Walking in Love (Ephesians Series)

Walking in Love

As we continue in our series in the book of Ephesians, we've been talking about our walk with the Lord.  Today we are talking about walking in love.  The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

Walking in Love

We are in Ephesians 5 where Paul talks to us about walking in love.  Before we walk in love, we need to know that we are loved and that we need a model, an example to follow.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. - Ephesians 5:1-2

1.  You are loved by God.

We are to have to nothing to do with impurity.  (Ephesians 5:3)  When we look for satisfaction in impurity, we will fall into impurity's entrapment.  Real satisfaction is only found in God's love.

God's Love by R.C. Sproul

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2.  We have an example to follow.

Every single fear and anxiety would disappear if we could fully grasp God's love for us.  You are deeply loved by God.  God's love for us is unconditional and unfailing.

If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then you are a child of God.  We are to be Godly and follow His example.

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. - John 1:12

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, ⁴ just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love ⁵ He predestined us to adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will. - Ephesians 1:3-5

We have no reason to live like orphans.  We are not orphans. You are, as a saved believer, adopted into the family of God.

We have His acceptance.

We have access to Him.  We can go to Him at any time.

We have His protection.

We have an inheritance.

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our wrongdoings, according to the riches of His grace. - Ephesians 1:7

Because God loves us, we can walk in love.

Love serves.

Love is kind.

Love forgives.

Love gives.

Love shows.  Love is more than words.  Love is action.

Do you know God loves you?

Have you received God's love?

Are you showing His love to others?

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Walking Out Our Faith Effectively (Ephesians Series)

Walking Out Our Faith Effectively

In our Ephesians series at church today, we are talking about walking out our faith effectively. The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon. You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

Do you walk out your faith effectively?

 

Our scripture passage is is Ephesians 4:25-32.

Therefore, ridding yourselves of falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, because we are parts of one another. ²⁶ Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, ²⁷ and do not give the devil an opportunity. ²⁸ The one who steals must no longer steal; but rather he must labor, producing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with the one who has need. ²⁹ Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but if there is any good word for edification according to the need of the moment, say that, so that it will give grace to those who hear. ³⁰ Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ All bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice. ³² Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. - Ephesians 4:25-32

We are to no longer walk in ignorance.  We are to walk in a manner worthy of our calling.  We are told in Ephesians 4:30 that we are not to grieve the Holy Spirit.  He is not an "it."  He is a person.  He is God.

Ephesians 4:9 Sign

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Walking Out Our Faith Effectively

1.  Walk honestly. (Ephesians 4:30)

Put away lies and speak truth.  Believers are to be clothed in honesty.  Relationships can only be maintained in unity in honesty.  Be truthful.  Living in truth is living Christ-like.  Living in lies is living like the enemy, the devil.  Satan is a master at deception.  Be honest about yourself.  We are all broken.  We all need accountability.

2.  Walk in serenity.

The word "serenity" means "peace and calm."  It is OK to be angry.  The emotion of anger is not a sin but emotions can result in sin.  Righteous anger is good.  It becomes wrong when it is self-centered.  That type of anger moves into your heart and it lingers.  It doesn't go away until you evict it.  Bad things can come into our lives due to selfish anger.

Don't go to bed angry. (Ephesians 4:26)

3.  Walk cautiously.

Do not give the devil any opportunity to trip up your walk.

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. - 1 Peter 5:8

Guard your internet!  Lock every door of your heart and home.  If Satan is giving any opportunity to enter, he will walk in and rule.

 

4.  Live generously.  (Ephesians 4:28)

5.  Speak graciously.

Don't allow nasty stuff  to come out of your mouth.  Whatever comes out of your mouth reflects the condition of your heart.  We get desensitized due to our constant exposure to worldly words and behavior.  

 

Don't let Hollywood script your speech.

 

People can be mean with words.  Jesus was both tough and tender.  Speak truth in love.  Love difficult people because you are one too.

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Walk in Unity (Ephesians Study)

Walk in Unity

At my church, we have been walking through Ephesians for the past few weeks.  Today, we are talking about walking in unity.  We are looking at Ephesians 4:1-6.  The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

Walking in the will of God doesn't mean walking in sunshine and roses all the time.

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. - Ephesians 4:1-6 

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The Holy Spirit has the power to transcend differences within the body of Christ.  He doesn't necessarily do this in the secular world, but He does within the church. (Ephesians 4:3)

Walk in Unity

1.  We are called to walk in unity.  

Remember your witness on social media.  Remember your witness in public places.

The Holy Spirit in me and in you get along perfectly.  The problem is our sinful flesh.

2.  We have been shown how to walk in unity.  

We have been shown how to walk in humility, gentleness, and patience.

We are to walk in gentleness coupled with 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. - Matthew 11:29

Gentle people are not harsh with others.  Treat people the way Jesus treats you.  This is how we learn to put up with difficult people.

Be kind and understanding with one another.

Don't be a fault finder in regard to others.  Whatever you are looking for, good or bad, you will find.

3.  We have been told why we need to walk in unity.

We are one body and one hope in Jesus.

Unity is our most powerful witness to the world. 

That they may all be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. - John 17:21

Lord, make us one that we may reach many.

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Walk in Unity

Prayers for All the Saints (Ephesians Study)

Prayers for All the Saints

All we need in this life, we have in Jesus.  When living out God's truth, hearing is good.  Doing is better.

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

Let's take a look at Ephesians 1:3 and 3:14-21.

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. - Ephesians 1:3

For this reason I bend my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner self, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God.

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. - Ephesians 3:14-21

Prayers for All the Saints

1.  Pray for the strength of the Holy Spirit.

Our inner beings will be strengthened by the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 3:16)

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer person is decaying, yet our inner person is being renewed day by day. - 2 Corinthians 4:16

When we surrender to the Holy Spirit, we are empowered.

2.  Pray for the closeness of Christ in our hearts.

In moments of pain and insecurity, Christ comes close to us.  We shouldn't invite Christ in as a visitor.  Invite Him in to dwell (to live) in your heart.

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 3.  Pray to be rooted and grounded in Christ's love. (Ephesians 3:17-18)

God's love is wide, long, high, and low. (Ephesians 3:18)

The love of God is unmeasurable.  You will never run out of the grace and love of God.  The love and fullness of God will pour over into our communities.  Pray these words over your loved ones.

God is able. (Ephesians 3:20)

Our prayers will never be met by a limited God.

Lord, make us one so that we may influence many.

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Prayers for All the Saints