Summary: 20th in the exposition of Ephesians dealing with a gentle walk.
“Walk with all Gentleness”
I. Our Wealth and Worth In Christ 1-3
II. Our Worthy Walk in Christ 4-6
A. Walk in Unity
1. Exhortation to walk worthy of our calling 1
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
(The Following are notes not included in last week’s notes.)
In light of God’s abundant blessing and our high calling, Paul urges all citizens of God’s kingdom to live a life worthy of that privilege. Law demands action before blessing. Grace motivates action by abundant blessing.
2. Characteristics of unity 2-3
Walk worthy of you calling by…
“walking with all humility”
Humility of mind is an intentional change in the way we think regarding ourselves, God and others. Humility of mind keeps God and others before self. Humility is the opposite of pride.
What motivates such a change in thinking?
THOUGHT CHANGING ENCOUNTERS (Attitude adjusters)
1. Encounter with the greatness of God.
We are humbled when we realize how great God is and how small we are. All through the Bible we are encouraged to look at the stars, consider creation, reflect on the power and greatness and majesty of the Creator of all things.
2. Encounter with the wonder of redemption.
We are humbled when we realize how powerfully blessed we are. We deserved eternal punishment and God saved us. The Day of Atonement was a day to humble themselves (think rightly) in consideration of their cleansing from sin.
This shall be a permanent statute for you: in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall humble your souls and not do any work, whether the native, or the alien who sojourns among you; for it is on this day that atonement shall be made for you to cleanse you; you will be clean from all your sins before the LORD. It is to be a Sabbath of solemn rest for you, that you may humble your souls; it is a permanent statute. Leviticus 16:29-31
The Bible is full of encouragement to think about our wonderful salvation. The fact is clear that no one can save themselves it is only because of the mercy and grace of God.
3. Encounter with intimacy with God.
We are humbled when realize that the God of the universe wants intimate relationship with us.
You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. Jam 4:4-7, 10
The motivation for humbling ourselves in this passage is the realization that God deeply longs for an exclusive relationship with us.
4. Encounter with the trauma and trials of a fallen world.
We are humbled when we realize that we are unable to control life. God imbedded an excruciating “thorn in the flesh” to keep Paul humble.
Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! 2 Corinthians 12:7
Paul identified the purpose of his traumatic life events.
8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead… 2 Corinthians 1:8-9
God allowed Israel to suffer tribulation so that they would have right thinking.
He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD. Deuteronomy 8:3
He sent bondage to break their pride and turn from their proud rebellious ways.
I also was acting with hostility against them, to bring them into the land of their enemies—or if their uncircumcised heart becomes humbled so that they then make amends for their iniquity, then I will remember My covenant with Jacob, and I will remember also My covenant with Isaac, and My covenant with Abraham as well, and I will remember the land. Leviticus 26:41-42