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welcome to everyone it's good to be back in the house of our God you can turn with me in your Bibles to Psalm 133. Psalm 133 for our call to worship I'll begin reading in verse 1 a song of the sense of David behold how good and how pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in unity it is like the precious oil upon the head running down on the beard the beard of Aaron running down on the edge of his garments it is like the Dew of Herman descending upon the mountains of Zion for there the Lord commanded the blessing life forevermore amen well please turn to Psalm 150 Psalm 150 be as in bravo and will stand as we sing together [Music] us praise [Music] praise our Lord praise God [Music] let us pray our blessed God and Holy Father it is a joy and a privilege to gather again on this Lord's Day evening we acknowledge that you are most high you are Father Son and Holy Spirit one glorious and blessed God the living and true God as scripture tells us who exists eternally as Father Son and Holy Spirit we thank you that in your time and your mercy and your grace the father sent forth the son born of a woman and born under the law to redeem those under the law we give thanks to you that you've included Us in this Redemptive plan we know it's not by our works it's not by our effort it's not by our compliance with your holy law but it is solely and alone according to free and Sovereign Grace as Paul tells us clearly in Ephesians 1 you chose us in him before the foundation of the world and then we were called out of darkness in The Marvelous Light through the proclamation of your truth through the power of the Holy Spirit and we were given those Graces of faith and repentance to to lay hold of Jesus Christ and and we rejoice in that we bless you for so great a Salvation we praise you that our sins are forgiven that we have been imputed with righteousness not our own that it is Jesus Christ and received by faith alone we look forward to that day when he comes again in glory to judge the living and the dead and when he ushers in that Eternal State until such time give us Grace to persevere and give us Grace To Shine his lights and this crooked and perverse generation give us the boldness and the courage that we need to hold forth that word of Truth and may you look with favor upon us as individuals as families and as a local church of our blessed savior and we pray that we would live to glorify and honor you we ask even now that as We Gather in your midst as we remember your absolute Holiness and your righteousness we see our own waywardness and our own proneness to wander and prone is to leave the god that we love so forgive us for our remaining corruption cleanse us from all unrighteousness we thank you for the promise of Holy Scripture that if you Lord should Mark iniquities O Lord who could stand but there is forgiveness with you that you may be feared and as well the Apostle tells us if we confess those sins you are faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness it truly is a wonderful blessed promise that you have given to us and we know it's not because we deserve it but it's because Jesus Christ is enthroned at the right hand of God where he ever lives to function as an advocate on behalf of his people we pray for those who have come in amongst us that perhaps are still dead in their trespasses and sins we pray that your Holy Spirit would be at work bringing that conviction for sin and setting forth Christ and all of his offices to save Sinners to the uttermost we thank you God that we're not alone in our community here we pray for the other churches those that are like-minded with us those that are Faithfully proclaiming Your Truth as it is in Jesus we pray that you would just bless them you would Prosper them that you she would be glorified in this community that father you would indeed bring more and more people to that place where they see that Christ is all together lovely and chief among ten thousand we pray for churches all throughout this nation and to the uttermost parts of the earth she would keep your people by your grace and For Your Glory we have the promise of the Savior that the gates of Haiti shall not Prevail against his building program and yet God we see the efforts made on a daily basis so Lord fortify and strengthen the Saints of Christ and Grant Faith increase faith and Grant perseverance that we may run with race in with endurance the race that is set before us as well God we pray for the Saints and Surrey and in Armstrong and in Dryden we thank you for the church in Honduras and pray for pastors Carlos and Luis that you would just bless these brothers and use them for your glory in the proclamation of the truth we remember the persecuted church as we recalled or where we rehearsed this morning the various countries that that face such severe oppression a person's face such severe oppression and persecution for the cause of God and Truth Lord on the one hand it greatly discouraged discourages us and Grieves us but on the other hand we see the inroads of the kingdom of Jesus Christ we see the reality that the church is marching on and we know that this awakens all the forces of hell and and the devil and all of The Wretched antagonism of sinful men so God continue to bless the church as she goes forward in these places and be glorified in the midst of gospel preaching and in the salvation of Sinners and may it be the case that your the knowledge of God Almighty would cover the Earth as the waters cover the sea and Lord we also pray that you would look with favor upon the temporal needs in our local body we pray for those who are unable to be with us due to illness or or agedness or whatever the case may be we just commend them to you and to the word of your grace and pray that you'd undertake on behalf of all the saints associated with this local body and we pray that you administer to the various needs perhaps known only to the person and to you God we pray that we know that balm of Gilead that blessed help that you afford to yours to your weary Saints and grant us all the grace to glorify and honor you and we ask this through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen we can turn with me again in your hymn books to number 233 number 233 will stand as we sing together well you can turn with me in your Bibles to Numbers chapter 15 for our scripture reading as we continue to work our way through the Old Testament and our evening service we'll cut the chapter in half I'll read from verses 1 to 21. so Numbers chapter 15 beginning in verse 1. and the Lord spoke to Moses saying speak to the children of Israel and say to them when you have come into the land you are to inhabit which I am giving to you and you make an offering by fire to the Lord a burnt offering or a sacrifice to fulfill a thou or as a free will offering or in your appointed feasts to make a sweet Aroma to the Lord from the herd or the flock then he who presents his offering to the Lord shall bring a grain offering of one tenth of an ephah a fine flower mixed with one-fourth of a hint of oil and one-fourth of a hint of wine as a drink offering you shall prepare with the burnt offering or the sacrifice for each lamb or for a ram you shall prepare as a grain offering two-tenths of an epha a fine flower mixed with one-third of a hint of oil and as a drink offering you shall offer one-third of a hint of wine as a sweet Aroma to the Lord and when you prepare a young Bowl as a burnt offering or as a sacrifice to fulfill a vow or as a peace offering to the Lord then shall be offered with the young bull a grain offering of three tenths of an IFA of fine flower mixed with half a hin of oil and you shall bring as the drink offering half a hen of wine as an offering made by fire a sweet Aroma to the Lord thus it shall be done for each young bull for each Ram or for each lamb or young goat according to the number that you prepare so you shall do with everyone according to their number all who are native born shall do these things in this manner in presenting an offering made by fire a sweet Aroma to the Lord and if astray danger dwells with you or whoever is among you throughout your generations and would present an offering made by fire a sweet Aroma to the Lord just as you do so shall he do one ordinance shall be for you of the assembly and for the stranger who dwells with you an ordinance forever throughout your Generations as you are so shall the stranger be before the Lord one law and one custom shall be for you and for the stranger who dwells with you again the Lord spoke to Moses saying speak to the children of Israel and say to them when you come into the land to which I bring you then it will be when you eat of the bread of the Lamb that you shall offer up a heave offering to the Lord you shall offer up a cake of the first of your ground meal as a heave offering as a heave offering of the threshing floor so shall you offer it up of the first of your ground meal you shall give to the Lord a heave offering throughout your Generations amen well let us pray Our Father we thank you for the the written word of the living and true God we know that all scripture is given by inspiration of God it's profitable for Doctrine for reproof for correction and for instruction in righteousness we know this Old Testament in so many ways were was written for us specifically for our admonition and and our encouragement and to see your attention to detail in terms of worship with reference to the people and law with reference to their tenure in the land we ask God in heaven that you would help us to appreciate the same sorts of things in this new covenant setting we're not at liberty or we don't have the freedom to innovate or to create we are simply to be obedient to what we find in that new testament concerning the worship of the living and true God we thank you for this privilege we thank you that we are indeed the temple that you indwell we pray that you would be glorified here that you would be honored and praised and we ask through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen well you can turn with me in your hymn books again to 526 526 will stand as we sing together [Music] foreign [Music] foreign [Music] together foreign [Music] we need every day [Music] foreign [Music] is now [Music] foreign [Music] with me in your Bibles to Ephesians chapter 4 as we continue to work our way through Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus so Ephesians 4. I'll read verses 1 to 16 and then our Focus will be on the first section verses one to three this evening so beginning in chapter four at verse 1. I therefore the prisoner of the Lord beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called with all lowliness and gentleness with long-suffering bearing with one another in love endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of Peace there is one body and one Spirit just as you were called in one hope of your calling one Lord One Faith one baptism one God and Father of all who is above all and through all and in you all but to each one of us Grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift therefore he says when he ascended on high he led captivity captive and gave gifts to men now this he ascended what does it mean but that he also first descended into the lower parts of the Earth he who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens that he might fill all things and he himself gave some to be Apostles some prophets some evangelists and some pastors and teachers four the equipping of the Saints for the work of ministry and four the edifying of the body of Christ do we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God to a perfect man to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ that we should no longer be children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of Doctrine by the trickery of men in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting but speaking the truth in love may grow up in all things into him who is the head Christ from whom the whole body joined and knit together by what every joint supplies according to the effective working by which every part does its share causes growth of the Body for the edifying of itself in in love amen well let us pray Our Father we thank you for your word we thank you for this section of Holy Scripture the practical application in light of what the Apostle has set forth in terms of the doctrine of our Salvation give us ears to hear in Hearts to receive these things and may you engage may you encourage our hearts and strengthen us to follow and to comply with these exhortations given by the Apostle so that we may glorify you so that we may treat one another with that love and respect and that kindness that is that is enjoined upon us in passages like these again forgive us for our sin and our remaining corruption please guide us now by the Holy Spirit we pray through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen well we've finished the doctrinal section properly in the epistle to the Ephesians so in chapters one to three Paul sets forth the doctrine of salvation now he gets real practical beginning in chapter four verse 1 and continuing to chapter 6 and verse 20. the Apostle has told us how we walked prior to conversion if you look at Ephesians chapter 2 specifically in verse 2. he says in verse 1 you he made alive who were dead in trespasses and sins in which you once walked according to the course of this world and then in chapter 2 verse 10 in terms of a general theological statement he tells us how we are supposed to walk notice in verse 10 we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them so now in chapters four to six he gives us a heavy emphasis on specific directions concerning our walk notice in verse 1 I besee I I uh therefore the president of the of the Lord blessed you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called drop down to verse 17. this I say therefore and testify in the Lord that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk in the futility of their mind look at chapter 5 and verse 2 and walk in love as Christ also has loved us and given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling Aroma then again in chapter 5 at verse 8 for you are once Darkness but now you are light in the Lord walk as children of light and then one final use of that word walk in verse 18 notice do not be drunk with wine and which is I'm sorry not 18 15 see then that you walk circumspectly not as fools but as wise Redeeming the time because the days are evil so it's an obviously practical emphasis that the Apostle draws in this section of the epistle and special specifically here in verses one to three he encourages us to walk worthy in of our calling and then he specifies what that's going to look like tells us the virtues that will Mark us and then he gives us the the the conduct that is fitting with reference to our our relationships with one another so in verses one to three we have the preservation of love and of you of love and unity and then verses four to six is the basis for that love and unity God willing will take that up the next time we come to the book of Ephesians we've got the Lord's Supper God willing next Sunday night so I want to look first at the exhortation to walk in a worthy manner verse one and then secondly the elements needed to walk in a worthy manner in verses two and three in the first place notice the exhortation it's not strictly a command but it is a command notice in verse four I'm sorry chapter 4 verse 1. he beseeches and then he says to walk worthy the connection therefore 4 goes with all that has preceded and if you consider what we saw in that last petition in chapter 3 verse 19 he prays that the people of God as the Church of God would be filled with all the fullness of God himself this does remind us again of the old Covenant worship sister in the Tabernacle the glory of the Lord filled the temple in uh the Tabernacle in the temple time during Solomon the glory of the Lord filled the temple in that Visionary temple in ezekiel's Prophecy the glory of the Lord filled the temple well what was requisite for God's glory to fill the temple it was requisite that the temple be holy did it be purified that sacrifice be offered up on behalf of the people on behalf of the priesthood and on behalf of the temple structure itself so you see the close connection between these two sections if we are in fact the people of God if we are in fact the temple of God where he dwells with us then it is required that we be a holy people and so these exhortations or commands come to us with that specification we're to be a people that are receptive we are to be a people that are ready we are to be a people in the way that we conduct ourselves and ourselves toward one another that are a good Dwelling Place of God most high so notice the apostles strategy he says I therefore the prisoner of the Lord beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called so he moves from Doctrine to practical application he does this in the Book of Romans as well chapters 1 to 11 is a great explication of the gospel and then chapters 12 to 16 is the practical application based on that reality but it's not just his common strategy it reflects biblical soteriology it reflects the live and do principle versus the do and live principle all all false religion begins with commands all false religion begins with imperative all false religion says do this and live well not false in terms of the old Covenant but false in terms of the religion of man a negation of the Gospel of the grace of God we hear behavior modification you just need to clean up your act and you need to try a little bit harder and then you'll be accepted by God that is the do and live principle that is a covenant of Works reality but with reference to the gospel it's a live and do it's the indicative the reality that Christ came into this world Sinners to save he grants us The Graces of faith and repentance so that we may close with him based on what he has done for us then come the commands then come the imperatives then comes the emphasis on how then we ought to live and Paul's strategy or Paul's methodology here reflects that particular order I mentioned yesterday in our theology study there's one command in chapters one to three it's in chapter two at verse 11 when the Apostle tells the people of God to remember what their pre uh their former state was chapters four to six there's about 39 commands so you see the distinction between the doctrinal section and the Practical section and I want to make it very clear you are not saved by obeying chapters four to six if you are saved by obeying chapters four to six it would have to be perfect it would have to be entire it would have to be exact and it would have to be Perpetual obedience for you to ever enter into the presence of a holy God the reality is that Christ Alone satisfies those conditions Christ Alone obeyed the father with reference to his own personal obedience to that law it was exact it was entire it was Perpetual now that everyone who believes in him they receive not only the Forgiveness of sins but they receive his righteousness it's imputed to them and it's received by faith alone so we need to make sure we're clear on that order it's not do this and live it is rather live by God's grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and as a result of that live in a manner that is consistent with your calling that's the emphasis of the Apostle notice in verse 1. I therefore the prisoner of the Lord he reminds them again what he said in chapter 3 verse 1 beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were walked now that word walk simply means to conduct one's life to comport oneself to behave to live as a habit of conduct and he describes that walk in verse 1 as worthy but he'll specify in more detail in verses two and three what that walk looks like but notice it's not an undefined walk it's not sort of a nebulous walk it's not some sort of a generic walk but it is a specific walk with a specific standard notice in verse one I beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called turn over to Philippians chapter 1 and verse 27 you see a parallel use with reference to the apostles instructions there notice in Philippians 1 27 only let your conduct this walk be worthy of the gospel of Christ so that whether I come and see you or I'm absent I may hear of your Affairs that you stand in one stand fast in one spirit with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel so let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ Philippians 1 27 Ephesians 4 1 let your walk be worthy of the calling that calling again is not generic it refers to the effectual calling that God places on us in terms of our salvation by grace through faith the Bible sees or the Bible shows that there are two colleagues there's a general call The Gospel goes out to Every Creature some by Grace respond others do not those who by Grace respond not only here the general call but by the power of the Holy Spirit they are given the effectual call they are given an internal call they are blessed by God immeasurably he makes them willing in the day of his power so that they may respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ Our Lord and so Paul says your conduct your walk needs to be worthy of that calling with which you were called in other words your salvation is not by works your salvation is not according to what you have done but your salvation is such that now as saved men and women you're supposed to live in a particular way you're supposed to conduct yourself in a manner that is consistent with that effectual call Paul tells us more about that call throughout scripture Romans chapter 8 verse 30. it is effectual it speaks of him having four known and him predestining those he call Those whom he calls he also justifies in Philippians chapter 3 he refers to it as an as an upward call of God in Christ Jesus in second Timothy chapter 1 and verse 9 he calls it a holy calling and the same sort of emphasis is here you need to walk in a worthy manner that is consistent with your call by the grace of God to be the people of God in other words you're not living and obeying in order that you may be saved you've been saved by grace in order that you may live and Obey in a manner that pleases God in a manner that reflects his glory and in a manner that that adorns the Gospel of Jesus Christ to an onlooking world so the particular phrase that he uses here that he beseeches you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called he uses that language elsewhere Philippians 1 27 Philippians 3 18 negatively for many walk of whom I have told you often and with tears they walked in a negative sort of way they were contrary so this is one's conduct this is one's conversation to use the Old King James this is the way or manner of life that the blood-bought children of God are supposed to persevere in so when we're saved is not the case that we live any old way that we please when we say we're saved we it's not the case that we continue in sin that Grace May abound no may it never be we live in a manner that is consistent with God's holy word so the standard is that effectual call the Practical result go back to chapter 1 and verse 4. you see God's purpose and plan in election Ephesians chapter 1 verse 4 just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world notice this next Clause that we should be holy and Without Blame beforehand he doesn't choose us because we were holy and Without Blame so big difference there it's not as if God before the foundation of the world look down the tunnel of time and saw us and saw that we were going to be holy and Without Blame and as a result of the fact that they were holy and Without Blame God then chooses us unto salvation that is to get the verse exactly incorrect it is to flip it over on its head and to make it mean absolutely contrary to what it actually means he chose us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and Without Blame not because we were holy and without blame but in order that we may be holy and without blame same emphasis in Chapter 2 notice in verses 8 to 10. he says for by Grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God not of Works lest anyone should boast for we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus notice four good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in that so again it's not the case that we're saved because of these good works it is the case that we're saved because of God's free and Sovereign Grace and once God Saves Us by that free and Sovereign Grace he then calls us to live in a manner that is consistent with it there shouldn't be new information to any of us we are to walk worthy we are to do so in a manner that is consistent with that effectual call of God Upon Our Life the Redemptive benefit and blessing that we have received that Ephesians 1 3 reality blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the Heavenly places in Christ Christ well what are those spiritual blessings I think there's a good three-fold framework that you can use justification sanctification and glorification we are Justified freely by his grace we're Sanctified according to his power and his word and we will ultimately be glorified because he is great and glorious and wondrous and what Christ has secured for his people will come to fruition so sanctification is part and parcel of our theological life and practically we need to pursue those things that are pleasing to our blessed God now notice the elements needed to walk in a manner or in a worthy manner verses two and three you've got the virtues associated with a worthy walk and then you've got the conduct toward others in a worthy walk notice the virtues and again this should not be surprising to any of us notice in verse 2 he gives us three with all lowliness and gentleness with long-suffering with all lowliness and gentleness with long-suffering in the first place the need for lowliness it simply means that humility it means modesty the new King James rendering here is very good lowly Nash you see its use elsewhere turn to Philippians chapter 2. Philippians chapter 2 at verse 3 let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit but in lowliness of Mind Let each esteem others better than himself you see the use in Colossians chapter 3 at verse 12. Colossians 3 at verse 12. therefore as the elect of God holy and beloved put on Tender Mercies kindness humility meekness long-suffering the idea of meekness there as well First Peter chapter 5 and verse 5. First Peter chapter 5 and verse 5. likewise you younger people submit yourselves to your elders yes all of you be submissive to one another and be clothed with humility same emphasis there this idea of humility so back to Ephesians chapter four what does a worthy walk look like well it doesn't look like Pride it doesn't look like arrogance it doesn't look like a bunch of people banging their drum about how great they are it's not the Pharisee who prays thus with himself thank you God that I'm not like other men I'm not a murderer I'm not an adulterer I'm not an extortionist I'm certainly not like this public in here a worthy walk that is in accordance with that effectual call of God Upon Our Lives is a walk of loneliness it is a walk of humility it is a walk of others mindedness and that's the accent in these New Covenant passages we are not to be high-minded there is a marked contrast here with the world is lowliness a trait that is respected amongst people in the world I think Stephen Barr references this well he says as is often pointed out this virtue humility or lowliness is not a positive attribute in the Greco-Roman World At Large but suggests degrading humiliation or debasement remember Jesus when he taught his disciples about greatness in the Kingdom he says if you want to be first you need to be last if you want to be the the the the one at the top it's actually being the the servant of all the world sees uh a power structure in a pyramid fascia you've got all the pros here and you've got the the main guy at the top and we simply function to to serve and and to adore and to honor that one we'll flip that on its head and that's greatness in the kingdom of God you want to be first you're going to be last if you want to be great you're going to be the least of all and the emphasis comes through loud and clear through Christ's Apostles so again boss says this is not a positive attribute in the Greco-Roman World At Large but suggests degrading humility uh humiliation or debasement which was abhorrent in a world where public honor as opposed to shame was consummately valued in the biblical World humility is a positive virtue in contrast with haughtiness especially when it is bind what the next word we're going to see gentleness as marks Jesus own character and thus also marks those who are being remade Into His Image Christ uses these identifiers or descriptors of himself in Matthew chapter 11 at verse 29 on the heels of calling Sinners to come to him to take the yoke upon him he describes himself with this terminology so what's the connection those conquered by Sovereign Grace are to follow in the steps of the master they are to cultivate lowliness and the way to cultivate that is simply by killing Pride by opposing and resisting that arrogance that is in all of our hearts to one degree or another turn over to Philippians chapter 2 again just want to see that see it sort of fleshed out in real life context notice in Philippians 2 at verse 1 therefore if there is any consolation it's better probably better to translate it since there is the if kind of makes it sound like it may be that there and it may not be there he's talking to redeem people he's talking to Believers in Jesus Christ we could translate it accurately since there is consolation in Christ since there is comfort of Love Fellowship of the spirit any affection and mercy notice what he says fulfill my Joy by being like-minded having the same love being of one Accord of one mind he doesn't leave it there though that's great and that's informative and that's instructive but look at how he concretely or concretely applies that in verse 3 let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit Brethren I suspect these passages are going to find us out I suspect these passages are going to be a refutation to our conduct and our attitude I suspect there'll be a rebuke along the way but again praise God for the Lord Jesus Christ and there is forgiveness to be had in him but notice let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit but in lowliness of mine look at this next phrase Let each esteem others better than himself let each esteem others better than himself it's a good place for self-reflection does that describe you and me is that indicative of the way that we conduct ourselves towards Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus the way we conduct ourselves and our Christian homes let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit but in lowliness of Mind Let each esteem others better than himself notice in verse 4. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others Paul assumes that we're going to look out for our own interests Paul assumes that when he says that we're to you know love others as we love ourselves the Bible and uh condones that the Bible approves of that the Bible doesn't say you're a terrible person for not ingesting poison you're a terrible person for not wanting to walk out in front of a train no you're going to love yourself to the degree that you try to preserve yourself you're going to love yourself to the degree that you try to protect yourself there's nothing inherently wrong with that but what is inherently wrong is when you're only occupied with yourself when nobody else matters when the whole world is about you yourself and I that's what's condemned in Holy Scripture and the Apostle as a corrective says Let each one Let each of you look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others and of course the antithesis to this virtue is a high-mindedness it is an arrogance it is a a lack of humility it is pride notice in the second place back to Ephesians chapter 2 4 verse 2 with all lowliness and gentleness this word means the quality of not being I love this overly impressed by a sense of one's self-importance someone has well said when they eventually find the center of the universe there's going to be a lot of people surprised that they're not there because that's us brethren we are the center of our own Universe we traffic in the realm of the Unholy Trinity me myself and I the leech has two daughters give give we're about us doesn't matter about anybody else so again listen to the different dictionary dictionary definition the quality of not being overly impressed by a sense of One's Own self-importance gentleness humility courtesy considerateness meekness and it's used by Paul again look at Galatians 5. Galatians 5 specifically in terms of the fruits of the spirit verse 23 gentleness self-control against such there is no law look at chapter 6 in Galatians verse one Brethren if a man is overtaken in any trespass you who are spiritual restore such a one notice in a spirit of gentleness what do you think Paul's saying loneliness and gentleness are virtues that are consistent with this worthy walk lowliness and gentleness are virtues that are consistent with our upward call of God in Christ Jesus he effectually called us unto himself he conveyed upon us every spiritual blessing not so that we'd be proud arrogance with an you know an overactive assessment of how great and glorious we are but just the opposite look at Philippians chapter 4 and verse 5. Philippians chapter 4 verse 5 let your gentleness be known to all men now Brethren when the Bible says that it doesn't mean advertise it hey I'm gentle I'm the gentlest guy you're ever going to meet that's not what it means any more than in Ephesians 5. husbands love your wives Christ a wife submit unto your husbands in a biblically regulated home the husband doesn't have to tell you over and over again how much he loves his wife in a biblically regulated home the wife doesn't have to tell you over and over and over again I'm submissive to my man I'm submissive to my men they don't have to tell you because they just do it the same with this gentleness principle in in Philippians 4 5. hey guess what I I'm a gentle person what's your greatest strength well I'm extremely gentle that that's my thing I'm really good at it now let your gentleness be made known to all men by being gentle by not being the sort of person that parades him or herself as the the embodiment of gentleness in terms of Christ's gift to the church at large notice as well in first Timothy chapter 6 First Timothy chapter 6 specifically in verse 11. but you o man of God flee these things and pursue righteousness godliness Faith love patience look at the virtue gentleness a real live application in second Timothy Chapter 2 beginning in verse 23. remember hearing a man a Christian apologist one time explained this in the context of Thanksgiving dinner Thanksgiving dinner it's often a time where there can be discussions of politics or religion that can kind of get uncomfortable perhaps you're having dinner or you know the a time of feasting with an uncle that opposes the Christian faith an uncle that likes to take shots at you an uncle that wants to try to exploit you and show you that you show everybody that you're You're Just a Fool well notice in second Timothy Chapter 2 at verse 23 but avoid foolish and ignorant disputes knowing that they generate strife and a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but here's our word be gentle to all able to teach patient in humility correcting those who are in opposition if God perhaps will grant them repentance so that they may know the truth don't get into the gutter with the guy but when the gutter is not the the problem then and you know in humility correct it do it with a Gentle Spirit do with an attitude that is likened unto our blessed savior and then in First Peter chapter 3 the Christian apologist the defender of the faith he's not to be arrogant he's not to browbeat everybody he's not to parade himself as the specimen of Higher Learning and the guy that has all the the ability in terms of debate and the ability to to to crush the the opposing view look at how Peter describes this in First Peter 3 15. first Peter 3 15 sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you with here's our word meekness and fear having a good conscience that when they defame you as evildoers those who revile your Good Conduct in Christ may be a shame for it is better if it is the will of God to suffer for doing good than for doing evil John Edie says it is a meekness of spirit in all relations both toward God and toward man which never rise is an insubordination against God nor in resentment against man and then one final passage I alluded to it earlier Matthew chapter 11 our blessed savior uses the these particular descriptors of himself Matthew chapter 11 specifically at verse 28. come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls so we go back to Ephesians chapter four what's Paul's emphasis Paul's emphasis is that a worthy walk looks like this lowliness it looks like gentleness and then he ends this Triad with one more specific virtue he says with with long suffering with patience patience is a tough one right not everybody is as patient as the next guy some people I hate to break this to you but some people struggle with with this one no doubt that's why he not only says with patience but then he follows up with bearing with one another the maybe some in Ephesus had this sort of remaining issue and Paul needed to admonish them and encourage them and exhort them so there's this lowliness there's this gentleness and then there's this long suffering this patience and this simply means the state of being able to Bear up under provocation see this commandment assumes a few things this commandment assumes that the people of God are not perfect right if the people of God were perfect it'd be easy to be patient with that the people of God were perfect it would be easy to forbear with them if the people of God never rubbed us the wrong way they never bothered us they never irritated us and they never sinned against us it would be a walk in the park to deal with the people of God there's obvious assumptions going on in the apostles words here the fact that we need patience and you need patience in order to deal with the rest of us is indicative of the reality of remaining corruption so it is the state of being able to Bear up under provocation forbearance patience toward others again the presupposition is simple the people of God are not perfect the people of God from time to time irritate one another oh no I can't believe that really you can't believe that are you married because I mean oftentimes the people of God are married to one another and I've yet to find the Christian couple that you know never bugs each other at all we just you know see each other's Praises it's like it's like the sun just oozes from their their pores it's it's only ever blessed that's not reality Brethren and Church Life why do we have to persevere in church life why do we have a Matthew 18 in church life why do we have a Matthew uh five in church life why do we have these things because the assumption is is that people of God are not perfect they have remaining corruption and from time to time they irritate one another and from time to time they they even sin against one another in fact the Apostle Peter tells us we're to let Love cover a multitude of sins in that context in terms of the larger sort of orbit of Redemptive uh uh Revelation yeah there are some sense as we induce or we invoke Matthew 18 we go to the brother we try to get him to repent if he doesn't we take two or three Witnesses if he doesn't listen to them we tell it to the church but for normal Garden variety sins we're to let Love cover it it's a great sort of a thing for the home for the the Christian marriage you don't have to exact rectitude for every wrong that is ever committed in your home I can't believe you've done this I can't believe you've done this we're gonna have to get the elders over here because once again you left your socks on the floor right next to the basket now Brethren I understand a woman's concern on that they're right next to the basket put them in the basket she's got you there but that's probably something that you can let Love cover you don't have to exact rectitude for every single wrong that's ever accomplished so there is this assumption built into scripture that there might be the instance where somebody bugs us and there's certainly going to be the instance where we bug somebody else so how do we deal with that well loneliness gentle until now I said long suffering that is requisite in our dealings with one another now there are several references as you might guess to this particular word throughout scripture but look at First Corinthians 13. we'll look at just two of them first Corinthians 13 you should already be thinking oh love chapter certainly in the love chapter we get these virtues absolutely positively we do First Corinthians chapter 13 notice in verse 1. though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels but have not love I have become sounding brass or a clanging symbol and though I have the gift of Prophecy and understand all Mysteries and all knowledge and though I have all Faith so that I could remove mountains but have not love I'm nothing and though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor and though I give my body to be burned but have not love it profits me nothing love suffers long it's the first it's the engine not the Caboose in this particular list in terms of what love Looks Like It suffers long it's patient it doesn't immediately fire back it doesn't immediately demand rectitude it doesn't immediately demand church discipline for every single offense that anybody ever commits against me Brethren loneliness gentleness and forbearance let's continue love suffers long and is kind love does not envy love does not parade itself is not puffed up does not behave rudely does not seek its own is not provoked thinks no evil does not rejoice in iniquity but Rejoice is in the truth never forget that phrase We oftentimes jettison within the context of the church we got to have Unity grounded in truth love rejoices in truth when we move our way through Ephesians chapter 4 and we see the purpose for which Christ gave gifts to his church it is to amplify and it is to shine the light upon and it is to be accurate with the truth of God's holy word why because it's the truth of God's holy word that matures the people of God that enables them to grow that enables them to be what they're supposed to be in terms of this worthy walk doesn't rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in truth Bears all things things believes all things hopes all things endures all things so going back to our brief Less in Ephesians 2 Ephesians 4 2 with all lowliness and gentleness with long suffering if you want a good sort of depiction of this or a good demonstration of this read the Old Testament sometime the Old Testament shows us the long-suffering nature of God most high when the fruit of the spirit or the fruit of the spirit is a Lovejoy peace patience why is that because God is a patient being read the Old Testament read Exodus 32 they've been given the law in great detail and what do they do they break the law by going after an idol that short after having received the law does God abandon them does he cut them off and cast them away no we saw in our reading last couple of weeks numbers 13 and 14. that reconnaissance mission the 12 Spies come back two spies say let's go at once and take the land that God has promised to give us but the 10 spies are whiners they're grumblers they're complainers they invoke or they they want to uh uh Stone Moses and Aaron for their bad counsel to suggest that they actually go into the land of Canaan and take it as God had promised so what does God say to Moses God says I'm going to cut them off and then Moses intercedes and God says okay I won't cut him off now this is in the manner of men God didn't make a change he didn't think about it he didn't you know respond or react in a different way it shows us or reveals to us the very being of God himself he is a long-suffering being and you see that throughout the Old Testament so those are the virtues lowliness gentleness and long-suffering now notice the conduct towards one another there's two two-participles bearing and endeavoring bearing and endeavoring there's that word again bearing it assumes that there's going to be people out there that kind of bug you it assumes that there's going to be people out there that may actually sin against you the word means to regard with tolerance to endure to bear with and then put up with that's an actual definition from a great dictionary on the language used in the New Testament to put up with how many times I've had to put up with this over and over and over again we do it in the context of complaining but we're not supposed to do that because notice what he says where to bear with one another [Music] in love because I just bear with one another because you have to knuckle under pull up your bootstraps and just deal with it with a grit and determination know you're to bear with one another in love there's a particular orbit in which we're supposed to function and it is that orbit of love that God has called us to in terms of our relationships with one another so the general virtue of patience is Amplified here and directed at our Brethren specifically we're to bear with them in love turn over to Colossians 3 see a bit of a parallel and you see that in that context it's specifically with reference to sin Colossians 3 verse 12 therefore as the elect of God holy and beloved uh put on Tender Mercies kindness humility meekness long-suffering and then notice verse 13 bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another even as Christ forgave you so you also must do so back to Ephesians chapter 4 this bearing with one another in love it is likely in the context of them having irritated you or them having sinned against you so you're not supposed to cut them off you're not supposed to avoid them and Brethren this is where the Practical rubber meets the road people do this people as I've observed and I don't have a market on the observation of people but a few things you pick up along the way there are strategies given to us in the Bible on how to deal with people who sin against us there really is as I said the Assumption throughout scripture is that we're going to bug each other or we're going to irritate each other or we're going to sit against each other well the primary references Matthew 18 if your brother sins against you what are you supposed to do go to him not go to Pastor not go to the deacons not take it to the prayer meeting can we pray for this that keeps sinning against me I I just it it really bothers me because I'm so holy and he's not and let's just take him to the Lord and ask God to heal him that is wretched Behavior Brethren that is ungodly Behavior the strategy number one is that if your brother sins against you go to him if he if he hears you then you've won him if he doesn't here you take two or three Witnesses if he doesn't hear them tell it to the church if he doesn't listen to the church then treat him as a heathen and a tax collector see that seems like a lot I don't want to do that well then you've got the first Peter 4 option let Love cover a multitude of sins yeah yeah that's one I'm gonna do that I'm not going to Matthew 18 him because I don't really want to get my hands that dirty so all first Peter for him I will let Love cover a multitude of sins but you know what happens you don't really let Love cover a multitude of sins you avoid them you no longer are friendly toward them I mean you're civil you don't throw tomatoes at them you don't key their car you don't do those sorts of things that are outwardly vicious or vile but there's been a breach in the relationship and instead of fixing it via Matthew 18 or fixing it first Peter 4 wise you just let it go that's unacceptable Behavior Brethren the church does not Advance when she cannot function at the level of dealing with her interpersonal relationships if she can't solve these Basics how is she going to shine as a light and a crooked and perverse generation and actually hold forth the word of truth if we can't manage to function uh graciously and kindly almost said civilly but that's not what we're after it's not just civil you know we're all civil together we're not we're not throwing Tomatoes no we need to love one another we need to be lowly toward one another we need to be gentle with one another we need to be patient with one another and we need to bear with one another in love see this is the the emphasis this is what a worthy walk looks like and then notice what he says in terms of the next word the next phrase in verse three endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit and the bond of Peace where does that come from well it comes right out of Ephesians chapter 2. remember what God does in terms of our Redemption he saves us as individuals Sinners verses one to ten but then he brings Gentiles and Jews and brings them into what he brings them into Unity he brings them into solidarity he makes out of the two one new man so practically speaking or doctrinally speaking we see that Unity is at a premium with our blessed God so practically speaking Unity ought to be at a premium with the people of God we're to Endeavor to keep what the Holy Spirit himself has put in place I used to title this sermon pursuit of Christian Unity no it's the preservation of Christian Unity the spirit has given us something the spirit has brought us through this place the spirit Spirit has conveyed upon us this treasure we're to Endeavor to keep it and this word endeavor doesn't just simply mean well I'm going to give it a try it means to be especially conscientious in discharging an obligation to be zealous to be eager to take pains to make every effort to be conscientious that's what's in view in this statement endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of Peace Brethren again just an observation along the way when there is disunity amongst the people of God let me tell you it's tough to preach in that environment not suggesting that obtains now but it has in the past when you know that there's warring factions Among Us and there's some real live issues and situations that aren't being dealt with Matthew 18 wiser First Peter chapter four wise doesn't make a abusive environment to the proclamation of the truth to the singing the Praises of God most high and to The Fellowship of the Saints we have to actually love each other in order to function together in a way that brings glory to God most high that's the emphasis that's what a worthy walk looks like there needs to be this lowiness gentleness there needs to be this this long suffering or forbearance there needs to be this bearing with one another in love and this endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of Peace consider Proverbs 6 verse 19. Proverbs 6 these these six things Yahweh hey seven are an Abomination to him hands that shed innocent blood oh yeah God abominates abortion we think about that we pray about that we talk about that in the life of our local church he also hates a haughty look he hates a lying tongue do you know what else he hates he hates uh uh one who sows Discord among the Brethren Proverbs Chapter 6 at verse 19 he hates one who sows Discord among the Brethren so so we're to Endeavor to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of Peace we're to work for this we're to be zealous for this we're to be those kinds of people that seek this as a premium in the life and Ministry of our local church we need to promote it we need to try and achieve it or keep it rather what the spirit is given John Flavel says tongue Unity the way that we speak to one another tongue Unity flows from heart Unity heart unity in great measure from head unity and all three from Union with Jesus Christ the divisions of our tongues come mostly from the divisions of our hearts where hearts are we're Hearts agreed tongues would quickly be agreed and then what blessed times might be expected what peaceful societies we should have if our lips transgress not the laws of love and kindness look over at verse 29 in Ephesians chapter 4. let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth but what is good for necessary edification that it may impart grace to the hearers we typically use that as a no-cussing passage in the Christian church you're not supposed to say this class of words now I'm not here to encourage you to use this class of words but I don't think that's what Paul means I do not think that's what Paul means I'm certainly sure that Paul wouldn't want you to use the profanities of the day you know in your in your conversation but when he says let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth we have this sort of contrast in what follows but what is good for necessary edification so corrupt speech is that which is not unto edification corrupt speech is that which is calculated to tear down versus build up corrupt speech is the kinds of things that we do when we're not clothed with the virtues of lowliness and gentleness and forbearance notice in verse 30 do not grieve the holy spirit of God by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption now pretend you'd never read verses 31 and 32 you'd only ever heard that there is this violation in the church called grieving the Holy Spirit and let's just pretend I gave you a pencil and a piece of paper and I said I want you to list five things that you think will grieve the Holy Spirit and again you don't know verse 31 you don't know verse 32. what are some things that would pop into your mind well adultery would certainly grieve the Holy Spirit shouldn't do that in the context of the church uh murder if we you know actually kill people in the parking lot that that would likely grieve the Holy Spirit it so so those things are out Saft I shouldn't steal from my brothers and sisters that's contrary to the word of God those are the kinds of things that that grieve the spirit but intriguingly look at what Grieves the spirit according to verses 31 and 32. again not suggesting that adultery and murder and you know all that sort of thing doesn't grieve the spirit but in this context notice in verse 31 let all bitterness wrath anger clamor and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice and be kind to one another tenderhearted forgiving one another even as God in Christ forgave you it is to grieve the Holy Spirit when the people of God do not conduct themselves in the manner that is consistent with their effectual calling by God he confers Redemptive benefit on us by his grace and for his glory he justifies us freely we believe the gospel we're forgiven of our sins we receive the righteousness of Jesus we enter into the life of sanctification and requisite upon us is to conduct ourselves in a manner that is consistent with the Holiness of God most high we are the end time Temple people we are the end time temple of God most high if we are to be filled with all the fullness as we gather together we got uh we must be a holy people a righteous people a people that are fit and ready to meet our blessed God in public worship and the way that we prepare our hearts is certainly pray certainly get your hair combed certainly put on your clothes and all that but the way that you and I conduct ourselves toward others in our midst the way that we esteem one another the way that we love one another the way that we promote one another and the way that we care for one another that is indicative that we are Christ's people The Upper Room discourse Jesus said by this all men will know that you are my disciples if if he says you have love for one another so bearing with one another in love and endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit and the bond of Peace these are things that are characteristic of the temple of God most high and in that light we pray let us be filled with all the fullness of God let him come down and be with his people in conclusion the theological order is justification and sanctification the Practical emphasis these virtues they are not normative they are not there by Nature we didn't come out of the womb low people gentle people and long-suffering people if you've had children you know that ain't the case the first word you've never taught them but they learn mine how did they get mine I mean they just know that it's just normal it's just natural yeah it's just normal it's just natural because of their connection to Adam mine is usually the first not yours not give not promote others now that's assuming they can speak that well but you get the point this is not natural to us it is Supernatural by God's grace in the life of the redeemed people of God that they seek by grace to cultivate these virtues and then to bear with one another in love and to Endeavor to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of Peace well let us pray Our Father in heaven we thank you for your word we thank you for the clarity of the Apostles instruction and exhortation here in Ephesians 4. I pray that you would help us to internalize these truths and help us God to check our own Hearts help us to cultivate such things and help us to live in a manner that is worthy of that gospel worthy of that calling that you have called us with to with us now and help us to glorify you in this coming week and we pray through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen close with a brief time of meditation