The Building Plan: The Calling
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Lent...
Review: Foundation, Family
The Church Age
Spiritual Rest
Spiritual Walk
Spiritual Work
Spiritual Gifts
Spiritual Fruit
Spiritual Rewards
CONTEXT:
This is one of Paul’s prison letters. Probably written in Rome in the early 60’s along with Colossians and Philemon.
I sometimes call this book a primer for Romans as it contains similar structure and content to Romans.
Ephesians also has many similarities to the book of Colossians in its practical theological sections.
But one thing of real importance to note is that this letter was delivered to the churches by Tychicus.
But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts.
Interestingly enough, it appears that this letter was intended to be a cyclical letter.
It was supposed to be passed around to all the churches and as such, our earliest copies of this letter do not contain the words “who are at Ephesus”. Check your footnotes or introduction to the letter.
Another example of this is in Colossians.
When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea.
Many believe that Ephesus was the first church that this letter started with and as such, Paul had them in the forefront of his mind and then it went out from there.
This significance of this is that Paul was writing something that was going to apply to all the churches which would make it a universal teaching applicable to any church anywhere at anytime.
READ TEXT: Ephesians 4.1-10
Chapter 4 is transition point in Paul’s letter.
The first half is theological and explains who we were apart from Christ and who we are in Christ.
The first half also establishes the primacy of the church in the plan of God.
so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Chapter 4 Begins with THEREFORE.
When you see “Therefore,” you have to ask the question what is therefore, there for?
Based upon everything I just wrote, these are the points of application:
To the church as a whole
Individually
In Relationships with others
The spiritual battle we’re in
Today we’re again focusing on God’s corporate building plan of the church: The Calling
A Holy, High and Heavenly Calling
Walk Worthy of That Calling
Gifted to Accomplish That Calling
EXPOUND TEXT:
A HOLY, HIGH, AND HEAVENLY CALLING
A HOLY, HIGH, AND HEAVENLY CALLING
vs. 1 - Implore
Paul used this term to emphasize the importance of what he’s about to say.
Parakaleo - to call out and come alongside, to urge strongly
walk - to tread about - as you go about your days
outside of the church in your every day activity...
worthy - in equal weight to. Our walk should be in balance with our calling.
God wants a people who reflect His character (saints - holy ones) image bearers.
vs. 1 - The Calling
The word “call” is etymologically related to the term for church.
ekklesia - the called out ones.
We are called weekly out of the world to gather here.
God’s invitation to man to accept the benefits of His salvation.
God’s call is universal so that mankind is without excuse.
God’s call is an unrestricted offer, but only affects those who accept it by faith.
Receiving the benefits of salvation begins by putting your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
The benefits of salvation are both one time and a lifetime. You are saved and are being saved
Likewise the calling is one time and for a lifetime. You are called to be saved and to keep working on your salvation.
So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
This doesn’t mean that we did anything to earn our salvation, that is a gift freely given to us. Justification.
But it does mean that we grow in our faith and the application of our faith.
It means we are to mature and produce fruit. Sanctification.
It does mean that we exercise our faith in practical ways. Sanctification.
I’ll come back to this in a second.
Here is what we are called to and for:
A Holy Calling - 2 Timothy 1.9; 1 Cor. 1.26-29
A Calling through the Gospel - 2 Thess 2:14; - saved by grace, not by works.
Called out of darkness into the light - I Peter 2.9 - separated from the darkness,
A Calling into fellowship with Jesus - I Cor 1:9
A Call to holiness and purity - I Peter 1:15; 1 Thess 4:7
A High Calling. Important, Privileged, Honored
A call to proclaim the excellencies of God - I Peter 2.9
A call to eternal glory - 2 Thess 2.14; I Pet 5:10 - perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
something greater, something better
A call to freedom - Gal 5:13
A call to blamelessness - I Thess 5.23-24 - live your lives above board
A Heavenly Calling - Heb 3:1;
A Call to Hope - Eph 1:18; 4:4
A Call to Eternal Life - I Tim 6.12
Upward in Focus - Phil 3:14
WALK WORTHY OF THAT CALLING
WALK WORTHY OF THAT CALLING
vs. 1 - Walking Worthily
Walk
Purposeful actions of Christlike living.
Christianity is an initial decision followed by lifestyle discipleship
Walk in a way that is worthy of your position.
worthy - equal weight. a balance between calling and conduct
2 sides of the same coin.
Walk in the light - I John 1:7 - called out of the darkness
Walk in the truth - 3 John 4 - called out from the lies
Walk in Freedom - Gal 5:1, 13; I Peter 2:16 - called out of slavery to sin
Walk in newness of life - Rom 6.4; - called out of death
Walk in wisdom - Eph 5:15 - called out of foolishness and foolish things
How? Walk - in the Spirit - the fruit of the Spirit:
humility - lowliness of mind. esteeming oneself as small. ties into having a correct estimate of ourselves in light of who God is. It involves confession of sin and a deep realization of one’s unworthiness to receive God’s marvelous grace. pride promotes disunity.
gentleness - meekness. an inwrought grace of the soul, and the expression of it are primarily toward God. It is the attitude of spirit where we accept God’s dealings with us as good and do not dispute or resist. It is the middle standing between 2 extremes, getting angry without reason and not getting angry at all. It’s getting angry at the right time, in the right measure, and for the right reason. It demonstrates gentleness, not in weakness, but in power. It is a balance born in strength of character. Power under control.
patience - makrothumia - the quality of a person who is able to avenge himself, yet refrains from doing so. Patience in respect to persons rather than endurance of circumstances. Often associated with mercy. Not rushing to give up or get even.
showing tolerance, in love - to bear with or have patience in regard to the errors or weakness of anyone.
diligence in preserving the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. - earnestness in making every effort to do one’s best. aggresively, continually, individually pursued. Implies that this is something that is hard to obtain, but even harder to keep. complements the I urge you from earlier
Why? imperfect people, failures, differing opinions and goals. Differing purposes and priorities
Why? A Call to Unity
Peace is the glue of unity
Given by God
Maintained by us.
If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.
the qualities mentioned earlier will help us live in peace with each other and bring about unity
Disunity - each of the opposites promotes disunity
Unity not Uniformity.
diversity is beautiful.
fitted and built together - Eph 2:21-22
in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
Not Unity at all cost. Paul helps define his thoughts on unity in the next section.
The Unity Paul describes is 7-fold and based on the Trinity.
The five solas of the Reformation are embodied in this.
One Body - All believers are organically related to each other.
The Universal Church - be careful of wrong ecumenism.
Are we unified in the right points and for the right purposes?
There are no Lutherans in Heaven, nor are there Presbyterians, Methodists, or for that matter Baptists.
All that will be in Heaven are the blood bought, redeemed from every tribe, tongue, people and nation. Rev. 5.9
One Spirit - The Holy Spirit,
not some new spirit.
Not “New Age” spirituality
One Hope - Heaven,
Glorified Bodies,
Heavenly rewards.
One Lord
Jesus is the only way.
Christ alone.
One Faith
Salvation is through faith alone. (Subjective) Exercised by belief.
Not by works.
Based on Scripture alone. (Objective) - Body of truth to be believed.
One Baptism
Our personal identification with Christ.
Grace alone.
One God and Father of all
over, through, and in all
3 Big O’s - Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omni-Present
Transcendent, Eternal, Immanent
Sovereign, Providential, Personal
To the glory of God alone.
GIFTED TO ACCOMPLISH THAT CALLING
GIFTED TO ACCOMPLISH THAT CALLING
Vs. 7-8
God doesn’t leave us without the tools to do what He asks us to do and be who He asks us to be.
Our calling is one time and for a lifetime.
Accepting the call of God allows us to receive the benefits of His salvation.
That includes the receiving of spiritual gifts. A benefit of salvation is getting a spiritual gift. A tool(s).
The tool(s) allows us to exercise of our faith in practical ways as I mentioned earlier.
Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,
Paul was not just called to salvation, he was called to a role to play. We would call that his ministry.
God already has in mind what He wants you to do, what ministry He wants you to fulfill.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
The question is: Will we be faithful to fulfill it.
Each one of us - everyone gets a gift. Spiritual Gifts - next few sermons
In proportion to the gift bestowed on us by Christ.
Not everyone gets the same gift or the same measure of the gift.
But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.
Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;
Each Gift is a Gift of Grace
The terms used here, charis, doma, dorea point out the generous nature of the gift and the generosity of the giver.
grace - charis - That which causes joy, pleasure, gratification, favor, acceptance, thanksgiving - the absolutely free expression of the loving kindness of God to men.
This grace is not grace for salvation, but rather grace for serving that brings joy to God, others, and ourselves.
Gifts to promote growth and maturity
charis-mata - spiritual gifts. charismatics
We know Jesus is generous and these gifts prove it. Gifts we did not deserve, nor did we earn.
Narnia - Father Christmas gives gifts to children. different, each to each one’s calling and talent. Each one not ready for it. Each one needed to put it into practice. Each one just as important as the next no matter how small.
A church functions well because of these gracious gifts, not as a result of just the natural talents and abilities of its members.
APPLY TEXT:
Calling
Have you heeded the initial call of God to salvation?
Have you embraced his secondary call to accept and use His gifts of grace?
Are you proactively pursuing and protecting (diligence) the call to unity in the church?
Walking
Is your conduct of equal balance to your calling?
Are you walking in the light and truth and in newness of life?
Which one of the following do you struggle with? Pray and ask God to help you in that area.
humility
gentleness
patience
tolerance for the weakness of others
Gifting
Do you know what your spiritual gift is?
Do you thank God for the gift of grace He’s given you?
Are you using your gift or is it just sitting on the shelf?
Closing Song: The House of The Lord, Ever Be