WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.220 How many of you like emotional surges? 00:00:09.220 --> 00:00:11.279 Do you like emotional surges? 00:00:11.279 --> 00:00:12.800 How many of you know what I'm talking about? 00:00:12.800 --> 00:00:20.320 Now there's some of you that were born flatline. 00:00:20.320 --> 00:00:20.320 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.100 You don't crash and burn. 00:00:32.100 --> 00:00:34.679 You kind of just putt, putt, putt right along. 00:00:34.679 --> 00:00:38.299 It's 55 and the highway is straight in front of you. 00:00:38.299 --> 00:00:42.320 I am not one of those people. 00:00:42.320 --> 00:00:47.879 I got to tell you, I walk up this morning and the hair on the back of my neck stands 00:00:47.879 --> 00:00:48.879 up. 00:00:48.879 --> 00:00:53.000 I didn't put my hand back there to check, but it was like, wow. 00:00:53.000 --> 00:01:02.759 I get to open this book and rely upon the power of the Spirit of God and depend upon 00:01:02.759 --> 00:01:09.879 the prayers of God's people. 00:01:09.879 --> 00:01:16.939 And since we've opened the book, we are in Ephesians chapter 4, verse 1. 00:01:16.939 --> 00:01:21.939 Let us pray. 00:01:21.939 --> 00:01:29.819 Precious God and Father, this morning for us, prayer is not a habit. 00:01:29.819 --> 00:01:38.060 But it is the sensible outpouring of our heart to you, in which we gladly, first of all, 00:01:38.060 --> 00:01:44.420 confess that you are worthy of all adoration and praise. 00:01:44.420 --> 00:01:48.299 That you are holy, majestic. 00:01:48.299 --> 00:01:51.700 Your glory fills the earth. 00:01:51.700 --> 00:02:01.500 And we are humbled and awed when we stop to consider that you are mindful of us. 00:02:01.500 --> 00:02:07.379 Our hearts are thankful that you have given to us the joy of salvation and you've given 00:02:07.379 --> 00:02:17.379 to us this day and you've given us this time when we can open your word. 00:02:17.379 --> 00:02:26.419 And humbly ask that the Spirit of God would help the truths that are here to affect us and 00:02:26.419 --> 00:02:32.199 change us that we might grow to be more like the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:02:32.199 --> 00:02:48.139 Christ, we ask that not because we are looking for personal credit or power, but so that your 00:02:48.139 --> 00:02:56.199 power would display itself in us and reflect glory to your name. 00:02:56.199 --> 00:03:01.199 And we ask because of Jesus. 00:03:01.199 --> 00:03:04.639 Amen. 00:03:04.639 --> 00:03:13.759 One of the men that has deeply affected my preaching over the years is Alistair Begg. 00:03:13.759 --> 00:03:21.179 I have to tell you that going to the Basics Conference and listening to him from year to 00:03:21.179 --> 00:03:29.199 year has made a difference in thinking of the importance of the exposition of Scripture along 00:03:29.199 --> 00:03:31.959 with the exegesis of Scripture. 00:03:31.960 --> 00:03:37.460 Two fancy words that I'm not here to bore you with the details on, but exegesis is dealing 00:03:37.460 --> 00:03:39.920 with, okay, what does it actually say? 00:03:39.920 --> 00:03:45.760 And the next position kind of opening it up so that we can understand the passage together. 00:03:45.760 --> 00:03:52.520 And Martin Lloyd-Jones was one of the names that I came to be more familiar with as I 00:03:52.520 --> 00:03:54.939 went to listen to Alistair Begg. 00:03:54.939 --> 00:04:00.080 And subsequently, several years ago when I began praying about what I was going to preach, 00:04:00.080 --> 00:04:04.480 and I think you know that that's generally a process that happens out in front, right? 00:04:04.480 --> 00:04:09.740 How many of you have any idea what I may preach on, Lord willing, and He tarries, and I'm alive? 00:04:09.920 --> 00:04:11.120 What am I going to next? 00:04:12.320 --> 00:04:12.760 John. 00:04:13.020 --> 00:04:14.340 That's probably true. 00:04:15.100 --> 00:04:15.540 Yes. 00:04:16.400 --> 00:04:20.620 And one of the things that goes along with that is several years of studying and praying 00:04:20.620 --> 00:04:24.759 and thinking about it, but I remember when I began settling in my heart that I was going 00:04:24.759 --> 00:04:30.399 to preach on Ephesians, I began thinking and praying about different books to add to the 00:04:30.399 --> 00:04:32.100 library and began using for study. 00:04:32.759 --> 00:04:35.620 And Martin Lloyd-Jones was one of the ones that I chose. 00:04:35.780 --> 00:04:42.980 I looked for it online and actually found that I could get a used copy of Martin Lloyd-Jones' 00:04:43.620 --> 00:04:45.800 six-volume series on the book of Ephesians. 00:04:45.800 --> 00:04:46.960 How many chapters are there? 00:04:47.879 --> 00:04:48.720 There are six. 00:04:49.180 --> 00:04:52.400 And he wrote six volumes on Ephesians. 00:04:52.860 --> 00:04:54.360 You can go into my... 00:04:54.360 --> 00:04:55.040 Hey, Emily. 00:04:56.280 --> 00:04:57.360 Good to have you. 00:04:58.480 --> 00:04:59.759 I'm glad you're here. 00:05:00.300 --> 00:05:01.740 Don't you sneak up on me again. 00:05:02.699 --> 00:05:03.800 Yeah, you can... 00:05:03.800 --> 00:05:04.160 Okay. 00:05:04.580 --> 00:05:05.120 I'm sorry. 00:05:07.199 --> 00:05:08.019 It's good. 00:05:08.759 --> 00:05:14.720 But, you know, you can kind of track along where I am because I take the jacket cover off 00:05:14.720 --> 00:05:15.800 when I reach that book. 00:05:15.920 --> 00:05:20.280 And so there are now four volumes that have their jacket cover stacked over on the side. 00:05:20.820 --> 00:05:23.380 And I'm into chapter...I'm into volume four. 00:05:23.960 --> 00:05:28.940 And one of the things I learned about Martin Lloyd-Jones is that actually when he first began 00:05:28.940 --> 00:05:34.780 to preach in the book of Ephesians, he didn't start in chapter 1, verse 1. 00:05:34.779 --> 00:05:43.759 He actually started his first lessons on Ephesians dealing with some of the classic passages that 00:05:43.759 --> 00:05:45.639 most of us know quite well. 00:05:46.879 --> 00:05:48.459 Guess what passages those are? 00:05:50.959 --> 00:05:58.019 What husband here doesn't know Ephesians chapter 5, verse 22, 23? 00:05:58.279 --> 00:06:01.119 You know, husbands, right? 00:06:01.599 --> 00:06:02.579 Love your wives. 00:06:02.579 --> 00:06:04.500 No, that's not the one husbands usually remember. 00:06:04.899 --> 00:06:07.519 The one husbands remember is, you know, what is it? 00:06:08.879 --> 00:06:09.359 Wives. 00:06:09.579 --> 00:06:10.000 Yeah. 00:06:10.139 --> 00:06:14.860 And he started dealing with those chapters and those subjects. 00:06:14.860 --> 00:06:19.719 And in his study and prayer, it dawned on him that he was out of order. 00:06:21.019 --> 00:06:22.560 He was out of order. 00:06:22.560 --> 00:06:31.180 And so he backed up, went to the congregation, asked their forgiveness, and said, I have done 00:06:31.180 --> 00:06:32.819 you a disservice, in a sense. 00:06:32.920 --> 00:06:35.540 He was explaining to them, I've come at this wrong. 00:06:35.540 --> 00:06:53.920 Because for me to teach on the how-to's of Christian living without giving you the foundation that we have in the work of God in salvation is to have things out of place and the structure inappropriate. 00:06:53.920 --> 00:07:02.560 And that plays out in counseling, in biblical counseling, whether it is Pastor Saul or myself or any other biblical counselor. 00:07:02.900 --> 00:07:12.639 When we engage in ministry and are looking to be of help to an individual who comes into our offices, man, I've got a problem and I'm dealing with blah, blah, blah. 00:07:12.639 --> 00:07:16.099 You know what the very first thing that we're interested in discovering is? 00:07:17.339 --> 00:07:17.979 What is it? 00:07:18.899 --> 00:07:23.099 Does this person know Christ as their Savior? 00:07:24.300 --> 00:07:25.759 Why is that important? 00:07:27.240 --> 00:07:37.579 Because to give to an individual practical, ethical instruction on how to behave as a Christian, 00:07:37.579 --> 00:07:51.079 to an individual who has no knowledge of Christ and no enabling of the Spirit of Christ is, in some senses, to only complicate the situation further. 00:07:52.500 --> 00:07:58.740 And so early in the process of ministry, whether you let the other individual know it or not, 00:07:58.839 --> 00:08:04.360 what you are always doing is you're putting your finger on the pulse and you're trying to discern, 00:08:04.360 --> 00:08:06.919 does this person know Christ as their Savior? 00:08:07.579 --> 00:08:16.240 Because at the heart of Christian behavior is the matter of a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:08:17.459 --> 00:08:26.860 And when I think about what our faith is, I'd have to say that our faith really is not, first and foremost, a system of conduct. 00:08:27.699 --> 00:08:29.439 So how do I become a Christian? 00:08:29.439 --> 00:08:32.740 Well, here are the nine rules that you have to obey. 00:08:33.199 --> 00:08:34.659 And once you have... 00:08:34.659 --> 00:08:35.279 I'm right. 00:08:35.840 --> 00:08:36.779 Nine fingers. 00:08:37.259 --> 00:08:37.399 Okay? 00:08:37.580 --> 00:08:38.680 I was just double-checking. 00:08:38.740 --> 00:08:39.600 I saw some of you smile. 00:08:39.700 --> 00:08:40.759 I put the thumb down. 00:08:40.840 --> 00:08:41.200 Keep it down. 00:08:41.940 --> 00:08:46.080 See, faith is not a matter of certain behavioral issues. 00:08:46.139 --> 00:08:46.660 Do you follow me? 00:08:46.920 --> 00:08:52.259 It is a matter, first of all, of knowing the Lord Jesus Christ, having a personal relationship with Him, 00:08:52.259 --> 00:09:00.500 and then having Him work in you, as it says in Philippians, both to will and to do His good pleasure. 00:09:01.319 --> 00:09:07.799 And so this morning we are at a pivot point in our teaching in the book of Ephesians. 00:09:07.879 --> 00:09:11.419 Look at chapter 4, Ephesians chapter 4, verse 1. 00:09:11.419 --> 00:09:20.059 I, therefore, a prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you've been called. 00:09:20.759 --> 00:09:24.699 I want you to think with me now of the doctrinal foundation for Christian living. 00:09:24.700 --> 00:09:37.900 Our study in the book of Ephesians has taken a dramatic turn in this chapter, and Paul, in the previous three chapters, has laid out for us in a broad fashion the glory of the doctrine of conversion. 00:09:37.899 --> 00:09:47.299 He has given us a wide-ranging discussion of what God has done in calling us to be His own and working in us for His glory. 00:09:48.139 --> 00:09:56.959 And as we stop and think together on this subject, let me kind of touch on a couple of the different things that we find in the early chapters of Ephesians. 00:09:57.059 --> 00:10:05.139 For one, it tells us in Ephesians chapter 1, verse 3, it says that we have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus. 00:10:05.139 --> 00:10:11.240 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings. 00:10:12.220 --> 00:10:16.419 Then over in 1.6, it says that we are accepted in the beloved. 00:10:16.580 --> 00:10:18.120 I love that passage. 00:10:18.500 --> 00:10:26.480 And if you're thinking about another passage to memorize out of the book of Ephesians, I would have 1.3 right on the very cusp and first. 00:10:26.779 --> 00:10:31.519 But right after that, I would have Ephesians 1.6 where it says we have been accepted in the beloved. 00:10:31.519 --> 00:10:37.539 It goes on and in verse 7 of chapter 1, it says that we have been forgiven of all of our sins. 00:10:37.960 --> 00:10:41.860 It tells us in chapter 2 that we've been made alive in Christ. 00:10:42.319 --> 00:10:50.740 It says later in chapter 2 that we have been brought near and we've been made fellow citizens and saints and members of the household of God. 00:10:51.139 --> 00:10:58.679 It tells us then in chapter 2, verse 22, that we are made into the habitation of the Spirit of God. 00:10:58.679 --> 00:11:07.239 On top of that, as it kind of comes towards its absolute climax of that doctrinal presentation that we find in chapter 1 through 3. 00:11:07.439 --> 00:11:10.099 In chapter 3, verse 21, it says this, 00:11:10.519 --> 00:11:13.219 Unto Him be glory in the church. 00:11:13.759 --> 00:11:18.299 In the last several weeks, Judith and I have been going to various open houses. 00:11:19.279 --> 00:11:21.579 And she writes the check. 00:11:21.699 --> 00:11:22.539 I don't write checks. 00:11:22.620 --> 00:11:23.419 It would be a bad thing. 00:11:23.799 --> 00:11:25.079 Bank wouldn't see what they were. 00:11:25.080 --> 00:11:28.740 So, she writes the checks, but I always sign the cards. 00:11:29.639 --> 00:11:31.840 And at the bottom of the card, it's always, guess what? 00:11:31.920 --> 00:11:33.720 I put Ephesians chapter 3, verse 21, 00:11:34.080 --> 00:11:35.740 Unto Him be glory in the church. 00:11:35.840 --> 00:11:38.920 It's a passage that resonates with my heart. 00:11:39.000 --> 00:11:46.639 It's an expression of my view of what my existence and all of our existences together really boils down to, glory of Christ. 00:11:46.639 --> 00:11:56.639 And so, here in the flow of Ephesians chapter 1 through 3, we see this building sense of the glory of God in salvation. 00:11:57.419 --> 00:12:00.939 And it is important for us to kind of have that broad view in mind. 00:12:02.199 --> 00:12:08.019 We then come to chapter 4, and I want you to recognize that Paul makes a turn. 00:12:08.199 --> 00:12:09.159 He uses the phrase, 00:12:09.159 --> 00:12:10.799 I therefore. 00:12:11.879 --> 00:12:16.899 And you've heard it said many, many times that therefore is a word that is there for a reason. 00:12:17.000 --> 00:12:18.059 It tells us something. 00:12:18.719 --> 00:12:25.939 And as we look at that little word, there are several things that I want you to recognize Paul is referencing here that we need to pay attention to. 00:12:25.939 --> 00:12:29.279 For one, Christian behavior, and that's what we're going to be studying, 00:12:29.839 --> 00:12:35.459 is understood as the outflow of God's power to save and change sinners. 00:12:35.460 --> 00:12:44.160 Christian behavior is seen as the outflow of God's power and His ability to change sinners. 00:12:44.600 --> 00:12:53.000 Furthermore, we understand that Christian living is as expected and as reasonable in a genuine Christian 00:12:53.000 --> 00:12:57.720 as walking or seeing is for someone who's no longer lame or blind. 00:12:58.320 --> 00:12:59.740 It's reasonable for you. 00:12:59.740 --> 00:13:07.600 It's reasonable for me as a believer to behave in a fashion that displays the evidence and the power of grace. 00:13:08.320 --> 00:13:16.379 And that is a reason why every lesson on godly living begins with a careful explanation of God's character 00:13:16.379 --> 00:13:29.039 and what He has done in saving us and changing us so that the matter of our behavior is not seen as something we engage in 00:13:29.039 --> 00:13:30.840 in order to earn our salvation, 00:13:30.840 --> 00:13:38.019 but it's really seen as a way of showing His ability to save and the power that He has available in our lives. 00:13:38.580 --> 00:13:43.919 I just want you to imagine just for a moment that you were born with a very severe speech impediment. 00:13:43.919 --> 00:13:51.319 In addition to that, you had a horrible physical deformity that caused everyone who looked at you 00:13:51.319 --> 00:13:54.519 to kind of look away and then take another glance and look away again. 00:13:54.699 --> 00:13:58.299 And there was this horrible deformity and speech impediment, 00:13:58.419 --> 00:14:04.559 both which were tremendously embarrassing and tremendously compromising to the life that you lived. 00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:09.399 I want you to imagine that a wonderful surgeon suddenly arrived on the scene and said, 00:14:09.399 --> 00:14:14.059 I can take care of that. And you went ahead and trusted him. And in one surgery, 00:14:14.299 --> 00:14:19.679 he was able to return to you absolutely normal speech. He transformed your physical appearance 00:14:19.679 --> 00:14:25.299 so that people looked at you and said, man, you are an attractive case of human existence. 00:14:25.519 --> 00:14:31.860 It's nice to look at you. And I want you to imagine after this wonderful healing that you had received, 00:14:32.179 --> 00:14:36.319 the doctor came to you and said, hey, would you mind walking out in the waiting room? 00:14:36.320 --> 00:14:40.500 I have a whole lot of broken, unhappy, discouraged people who are sitting out there. 00:14:40.640 --> 00:14:44.580 I want you to walk out there and just let them know I can take care of them. 00:14:45.740 --> 00:14:50.180 Now, should the doctor ask you that, do you think you'd say, well, I don't feel up to it today? 00:14:50.960 --> 00:14:54.940 No. Yeah, sure. I'd love to do it. 00:14:57.060 --> 00:15:03.400 I've lived long enough to see a lot of different fads come and go and different health aids and benefits, etc. 00:15:03.399 --> 00:15:07.159 And one of the things I notice is that right now there's a lot of interest in certain, 00:15:07.659 --> 00:15:15.519 I would use the word oils that you can put on your body that would, you know, kind of transform your life in moments, right? 00:15:15.639 --> 00:15:21.319 And one of the things that I notice goes along with all these essential things is that people who are enjoying their benefits, 00:15:21.759 --> 00:15:25.459 they don't have to be prodded and prompted to talk about them. Do you follow what I'm saying? 00:15:25.460 --> 00:15:28.680 I mean, it's, hey, do they work? Yeah. 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:35.019 How do you know they work? Well, I went to sleep because I rubbed this on my left earlobe or whatever else, you know? 00:15:37.220 --> 00:15:42.519 Now, just in case you're wondering, I am a participant, okay? 00:15:42.519 --> 00:15:48.439 Thanks to my wife. She's never seen any one of these things that she didn't think I needed. 00:15:48.659 --> 00:15:54.620 And so, if I go to sleep right now, it's because she's anointed me. 00:15:55.279 --> 00:16:00.139 But here's my point. 00:16:02.120 --> 00:16:04.360 If it's working, we talk about it. Am I right? 00:16:05.159 --> 00:16:06.639 If it's working, we talk about it. 00:16:06.639 --> 00:16:13.819 And behind the working of the grace of God is the power of God. 00:16:15.159 --> 00:16:22.340 And as we think about the issue of what we are going to be studying in Ephesians chapter 4 on through 6, 00:16:22.340 --> 00:16:31.539 what we're really looking at is what does a believer do to display or evidence his conversion? 00:16:31.539 --> 00:16:37.959 And I want you to recognize that what a believer does that evidences or shows his conversion 00:16:37.959 --> 00:16:43.779 is really just shows what the power of God does in his life. 00:16:44.379 --> 00:16:46.719 I want you to turn just for a moment to another passage. 00:16:46.839 --> 00:16:50.620 Keep your finger there in Ephesians because we will come back to it very soon. 00:16:50.860 --> 00:16:53.120 But I want you to go back to John chapter 5. 00:16:53.459 --> 00:16:57.659 In John chapter 5, we find a little incident. 00:16:57.659 --> 00:17:04.099 By the way, I'm trusting that when I do get to the book of John, you've forgotten that I used this passage. 00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:05.839 John chapter 5. 00:17:08.539 --> 00:17:12.220 Jesus shows up at the sheep gate and he heals somebody. 00:17:13.619 --> 00:17:17.599 You'll remember that this man had been there, an invalid, for 38 years. 00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:23.399 And we find that Jesus gives him a commandment. 00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:24.599 You look there in the chapter. 00:17:24.599 --> 00:17:29.219 In verse 8, Jesus said to him, get up, take up your bed, and walk. 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:30.759 And what does he do? 00:17:31.959 --> 00:17:33.599 He does exactly that. 00:17:34.899 --> 00:17:42.539 And John chapter 5 verse 8 is nothing more than a practical instruction following his healing. 00:17:43.199 --> 00:17:48.079 Jesus' command did not precede the healing but came after it. 00:17:48.079 --> 00:17:55.899 And the man's obedience was nothing more than the logical outflow of what Christ had done in saving him. 00:17:55.939 --> 00:17:56.980 I want you to follow that. 00:17:57.519 --> 00:18:00.419 Jesus healed the man, and then he gave him practical instruction. 00:18:00.679 --> 00:18:01.519 Now do something. 00:18:01.740 --> 00:18:02.139 Go ahead. 00:18:02.299 --> 00:18:02.639 Get up. 00:18:02.960 --> 00:18:03.579 Pick up your bed. 00:18:03.859 --> 00:18:04.480 Get out of here. 00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:06.899 Why was he at that place? 00:18:07.119 --> 00:18:08.939 Previously, it was to be healed. 00:18:09.119 --> 00:18:10.740 He no longer needed to be there. 00:18:10.960 --> 00:18:12.460 And Jesus said, it's time to leave. 00:18:12.619 --> 00:18:12.859 Get. 00:18:13.079 --> 00:18:13.419 Go. 00:18:13.420 --> 00:18:13.460 Go. 00:18:15.620 --> 00:18:24.980 So I want you to understand this morning that our instruction to walk worthy of our calling is not a call to superhuman behavior, 00:18:25.860 --> 00:18:30.300 but the practical consequence of conversion and grace. 00:18:30.380 --> 00:18:31.539 I want you to fix that in your mind. 00:18:32.320 --> 00:18:36.880 Our instruction to walk worthy, and that's what we're going to be looking at in the remaining chapters, 00:18:36.880 --> 00:18:45.800 is simply a call to the practical behavior that demonstrates the power of his salvation in our life. 00:18:46.080 --> 00:18:50.140 Well, let's take a little more careful look at chapter 4, verse 1, 00:18:50.380 --> 00:18:53.860 and mark the apostolic encouragement that we find here. 00:18:54.880 --> 00:19:00.120 Mark, first of all, that we have a very personal appeal that is given by the apostle. 00:19:00.260 --> 00:19:00.500 He says, 00:19:00.500 --> 00:19:03.960 I, therefore, a prisoner of the Lord. 00:19:03.960 --> 00:19:11.319 Paul opens his encouragement on the way that a believer is to walk by referring to himself as a prisoner. 00:19:12.079 --> 00:19:16.220 Now, if I were to ask you this morning, were there other ways that Paul referred to himself? 00:19:16.400 --> 00:19:17.920 You'd probably say, yes, absolutely. 00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:20.940 He talked of himself as being the least of the apostles. 00:19:21.500 --> 00:19:24.100 He talked of himself as being chief among sinners. 00:19:24.620 --> 00:19:27.880 He talked of himself as being a servant of the Lord Jesus. 00:19:28.240 --> 00:19:30.240 He talked about himself as being a deacon. 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:35.779 He used a number of different titles, but in this case, when he uses the word prisoner, 00:19:36.019 --> 00:19:40.779 he is saying something very interesting about his relationship with the Lord. 00:19:42.259 --> 00:19:50.900 The word prisoner, actually, in a more careful translation, would be the idea of someone who is bound or is chained. 00:19:50.900 --> 00:19:57.140 And the idea is that he was actually linked together and inseparably connected to the Lord, 00:19:57.340 --> 00:20:00.740 and he was under the Lord's dominion, under the Lord's control. 00:20:01.320 --> 00:20:05.880 A prisoner in those days was someone who wasn't just put in a holding cell for the most part. 00:20:06.200 --> 00:20:07.880 They were also chained into that place. 00:20:07.960 --> 00:20:10.320 Remember Paul and Silas when they were in jail. 00:20:10.680 --> 00:20:12.900 What along with being in jail did they endure? 00:20:13.040 --> 00:20:13.920 They were in chains. 00:20:13.920 --> 00:20:21.180 Many times individuals were chained up, and being a prisoner was so synonymously connected with this being linked and chained 00:20:21.180 --> 00:20:23.800 that often the word kind of connected together. 00:20:23.960 --> 00:20:27.080 And so here it says, I am a prisoner of the Lord. 00:20:28.120 --> 00:20:37.140 The idea that we find of this is that he was controlled a certain amount of length or distance that he could travel, 00:20:37.200 --> 00:20:41.759 and no further because of the rope that he had or the chain that he had. 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:48.319 I want you to turn to another passage to help you understand the same idea playing out in your life in particular. 00:20:48.740 --> 00:20:50.920 Turn over to 2 Corinthians chapter 5. 00:20:51.740 --> 00:20:53.460 2 Corinthians chapter 5. 00:20:56.879 --> 00:20:58.200 Verse 14. 00:21:02.319 --> 00:21:03.359 It says this, 00:21:03.400 --> 00:21:05.539 For the love of Christ, what's the next word? 00:21:07.200 --> 00:21:09.059 Constrains or controls. 00:21:09.059 --> 00:21:11.059 It says, 00:21:11.059 --> 00:21:17.819 For the love of Christ controls us because we have concluded this, that one has died for all, therefore all have died. 00:21:18.879 --> 00:21:28.039 And he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves, but for him who for their sakes died and was raised. 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:30.579 What's the idea that the Scripture communicates here? 00:21:30.579 --> 00:21:40.460 Paul is saying that the love of Christ sets a boundary or limits what I do and who I am, where I go, what I'm involved in. 00:21:40.819 --> 00:21:43.139 I no longer belong to myself. 00:21:43.579 --> 00:21:48.819 I am formally obligated in this relationship with Christ, and I am bound to Him. 00:21:50.259 --> 00:21:52.960 Paul refers to himself elsewhere as being a slave. 00:21:52.960 --> 00:22:02.039 He says that he is Christ's slave, and the idea there is that he does not have his own will or purposes to discharge. 00:22:02.460 --> 00:22:06.279 He's really actively engaged in doing the things that Christ wants him to do. 00:22:06.279 --> 00:22:12.539 And he recognizes at the very beginning, listen, I want you to know that when I talk to you about Christian behavior, 00:22:12.539 --> 00:22:24.899 I am not speaking to you in a voice of command, but I'm speaking to you as one who is under this formal obligation to Christ as a result of all that he has done. 00:22:25.240 --> 00:22:32.240 And the word, therefore, brings it all together and heaps it up and helps us understand why do we behave the way we are? 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:36.940 It's not because we earn our way into heaven by doing these things. 00:22:37.059 --> 00:22:39.680 It is because of what he has done. 00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:48.539 I wonder as you think about what Paul says about himself here, I wonder, do you ever think about yourself as being a slave or his prisoner? 00:22:49.539 --> 00:22:55.380 When you wake up Monday morning and you think about going to work, I wonder whether or not you think, 00:22:55.480 --> 00:22:57.680 oh, man, I've got to go to work this morning. 00:22:57.960 --> 00:22:59.440 I know it's what's obligated. 00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:01.900 I've got to make that house payment or I've got to pay the car off. 00:23:01.900 --> 00:23:03.620 I've got to see that my family's fed. 00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:09.500 Or do you wake up in the morning and say, hey, today's the day that belongs to Jesus and I am going off to serve him. 00:23:09.700 --> 00:23:14.519 I am his slave and I am interested in making him look good. 00:23:15.940 --> 00:23:24.280 Paul says, writing to the believers there in Ephesus, he says, listen, I am making an appeal to you 00:23:24.280 --> 00:23:31.519 and I myself am a slave bound, fettered to Jesus Christ. 00:23:31.900 --> 00:23:36.880 I want you to think with me as well of another passage in relationship to this issue. 00:23:37.360 --> 00:23:38.380 Turn back in your Bible. 00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:39.259 You're in 2 Corinthians. 00:23:39.380 --> 00:23:41.100 Let's go back to chapter 6, verse 20. 00:23:42.040 --> 00:23:44.100 1 Corinthians 6, verse 20. 00:23:44.099 --> 00:23:50.579 It says, so you were bought with a price. 00:23:52.219 --> 00:23:55.219 So glorify God in your body. 00:23:56.359 --> 00:23:59.919 You have been purchased with a price. 00:24:00.199 --> 00:24:03.259 What did it cost Christ to secure your freedom? 00:24:03.379 --> 00:24:04.079 What did it cost? 00:24:04.699 --> 00:24:05.980 It cost his own blood. 00:24:05.980 --> 00:24:08.900 He died in your place. 00:24:09.019 --> 00:24:12.940 He died to deliver you from the curse and bondage of sin. 00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:19.559 And he delivered you from the slavery that you at one time were under to Satan. 00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:24.839 But he now owns you and he is your master and your Lord. 00:24:25.920 --> 00:24:32.819 I want you to recognize that in this passage what Paul is really talking about or the context is talking about the matter of purity. 00:24:32.819 --> 00:24:38.519 He's talking about immoral behavior and he says, hey, listen, you have no business being involved in immorality. 00:24:38.659 --> 00:24:38.899 Why? 00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:42.279 Because Christ purchased you with his own blood. 00:24:43.000 --> 00:24:48.119 And if it makes sense that we owe this obligation to him in the area of moral purity, 00:24:48.299 --> 00:24:53.819 I want to assure you that we owe this obligation to him in every other aspect of our life. 00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:56.639 So the practical question is this. 00:24:56.640 --> 00:25:04.640 Do other people that see you on a daily basis connect your behavior and your attitude to your relationship to Christ? 00:25:05.560 --> 00:25:13.620 As they watch you go through your day, as they watch you respond to the pressures and disappointments that you're enduring. 00:25:14.360 --> 00:25:23.640 It was interesting in our Sunday school hour, I was asking different individuals to explain how their relationship with Christ has an effect on the way they live 00:25:23.640 --> 00:25:26.060 and what happens in work situations around them. 00:25:26.860 --> 00:25:30.340 One individual commented on the fact that in his work environment, 00:25:30.860 --> 00:25:35.800 most everybody thinks that everybody else is guilty for underperforming and not doing their job. 00:25:36.680 --> 00:25:41.500 And I thought to myself, wow, that must be a common affliction. 00:25:42.420 --> 00:25:45.000 I remember years ago working at International Harvester, 00:25:45.380 --> 00:25:49.520 and every department thought that they were the only place that was doing anything reasonable. 00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:54.900 In fact, if you really got down to it, it was just a small group of people, 00:25:55.240 --> 00:26:00.160 us four no more, that were of the idea that the whole company rested on our behavior. 00:26:00.700 --> 00:26:01.000 No. 00:26:02.460 --> 00:26:07.240 Everybody had the attitude that, well, other people are underperforming and they're not doing their job and everything. 00:26:07.660 --> 00:26:13.639 And the individual spoke of working in that kind of environment and having the responsibility of not being overwhelmed by it 00:26:13.639 --> 00:26:16.920 and being a light and an example in that environment. 00:26:16.920 --> 00:26:25.000 So when other people see you Monday morning, are they going to say, wow, why are you a joyful person? 00:26:25.580 --> 00:26:32.140 Why are you someone who speaks positively to other people when most everybody else has something negative to say? 00:26:32.860 --> 00:26:38.340 Why are you a person who is thankful that you have work rather than complaining about it? 00:26:38.339 --> 00:26:49.059 Well, the reason that those things characterize me, characterize you, is because you and I belong to Christ and we are bound to Him by His grace. 00:26:50.339 --> 00:26:57.259 I want you to go back, if you will, now to Ephesians chapter 4 and pick up on a second little point that we want to recognize in the text. 00:26:57.379 --> 00:26:59.000 Ephesians chapter 4, it says, listen. 00:26:59.000 --> 00:27:10.700 He says, I urge you, and in that statement, urge or I appeal to you, He is making a gentle appeal rather than a sharp command. 00:27:11.660 --> 00:27:21.619 The idea behind that word urge is a word that communicates the idea of coming alongside of another person and encouraging that individual 00:27:21.619 --> 00:27:26.399 or actually making a bold exhortation. 00:27:26.979 --> 00:27:35.799 It was a word that was often used by commanders when they were giving their little last-minute speech to their warriors before they would go into battle. 00:27:37.139 --> 00:27:50.099 If you watched the NCAA playoffs, the last game or so, remember when the camera went into the locker room and you got to hear the coach giving his little speech? 00:27:50.099 --> 00:27:57.099 And those exhortations are the kind of thing that this word that Paul had in mind communicates. 00:27:57.839 --> 00:28:03.980 The idea of coming alongside and saying, hey, listen, we need to go for broke out there, and don't hold back, really push, do your job. 00:28:05.319 --> 00:28:07.980 I think about Eric Liddell. 00:28:08.079 --> 00:28:12.319 How many of you know Eric Liddell, the one who won 1924 Olympics in 400? 00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:17.240 And as he was getting ready to go back to China to be a missionary, 00:28:17.240 --> 00:28:20.140 and he had had a tremendous impact. 00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:25.740 He could have served in any place in England and served with distinction, 00:28:25.880 --> 00:28:28.720 and yet he chose to go back to be a missionary in China. 00:28:28.980 --> 00:28:32.799 And when people gathered to see him off, he took advantage of that. 00:28:33.079 --> 00:28:37.000 He stepped outside, and he gave them an exhortation to serve Christ. 00:28:38.079 --> 00:28:39.319 Do you know how Eric Liddell died? 00:28:39.319 --> 00:28:51.740 He died in a prisoner of war camp in 1944 in China as a captive of the Japanese occupational force in China. 00:28:52.519 --> 00:29:00.980 And his imprisonment was of such international significance that Winston Churchill himself personally pled 00:29:00.980 --> 00:29:05.460 for Eric Liddell's deliverance from prison where he was suffering. 00:29:05.460 --> 00:29:13.920 When the command came through the emperor and the Japanese army to get Eric Liddell out of prison, 00:29:14.319 --> 00:29:15.380 he turned and said, 00:29:15.840 --> 00:29:19.539 there is a young pregnant lady that I want to go in my place. 00:29:19.860 --> 00:29:21.420 Take her instead of me. 00:29:23.299 --> 00:29:27.240 His heart for service, his heart to honor Christ, 00:29:27.240 --> 00:29:35.079 was always wrapped up in a gentle encouragement, instruction to others to serve Christ alongside with him, 00:29:35.279 --> 00:29:38.220 and to do so because of what Christ had done for him. 00:29:39.059 --> 00:29:43.400 And so as you sit here today and listen to the teaching of the Word of God 00:29:43.400 --> 00:29:46.779 and think of all that God has done in saving you, 00:29:47.039 --> 00:29:49.660 do you hear what Paul says when he says, 00:29:49.660 --> 00:29:53.500 I beseech you as a prisoner of the Lord, 00:29:54.019 --> 00:30:00.060 I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you've been called. 00:30:01.220 --> 00:30:04.519 Third thing that I want you to recognize here is that Paul, as he speaks, 00:30:05.019 --> 00:30:09.820 he makes a principled appeal for living up to our calling. 00:30:10.779 --> 00:30:11.940 Salvation is a calling, 00:30:12.540 --> 00:30:17.560 and that's one of the things that we've seen as we've worked our way through the book of Ephesians, 00:30:17.559 --> 00:30:19.019 chapter 1, 2, and 3. 00:30:19.220 --> 00:30:23.179 We recognize that salvation was not something that we just arbitrarily, 00:30:23.460 --> 00:30:25.179 one morning kind of woke up and thought, 00:30:25.259 --> 00:30:28.639 you know, gee, I think I'm going to be a Christian today. 00:30:29.519 --> 00:30:35.440 The fact of the matter is the Scripture makes it clear that we were dead in our trespasses and sin, 00:30:35.659 --> 00:30:37.419 and because of the grace of God, 00:30:37.720 --> 00:30:41.539 he brought us to sense the hopelessness of our predicament, 00:30:41.539 --> 00:30:46.740 and he led us to realize that we stood convicted before a holy God, 00:30:46.740 --> 00:30:49.660 and we were called by his grace to trust in him. 00:30:49.960 --> 00:30:51.359 We responded in faith. 00:30:52.380 --> 00:30:53.599 We believed on his name. 00:30:54.640 --> 00:30:55.920 And following that, 00:30:57.200 --> 00:30:58.900 Christ comes to us and says, 00:30:59.039 --> 00:31:00.940 listen, I want you to serve me. 00:31:01.160 --> 00:31:03.279 I want you to live your life for me. 00:31:03.579 --> 00:31:06.279 I want you to honor me. 00:31:07.460 --> 00:31:11.140 And so I want you to recognize that salvation is also a calling or appointment 00:31:11.140 --> 00:31:13.140 to live a life that is worthy. 00:31:13.140 --> 00:31:17.400 Listen to what we read in a couple different companion passages about this business 00:31:17.400 --> 00:31:19.740 of living a life that is worthy of our calling. 00:31:20.500 --> 00:31:23.820 Turn forward a little bit to Colossians chapter 1, verse 10. 00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:25.500 Colossians 1, verse 10. 00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:34.120 Paul, in verse 1, introduced himself as the apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, 00:31:34.119 --> 00:31:35.019 and then in verse 10 he says, 00:31:35.399 --> 00:31:38.979 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, 00:31:39.679 --> 00:31:40.899 fully pleasing to him, 00:31:41.359 --> 00:31:43.439 bearing fruit in every good work, 00:31:43.679 --> 00:31:45.439 and increasing in the knowledge of God. 00:31:45.479 --> 00:31:46.879 Now let's think about that carefully. 00:31:48.079 --> 00:31:50.139 If you are his child, 00:31:51.579 --> 00:31:53.139 you have been called, 00:31:53.979 --> 00:31:57.159 appointed for a particular duty. 00:31:57.959 --> 00:31:59.019 And look at what it says. 00:31:59.019 --> 00:32:03.759 You're to walk worthy in a manner worthy of the Lord. 00:32:03.799 --> 00:32:04.359 What's that saying? 00:32:04.420 --> 00:32:06.180 It's saying that my behavior, 00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:08.900 whether it is in the office or at work 00:32:08.900 --> 00:32:11.859 or when you're involved in intramural sports 00:32:11.859 --> 00:32:15.779 or your kids are playing in rec league or whatever else, 00:32:16.079 --> 00:32:18.000 the way in which you conduct yourself 00:32:18.000 --> 00:32:21.779 is in a manner that brings credit and honor to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:32:21.980 --> 00:32:24.180 You ought to be able to walk around with the title, 00:32:24.500 --> 00:32:27.039 Christian, watch me, on your chest. 00:32:27.039 --> 00:32:29.099 Now am I suggesting you do that? 00:32:29.980 --> 00:32:30.500 No. 00:32:31.139 --> 00:32:32.759 But how many of you realize 00:32:32.759 --> 00:32:34.399 everybody knows by now 00:32:34.399 --> 00:32:36.259 whether you're a professing believer or not? 00:32:36.319 --> 00:32:37.059 Would you agree with that? 00:32:37.639 --> 00:32:39.599 By the way, if they don't, 00:32:40.740 --> 00:32:42.200 if they don't, 00:32:42.859 --> 00:32:45.619 there's something seriously wrong with your walk. 00:32:46.899 --> 00:32:49.319 People should have figured out by now 00:32:49.319 --> 00:32:51.000 that you are a believer. 00:32:51.799 --> 00:32:52.879 Here's a couple of giveaways. 00:32:53.480 --> 00:32:55.000 When a dirty joke goes off, 00:32:55.000 --> 00:32:57.740 does everybody pay attention to who's laughing 00:32:57.740 --> 00:32:58.539 and who's not laughing, 00:32:58.579 --> 00:32:59.279 and what's the answer? 00:32:59.660 --> 00:33:00.039 Oh, yeah. 00:33:01.440 --> 00:33:04.759 When someone is being highly sarcastic and critical about the boss 00:33:04.759 --> 00:33:06.019 and you don't join in, 00:33:06.059 --> 00:33:06.940 does everybody else know? 00:33:07.039 --> 00:33:07.380 Yes. 00:33:08.440 --> 00:33:09.720 When people are grumbling, 00:33:09.980 --> 00:33:11.119 which is a normal sport, 00:33:11.279 --> 00:33:12.440 and you're not participating, 00:33:12.599 --> 00:33:13.019 people wonder, 00:33:13.160 --> 00:33:14.200 what's the deal with you? 00:33:15.220 --> 00:33:17.079 People know whether or not 00:33:17.079 --> 00:33:18.779 we are a Christian. 00:33:18.779 --> 00:33:20.460 And I want you to recognize 00:33:20.460 --> 00:33:21.599 that our calling, 00:33:21.720 --> 00:33:22.480 as it says here, 00:33:22.619 --> 00:33:24.879 is to walk worthy of a manner 00:33:24.879 --> 00:33:26.119 that is pleasing to the Lord. 00:33:26.539 --> 00:33:27.799 Let's look at another passage, 00:33:27.940 --> 00:33:28.259 if you will. 00:33:28.339 --> 00:33:30.119 Go to 1 Thessalonians 2, 00:33:30.799 --> 00:33:34.899 verse 12. 00:33:35.019 --> 00:33:36.819 1 Thessalonians 2, verse 12. 00:33:37.359 --> 00:33:38.319 We exhort 00:33:38.319 --> 00:33:40.639 each one of you 00:33:40.639 --> 00:33:41.799 and encouraged you 00:33:41.799 --> 00:33:42.799 and charge you 00:33:42.799 --> 00:33:44.519 to walk in a manner worthy of God, 00:33:44.980 --> 00:33:46.940 who calls you into His kingdom and glory. 00:33:46.940 --> 00:33:49.759 You are to walk in a manner worthy of God. 00:33:49.799 --> 00:33:50.460 Now, what's that saying? 00:33:51.140 --> 00:33:54.360 It's saying that the way in which I conduct my life 00:33:54.360 --> 00:33:56.980 is to be an example 00:33:56.980 --> 00:33:58.960 and a testimony to Christ. 00:34:00.200 --> 00:34:02.880 A very interesting situation came about not too long ago. 00:34:02.960 --> 00:34:04.160 I was in a situation 00:34:04.160 --> 00:34:05.799 where I'd been invited by family, 00:34:06.080 --> 00:34:07.140 not anybody in this church. 00:34:07.220 --> 00:34:08.099 You'd never met the people. 00:34:08.740 --> 00:34:10.820 I was invited to go into a hospital room 00:34:10.820 --> 00:34:11.599 and share the gospel. 00:34:11.820 --> 00:34:13.200 I love those opportunities. 00:34:13.380 --> 00:34:13.940 They're wonderful. 00:34:14.980 --> 00:34:16.760 I came in and introduced myself 00:34:16.760 --> 00:34:17.400 as a pastor 00:34:17.400 --> 00:34:22.480 and I began having small conversation. 00:34:23.420 --> 00:34:24.700 Within about a minute or two 00:34:24.700 --> 00:34:25.500 of being in the room, 00:34:26.700 --> 00:34:28.260 several members of the family 00:34:28.260 --> 00:34:31.220 had let loose with a couple swear words. 00:34:31.680 --> 00:34:32.320 I mean, you know, 00:34:32.740 --> 00:34:33.620 we're just... 00:34:33.620 --> 00:34:34.800 It was their normal vocabulary. 00:34:35.200 --> 00:34:36.480 How many of you work in environments 00:34:36.480 --> 00:34:38.880 where people have a very colorful vocabulary? 00:34:39.300 --> 00:34:39.660 Follow me? 00:34:40.340 --> 00:34:41.300 Well, they were bringing 00:34:41.300 --> 00:34:42.760 their work environment vocabulary 00:34:42.760 --> 00:34:44.040 right into the hospital room 00:34:44.039 --> 00:34:45.239 and there I was, 00:34:45.579 --> 00:34:46.519 the pastor, 00:34:46.980 --> 00:34:48.000 in their presence 00:34:48.000 --> 00:34:50.820 and every time they said something off color, 00:34:50.920 --> 00:34:51.199 they'd say, 00:34:51.300 --> 00:34:51.840 Oh, I'm sorry. 00:34:52.500 --> 00:34:53.199 Oh, I'm sorry. 00:34:53.779 --> 00:34:54.380 Oh, I'm sorry. 00:34:54.559 --> 00:34:56.360 It went on for about three or four times 00:34:56.360 --> 00:34:56.779 and I said, 00:34:56.840 --> 00:34:57.300 Hey, listen. 00:34:57.300 --> 00:35:01.539 Listen, I appreciate your sensitivity. 00:35:02.500 --> 00:35:03.460 I really do. 00:35:04.019 --> 00:35:06.360 But my reason for coming in here 00:35:06.360 --> 00:35:07.720 was not to get after you 00:35:07.720 --> 00:35:10.280 about how you express yourself. 00:35:11.240 --> 00:35:13.140 I'm here because I want to talk about 00:35:13.140 --> 00:35:14.800 a wonderful relationship with the Lord Jesus. 00:35:14.900 --> 00:35:15.500 Does that make sense? 00:35:16.300 --> 00:35:17.600 You start at the beginning. 00:35:17.700 --> 00:35:18.780 You don't start at the end. 00:35:18.780 --> 00:35:21.580 And the point is 00:35:21.580 --> 00:35:24.460 is that people are sensitive 00:35:24.460 --> 00:35:26.760 and they pick up 00:35:26.760 --> 00:35:30.700 on how you are as a believer 00:35:30.700 --> 00:35:33.360 and they sense that 00:35:33.360 --> 00:35:34.080 and they pay attention. 00:35:34.640 --> 00:35:35.760 And so we are called, 00:35:35.840 --> 00:35:37.180 as it says here in this passage, 00:35:37.740 --> 00:35:38.960 that we're called to walk 00:35:38.960 --> 00:35:40.120 in a manner worthy of God. 00:35:40.180 --> 00:35:41.180 And if we are doing that, 00:35:41.380 --> 00:35:42.760 people pay attention and notice it. 00:35:43.519 --> 00:35:45.860 It does have an effect on their lives. 00:35:45.860 --> 00:35:48.420 So walking worthy really means 00:35:48.420 --> 00:35:49.599 making God look good. 00:35:50.480 --> 00:35:51.920 It means living a life 00:35:51.920 --> 00:35:52.700 where other people say, 00:35:52.840 --> 00:35:54.960 You know, that's the way to be 00:35:54.960 --> 00:35:56.320 and that's how I should be. 00:35:56.840 --> 00:35:58.420 It means also living a life 00:35:58.420 --> 00:35:59.960 that is marked by thankfulness 00:35:59.960 --> 00:36:03.140 and a spirit of joy 00:36:03.140 --> 00:36:04.519 and satisfaction with life. 00:36:04.780 --> 00:36:05.720 How many of you realize 00:36:05.720 --> 00:36:07.500 that most everybody that you're around, 00:36:07.840 --> 00:36:08.740 most of the time, 00:36:08.980 --> 00:36:10.599 is not all that happy with life? 00:36:10.660 --> 00:36:11.039 Agreed? 00:36:12.180 --> 00:36:12.400 Huh? 00:36:13.340 --> 00:36:15.019 And all you have to do 00:36:15.019 --> 00:36:16.340 is be reasonably happy 00:36:16.340 --> 00:36:19.500 and they are really curious 00:36:19.500 --> 00:36:20.800 about what's going on. 00:36:21.800 --> 00:36:23.579 Are you taking some new medicines? 00:36:24.659 --> 00:36:24.860 You know? 00:36:25.380 --> 00:36:26.300 No, no, no. 00:36:26.380 --> 00:36:27.119 I just... 00:36:27.119 --> 00:36:28.039 You know what? 00:36:28.139 --> 00:36:29.019 When the story ends, 00:36:29.079 --> 00:36:29.699 I'm going up. 00:36:30.440 --> 00:36:32.480 That is really unnerving to people. 00:36:34.719 --> 00:36:35.480 You're what? 00:36:35.820 --> 00:36:36.079 Yeah. 00:36:36.619 --> 00:36:37.840 When my story ends, 00:36:37.900 --> 00:36:38.539 I'm going up. 00:36:39.119 --> 00:36:40.159 They're all little... 00:36:40.159 --> 00:36:40.960 Hey, listen. 00:36:40.960 --> 00:36:43.500 Listen, I have the joy of my salvation 00:36:43.500 --> 00:36:45.539 and people should know about it. 00:36:46.519 --> 00:36:48.059 And here in this passage, 00:36:48.500 --> 00:36:48.980 Paul says, 00:36:49.139 --> 00:36:50.480 I plead with you, 00:36:50.639 --> 00:36:51.679 I urge you 00:36:51.679 --> 00:36:55.559 that you walk in a manner 00:36:55.559 --> 00:36:58.199 that is worthy of the high calling 00:36:58.199 --> 00:36:59.260 to which you've been called. 00:36:59.260 --> 00:37:01.920 So, as we work our way 00:37:01.920 --> 00:37:02.900 through the remainder 00:37:02.900 --> 00:37:04.300 of the chapters of Ephesians, 00:37:04.380 --> 00:37:05.280 I want you to understand 00:37:05.280 --> 00:37:07.440 that what we are going to be doing 00:37:07.440 --> 00:37:10.140 is we're going to be paying attention 00:37:10.140 --> 00:37:11.700 to the practical ways 00:37:11.700 --> 00:37:13.120 in which believers 00:37:13.120 --> 00:37:14.620 are to be different 00:37:14.620 --> 00:37:16.120 from unbelievers. 00:37:17.380 --> 00:37:18.640 I want you to recognize 00:37:18.640 --> 00:37:19.900 as you enjoy 00:37:19.900 --> 00:37:21.680 the practical counsel 00:37:21.680 --> 00:37:22.640 that we're going to find 00:37:22.640 --> 00:37:23.680 in the remaining chapters 00:37:23.680 --> 00:37:26.620 that we have these joys 00:37:26.620 --> 00:37:27.420 and these blessings 00:37:27.420 --> 00:37:28.340 of being different. 00:37:28.340 --> 00:37:29.380 First of all, 00:37:29.440 --> 00:37:30.440 because He has chosen us 00:37:30.440 --> 00:37:31.840 before the foundation of the world. 00:37:32.320 --> 00:37:33.539 Because He's forgiven us 00:37:33.539 --> 00:37:34.620 for all of our sins. 00:37:34.940 --> 00:37:36.380 Because He's accepted us 00:37:36.380 --> 00:37:36.980 in the Beloved. 00:37:37.320 --> 00:37:38.420 Because He has filled us 00:37:38.420 --> 00:37:39.600 with all spiritual blessings 00:37:39.600 --> 00:37:40.900 and given to us 00:37:40.900 --> 00:37:42.380 the power of the Spirit of God 00:37:42.380 --> 00:37:44.900 as it says in Philippians chapter 2 00:37:44.900 --> 00:37:46.600 that we would will 00:37:46.600 --> 00:37:48.220 and do His good pleasure. 00:37:49.100 --> 00:37:50.059 And so let me encourage you 00:37:50.059 --> 00:37:50.539 this morning 00:37:50.539 --> 00:37:51.700 as you look at this passage 00:37:51.700 --> 00:37:53.680 in Ephesians chapter 4. 00:37:53.780 --> 00:37:54.240 It says, listen, 00:37:54.620 --> 00:37:55.660 I beseech you, 00:37:55.740 --> 00:37:56.559 I urge you, 00:37:56.559 --> 00:37:58.279 a prisoner, 00:37:58.980 --> 00:38:00.000 I'm urging you 00:38:00.000 --> 00:38:01.239 to walk in a manner 00:38:01.239 --> 00:38:02.400 worthy of the calling 00:38:02.400 --> 00:38:03.440 to which you've been called. 00:38:04.519 --> 00:38:05.519 And I want you to walk 00:38:05.519 --> 00:38:06.420 out of here this morning 00:38:06.420 --> 00:38:07.019 saying, listen, 00:38:07.400 --> 00:38:08.860 I know Christ 00:38:08.860 --> 00:38:10.019 as my personal Savior. 00:38:10.500 --> 00:38:11.940 He has delivered me 00:38:11.940 --> 00:38:13.039 from the misery 00:38:13.039 --> 00:38:13.880 of my sin. 00:38:14.199 --> 00:38:14.980 He has given me 00:38:14.980 --> 00:38:16.000 complete forgiveness 00:38:16.000 --> 00:38:18.199 and His plea 00:38:18.199 --> 00:38:19.400 and His encouragement 00:38:19.400 --> 00:38:20.739 that I walk 00:38:20.739 --> 00:38:21.739 in a manner worthy 00:38:21.739 --> 00:38:24.099 is a righteous expectation 00:38:24.099 --> 00:38:25.779 and I humble myself 00:38:25.779 --> 00:38:26.119 and say, 00:38:26.279 --> 00:38:26.879 I need your help 00:38:26.879 --> 00:38:27.439 to do this. 00:38:27.779 --> 00:38:28.819 I want to be the man. 00:38:29.019 --> 00:38:30.039 I want to be the woman. 00:38:30.359 --> 00:38:31.739 I want to be the young person 00:38:31.739 --> 00:38:33.459 that you have called me to be. 00:38:34.439 --> 00:38:35.299 You've blessed me 00:38:35.299 --> 00:38:36.059 with salvation. 00:38:36.919 --> 00:38:38.500 You have taken away 00:38:38.500 --> 00:38:39.619 the shame 00:38:39.619 --> 00:38:40.679 and the stigma 00:38:40.679 --> 00:38:41.459 of my sin. 00:38:41.839 --> 00:38:43.119 You have given me life 00:38:43.119 --> 00:38:45.199 and my life belongs to you. 00:38:46.000 --> 00:38:47.119 I wonder this morning 00:38:47.119 --> 00:38:48.159 as you sit where you do, 00:38:48.159 --> 00:38:50.399 do you honestly think 00:38:50.399 --> 00:38:51.079 about yourself 00:38:51.079 --> 00:38:52.259 in the same terminology 00:38:52.259 --> 00:38:53.299 that Paul does? 00:38:54.619 --> 00:38:55.599 A slave? 00:38:57.099 --> 00:38:58.059 A prisoner? 00:38:59.379 --> 00:39:00.339 A servant? 00:39:01.619 --> 00:39:02.940 Can I tell you 00:39:02.940 --> 00:39:04.420 that if those terms 00:39:04.420 --> 00:39:06.059 are not just 00:39:06.059 --> 00:39:07.339 vocabulary words 00:39:07.339 --> 00:39:08.859 but they are 00:39:08.859 --> 00:39:10.319 governing 00:39:10.319 --> 00:39:12.179 and operating principles, 00:39:12.839 --> 00:39:14.879 it will make a difference 00:39:14.879 --> 00:39:16.199 on the life you live 00:39:16.199 --> 00:39:17.420 and the things you do. 00:39:19.099 --> 00:39:20.960 I have to tell you, 00:39:21.000 --> 00:39:21.699 I'm a little embarrassed 00:39:21.699 --> 00:39:23.440 to name them. 00:39:23.579 --> 00:39:24.279 I won't name them 00:39:24.279 --> 00:39:27.159 but I have been so blessed 00:39:27.159 --> 00:39:27.899 by watching 00:39:27.899 --> 00:39:29.579 our Sunday school teachers. 00:39:30.000 --> 00:39:30.579 I've been going 00:39:30.579 --> 00:39:31.639 to all the open houses, 00:39:31.739 --> 00:39:31.960 right? 00:39:32.839 --> 00:39:34.059 And I show up 00:39:34.059 --> 00:39:34.879 at these open houses 00:39:34.879 --> 00:39:36.480 and I see our Sunday school teachers 00:39:36.480 --> 00:39:38.359 who had these little boys 00:39:38.359 --> 00:39:39.519 and girls in their classes 00:39:39.519 --> 00:39:41.899 when they were 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 00:39:41.899 --> 00:39:43.599 and they are there 00:39:43.599 --> 00:39:44.899 at the open house 00:39:44.899 --> 00:39:46.059 just whooping it up 00:39:46.059 --> 00:39:47.940 and blessing those young people 00:39:47.940 --> 00:39:48.579 as they graduate 00:39:48.579 --> 00:39:49.300 from high school. 00:39:49.579 --> 00:39:50.380 And I tell you, 00:39:50.599 --> 00:39:52.000 that makes my hair 00:39:52.000 --> 00:39:52.700 stand on end 00:39:52.700 --> 00:39:54.059 when I see that kind of service. 00:39:54.139 --> 00:39:54.700 That's blessing. 00:39:56.519 --> 00:39:57.679 Why do they do that? 00:39:58.539 --> 00:40:00.480 It's because they see 00:40:00.480 --> 00:40:01.559 their lives 00:40:01.559 --> 00:40:03.880 as being marked 00:40:03.880 --> 00:40:05.619 by their salvation 00:40:05.619 --> 00:40:07.639 and they gladly refer 00:40:07.639 --> 00:40:08.460 to themselves. 00:40:08.460 --> 00:40:09.019 How? 00:40:09.819 --> 00:40:10.839 As a slave, 00:40:11.440 --> 00:40:12.719 as a servant, 00:40:13.639 --> 00:40:14.679 as a prisoner 00:40:14.679 --> 00:40:16.799 and their agenda 00:40:16.799 --> 00:40:17.880 and their lives 00:40:17.880 --> 00:40:18.579 are colored 00:40:18.579 --> 00:40:19.940 by their sacrifice. 00:40:21.079 --> 00:40:22.199 Is that what Christ 00:40:22.199 --> 00:40:23.059 wants all of us to be 00:40:23.059 --> 00:40:23.739 and what's the answer? 00:40:23.839 --> 00:40:24.159 Yes. 00:40:25.380 --> 00:40:26.480 So let me ask you 00:40:26.480 --> 00:40:27.400 practically speaking 00:40:27.400 --> 00:40:27.940 this morning, 00:40:28.480 --> 00:40:29.799 when you think about 00:40:29.799 --> 00:40:30.759 your ministry 00:40:30.760 --> 00:40:33.880 and how you're serving Christ, 00:40:35.020 --> 00:40:36.640 can you consciously say, 00:40:37.080 --> 00:40:37.860 I am doing that 00:40:37.860 --> 00:40:38.320 here, 00:40:38.560 --> 00:40:38.840 here, 00:40:39.020 --> 00:40:39.300 here, 00:40:39.440 --> 00:40:41.260 and these different areas 00:40:41.260 --> 00:40:42.380 where I'm doing that 00:40:42.380 --> 00:40:43.800 are just a reflection 00:40:43.800 --> 00:40:45.280 of what I know 00:40:45.280 --> 00:40:46.720 Christ has done for me 00:40:46.720 --> 00:40:48.180 and how I see that 00:40:48.180 --> 00:40:49.140 all playing out. 00:40:50.100 --> 00:40:51.700 Or are there vast voids 00:40:51.700 --> 00:40:52.820 and gaps in your life 00:40:52.820 --> 00:40:54.880 and you are distantly removed 00:40:54.880 --> 00:40:56.040 from serving Christ 00:40:56.039 --> 00:40:57.539 and yet you're walking around 00:40:57.539 --> 00:40:57.820 saying, 00:40:57.920 --> 00:40:58.219 oh yes, 00:40:58.320 --> 00:40:59.059 well I'm a prisoner, 00:40:59.380 --> 00:41:00.139 I'm a servant, 00:41:00.519 --> 00:41:02.139 I am one who is bound to Christ, 00:41:02.300 --> 00:41:04.579 but there's no practical illustration 00:41:04.579 --> 00:41:05.619 of how you're serving. 00:41:07.059 --> 00:41:08.420 Paul is going to spend 00:41:08.420 --> 00:41:09.139 three chapters 00:41:09.139 --> 00:41:10.460 walking us through that 00:41:10.460 --> 00:41:12.400 and I want to challenge you 00:41:12.400 --> 00:41:12.900 this morning, 00:41:13.420 --> 00:41:15.440 are you living 00:41:15.440 --> 00:41:16.880 in the light 00:41:16.880 --> 00:41:17.719 of what he has done 00:41:17.719 --> 00:41:18.480 in saving you? 00:41:19.119 --> 00:41:20.079 Let's close in prayer. 00:41:22.380 --> 00:41:23.420 Our gracious Father, 00:41:23.500 --> 00:41:23.920 this morning 00:41:23.920 --> 00:41:24.599 as we consider 00:41:24.599 --> 00:41:25.139 the blessing 00:41:25.139 --> 00:41:25.980 of your calling 00:41:25.980 --> 00:41:26.740 we recognize 00:41:26.740 --> 00:41:27.460 that salvation 00:41:27.460 --> 00:41:28.219 is of the Lord. 00:41:29.340 --> 00:41:30.000 You're the one 00:41:30.000 --> 00:41:31.019 who takes the blind 00:41:31.019 --> 00:41:31.980 and opens their eyes. 00:41:32.079 --> 00:41:32.599 You're the one 00:41:32.599 --> 00:41:34.559 who takes the deaf ear 00:41:34.559 --> 00:41:35.340 and opens it 00:41:35.340 --> 00:41:36.079 so they can hear 00:41:36.079 --> 00:41:36.579 the sweetness 00:41:36.579 --> 00:41:37.400 of the gospel. 00:41:38.719 --> 00:41:39.099 And Father, 00:41:39.199 --> 00:41:40.119 my prayer would be this, 00:41:40.179 --> 00:41:40.840 that if there are those 00:41:40.840 --> 00:41:41.340 here today 00:41:41.340 --> 00:41:42.480 that do not know Christ 00:41:42.480 --> 00:41:43.159 as their Savior, 00:41:43.320 --> 00:41:44.619 that even this morning 00:41:44.619 --> 00:41:45.260 as we sing 00:41:45.260 --> 00:41:46.280 this closing song, 00:41:46.619 --> 00:41:47.480 that you would touch 00:41:47.480 --> 00:41:47.980 their heart 00:41:47.980 --> 00:41:48.840 with a recognition 00:41:48.840 --> 00:41:50.280 that they stand 00:41:50.280 --> 00:41:50.960 condemned before 00:41:50.960 --> 00:41:51.760 a holy God, 00:41:52.740 --> 00:41:53.340 but that Christ 00:41:53.340 --> 00:41:54.199 came into the world 00:41:54.199 --> 00:41:55.039 to save sinners. 00:41:55.980 --> 00:41:57.719 And as the scriptures 00:41:57.719 --> 00:41:58.059 say, 00:41:58.159 --> 00:41:59.000 whosoever believes 00:41:59.000 --> 00:41:59.659 upon the Lord 00:41:59.659 --> 00:42:00.519 shall be saved. 00:42:01.340 --> 00:42:02.000 We pray also, 00:42:02.159 --> 00:42:02.260 Lord, 00:42:02.320 --> 00:42:03.440 for those who know Christ 00:42:03.440 --> 00:42:04.619 that their heart 00:42:04.619 --> 00:42:05.300 would be touched 00:42:05.300 --> 00:42:06.039 by the joy 00:42:06.039 --> 00:42:06.860 of their salvation 00:42:06.860 --> 00:42:08.539 and serving you 00:42:08.539 --> 00:42:09.980 would be a willing 00:42:09.980 --> 00:42:10.980 expression 00:42:10.980 --> 00:42:12.099 of their thanksgiving. 00:42:12.740 --> 00:42:13.480 We ask this 00:42:13.480 --> 00:42:14.920 in your precious name 00:42:14.920 --> 00:42:15.619 as we close. 00:42:15.780 --> 00:42:16.019 Amen. 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.460 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:46.440 Thank you.