Lesson 10

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Ephesians

September 21, 2015

Lesson 1

January 18, 2010

Lesson 2

January 18, 2010

RETURN TO THE SYLLABUS

EPHESIANS 4:1-16
Lesson #10
MATCHING OUR HEAVENLY POSITION AND OUR EARTHLY EXPERIENCE

• Memory verse: Eph 4:14

• There is a change of focus in chapter 4 from doctrine to duty; from attitude to action. All of Paul’s books begin with doctrine and then change focus to practical living.
• Remember when we began our study of Ephesians, we discussed the difference between our standing in heaven and the reality of our Christian practice on earth. The two do not always match.
  • Paul wants the Christian to work on getting the two to match.
  • We can see this difference between our standing and our experience in the following chart :

Our position in heaven Eph 2:8-9 Eph 1:3	Our experience on earth Eph 2:10 Eph 4:1
Spiritually alive to God Eph 2:1,3,4 Joh 11:25 Act 17:28	To live the life of Christ Phi 1:21 Gal 2:20
Dead to sin Eph 1:7 Rom 6:2-10	Give no place to sin Rom 6:11-15 Col 3:3
Forgiven Eph 1:7 1Joh 1:9	Depend on it! Rom 8:1,33,34
Righteous Rom 3:21-26	Live in a right manner Rom 1:17
Children of GodEph 1:5 Gal 3:26	Act like God’s children Eph 5:1 1Pe 1:13-14
God’s possession Eph 1:4 Tit 2:19	Yield to God Rom 12:1 2Ti 2:19-21
Heirs of God Eph 1:11,14,18 Rom 8:17	Add to your inheritance Mat 6:19-21 2Joh 8
Blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies Eph 1:3 Eph 2:6,7	Set your love on spiritual things Col 3:1,2
Heavenly citizenship Gal 1:4	Live as citizens of heaven Eph 6:12 1Joh 5:4
Servant of God Rom 6:22	Act like a servant Rom 6:17-19
New life 2Cor 5:17	Walk in new life Rom 6:4
Crucified to the world Gal 6:14,15	Avoid worldly things 1Joh 2;15-17
Light to the world Mat 5:14	Walk as children of light Eph 5:8
Victorious over Satan Rev 12:9-11	Claim your victory Eph 6:11-17
Holy and without blame Eph 1:4	Live holy lives 1Pe 1:15-16
Free Joh 8:32	Enjoy your freedom Gal 5:1
In christ Eph 1:3,10 eph 2:6,13	Abide in Him 1Jo 2:28
One in christ Eph 4:4-6 Eph 1:9,10	Live that oneness Eph 4:3
In grace Rom 5:1	Grow in grace 2Pe 3:18
In fellowship 1Jo 1:3-7	Experience that fellowship Eph 5:11
Spirit indwelt and led 1Co 6:19-20 Rom 8:9 ; 8:14	Yield to the spirit’s control Eph 5:18 Eph 4:30
Given power for service to kGod Eph 3:20	Claim and demonstrate the power Eph 6:10
Loved 1Jo 2:5 1Jo 5:1	Give love Eph 4:2 1Jo 3:18

• It is by faith that our position on the left becomes our walk on the right.
• When you truly believe and accept your position on the left, then you will live what you believe by faith.

• Read Eph 4:1
  • Paul “urges” the believer to live for God’s glory.
    • In the Old Testament, God said to the Jews, “if you obey me, i will bless you.” In Ephesians, God says,
    • “I have already blessed you. Now in response to that love and grace, obey me and walk in victory.”
      • The word “therefore” in verse 1 indicates that our Christian walk is based on the knowledge of the doctrines in the first three chapters of Ephesians.
      • Many people say it doesn’t make any difference what you believe as long as you live right.
        • Paul would not agree with that statement. It does make a difference what you believe, because your actions are a reflection of what you believe.

• In the last 3 chapters of Ephesians we are told to make sure our Christian life is pleasing to God in 4 major areas. These 4 areas of our walk correspond to the major doctrines in the first three chapters of Ephesians:

Major doctrines in Eph 1-3	Our Christian walk in Eph 4-6
1. We are called by grace to belong to his body (chap 1)	1. Walk in unity (4:1-16)
2. We are raised from the dead by the power of the Spirit (2:1-10)	2. Walk in purity (4:17-5:17)
3. We are reconciled to God and to men (2:11-22)	3. Walk in harmony (5:18-6:9)
4. The mystery of Christ’s victory over Satan (chap 3)	4. Walk in victory (6:10-24)

• Read Eph 4:1-16 Walk in Peace and Unity
  • We must guard and protect the unity that God established
  • When he reconciled men to himself and reconciled Jews to Gentiles.

• The grace of unity (1-3)
  • What is the difference between “unity” and “uniformity”or “conformity”?

Unity:	Uniformity / conformity:
Comes from within	Is outward pressure to conform
Accepts diversity to bring strength	Rejects diversity as a threat
Accomplished by the Holy Spirit	Accomplished by man results in ecumenism
Is based on the grace of God	Is based on man’s desire to control by law

• To preserve unity you must possess the 7 Christian graces. A Christian “grace” is a characteristic that results automatically when God is in control of the heart.

• =1= lowliness or humility.
  • To put Christ first, other people second, and ourselves last.
  • It is the opposite of pride.
• =2= meekness
  • This is the quality of having power under control.
  • It is not weakness but strength.
• =3= long-suffering
  • This is like having a long fuse on a piece of dynamite.
  • It is suffering discomfort or wrong without fighting back.
• =4= forbearance
  • It is love in action (includes forgiveness) over a long period of time.
  • It is whene you put up with the discomfort of other’s personalities.
• =5= love
  • Because we are loved by God, we can love others in return.
  • It is to remember that God also loves them.
• =6= endeavor
  • It is being eager to maintain or guard unity.
• =7= peace Jam 3:13-4:10
  • If a believer cannot get along with other people, it is a sign he is not getting along with God.
  • If god is ruling his heart, peace will automatically result.

Homework

Memory verse: Eph 4:15