Learning How to Walk

Notes: Learning How to Walk

Ephesians 4:1–2

SPEAKER: Pastor Greg Laurie

MUSICAL GUEST: Dennis Agajanian

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

SERIES: Live, Love, Fight

Thursday, March 12, 2015 — 7:00 p.m.

Most of us don't remember taking our first steps, parents really seem to remember their kids first steps.

You don't see kids giving up on how to walk. Even though those steps are hard to take we don't give up.

Ephesians is like 3 sections: wealth, walk and warfare.

Colossians 2:6 NKJV

[6] As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,

1 John 1:7 NKJV

[7] But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

This chapter is teaching us about how to walk.

We as believers don't always know all

There is no theology without doxology.

Ephesians 4:1-6 NKJV

[1] I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, [2] with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, [3] endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. [4] There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; [5] one Lord, one faith, one baptism; [6] one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Paul is saying in light of what God has done for you, what should you be doing for Him.

Every believer needs to be actively involved in a local church. God manifests His presence in a special way amongst a group of believers.

When you are in church you many times will look at your problems in a different way.

Psalm 73:16-18 NKJV

[16] When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me- [17] Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end. [18] Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction.

Ephesians 4:1 NKJV

[1] I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,

When ever you see "therefore" ask what is it there for?

Right doctrine is essential to right living.

You need to know who God is and what God says in order to know the True God.

It is not possible to live a Christian life without knowing what God has given you.

Paul says he is a prisoner of the Lord, not a prisoner of Rome.

Every thing is "God filtered", He either does it or allows it.

God doesn't want to see you come forward, He wants to see you go forward.

The Great Commission is the proclamation of Christ and to help others grow in Christ.

We could never do something equal to what God has done for us but we can have the proper response to what He has done.

1. If you want to walk worthy of the Lord, as much as possible, keep the peace. Ephesians 4:3

We are in this together so don't disrupt it or cause  division.

It is possible to disagree agreeably.

We are not competing with each other. We are fighting the world, the flesh and the devil.

Pastors can work together even though they disagree.

As a body in Christ, we all need unity.

You cannot have unity with those that don't believe in the essentials of the faith. Like God is the one and only true God.

Augustine says in essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, and in all charity.

Ephesians 4:2 NKJV

[2] with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,

2. To walk worthy means we are to be humble and gentle. Ephesians 4:2

The Greeks influenced the Romans and they believed there was no place for humility. They actually looked at it as a derogatory term.

It takes more strength to forgive then it does for vengeance.

The Bible describes the strength of forgiveness as the same power it takes to bridle a wild horse.

Meekness is not weakness, its strength restrained.

Philippians 2:2-5 NKJV

[2] fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. [3] Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. [4] Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. [5] Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

What if you put others ahead of yourself always and would not be selfish. How would that change your life?

3. To walk worthy of your calling means to be long-suffering.

Moses spent 40 years in the desert.

Saul of Tarsus had to be prepared for his new work and live the hard life of Paul.

The world doesn't agree with the Bible about being long suffering. The world says to do what makes you feel good.

1 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV

[7] Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.

Ephesians 4:4-6 NKJV

[4] There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; [5] one Lord, one faith, one baptism; [6] one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

1. There is one body of believers, the church.

God can reach anywhere.

2. There is one Spirit.

3. There is one Lord and that is Jesus Christ.

4. There is one faith.

5. There is one baptism.

6. There is one God above all, through all, and in you all.

Father, Son and the Holy Ghost

All religions Do Not teach the same things.

We need to spend our time walking with Him and getting to know Him.

Stop looking for the emotional feeling and just walk with God.