Ephesians 4-6

Ephesians 4

Unity in the Body of Christ

• Paul urges believers to live in a manner worthy of their calling
• Christians should display:
  • Humility
  • Gentleness
  • Patience
  • Love
• Believers are to maintain unity in the church
• There is:
  • One body
  • One Spirit
  • One hope
  • One Lord
  • One faith
  • One baptism
  • One God and Father

Paul quotes Psalm 68:18

• Psalm 68 talks of a victorious king (applied now to Christ)
• The parentheses just explain how we was able to give us gifts

Gifts Given for the Church

• Christ gives grace and gifts to His people
• Christ gave us leaders including:
  • Apostles
  • Prophets
  • Evangelists
  • Pastors 
  • teachers
• Leaders equip believers for ministry
• Our goal is spiritual maturity
• We are all part of the body, each with a unique part 

New Life

• Believers must no longer live like the Gentiles
  • They are alienated and callous 
• The old way of life is corrupted by sin
• Christians are renewed in their minds
• Believers put on the new self created in righteousness and holiness

How to Live

• Put away falsehood and speak truth
• Do not let anger lead to sin
• Do honest work
• Help others
• Use words that build up and give grace
• Do not grieve the Holy Spirit
• Put away bitterness, wrath, and maliceBe kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving

Ephesians 5

Walk in Love

• Believers should imitate God
• We should walk in love, as Christ did
• We should avoid:
  • Sexual immorality
  • Impurity
  • Greed
  • Filthiness
  • Sinful speech
• These will not inherit the Kingdom of God

Walk in Light

• Believers were once darkness but are now light in the Lord
• Christians should pursue what is:
  • Good
  • Right
  • True
• Expose the works of darkness
• Live as children of light

Verse 14 might be a quote from a hymn at the time

 Walk in Wisdom

• Make the best use of time
• Do not be foolish
  • Understand the Lord’s will
• Do not be drunk with wine
  • Be filled with the Spirit
• Encourage one another through worship
• Give thanks continually
• Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ

 Christ and the Church

Ephesians 6

Children and Parents

• Children are to obey their parents
  • Paul quotes the fifth commandment
  • Honoring parents brings blessing “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”
• Fathers should not provoke their children
• Parents should raise children in discipline and in the Lord’s instruction

 Servants and Masters

• Servants are to work with a sincere heart for Christ
• Masters are to treat servants good in the eyes of Christ
• God shows no partiality
• Both master and servant serve the same Lord

The Armor of God

• Believers must be strong in the Lord
• The Christian battle is spiritual
• Put on the whole armor of God:
  • Belt of truth
  • Breastplate of righteousness
  • Shoes of the gospel of peace
  • Shield of faith
  • Helmet of salvation
  • Sword of the Spirit (God’s Word)
• Pray at all times
• Paul asks for prayer to proclaim the mystery of the gospel

Final Greetings

• Paul commends Tychicus
• He sends encouragement to the church
• Final blessing of peace, love, faith, and grace

Application

We are told how to live out our identity in Christ.  We are to imitate Christ by walking in love and rejecting sin. We are called to  honor God in our families and stand firm against spiritual attacks .