Ephesians 4:5b

 

Ephesians 4:5b

Jesus is Our Faith

 

Eph 4:5  One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 

   

         1.     If there is only one faith, how can there be so much disagreement about it among believers?

a.     Ephesians 4:13-15 

         2.     If there is only one faith what is the true faith of which Paul speaks?

a.     The True Faith is how the righteousness of God is revealed to men

                                               i.     Romans 1:16-17 

b.     The True Faith is the only way that man can please God

                                               i.     Romans 3:21-25 

c.     The Ture Faith is hard to fathom, because even the Apostle Peter struggled with it

                                               i.     Galatians 2:11-16 

d.     Peter must have received the correction because he later proclaims boldly with the Apostle Paul the True Faith

                                               i.     1 Peter 1:18-19 

e.     The True Faith is the only true gospel; it is dangerous to preach any other

                                               i.     Galatians 1:8 

f.      The True Faith is not a new message but a hope that is found in the whole of Scripture

                                               i.     Romans 4:2-5 

g.     The True Faith is how we praise God for the great exchange that Jesus has made for us. His robes of righteousness for our filthy rags

                                               i.     2 Corinthians 5:21 

Mercy Swims to us, through Christ's Blood - Puritan Thomas Watson

This is so encouraging...

Ephesians 4:5a

 

Ephesians 4:5a

Jesus is Lord!

 

Eph 4:5  One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

 

1. Jesus is Lord of the Earth
1. He is truly co-equal with God

                                               i.     Colossians 1:15 

                                             ii.     Colossians 2:9 

2. He is the sustainer of all things

                                               i.     Colossians 1:17 

                                             ii.     Hebrews 1:2-3 

3. All earthly government powers exist because of Him

                                               i.     John 19:11 

4. All earthy government powers will ultimately be crushed by Him

                                               i.     Psalm 2:6-12 

5. Every human will eventually bow the knee

                                               i.     Philippians 2:6-11 

2. Jesus is Lord of the Church
1. He is the sole head

                                               i.     Ephesians 1:20-23 

2. He is the sole administrator

                                               i.     Matthew 16:18 

                                             ii.     Acts 4:18-19 

                                           iii.     Act 5:28-32

3. Jesus is Lord of the Family
1. Ephesians 5:22-27 
4. Jesus must be Lord of Your Life
1. For the early Christian church confessing Jesus as Lord was a life-or-death issue. As well as for many Christians still today.

                                               i.     Romans 10:9-10 

 

 

Viewer Q&A: Do I Read Too Much Theology?

This is a really good answer for those that struggle with this issue...

Ephesians 4:4

 

Ephesians 4:4

There is Only One Body

Eph 4:4  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 

         1.      There is Only One Body

a.      There is a Visible Church

                                                    i.     These are the many denominations and different church organizations around the world

1.      Ephesians 4:11-12 

b.      There is an Invisible Church

                                                    i.     This is the true body of Christ. Those that are truly saved in Christ

1.      Ephesians 1:10 

                                                  ii.     There is only one way into this fold and that is through the Great Shepherd Himself

1.      Ephesians 1:12-13 

          2.      There is Only One Holy Spirit

a.      Not only do you have truly be a part of the Invisible Church but you must have the following works of the Holy Spirit going on in your life:

                                                    i.     You must have the conviction of sin that only He gives

1.      John 16:8 

                                                  ii.     You must be regenerated by Him

1.      Ephesians 2:1 

                                                 iii.     You must be a part of the common faith that He creates

1.      Jude 1:3 

                                                 iv.     You must have the new desires that only He gives

1.      Matthew 5:6 

                                                   v.     You must be added into the body that only He can give access to

1.      1 Corinthians 12:13 

                                                 vi.     You must be indwelled by Him in the way that only He can

1.      1 Corinthians 6:19-20 

                                               vii.     You must have the fruit that only He gives

1.      Galatians 5:22-23 

           3.      There is Only One Way to Join

a.      What is the calling that Paul is referring to?

                                                    i.     Ephesians 4:1

b.      He has already described the process of this calling for us

                                                    i.     Ephesians 1:18 

Ephesians 4:3

 

Ephesians 4:3

Endeavoring to Keep the Unity

 

Eph 4:3  Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

 

         1.      Endeavoring to Keep

a.      Endeavoring means to be actively pursuing a common goal

                                                              i.      Endeavoring begins with a love for one another

1.      John 13:34-35 

                                                           ii.      Endeavoring means and active pursuit of peace

1.      Hebrews 12:14 

                                                         iii.      Endeavoring means building the fruits of wisdom into our life

1.      James 3:17-18 

b.     To keep something means literally to guard it

                                                              i.      1 Corinthians 1:10 

           2.      The Unity of the Spirit

a.      The unity is not our own but is first given to us by a work of the Holy Spirit

                                                              i.      It was His original vision

1.      Ephesians 2:13-`18 

                                                           ii.      It was His Baptism and Communion

1.      1 Corinthians 12:13 

                                                         iii.      It as Him that brought us to Christ

1.      1 Corinthians 12:3 

                                                         iv.      It is Him that gives us life

1.      2 Corinthians 3:6 

                                                            v.      It is His fruits that enable unity

1.      Galatians 5:22-23 

          3.      In the Bond of Peace

a.      The bond that ties us together is a humble submission to one another

                                                              i.      1 Peter 5:5

Ephesians 4:2d

 

Ephesians 4:2d

Forbearing One Another in Love

Eph 4:1  I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 

Eph 4:2  With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 

Eph 4:3  Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

Eph 4:4  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 

Eph 4:5  One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 

            1.      Who Must I Put Up With?

a.      We are to put up with our brothers and sisters in Christ

                                                              i.      Those who also have Jesus as their Lord - Romans 10:9 

                                                           ii.      Those that have faith in Jesus - Ephesians 4:13 

                                                         iii.      Those that have been baptized into Jesus - Romans 6:3-4 

b.     We are not to put up with those who are in our midst to cause trouble. We are to:

                                                              i.      Beware of them - Matthew 7:15 

                                                           ii.      Mark them - Romans 16:17 

                                                         iii.      Turn away from them - 2 Timothy 3:5 

                                                         iv.      Know where they are going - 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 

           2.      How do I Put Up with my Fellow Christians?

a.      Be prepared to be treated like trash - 1 Corinthians 4:12-13 

b.     Turn the other cheek - Matthew 5:38-39 

c.      Be slow to get angry - James 1:19-20 

d.     Never let anger grow in your heart - Ephesians 4:26 

e.      Be filled with a genuine love - 1 Peter 4:8 

f.       Learn to forgive others - Colossians 3:13-15 

g.      Follow God’s example of love - Matthew 5:43-48