WALKING WORTHY OF THE CALLING Ephesians‬ ‭4:1-3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

WALKING WORTHY OF THE CALLING “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:1-3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

WALKING WORTHY OF THE CALLING BIG IDEA: THERE IS AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS CONDUCIVE TO WALKING WORTHY OF YOUR CALLING THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS US TO MAINTAIN.

WALKING WORTHY OF THE CALLING Paul begins by stating the following, "he is a prisoner for the Lord." Are you locked up to the purpose of God? God desires that we be locked up to His purpose and destiny for our lives.

WALKING WORTHY OF THE CALLING "Your identity comes from what you are called to be, not what you are called to do."--Unknown. Are you a prisoner that walks as a son and daughter of God?

WALKING WORTHY OF THE CALLING "Our being precedes our doing therefore our doing flows out of our being.” We are not called to do church but to be the church.

WALKING WORTHY OF THE CALLING Does your life point to God in a way that makes you a prisoner for God? Do you live your life in a way that makes you a prisoner to God? Are you under arrest to God's will for your life? Are you under arrest to God's purpose, God's destiny for your life?

WALKING WORTHY OF THE CALLING If so, then Paul continues on to say then "Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called"

WALKING WORTHY OF THE CALLING God has a sustained environment for every follower: Word: Read Psalms 1 Worship: “And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’"Luke‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Prayer: “pray without ceasing,” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

WALKING WORTHY OF THE CALLING Paul speaks of an environment that helps us to walk worthy of the calling to which you and I have been called: Humility:

WALKING WORTHY OF THE CALLING Godly humility is being comfortable with who you are in the Lord “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Philippians‬ ‭2:3‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Humility also is recognizing that you need God’s help

WALKING WORTHY OF THE CALLING 2. Gentleness: Why do we need to walk in gentleness? Philippians 4:5 tells us to “let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.”

WALKING WORTHY OF THE CALLING 3. Patience: Paul is speaking of a patience that is focused and a patience that is long suffering. “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” ‭‭James‬ ‭1:4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

WALKING WORTHY OF THE CALLING 4. Bearing one another in Love When Paul speaks of "bearing", he is speaking of enduring. Having an enduring love that last long despite the condition of the people we meet and know. 1 Corinthians 16:14English Standard Version (ESV) 14 Let all that you do be done in love.

WALKING WORTHY OF THE CALLING In order for us to walk in this environment of humility, gentleness, patience, and enduring love, we need the Holy Spirit to help us and lead us.

WALKING WORTHY OF THE CALLING If we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us humility, gentleness, patience, and enduring love then we maintain a unity of the Spirit with peace.

WALKING WORTHY OF THE CALLING What is this unity of the Spirit? John Piper provides the following 3 areas that promote this unity of the Spirit: Ephesians 4:13 speaks of a "unity of . . . the knowledge of the Son of God." That is our common convictions about Christ. (What we believe) Ephesians 4:13 also speaks of a "unity of faith." That is our common confidence in Christ. Ephesians 2:14 speaks of the end of hostility. When hostility is replaced with love, we have a common care for each other.

WALKING WORTHY OF THE CALLING Why is this unity of the Spirit with peace important? Because when we share common convictions about Christ, common confidence in Christ, and common care for each other, it allows Christ to be real and known. It allows the Spirit to flow in our churches, cities, communities, nations, and the world. It allow opportunities for ministry to happen outside the church. "I have never yet known the Spirit of God to work where the Lord's people were divided." - Dwight L. Moody

WALKING WORTHY OF THE CALLING Application: Pray daily for the Holy Spirit to work in you humility, gentleness, patience, and an enduring love for all people.

WALKING WORTHY OF THE CALLING BIG IDEA: THERE IS AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS CONDUCIVE TO WALKING WORTHY OF YOUR CALLING THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS US TO MAINTAIN.

WALKING WORTHY OF THE CALLING PRAYER: Father, thank you for the call that you have on my life. Thank you your Holy Spirit that helps me to fulfill that call. Holy Spirit help me to walk in humility, gentleness, patience, and enduring love.

WALKING WORTHY OF THE CALLING Holy Spirit work humility, gentleness, patience, and enduring love in my life right now everyday from now on. I want to walk worthy of the calling to which I have been called and can't do it without your help. In Jesus Name, Amen!

WALKING WORTHY OF THE CALLING Ephesians‬ ‭4:1-3‬ ‭ESV‬‬