1. Pastor Dave Kooyers Valley Bible Fellowship Box 433 Boonville CA 95415 www.ValleyBibleFellowship.org (707) 895-2325 God bless you as you examine His Word, Your servant in Christ, 2Cor. 4:5, Dave

2. Ephesus 3. Eph 4:1 Walk In A Manner Worthy Of The Calling 4. Chapters 4-6 Are About Our Walk 5. The Second Half Of Ephesians Our Position Chapters 1-3 tell us about our position and identity in the church, the body of Christ. Our Practice Chapters 4-6 tell us how our position in the body of Christ should direct our walk 6. The Second Half Of Ephesians Our Position, Our Calling Chapters 1-3 tell us about our position and identity in the church, the body of Christ. Our Practice, Our Conduct Chapters 4-6 tell us how our position in the body of Christ should direct our walk 7. Lets Read About Our Walk In Eph 4:1-16 8. Bible Knowledge Commentary Eph 4:1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you NIV The NIV gives the impression that this walk should be on the basis that Paul was a prisoner for the Lord. However, the Greek does not connote this. Rather it is, "Therefore (rather than then) I, the" prisoner of the Lord (as already stated in 3:1), beseech you to walk worthy of your calling." Thus on the basis of what Paul wrote in chapters 1-3 he implored them to walk worthily 9. Eph 4:1, What Did Paul Write? Eph 4:1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the LordNKJV The therefore is there for a reason; Paul ties Eph 4-6 back to Eph 1-3; Eph 3:1I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles Eph 3:13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. Which causes us to reflect back on all 3 chapters and consider what he is basing the following on; 10. Eph 4:1, What Did Paul Write? Eph 1:4he chose us in him before the creation Eph 1:5predestined us to be adopted as his sons Eph 1:11we were also chosen Eph 1:19his incomparably great power for us who believe Eph 2:1you were dead in your transgressions Eph 2:4-5Godmade us alive with Christ Eph 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God Eph 2:10we are God's workmanship Eph 2:11-12formerly you who are Gentileswere separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 11. Eph 4:1, What Did Paul Write? Eph 2:13in Christ Jesus youhave been brought near Eph 2:14hehas made the two one Eph 2:15abolishingthe law with its commandments Eph 2:15to create in himself one new man out of the two Eph 2:18through him we both have access to the Father Eph 2:19 fellow citizens with God's people Eph 2:20Christ Jesusthe chief cornerstone Eph 2:22a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. 12. Eph 4:1, What Did Paul Write? Eph 3:6the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel Eph 3:6sharers together in the promise Eph 3:17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts Eph 3:17rooted and established in love Eph 3:19know this love that surpasses knowledge Eph 3:20his power that is at work within us 13. Therefore Our Walk Since God is absolutely sovereign, we were completely separated, God graced us, Christ brought us near (in Him), a new man, with access, we are being built, heirs with Israel, sharers in the promise, Christ dwells in our hearts, in love, and his power is at work within us. Therefore because of what Paul has said in chapters 1-3 we should walk worthily. Our position dictates our practice! 14. Our Position As Ambassadors Dictates Our Practice! 2 Co 5:16-21 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 15. Our Position As Princes/Princesses John 1:12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God 16. Our Position As Princes/Princesses Phil 2:14-16 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16 as you hold out the word of life... 17. Our Position As Princes/Princesses 1 Jn 3:1-3 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 Everyone who has this hope in him purifies [present active indicative] himself, just as he is pure. 18. Ephesians 4-6, Describe Our Walk Eph 4:1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, NKJV Eph 4:17no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walkNKJV Eph 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear childrenKJV Eph 5:2walk in love, as Christ also has loved usNKJV Eph 5:8Walk as children of lightNKJV Eph 5:15walk circumspectly, not as foolsNKJV 19. How Do We Live A Life Worthy? Eph 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle NET NAS ESV CSB NAUEphesians 4:2 with all humilityand gentleness The Greeks thought that humility was a weakness, to be desired only in slaves. 20. Humility Our Goal Phil 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Col 3:12-14 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 21. How Do We Live A Life Worthy? Eph 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Isnt there an easier way Lord? Couldnt just we live a life almost worthy? Theres a guy hanging off a cliff by a bush 22. How Do We Live A Life Worthy? Almost worthy? What is worthy? 23. Bible Knowledge Commentary Ephesians 4:1 The word "worthy" (axios) means "equal weight"; one's calling and conduct should be in balance. "The calling" refers not only to believers' salvation (cf. Ro 1:5-6; 1 Co 1:9) but also to their union in one body. Therefore a Christian's conduct concerns both his personal life and his responsibility to other believers in the church. 24. Eph 4:3, Keep The Unity Eph 4:3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. It doesnt say to make, build or establish the unity, but keep. The 1st 3 chapters showed that God created the unity in Christ already 25. Eph 4:4, Reminder Of The Unity Eph 4:4-6 There is one body and one Spirit just as you were called to one hope when you were called 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Paul reminds us of the unity described in the 1st 3 chapters 26. Eph 4:7, Christ Apportioned It? Eph 4:7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. NIV Heres a little for you, and some for you NET NKJ NAS ESV NAU KJV Ephesians 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. CSB Ephesians 4:7 to each one of us according to the measure of the Messiah's gift. 27. Eph 4:8, Christ Gave Gifts To Men Eph 4:8 This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men. Hes quoting Ps. 68 28. Ps 68:17-19, Who Ascended? Ps 68:17-19 The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands; the Lord [has come] from Sinai into his sanctuary. 18 When you ascended on high, you led captives in your train; you received gifts from men, even from the rebellious that you, O Lord God, might dwell there. 19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. 29. Eph 4:9, The Gifts Are Men Eph 4:8 he ascendedand gave gifts to men Eph 4:9-11 (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 30. Ephesians 4:11-14, Explained by; www.foundationsforfreedom.net http://www.foundationsforfreedom.net/Topics/Disciple/Flow Ex/FlowEx6_Purpose.html 31. Ephesians 4:11-14CommentsFuture Action4:11 And he gave some [to be] apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;Notice how God saw the need and supplied certain leaders with gifts and positions to train and protect the sheep.God will be calling and raising leaders from among our congregations to pastor and teach.4:12 for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:The goal is simply to build up the saints so that they can serve. As the Christians are built up, so the whole body of Christ is established as each serves the other.The teaching leaders of the church needs to be diligent to equip each Christian so that they can be involved in the ministry to the saints.4:13 till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a full grown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:The end goal requires an ongoing process. The whole process of training comes to light when we keep focused on the goal (the vision). This is our mission.We need to establish the church in such a way that it keeps growing. Programs sounds like a bad word (and can be) if they dont lead Gods people hungrily along to the next stage closer to the ultimate goal. 32. the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:the saints so that they can serve. As the Christians are built up, so the whole body of Christ is established as each serves the other.church needs to be diligent to equip each Christian so that they can be involved in the ministry to the saints.4:13 till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a full grown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:The end goal requires an ongoing process. The whole process of training comes to light when we keep focused on the goal (the vision). This is our mission.We need to establish the church in such a way that it keeps growing. Programs sounds like a bad word (and can be) if they dont lead Gods people hungrily along to the next stage closer to the ultimate goal.4:14 that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error.Without this persistent training, Christians will stumble and fall. God has given us the key to growing strong godly people. We need to be aggressive in training them.Christians face innumerable dangers. We cannot identify all these errors. Instead we need to teach the truth so that they individually know and love Gods Word. 33. Eph 4:11, He Gave Some Eph 4:11gave some to be apostles, some to be Dr. C.I. Scofield says, In 1 Corinthians, the gifts are spiritual enablements for specific service; in Ephesians , the gifts are men who have such enablements. Gal 1:1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ KJV Ac 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 34. Eph 4:12, Our Mission Eph 4:12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up Ac 6:2-4 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word." 35. Our Goal Is Maturity Eph 4:13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Heb 5:11-14 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. 36. Eph. 4:14, No Longer Be Infants Eph 4:14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Evangelism and scripturally defending a doctrinal position by debating theology are great motivators to strengthen your foundation and doctrine. 37. Titus On No Longer Being Infants Titus 2:1 ". . . speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine." Titus 2:7 ". . . show yourself to be an example . . . with purity in doctrine . . ." Titus 1:9 ". . . be able to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict." So, it's OK to have a disagreement with a true brother or sister in Christ over secondary issues. But always use Scripture, not your just own opinions, experiences, or training to support your position. 38. Un-Sound Doctrine Is A Slippery Slope 39. Dont live as the Gentiles do! 40. Paul gives us clear instructions on how to walk worthy of the calling that God has placed on our livesIn Eph 4:17-32 41. Eph 4:17-19, Hopeless Condition Eph 4:17-19 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. 42. Eph 4:20-24, Put Off Your Old Self Eph 4:20-24 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to 43. Eph 4:24, Put On The New Self 44. Be angry? verb imperative present passive 2nd person plural from 45. Eph 4:26-27, In Your Anger "In your anger do not sin 46. Eph 4:26, In Your Anger Do Not Sin Eph 4:26-28 "In your anger do not sin... What does that imply? There is a righteous anger; Mk 3:4-5Jesuslooked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts Eph 4:31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger Col 3:8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. (1 Ti 2:8) Jas 1:19-20Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 47. Eph 4:28, Just Quit It! Eph 4:28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. 2 Th 3:10we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat. 48. Eph 4:29-30, For It Grieves God Eph 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. The Holy Spirit; Eph 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit with whom, not with what Ac 5:3you have lied to the Holy Spirit Ac 5:4You have not lied to men but to God. 49. Eph 4:31-32, Get Rid Of It! 50. In Closing; How Do We Live A Life Worthy? Eph 4:1live a life worthy of the calling Eph 4:2completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Eph 4:3keep the unity of the Spirit Eph 4:14no longer be infants Eph 4:15speaking the truth in love Eph 4:17no longer live as the Gentiles do Eph 4:22put off your old self Eph 4:23made new in the attitude of your minds Eph 4:24put on the new selflike God in true righteousness and holiness 51. How Do We Live A Life Worthy? Eph 4:25put off falsehood and speak truthfully Eph 4:26In your anger do not sin Eph 4:28steal no longer, but must work Eph 4:28share with those in need Eph 4:29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths Eph 4:30do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God Eph 4:31-32 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 52. THE END 53. Bible Knowledge Commentary Psalms 68:15-18.was referred to by Paul in Eph 4:8 (cf. comments there). However, rather than quoting the Hebrew, Paul apparently followed the Jewish interpretation of the day (the Targum), which paraphrased this verse as follows: "You did ascend to the firmament, O Prophet Moses! You led captivity captive; you taught the words of the Law; you gave [not 'received,' as in the Heb.] gifts to the sons of men." (This interpretation saw Moses as God's representative.) Paul followed this Jewish exegesis because it explained that the conqueror distributed the gifts to His loyal subjects. The apostle applied that idea to Christ's victory over the forces of evil and His granting spiritual gifts (cf. Eph 4:11) to those on His side. By this analogy (based more on the Jewish interpretation of the psalm than on the exact Heb. wording) Paul Emphasized the greatness of believers' spiritual victory in Christ. 54. Ephesians 4:11-14CommentsFuture Action4:11 And he gave some [to be] apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;Notice how God saw the need and supplied certain leaders with gifts and positions to train and protect the sheep.God will be calling and raising leaders from among our congregations to pastor and teach.4:12 for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:The goal is simply to build up the saints so that they can serve. As the Christians are built up, so the whole body of Christ is established as each serves the other.The teaching leaders of the church needs to be diligent to equip each Christian so that they can be involved in the ministry to the saints.4:13 till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a full grown man, unto theThe end goal requires an ongoing process. The whole process of training comes to light when we keep focused on the goalWe need to establish the church in such a way that it keeps growing. Programs sounds like a bad word (and can be) if they dont