📍(NOTES A)📍 Revivaltime Restoration Worship Center Tuesday Evening BIBLE STUDY SERIES: ✅📖 Book Of Ephesians Ch 4️⃣ WEEK 1️⃣4️⃣PART 1️⃣ 📍LIVING OUT THE NEW LIFESTYLE📍 ●INTRODUCTION● ●CHARACTERISTICS OF CHURCH UNITY● •Christian humility • How You Act.• •Bearing with one another inlove• •Patience • Preserving the unity of the Spirit• With Bishop Worrell Hylton December 17, 2024 LIVING OUT THE NEW LIFESTYLE Ephesians 4 INTRODUCTION ●In the previous chapters Paul tells us that the Spirit seals us and guarantees our inheritance until we acquire possession of it (1:13-14)●. Paul spent three whole chapters saying that the believers are seated with Christ in heavenly places. This is referred to as our positional relationship with Christ, He then tells the believers how they should now WALK. Paul begins chapter 4 by encouraging believers ●to deal with one another in humility and gentleness and patience in order to "maintain the unity".● ●What unity is Paul talking about?● In the previous chapter Paul explains that both Jews and Gentiles are fellow members of God’s household, as such we are united in one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God. This is the foundation of our unity. ●Paul therefore appeal to the believers to walk in a manner worthy of the gospel by relating to one another in ways that preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.● Paul lays out in detail the great purpose of God in the world, that "He might gather together in one all things in Christ" (1:10). In it he speaks of the abolition of the law, the enmity, the wall of separation between Jews and Gentiles, and the creation of "one new man from the two" (2:14-15). ●For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ [note: this is spiritual baptism, not water baptism] have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Gal 3:26-28)● After his great prayer and doxology in Ephesians 3:14-21, Paul stresses church unity. It is an appeal to live in a manner worthy of the gospel. What we believe should affect our daily life style. ■Motivation for the worthy walk■ Eph 4:1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called Our passage starts with 'therefore'. So what is this 'therefore', there for? ●He was chained to an elite Roman soldier because it was God’s will for him to be there.● He never says he is a prisoner of Nero, or the Roman government, or as the result of Jewish religious leaders’ persecution. He is "the prisoner of the Lord." That brings eternity into the picture. He lives above his circumstances. He is there because God had called him to be a missionary to the Gentiles. As a result of the imprisonment the gospel was reaching the elite in the Roman Empire (Phil. 1:12-14). With each rotation of guards a different soldier would have the experience of being chained to this little converted Jew. Paul then tells the believers to walk in a manner that is worthy of their calling and the position that the Lord has placed them in. What does a life that’s worthy of the call of God look like? ●The word “worthy” has the idea of weight balanced on a scale. The point of verse 1: “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.” “Worthy” refers to balancing scales.● ■Our position in Christ is on one side of the scale. ■Our practice as Christians is on the other side of the scale The idea is, on the one side is the glorious gospel of God’s grace towards us in Christ Jesus. On the other side, our godly conduct should match this high calling, especially in loving behavior that preserves the unity of the Spirit. Paul appeals to the believers to watch their behavior. "I . . . urge you to live worthily of the calling with which you have been called" (4:1 NET). Live like a child of God should live. Live in a manner and life style in which you are conformed to Christ. Put into daily practice your eternal position in Christ. You were dead in your sins and Christ has raised you from the dead and lives within you. Live out your calling as one in whom God dwells ■CHARACTERISTICS OF CHURCH UNITY■ Eph 4:2 With all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love There is no unity in the church without true humility. Arrogance and self-interests destroy any chances of unity. The first things mentioned concerning a walk worthy of your calling are the following attributes - 'humility, gentleness, patience, tolerance'. ●Christian humility● Christian humility is based on undeserved grace. Let’s face it; humility is not a worldly virtue. Paul appealed to the Philippians to "be of the same mind, having the same love, being united in spirit, and having one purpose. ●Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself.● ***Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of other as well. You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had . . ." (Philippians 2:2-5 NET). ●True humility comes through absolute dependence on Christ. The Christian life is not in our own strength, but the life of Christ lived in us. ●Walking worthy of your calling? ● “Calling” and “called” refers to the divine call to salvation.
📍(NOTES B)📍 Revivaltime Restoration Worship Center Tuesday Evening BIBLE STUDY SERIES: ✅📖 Book Of Ephesians Ch 4️⃣ WEEK 1️⃣4️⃣PART 1️⃣ 📍LIVING OUT THE NEW LIFESTYLE📍 ●INTRODUCTION● ●CHARACTERISTICS OF CHURCH UNITY● •Christian humility • How You Act.• •Bearing with one another inlove• •Patience • Preserving the unity of the Spirit• With Bishop Worrell Hylton December 17, 2024 ●How You Act. Verse 2 says: “With all humility.” “Humility” is lowliness of mind. It is the opposite of pride that thinks more highly of itself than it should. Philippians 2:8 says Christ “humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross.” To be like Christ is to live with all humility. Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than ourselves.” In addition to Christian humility, Paul says "gentleness" or "meekness" is another characteristic of unity. Gentleness” This "meek" or "gentle" person does not go off in extremes, is balanced, and under control. He has every instinct and every passion under the control of the Holy Spirit in meekness. Meekness is not weakness. It is strength under control. Matthew 11:29 says, “I am gentle and lowly in heart.” The Greek word describes a horse, medicine, or wind. A tame horse wins races and battles. A wild horse is dangerous. The proper dosage of medicine can heal disease or ease pain. An overdose can kill you. A soothing wind relieves and refreshes. Hurricane-force winds knock down your house. We are to live a life worthy of our calling by being humble, gentle and patient. ●Patience We must preserve church unity by being patient. If we practice tolerance with fellow believers we would cause less dissension, frustration and friction in the body. How You React. “with patience.” “Patience” is longsuffering. Patient people are not short-tempered, thin-skinned, or easily offended. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 says, “Be patient with them all.” It is most helpful to remind ourselves how patient God is with us (1 Pet. 3:20). God is extremely patient with us. "You are a God of forgiveness, merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and unfailing in your loyal love . . ." (Nehemiah 9:17b NET). God’s patience is long-suffering with us. It is an expression of his love. Thank God judgment did not come before he saved us. God is patient with us. His patience led to our salvation (1 Tim. 1:16). Exodus 34:6 says, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” Our responsibility is to preserve the unity in the church with all humility, gentleness, patience, and "bearing with one another in love." ●Bearing with one another in love You could express the same idea as "putting up with one another in love." The outworking of this attitude is seeking the highest good of the other person. It is the opposite of manipulating people to achieve our goals. Manipulation and under the table tricks never accomplish long lasting results. The negative baggage is never worth the good accomplished. No one likes to be around a manipulator. You always feel like you "have been had." You are left with a "dirty" "used" feeling. Unity is not the resultant behavior. ●A better way is found in Romans 12:14-21. The apostle Paul wrote, "Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil; consider what is good before all people. ● If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people. Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay," says the Lord. ●Rather, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing this you will be heaping burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" Verse 2 says, “Bearing with one another in love.” “Bearing” means to permit, endure, or suffer. ●Christian love is marked by fellowship, forgiveness, and forbearance●. ● Arrogance, pride, selfishness promotes contention, hostility and grieves the Holy Spirit. ●Contention among the brethren ought to be avoided like the aids virus. ●●Romans 15:1 says, “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failing of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”●● ●●Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” The apostle sums up these characteristics of unity saying make "every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph. 4:3 NET).●●
📍(NOTES A)📍
Revivaltime Restoration Worship Center
Tuesday Evening BIBLE STUDY
SERIES: ✅📖 Book Of Ephesians Ch 4️⃣
WEEK 1️⃣4️⃣PART 1️⃣
📍LIVING OUT THE NEW LIFESTYLE📍
●INTRODUCTION●
●CHARACTERISTICS OF CHURCH UNITY●
•Christian humility • How You Act.•
•Bearing with one another inlove•
•Patience • Preserving the unity of the Spirit•
With Bishop Worrell Hylton
December 17, 2024
LIVING OUT THE NEW LIFESTYLE
Ephesians 4
INTRODUCTION
●In the previous chapters Paul tells us that the Spirit seals us and guarantees our inheritance until we acquire possession of it (1:13-14)●.
Paul spent three whole chapters saying that the believers are seated with Christ in heavenly places. This is referred to as our positional relationship with Christ, He then tells the believers how they should now WALK.
Paul begins chapter 4 by encouraging believers ●to deal with one another in humility and gentleness and patience in order to "maintain the unity".●
●What unity is Paul talking about?●
In the previous chapter Paul explains that both Jews and Gentiles are fellow members of God’s household, as such we are united in one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God. This is the foundation of our unity.
●Paul therefore appeal to the believers to walk in a manner worthy of the gospel by relating to one another in ways that preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.● Paul lays out in detail the great purpose of God in the world, that "He might gather together in one all things in Christ" (1:10). In it he speaks of the abolition of the law, the enmity, the wall of separation between Jews and Gentiles, and the creation of "one new man from the two" (2:14-15).
●For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ [note: this is spiritual baptism, not water baptism] have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Gal 3:26-28)●
After his great prayer and doxology in Ephesians 3:14-21, Paul stresses church unity. It is an appeal to live in a manner worthy of the gospel. What we believe should affect our daily life style.
■Motivation for the worthy walk■
Eph 4:1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called
Our passage starts with 'therefore'. So what is this 'therefore', there for? ●He was chained to an elite Roman soldier because it was God’s will for him to be there.●
He never says he is a prisoner of Nero, or the Roman government, or as the result of Jewish religious leaders’ persecution. He is "the prisoner of the Lord." That brings eternity into the picture. He lives above his circumstances. He is there because God had called him to be a missionary to the Gentiles. As a result of the imprisonment the gospel was reaching the elite in the Roman Empire (Phil. 1:12-14). With each rotation of guards a different soldier would have the experience of being chained to this little converted Jew.
Paul then tells the believers to walk in a manner that is worthy of their calling and the position that the Lord has placed them in. What does a life that’s worthy of the call of God look like?
●The word “worthy” has the idea of weight balanced on a scale. The point of verse 1: “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.” “Worthy” refers to balancing scales.●
■Our position in Christ is on one side of the scale.
■Our practice as Christians is on the other side of the scale
The idea is, on the one side is the glorious gospel of God’s grace towards us in Christ Jesus. On the other side, our godly conduct should match this high calling, especially in loving behavior that preserves the unity of the Spirit.
Paul appeals to the believers to watch their behavior. "I . . . urge you to live worthily of the calling with which you have been called" (4:1 NET). Live like a child of God should live. Live in a manner and life style in which you are conformed to Christ. Put into daily practice your eternal position in Christ. You were dead in your sins and Christ has raised you from the dead and lives within you. Live out your calling as one in whom God dwells
■CHARACTERISTICS OF CHURCH UNITY■
Eph 4:2 With all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love
There is no unity in the church without true humility. Arrogance and self-interests destroy any chances of unity. The first things mentioned concerning a walk worthy of your calling are the following attributes - 'humility, gentleness, patience, tolerance'.
●Christian humility●
Christian humility is based on undeserved grace.
Let’s face it; humility is not a worldly virtue. Paul appealed to the Philippians to "be of the same mind, having the same love, being united in spirit, and having one purpose. ●Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself.●
***Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of other as well. You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had . . ." (Philippians 2:2-5 NET).
●True humility comes through absolute dependence on Christ. The Christian life is not in our own strength, but the life of Christ lived in us.
●Walking worthy of your calling? ●
“Calling” and “called” refers to the divine call to salvation.
📍(NOTES B)📍
Revivaltime Restoration Worship Center
Tuesday Evening BIBLE STUDY
SERIES: ✅📖 Book Of Ephesians Ch 4️⃣
WEEK 1️⃣4️⃣PART 1️⃣
📍LIVING OUT THE NEW LIFESTYLE📍
●INTRODUCTION●
●CHARACTERISTICS OF CHURCH UNITY●
•Christian humility • How You Act.•
•Bearing with one another inlove•
•Patience • Preserving the unity of the Spirit•
With Bishop Worrell Hylton
December 17, 2024
●How You Act.
Verse 2 says: “With all humility.” “Humility” is lowliness of mind. It is the opposite of pride that thinks more highly of itself than it should. Philippians 2:8 says Christ “humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross.” To be like Christ is to live with all humility. Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than ourselves.” In addition to Christian humility, Paul says "gentleness" or "meekness" is another characteristic of unity.
Gentleness” This "meek" or "gentle" person does not go off in extremes, is balanced, and under control. He has every instinct and every passion under the control of the Holy Spirit in meekness. Meekness is not weakness. It is strength under control. Matthew 11:29 says, “I am gentle and lowly in heart.” The Greek word describes a horse, medicine, or wind. A tame horse wins races and battles. A wild horse is dangerous. The proper dosage of medicine can heal disease or ease pain. An overdose can kill you. A soothing wind relieves and refreshes. Hurricane-force winds knock down your house.
We are to live a life worthy of our calling by being humble, gentle and patient.
●Patience
We must preserve church unity by being patient. If we practice tolerance with fellow believers we would cause less dissension, frustration and friction in the body.
How You React. “with patience.” “Patience” is longsuffering. Patient people are not short-tempered, thin-skinned, or easily offended.
1 Thessalonians 5:14 says, “Be patient with them all.” It is most helpful to remind ourselves how patient God is with us (1 Pet. 3:20). God is extremely patient with us. "You are a God of forgiveness, merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and unfailing in your loyal love . . ." (Nehemiah 9:17b NET). God’s patience is long-suffering with us. It is an expression of his love.
Thank God judgment did not come before he saved us. God is patient with us. His patience led to our salvation (1 Tim. 1:16).
Exodus 34:6 says, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”
Our responsibility is to preserve the unity in the church with all humility, gentleness, patience, and "bearing with one another in love."
●Bearing with one another in love
You could express the same idea as "putting up with one another in love."
The outworking of this attitude is seeking the highest good of the other person.
It is the opposite of manipulating people to achieve our goals. Manipulation and under the table tricks never accomplish long lasting results. The negative baggage is never worth the good accomplished. No one likes to be around a manipulator. You always feel like you "have been had." You are left with a "dirty" "used" feeling. Unity is not the resultant behavior.
●A better way is found in Romans 12:14-21. The apostle Paul wrote, "Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil; consider what is good before all people.
● If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people. Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay," says the Lord.
●Rather, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing this you will be heaping burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good"
Verse 2 says, “Bearing with one another in love.” “Bearing” means to permit, endure,
or suffer.
●Christian love is marked by fellowship, forgiveness, and forbearance●.
● Arrogance, pride, selfishness promotes contention, hostility and grieves the Holy Spirit.
●Contention among the brethren ought to be avoided like the aids virus.
●●Romans 15:1 says, “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failing of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”●●
●●Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
The apostle sums up these characteristics of unity saying make "every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph. 4:3 NET).●●