes and lifestyles, our outlook {or our “Worldview” ] and our priorities - (among the many other things that need to be changed!)
THE CHURCH’S ‘ENGAGEMENT’ 5:1-17
BETROTHED IN LOVE - Innocence?
One over-arching or primary change in our nature is the change of our heart, or in other words, the change of our ‘spiritual attitude’ to an attitude of simple faith. This simple faith is nothing more than a commitment to a sense of childlike trust or innocence. This is something that the Lord clearly wants from those who would follow Him and clearly it is the first step in the “marriage preparation process” - our coming together to the Lord as Christ’s own ‘bride.’
When we come to the Lord to ask Him to forgive us of our selfish, sinful and rebellious nature we are to come “like a child.” When we call upon the Lord to ask the Lord “to save us” from the judgment due us we are to come, of course, humbly “as this child” for eternal life belongs only to “such as these.” Only those prepared to come to the Lord in humility - in a trusting, simple, child-like spirit will ever know the forgiveness of their sin and the resulting salvation of their souls!
Mark 10:15
“Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child
will not enter it at all.”
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