Walk Worthy of the Calling

In one paragraph

Ephesians 4:1-16 is where the theological foundation of the first three chapters of Ephesians meets practical life in the church. The pastor preached the previous week's portion, and this week the message picked up at the start of the application section of the letter. Clyne Snodgrass, the commentator referenced, calls this passage the most descriptive of the capital-C church in all of scripture....

Read together

1. Ephesians 4:1-16 the primary passage preached through in full
2. Ephesians 3 noted as the preceding section Paul revisits at the start of chapter 4
3. Psalm 68:18 quoted as the Old Testament proof text Paul uses: 'when he ascended on high, he led captive the captives and he gave gifts to the people'
4. Ephesians 2:8-9 cited on grace through faith, leading into 'we are his workmanship created to do good works'
5. Philippians 2 referenced for Christ humbling himself, being found as a man, even to death on a cross

Talk about it

1. Pastor Josh drew a distinction between Ephesians 1-3 as inspiration and Ephesians 4-6 as application, saying you shouldn't expect someone to act on what they don't yet have the foundation for. Where have you seen that play out, either in your own life or in how we relate to people outside the faith?
2. The sermon said the unity of the Spirit is something only God can establish, but that any one of us can ruin it. What does it look like in practice to be eager to maintain something you did not create?
3. Pastor Josh said that in any human argument, both sides are wrong, and that if you decide you are right and they are wrong, you have already lost the battle. How does that sit with you, and where does it get complicated when truth is actually at stake?
4. The passage lists apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers as gifts given to equip the rest of the body for the work of ministry, with the sign outside one church reading 'ministers: the whole congregation.' What does it mean for you personally to be one of those ministers, and do you know what your part is?
5. The sermon closed with the image from premarital counseling, that a husband and wife drawing closer to Christ will draw closer to each other. How does that same principle apply to the broader body, and what would it actually take for this congregation to grow up together in that direction?