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Goal:
That we would all catch the incredibly motivating idea in these verses
1. The Epic Poem that Opens Ephesians
One long sentence, v.3 all the way to v.14!!
Exquisitely constructed jewel of a sentence
Poetic in its structure
2. Paul’s Prayer —For Us!
Paul takes the three core parts of the epic poem and turns them into a prayer
1. Past, 2. Present and 3. Future
Weeks...
2:1–10 An new identity (with a card!)
2:11–22 Christ has broken down the walls, and taken the hostility on himself
3:1–13 God has now revealed the secret, hidden through the ages, that the unity of his people will break the power of darkness
3:14–21 “A Prayer we would All Love to Receive”
Part 7 – Eph 3:14–21
“A Prayer we would All Love to Receive”
Of all the prayers prayed over people in the Bible, this must be the pinnacle.
This is such a good prayer to pray over one another!”;
God-like Behavior in Seven Steps
The Passage
An idea about v.2,3
Our Opportunity to be God-like
Today’s passage launches the second half of the book.
Understanding our Calling - it’s power and richness
Appeal to live a life worthy of who we now are
“I urge you” or “I appeal to you”
The same transitioning word used in Rom 12:1; 1 Thess 4:1
Ephesians 4:1–6
A lovely balance
v.1–6 Unity
v.7–16 Diversity
Colossians 3
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body And be thankful.
Matt 11 – Humility
“take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls”
Ephesians 4:1–6
Matt 11 – Jesus
“take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls”
Exodus 34
So Moses cut two tablets of stone like the first. And he rose early in the morning and went up on Mount Sinai, as the Lord had commanded him, and took in his hand two tablets of stone.…
The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,
keeping steadfast love for thousands…
The Spirit of Unity - 1 Cor 12:13
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
When we do these seven things, to bring unity, we are being God-like
Phil 2:6–11
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus
who, existing in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God
as something to be exploited.
Instead he emptied himself
by assuming the form of a servant,
taking on the likeness of humanity.
And when he had come as a man,
he humbled himself by becoming obedient
to the point of death—
even to death on a cross.
Bearing with one another
“Bearing with others means fully accepting them in their uniqueness, including their weaknesses and faults, and allowing them worth and space.” Lincoln, Colossians
Challenge
Will you take to heart these seven behaviors and be God-like today?
Bring Joy to God: Ps.133
Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brothers and sisters dwell in unity!
It is like the precious perfume on the head,
running down on the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down on the collar of his robes!
It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,
life forevermore.
God-like behaviors:
with all humility and gentleness,
with patience, bearing with with one another in love,
urgently making effort to keep the unity of the Spirit