Series 2001, Edition 2011 Lesson 8 Walking Through Ephesians

Transcription

1 The Epistle to the Ephesians Prepared by William S.H. Piper, D.D. For Rogma International, Inc. (All Scripture quotations from the KJV of the Bible) Copyright 2001 by Rogma International, Inc. All rights reserved. WALKING THROUGH EPHESIANS INTRODUCTION Typical of other epistles written by Paul, Ephesians is both deeply doctrinal and exceedingly practical. The first three chapters are primarily devoted to doctrine and the last three to practical exhortations. Most of the references to the believer s walk are therefore found in the final chapters. The word walk as used in Ephesians and in this lesson, refers to your habits, customs, lifestyle, or conduct. The Epistle leaves us without any excuses for not knowing the will of God concerning how we are to conduct our lives. We need to preach and teach the Gospel, but how we walk is more important than how we talk. Vance Havner observes this disparity in word and deed as he writes, Many Christians talk farther up the road than they walk. If you don t walk like a Christian, people simply will not listen to what you have to say. IMPORTANCE OF THIS LESSON q Every sincere Christian ought to diligently seek the will of God for his life. q God has a will about everything we do or say. q This lesson will help you greatly in determining God s will for your daily life. THE LESSON I. HOW WE ONCE WALKED Ephesians 2:2-4 A. Remember that the word Gentiles refers to all people of every nation who are not Jews. 1. Ephesians is addressed primarily to Gentiles. Notice the you in Ephesians 2:1 and the ye in Ephesians 2:2. The you and the ye refer to the Gentiles. 2. But now notice the we in Ephesians 2:3. Here the Apostle Paul, a Jew, refers to himself as well as all other Jews. It is clear that we is intended to be inclusive of both Jews and Gentiles. The phrase how we once walked applies to everyone. As sinners, without Christ, we all once walked according to the course of this world (Ephesians 2:2). a. The world is an organized system, controlled by Satan, in which the great majority of people are desperately in search of happiness without turning to God. b. The Apostle John discusses the world and what it consists of in 1 John 2:16. He clearly states, For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. B. How did we once walk? What was our way of life, our lifestyle before we received Christ into our hearts and were born again by the Spirit of God? 1. We did whatever this sin-blinded Satan-controlled world does. Not having the authoritative power of the Holy Spirit, we acted on the lusts of our sinful flesh whatever our eyes looked upon and lusted after. 2. Our natural sinful pride also played a large part in how we walked. We did three things that appealed to our ego and made us feel good about ourselves. a. We once walked as sinners without Christ, according to the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2). The prince of the power of the air is just one of several titles given to Satan in the New Testament. Two others that apply to Satan are the prince of this world (John 14:30; 16:11), and the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4). As the god of this world, Satan blinds the minds of all who do not believe the Gospel. Remember how blind you were before you repented and received Christ? 1

2 1) As the prince of this world, Satan appeals to sinners with all the world has to offer, by way of wealth, fame, pleasure, and popularity. 2) As the prince of the power of the air, Satan seeks to reach our sinful natures through every medium available over the airwaves. One has only to turn on the radio or TV to witness the filth that is on the air today. It is easy to conclude that the prince of the power of the air has largely succeeded in controlling the broadcasting world, as well as every other means of influencing people in general. He is able to cross over any worldly boundary with his control of evil spirits throughout the atmosphere. Never underestimate Satan. He is not omnipotent, but he has enormous power. He is not omnipresent, but with a host of demons at his command he is able to delegate his power and effect chaos and turmoil all over the world. He is crafty, wise, and deceitful. We need the shield of faith and the whole armor of God to deflect his darts and defeat him (Ephesians 6:11-17). b. As sinners without Christ we once walked among the sons (children) of disobedience, in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others (Ephesians 2:2-3). In addition to obeying the god of this world, we walked among disobedient sinners without Christ, and so without spiritual discernment or fortitude against the things that stimulate our empty human lusts. c. As children of wrath (Ephesians 2:3) all unbelievers are already condemned (John 3:18), and are living under the wrath of God (John 3:36). How grateful we should all be for Ephesians 2:4-5, But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved). II. WALKING IN GOOD WORKS Ephesians 2:10 A. The context makes perfectly clear that no one is saved or justified by works. Ephesians 2:8-9 states clearly, For by grace are ye saved Not of works, lest any man should boast. The key verse that settles this once and for all is Galatians 2:16, Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith in Jesus Christ, even we (Jews) have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. B. With this clear presentation of grace and faith as the only means of salvation, we must ask what Paul means when he writes, For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. If we are born again believers in Christ, God, through the Holy Spirit, has made us new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). God wants us to be a witness for that new creation, and work out our salvation (Philippians 2:12) by demonstrating that we have been newly created in Christ, letting Christ be seen in all of our works and activities. Jesus said, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16). C. Remember, the text says we are to walk in them. That is, do all that you do to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Share the good news. Be ready at all times to give a reason for the hope you have within you (1 Peter 3:15). Always be involved in the work of the Lord. Jesus said, the night cometh, when no man can work (John 9:4). D. Remember also, that in Ephesians 2:10, the Apostle Paul writes, God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (good works). What did Paul mean? The word used here means to prepare beforehand. God has predestinated, previously determined, that we should live a life that is full of good works. Yes, we are all saved by grace alone, but the evidence of that salvation is a life lived in harmony with the righteous will and purpose of God (Titus 3:8,14). 2

3 III. WALKING WORTHILY Ephesians 4:1 Ephesians 1-3 dealt primarily with doctrine. In chapter 4, we begin to see the practical aspects of the Christian life. A. Our lifestyle or manner of living should reflect the greatness, the sacredness, and the meaning of the vocation to which we have been called. Our vocation, of course, is our calling. The word is translated as calling in other verses, such as in 1 Corinthians 1:26, Philippians 3:14, and 2 Thessalonians 1:11. Paul is writing from a prison in Rome. He had established the church at Ephesus and was deeply concerned for their welfare. He did not berate them or demand of them. He writes tenderly, saying, I beseech you. He is here reminding them of the calling to which they had been called. They had been pagan idolaters. Through Paul, they had responded to the message of God s grace. They had become saints by divine call (1 Corinthians 1:2). They had been called into God s kingdom (1 Thessalonians 2:12) and invited to partake of all the privileges of the Gospel. Now Paul is pleading with them and with us and all who are saved, to live a life worthy and exemplary of that calling. B. In Ephesians 4:2-3, Paul lists five things that would characterize a lifestyle or walk worthy of God s call. (Memorize these characteristics.) 1. Lowliness the basic ideas of the original word are humility and modesty. Pride is despicable in God s eyes. It is at the top of God s hate list (Proverbs 6:16-17). We all, including professing Christians, are prone to be proud, self-assertive, and self-seeking. Some are proud of their wealth, success, and position. Others are proud of their family name, children, home, or talents. However, a Christian never struts! To walk worthy of the vocation or calling to which we are called, we must see how utterly unworthy we really are. 2. Meekness Years ago I heard a well-known preacher say, a meek horse is the broken horse that will pull the load of corn to market. We should be broken and totally submissive to all the will of God. Meekness is not weakness. It is Christ-likeness. Jesus said Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls (Matthew 11:29). Meekness does not fight back, does not seek to get even, and does not fly up in anger when slandered or lied about. Remember that Jesus experienced all of this and more, but when He suffered, He threatened not (1 Peter 2:23). 3. Longsuffering Did you ever hear a professing Christian say something like this? If he does that to me again, I ll knock his head off! That is a common reaction by many who profess to know Christ, but it is the opposite of longsuffering. Bear in mind that longsuffering is one of the fruits of the Spirit. Allow the Holy Spirit to control you (Galatians 5:22). Although you may be born again, you still have that old Adamic nature, it is this old nature that expresses itself in anger, jealousies, hurt feelings, etc. This is the nature we are to reckon as dead (Romans 6:11-13). It is the old man we are to put off if we are to walk worthy of our calling (Ephesians 4:22). 4. Forbearance Are there Christians in your life you simply can t stand? You don t like them, you speak evil of them, and never wish them well or pray for them. If so, listen carefully to Ephesians 4:32, And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ s sake hath forgiven you. Always endeavor to see yourself as God saw you when He laid your sins on Christ at Calvary. If God can put up with, forgive, and love all the sinners who have ever trusted Christ, then we should be able to graciously put up with the dispositions, peculiarities, and poor manners of some believers. 5. Endeavoring to Keep the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace Some writers omit this admonition as though it was not one of Paul s exhortations related to our walk worthy of the calling to which we are called. This is a sad omission. If we wish to walk worthy of our calling, we certainly should strive for unity and peace among the children of God. The unity we are exhorted to strive for is not the unity of the Body of Christ, but the unity of the Spirit. The unity of the Body of Christ is God s business. He knows them that are His (2 Timothy 2:19), and will keep them eternally as members of Christ s Body. In Colossians 3:15 we read, and let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body. Satan has succeeded in sowing seeds of confusion and discord all over this world so that today there is no 3

4 unity in Christianity. There are numerous denominations and sects, as well as variations of Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Pentecostal groups, and independent churches. There may be members of the Body of Christ (the true Church) in many of these groups. None of the groups individually or together constitute the Church. The Church, the Bride of Christ (Revelation 21:2), is made up of every born-again believer on Christ since Pentecost. The unity of the Spirit, to which we are to strive in the bond of peace, is the spiritual unity we should feel and promote among all of God s people. It is not difficult for Spirit indwelt believers to recognize another Spirit indwelt believer regardless of his local church or denominational preference. If a man knows and loves Christ he is my brother in the Lord and I should love him and strive for a peaceful relationship. We should avoid harsh criticism, pride, jealousy, or anything that would promote division. IV. THE WALK OF THE NEW MAN Ephesians 4:17-24 You might find Ephesians 4:17 quite similar to the exhortation in Ephesians 2:2-10, which reminded us that before we knew Christ, we walked according to the course of this world and according to Satan, the prince of the power of the air. The emphasis in that passage is on the richness of God s mercy and the greatness of God s love, so that even when we were dead in sins we were made alive together in Christ and were saved by His grace (Ephesians 2:4-5). In this part of our lesson, The Walk of the New Man, the emphasis is not on the mercy, love, and grace of God, but on the responsibility of all who have learned of Christ and have been taught and received the truth concerning Him. That responsibility is to put off our old corrupt nature called the old man in Ephesians 4:22, and put on the new man in Ephesians 4:24, which of course, is Christ. A. Ephesians 4:17 Walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind. The Ephesian church was primarily made up of Gentiles. Here, Paul is reminding them of how they once walked in the vanity of their minds. In modern language, the word vanity most often describes qualities of pride, arrogance, or conceit. In the Scriptures, vanity refers to mental foolishness and useless considerations, such as imagining or believing things that are not true. B. Ephesians 4:18-19 In these two verses, the Apostle Paul clarifies the meaning of the vanity of their mind. 1. Their understanding was darkened (Ephesians 4:18; 1 Corinthians 2:14). 2. They were alienated from God s life due to their spiritual ignorance. How sad it is that millions are unaware that God desires to give them eternal life (John 10:27-28; 1 John 5:12). 3. Their spiritual ignorance was due to the blindness of their heart. 2 Corinthians 4:4 declares that Satan, the god of this world (or age) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not. 4. Due to their spiritual blindness and ignorance, many had become hardened in their sin so that they were past feeling, and have given themselves over to a wicked and wanton lifestyle. C. Ephesians 4:20 But ye have not so learned Christ This is a key verse. Christ is the answer. In Christ, our darkened understanding vanishes. We are no longer alienated from God because of our ignorance and blinded hearts. Our callused feelings and lascivious natures have yielded to a whole new life in Christ (Romans 12:2; Colossians 3:10; 2 Corinthians 4:16). Paul taught that in Christ every need is supplied (Philippians 4:19), and we are all complete in Him (Colossians 2:10; Romans 8:32; 2 Corinthians 9:8). Paul constantly pointed the Ephesians to Christ. In this short epistle of six chapters, the phrase in Christ is found 28 times. No wonder he could say to them, But ye have not so learned Christ. D. Ephesians 4:22-24 In these verses Paul spells out what he meant by that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk (Ephesians 4:17). 1. We are to put off, just as we would a filthy garment of clothing, our former manner of living, our walk, our lifestyle, which was corrupt and characterized by deceitful lusts. To God, even all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). The phrase old man is found in Romans 6:6, Ephesians 4:22, and Colossians 3:9. In Romans 6:6, Paul refers to our Adamic sinful nature which was crucified with Christ. We are to reckon it dead (Romans 6:11). In Ephesians 4:22 and Colossians 3:8, Paul refers to the actions of that nature. 4

5 2. And be renewed in the spirit of your mind (Ephesians 4:23). Born again Christians are to have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5). We are transformed by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2). When you were saved, you received more than a new nature. You received a new mind. We are to keep it refreshed by setting our affection on things above (Colossians 3:2), and think constantly on things that are virtuous and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). 3. And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. The new man is born anew in us by the power of the Holy Spirit (John 3:5). Remember, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). The walk of a new man is a walk of righteousness and true holiness. V. WALKING IN LOVE Ephesians 5:2 The walk, the lifestyle, and the manner of living of a true Christian should be characterized by love. The love that Christians are to demonstrate is not sensual, sexual, or human love. It is the love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). The love of God is illustrated in a number of Bible references so that we can understand and appreciate the full meaning of this love. A. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son. God gives us this clear example of what divine love does. It gives! It gives sacrificially and unsparingly. B. 1 John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his son to be the propitiation for our sins. Propitiation is the work of Christ Godward on man s behalf. It is the mighty work on Calvary by which God s holiness and all of His just claims against us are fully satisfied. The Apostle John says, Herein is love. Love, then, is not simply God giving, but God giving the best He had for all of us including the worst of us. C. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 No discussion of Christian love would be complete without reference to these verses. The Apostle Paul is showing the supremacy of love in a believer s life. Verse 1 Love is greater than angelic eloquence. Verse 2 Love is greater than prophecy, understanding mysteries, having faith to move mountains. Verse 3 Without love, I am nothing. Love is greater than sacrificially feeding the poor or giving my body to be burned. Without love, such things profit me nothing. Verses 4-8 Paul lists 19 characteristics of Christian love. Read these things and then strive to make them a reality in your life. VI. WALKING IN THE LIGHT VERSUS DARKNESS Ephesians 5:8 Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: WALK AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT. A. It is good to remember, if you are now saved, that you were once darkness (Ephesians 5:8). You were not only living in darkness, you were a part of the darkness. You walked in darkness and loved darkness rather than light (1 John 1:6; John 3:19, 8:12). B Jesus said, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life (John 8:12). A partial explanation of what it means to walk in the light is that you have confessed Christ as your Lord and Savior, have received Him into your heart, and are walking in the light of His presence in your life (2 Corinthians 4:6; 1 Peter 2:9; C Colossians 1:13; Acts 26:18). The darkness in which we all once walked resulted from spiritual blindness. In 2 Corinthians 4:4, we read concerning all who are lost, In whom the god of this world (age) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. Satan, the god of this world (age), fiercely fights to spread the darkness of unbelief and Christ rejection. D. Causes of the darkness in which we all once walked (2 Corinthians 11:3): 1. Inconsistent Christians and false teachers are used by Satan to blind sinners to the glorious gospel of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4). 5

6 2. Unbelief Satan blinds those who believe not the Gospel. 3. Love of Sin John 3:19 says, men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. E. What is the darkness from which we must be delivered? 1. Hopelessness In Ephesians 2:12, sinners are described as being without Christ, having no hope, and without God in the world. 2. Lostness Paul writes, But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost. (2 Corinthians 4:3). Jesus came into this world to seek and to save lost souls (Luke 19:10). F. How are we delivered from this darkness? 1. We are delivered from darkness by God s intervening grace and power. Giving thanks unto the Father Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son (Colossians 1:12-13). 2. God, who has commanded the light (of the glorious gospel of Christ) to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4,6). 3. In Acts 26:17-18, Paul said he was sent to the Gentiles to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God through the preaching of the Gospel of Christ. 4. By repentance (a complete change of mind and attitude) toward God, and sincere faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, God delivered us from the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of his dear son (Colossians 1:13; 2 Peter 3:9; Acts 17:30, 20:21; Galatians 2:16). G. What is the light in which we are all to walk? 1. The light of Christ Himself (John 8:12) a. He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. b. 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another. John is writing about walking in fellowship with God. c. 1 John 1:5 God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. Christ is now in that light. To walk in the light of Christ, then, is to walk as though we were constantly in the presence of God, walking in fellowship with Him and with Christ. 2. The Light of the Word of God a. Psalm 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. b. Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. 3. The Light of Prophecy 2 Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts. VII. WALKING CIRCUMSPECTLY Ephesians 5:15 In considering the seven ways by which we are to govern or pattern our lives, walking circumspectly must be considered the most important. Circumspectly means to be very cautious and careful about everything we do or say. It means also to consider carefully all related circumstances before acting, judging, or deciding. To walk circumspectly can be accomplished by following these guidelines from Romans 14. (Memorize these do s and don ts.) A. The Don t s of Romans DON T get involved with another Christian who is weak in the faith in arguments over minor or dubious things (Romans 14:1-2). 2. DON T sit in judgement over someone who does not see the matter of separation exactly as you do. Keep in mind that to his own master he standeth or falleth (Romans 14:3-4). 3. DON T do anything that might cause another Christian to stumble or be made weak (Romans 14:13,21). 6

7 4. DON T let your good be evil spoken of (Romans 14:16). 5. DON T do anything that offends your conscience, or about which you have doubts as to whether it is proper for you as a Christian (Romans 14:22-23). B. The Do s of Romans DO make certain that whatever you are doing or proposing to do is the right thing. For a Christian, there is only one thing to do about anything, and that is the right thing. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind (Romans 14:5). 2. DO whatever you do as unto the Lord (Romans 14:6-9; Colossians 3:23). 3. DO all you can to edify (build up and strengthen) other Christians (Romans 14:19; Romans 15:2; 1 Corinthians 10:23). 4. DO remember that at the judgement seat of Christ you stand alone. You must give an account of yourself, your life, and no one else (Romans 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:10). 7