Bible Study - Roads Less Traveled - A LIfestyle of Community - Ephesians 4 - Janusry 2, 2011

Bible Study – Traveled – A Lifestyle of Community – January 2, 2011


This begins a new series entitled “The Roads Less Traveled.”

Our scripture is Ephesians 4:1-7, 14-16, 25-32.
For the next five (5) lessons we will study various scriptures which will lead us to consider our lifestyle as Christians. In this lesson, we will consider developing Christian community. Christian community can be through the church, the place where you work, your neighborhood, network of friends or other activities which bring people together.


When we interact with fellow Christians of other Christian denominations, outside our church, we often discover the commonality of our faith; which is CHRIST crucified and resurrected. When we strip away all the ritual and ceremonies, we see that the Christians of other Christian religions stand upon the solid rock of CHRIST as SAVIOR and LORD. Just keep in mind there is only one way to heaven and that is through CHRIST. GOD makes it very clear that no human can earn his/her way to heaven. The very best in each of us is as filthy rags compared to the righteousness of GOD. Whereas no person can measure up to GOD’S requirement, HE allowed HIS ONLY SON JESUS, to come to earth to live so that all who believe in HIM will be made righteous, thus acceptable to HIM. Paul makes this clear in 2 Corinthians 5:21:
21 He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we (Those who believe in HIM) might become the righteousness of God in Him.


Notice the words “might become” indicates an on-going activity once a person becomes a Christian. The indwelling HOLY SPIRIT will lead and direct a new Christian’s life, provided the new Christian is willing to allow HIM to do so. GOD never takes away any person’s right to choose. The HOLY SPIRIT can teach and reveal truth in the “eyes of the heart” of Christians. Paul tells us in Ephesians 1:18-19 - 18 [I pray]* that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength.


The Christian community is made up of Christians from all Christian denominations. When the Christian community leadership allows GOD, through the HOLY SPIRIT, to lead and guide them, they can provide the training for Christians to grow and mature Spiritually. The human ego often gets in the way and disrupts HIS leadership through programs. Organization and programs are important but only when the HOLY SPIRIT leads the Christian community leadership to the right training tools for that particular body of believers. In other words, do not have a program for the sake of having a program.


It is every Christian’s responsibility to build an intimate, loving relationship with GOD through CHRIST. When our hearts are in tune with the HOLY SPIRIT, HE leads us to the tools that help us grow and mature Spiritually. Ideally each Christian community will offer the tools. GOD may call you to lead certain training in your church.


Unity is critical in any Christian community. The non-Christians are looking at and observing anything called Christian. Factions and the lack of harmony are always fuel for the non-Christian and Christian communities to criticize.


Just as unity is critical for any marriage to grow and mature, unity is vital for us to learn, grow and mature within the Spiritual community in which we dwell. This is why in all aspects of our Spiritual growth and development the HOLY SPIRIT must lead, guide and direct. This begins with the Pastor, church staff and church leaders, which includes teachers, deacons/elders. It is often easy to stick with programs that have been used for years. They become sacred and we hang onto them in spite of the leadership and prompting of the HOLY SPIRIT to change. I am not saying to dump programs just because it has been around for a long time. I am saying seek the guidance of the HOLY SPIRIT for every aspect for teaching and leading church members to a deeper walk with our LORD.


Unity is vital in any Christian setting. The lack of unity is a barrier to Spiritual growth. This does not mean accepting various beliefs for the sake of unity. It means to seek your direction from the HOLY SPIRIT and deal with the things that are disrupting the unity, which often means hearts need to be brought into unity with the HOLY SPIRIT.


The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Christians in Ephesus. This was written while Paul was imprisoned in Rome for preaching the gospel. Because Paul was confined, he wrote the letter so that it could be used in other Christian churches in the area and applicable to all churches. His letter is relevant to all Christian churches today.


Let’s explore.


Let’s read Ephesians 4:1-6:
1 I, therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to • walk worthy of the calling you have received, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting[1] one another in love, 3 diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds [us]* . 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope[2] at your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.


Paul was writing from prison and wanted the people know that he was a willing prisoner because he captured by GOD’S love through the passion of CHRIST. He wanted everyone to know CHRIST as he did. Paul used the analogy of how the living body functions to show how the body of believers should function. Just as all parts of the human body work in unity carrying out different functions so should the body of believers.


Each individual Christian is called to be a living stone which forms the living church. The church building is brick, mortar, stone, siding, cement blocks, studs, rafters, etc. but the Christians who occupy the physical structure are the true church. The physical structure is a gathering place for worship and training. The success of Spiritual growth of the church family is measured by how much the pastor, staff and individuals allow the HOLY SPIRIT to lead and guide them.


In verses 1, 2 and 3, Paul listed qualities that Christians should possess. It is like in the old days it was important for children to be good representatives of their family and their family’s name. I remember hearing mothers or dads telling their children, “Remember who you are” or “We may be poor and we cannot help that but you can keep a good name and reputation.” This is what Paul was telling all Christians, “You who call yourself Christian need to remember who your FATHER is, therefore, walk worthy of your calling. Walk with all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting one another in love, diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds [us].”


Notice how Paul emphasized “one.” Christians are one because they have the same FATHER. Christians are born into GOD’S family the instant they ask CHRIST to forgive them for their sins and for HIM to come into their lives. Christians are led by the same and only one HOLY SPIRIT. The HOLY SPIRIT is one with GOD and JESUS – Unity!!!


In verses 4, 5 and 6 Paul covers the oneness of Christians. Just as GOD, JESUS and the HOLY SPIRIT are one, Christians are to be one with the Trinity and one with fellow Christians. This is why Christians must be in relationship with CHRIST so they will be in unity with CHRIST, WHO in turn is in unity with GOD and the HOLY SPIRIT. This is why Christians must be in the right relationship with CHRIST. Christians are saved by grace and GOD equips them to serve HIM as we will see in verse 7.


Let’s read Ephesians 4:7, 11-16:
7 Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of the • Messiah’s gift.


What is the Messiah’s gift? First and foremost HE gave all who believe in HIM salvation, which is the miracle of rebirth. HE gave HIS life to pay the penalty for sin, which was death. How do we know that HE conquered sin and death? It is because GOD raised HIM from the dead after HIS crucifixion thus conquering death. Our faith is in a living SAVIOR. ONE WHO conquered death.


When we receive CHRIST we receive eternal life, the indwelling of the HOLY SPIRIT and become a child of GOD. This begins the life long process of sanctification as we grow and mature Spiritually. GOD gives additional gifts to HIS children in order for them to carry out HIS plans and purpose upon earth and to minister to the living body of believers. HE does not equip everyone with the same gift or gifts. In fact, diversity in the Christian community is good because through diversity the living body is ministered to in a variety of ways to help it become stronger. Paul listed some of the gifts which GOD equips HIS children according to how HE chooses for their lives in our next scripture.


Verses 11-16:
11 And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, [growing]* into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. 14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. 15 But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head—Christ. 16 From Him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part.


Paul listed some of the gifts GOD gives for the purpose of ministering to the living body of Christians, who are the living stones, to produce unity, Spiritual growth and maturity within the body of Christians. HE calls HIS children to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers for the purpose of training the saints. Who are the saints? No, not the New Orleans Saints, although just as physical training is vital for an athlete, Spiritual training is just as vital for Christians to play in the game of life. Christians have an opponent, Satan and game day is every day.


As we study this scripture, we see that GOD gives gifts for the purpose of ministering to the living body of Christians so they will not be tossed about with every wind of doctrine. GOD’S desire is for all Christians to be in unity with each other Spiritually. Since all Christians have the same foundation for their faith, CHRIST, unity in the Spirit is achievable. Just think how much Christians could influence the world for CHRIST, if we all dropped our denominational barriers and served CHRIST as a unified living body led and guided by the HOLY SPIRIT to influence the world. Satan loves for Christians not to be unified.


Paul gave all Christians a Spiritual fact. Once Christians are in relationship and unity with CHRIST, they are no longer tossed about by every wind of doctrine. Once they know the truth of the Gospel and know CHRIST, their hearts desire is to obediently serve HIM as HE leads and directs them through the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT. As an individual Christian grows into unity with GOD, he/she will grow into unity with fellow Christians who are growing and maturing Spiritually as well. The life and vitality of any body of believers is to grow and mature Spiritually, as led and guided by the HOLY SPIRIT.


To me the missing part in many churches is their failure to seek and rely upon the leadership and guidance of the HOLY SPIRIT. The wrong emphasis can be placed on the gifts of the HOLY SPIRIT, which results in glorifying man. Spiritual maturity is vital to avoid the misuse of Spiritual gifts.


Paul tied this all together by using the human body as an example of what he was talking about. Just as the human body is one and functions as one and all parts are in harmony with each other, so should the living body of Christians function as one. A unified body is the strongest and most efficient way to serve GOD and achieve HIS plans and purpose. But why is the unified body difficult to achieve? Paul gives us some clues in our next scripture.


Let’s read Ephesians 4:25-32:
25 Since you put away lying, Speak the truth, each one to his neighbor,[13] because we are members of one another. 26 Be angry and do not sin.[14] [15] Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and don’t give the Devil an opportunity. 28 The thief must no longer steal. Instead, he must do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share with anyone in need. 29 No rotten talk should come from your mouth, but only what is good for the building up of someone in need,[16] in order to give grace to those who hear. 30 And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit, who sealed you[17] for the day of redemption. 31 All bitterness, anger and wrath, insult and slander must be removed from you, along with all wickedness. 32 And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you[18] in Christ.


Many of us think how wonderful it would be if we could function as Paul has challenged us. What gets in our way? Do we live according to the flesh or the Spirit? If we say we live according to the Spirit then we must practice what we preach. Paul tells us in verse 25, “Since you have put away lying, speak the truth.” James in the Book of James wrote about the tongue in James 1:19-20:


19 My dearly loved brothers, understand this: everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, 20 for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.


Paul had presented the unity of the body to his readers and raised, in essence, the question, “Would you lie to your own body? No! If your hand was about to be cut off, would you lie to your hand and tell it, “Oh don’t worry everything is fine? No! Therefore do not lie to one another because you are all one body.” The problem is that it is hard for us to honestly see other Christians as unified with us because we are ------ and we can fill in the blanks with many things such as “We are more Spiritual.” The fact is if we were more Spiritual our hearts desire would be for them to become more Spiritual than we are and help them to do so, as called by GOD. The human flesh gets in the way. We all wrestle with the flesh.


Paul told his readers to “Be angry.” What was he saying? I think he was saying, be angry at the things that make GOD angry. GOD loves the sinner but HE hates sin. GOD’S desire is for all of HIS children to allow the HOLY SPIRIT to lead and direct their lives but most of us don’t. Christians get angry when they see people, especially family members and friends, who they know are headed for sure destruction, unless their lives are turned around. The scourge of addictions makes me angry because of the lives I have seen ruined because of drugs, alcohol, gambling, sex, etc.


We all know Christians get angry for all the wrong reasons and when we do Paul tell us to not let the sun go down on our anger. This is true for our loved ones – our children, spouse, friends, etc. – we need to apologize if we have treated someone wrong during the day. Why? Paul tells us when we try to sweep a wrong we have done under the rug, so-to-speak, we give Satan an opportunity to create barriers in our lives and in the lives of those we have wronged. If we are Spiritual people then we need to keep the slate clean and not give Satan a toe hold into our lives.


Then Paul listed several things Christians need to do to reflect the character of GOD in their lives – The thief must steal no longer. The thief needs to earn an honest living. Christians need to watch their speech. They are to guard what they say and how they say it (tone). No rotten talk should come from their mouth. Rotten talk includes speech that tears down another person. Christians need to either say nothing or when they do to consider the grace that GOD extends to them and extend that same grace to others. This is not remaining silent when you need to take action.


Paul told his readers not to grieve the HOLY SPIRIT. The HOLY SPIRIT is a person. HE is the third part of the Trinity. It is the HOLY SPIRIT WHO seals all Christians for the day of redemption. The HOLY SPIRIT confirms a Christian’s salvation and is GOD’S down payment or security deposit to all Christians.


Paul listed some of the things that humans possess which grieve the HOLY SPIRIT - bitterness, anger and wrath, insult and slander. These attributes must be dealt with. Paul stated that, “They must be removed from you, along with all wickedness.” This is the work of the HOLY SPIRIT to bring these attributes to our attention and then to help us deal with them. When the HOLY SPIRIT helps Christians to deal with these negative attributes, HE helps Christians to replace them with positive attributes which Paul listed - be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in CHRIST. Paul gave us a list of the fruit produced by the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT in Galatians 5:22-26:


22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,[5] 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit. 26 We must not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.


This is heavy. That is why Christians must have the right relationship with CHRIST or else it is impossible for Christians to deal with these things in their own strength. Having the right relationship with CHRIST also means you will have the right relationship with the HOLY SPIRIT and with GOD. It is the HOLY SPIRIT that opens the “eyes of our hearts” to truth, understanding and application as HE leads and guides those willing to yield their lives to HIM. The HOLY SPIRIT empowers Christians to live as GOD desires for them to live and serve HIM.


What is your Christian community like? Is it a community in which you are growing and maturing Spiritually? If not, why? Is it you or the community?


Another year has pasted. Are you in a deeper relationship with CHRIST this year than you were this time last year? If not and you want to be then confess it and ask GOD to show you what you need to do to build a deeper relationship with HIM. HE may be calling you to help train the saints. As a teacher, I benefit greatly from preparing these lessons. But I realize every day that I am a sinner saved by HIS grace. Blessings to all and a HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR. May we all, when we look back this time next year, see that we have grown and matured Spiritually and in deeper relationship with our SAVIOR and LORD JESUS CHRIST.