Sermon Starter for Sunday, April 17^th, 2016

Ephesians 4:1-6
¹ “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
² with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
³ eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
⁴ There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—
⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

As we move from the first half of Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians (Chapters 1 – 3) and begin the second half of the Letter (Chapters 4 – 6) I want us to pay close attention to the purpose of these final Chapters.

Paul’s Letters are almost always outlines as: Doctrine followed by Duty.

Bobby would say “Orthodoxy” followed by “Orthopraxy.”

Of course, I would never use big words like that…

HERE is Paul’s point: What we Believe Determines How We Behave.” Right now I am sure that you believe you are safe and secure. I am also sure that you are.

But, (God forbid) if someone came running to where you are and shouted that the place was on fire and that you had to get out now.

You believe you are safe so you are calmly reading this Sermon Starter. But, if you suddenly came to believe that you were in imminent danger of dying, your behavior would drastically change.

That is because you are a really smart person.

Spiritually speaking, what we believe also determines how we behave.

Paul has taken three Chapters to remind them what they should (and must) believe. Now he tells them how to apply that knowledge to their life.

Since you believe this, behave this way.

He uses a common Biblical metaphor for our lifestyle, “walking in the world.”

He reminds them of how they “walked in the world” before they were saved; and now he instructs them how they should “walk” since they have been saved.

Those who have been saved should walk in good works; they should walk in a way that is worthy of their testimony of being God’s child; they must not walk anymore like unbelievers do; they should walk in love; and, they should walk wisely in this present world.

I will begin this message where I often do… reminding us that these are the divinely inspired words of an Apostle and therefore they are “a command from the LORD.” (1^st Corinthians 14:37)

Paul’s overriding plea to the people of God is for unity and he will use that theme over and over again in these verses.

Please remember this… “unity” is not the same thing as “unanimity.” We do not have to have 100% agreement to live in unity; but, we do have to have a godly “minority” on an issue that is willing to sincerely help the “majority” to make our ministries effective.

We can have a unified spirit when we have ONE purpose and that purpose is to find, follow, and finish God’s will for our life and our Church.

I hope to see you Sunday with your Bible in your hand, a smile on your face, and your family and friends by your side.