I hope everyone's doing well. That's one. All right. James, would you read for us Ephesians 4, verse 17 to 32, please? Yep. Thank you. to work all uncleanness with greediness, but ye have not so learned Christ. If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus. That ye put off concerning the former conversation of the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lot, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that ye put on the new man, which every man is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore, putting away lying, speak every man's truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not. Let not the sun go down upon your wrath, neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole, steal no more, but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearing. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Amen. Let's pray. Father, thank you so much for this time. We pray you bless the message and speak to our hearts and help us take this seriously I'm concerned what Ephesians says about our walk. And I pray, Father, you'd be glorified in our lives. We pray you'd deal with the lost. We pray for their souls, that they'd come to Christ and be saved. And Father, may you be glorified in this time. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. Thank you. You may be seated. The book of Ephesians is an epistle written by the Apostle Paul into the church at Ephesus. It's a deep, rich, powerful epistle. And the letter gives us an understanding of our purpose. So there's a heavenly calling. Second of all, there's an earthly conduct and a satanic conflict. We see that in chapter 6. The key thought of Ephesians is in Christ. And the epistle is divided into three areas, chapter 1 through 3, the wealth of the Christian in Christ, in chapter 4 and 5, the walk of the Christian in Christ, and chapter 6, the warfare of the Christian in Christ. So let's see chapter 1 through 3, the wealth of the Christian in Christ. So turn your Bible to Ephesians chapter 1, And we see this term over and over again, in Christ. So the Bible says in verse 1, Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful, here it is, in Christ Jesus. And that's the key. If you're not in Christ, you're in sin. And that's not what you want to do. You want to be in Christ. You want to be forgiven for your sins. And then notice your Word chapter 1 verse 3. The Bible says, blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. And then we see in chapter 1, verse 6, to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved. So then we see chapter 1, verse 10, that in the dispensation of fullness of times, he might gather together in one all things in Christ. And then God says in verse 12, he says that we should be to the praise of his glory who first trusted in Christ. In chapter two, in verse six, the Bible says, and hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. And then we see chapter 3 and verse 6, and the Bible says that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs of the same body and partakers of its promise in Christ by the gospel. And we can go on and on and look at this, but that's so important to understand that we have to be in Christ and that there's no ifs, ands, or buts about it. If you're not in Christ, you're in sin. And so Paul addresses the believers as children. He says as household, as family, as followers, as wrestlers. As children, we are chosen in him before the foundation of the world to be holy and without blame. And a lot of people, they start drooling when they see this because they're Calvinist. They follow teacher John Calvin. And John Calvin was a Protestant and he was wrong. He made a whole doctrinal statement about what he believes and he misinterpreted the word of God and so on. So the Bible tells us that we're in Christ. And he said, we're chosen in Christ. And I want to show this to you in chapter one. Let's turn there, please. He said, according as He has chosen us in Him. People go nuts for that. Oh, I'm chosen. I'm elected and all that. I want you to see what the Bible says. Before the foundation of the world, that we should be what? Saved? That we should be converted? What does it say? Thank you. Holy. And without blame before him in love. Having predestined us, there's no one there. He starts drooling when he sees that. Unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will. So the Bible tells us we've been predestined. to be like Jesus Christ, not to be saved. We're not chosen in salvation. We're chosen to be holy. And that's what the Bible teaches, the clear teaching right here. And don't skip over it. Look at it. See what God says. I'm not afraid of Calvinism. I mean, I don't like it and I hate it, but it's a Protestant doctrine. It's false teaching. But outside of that, I'm not afraid of it. I don't fear anything when it comes down to Calvinism. So the Bible says here that as a household, Paul addresses the church. We are his workmanship, his creation, Christ Jesus. Notice chapter two, verse 10. And the Bible says, for we are his workmanship, creating Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. So once we're in Christ, We become his workmanship. And so it's like a builder building a house. It's like someone building a car. The Rivera boys have bought different cars and they're fixing them up and so on. They're going to put their workmanship all over those cars. Got to be careful, boys. You want to still sit in there 10 years from now. That's a good card. Just teasing. I know you'll do well. So we're reconciling and building together. Notice chapter 2 and verse 16. And the Bible says in that we might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby. And then he says in verse 22, in whom we also are building together for a habitation of God through the spirit. So as a family, the Bible says we are fellow heirs, fellow members, fellow partakers of his promise in Christ. So as followers, we're fitly joined together. Notice chapter 4 and verse 16. And the Bible says, verse 16, from whom the whole body fitly joined together, compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part make an increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. So the Bible teaches that we're not to walk as the Gentiles walk, and that's in the vanity of their minds, the emptiness. So we see a lot of people, their minds are filled with what? The world? Vanity? Emptiness? You know, they talk about things they know, but does it really matter? And that's the key. And the Bible says that we're partakers of His promise in Christ. As followers, we're fitly joined. We walk not as a Gentile, but walk in love as Christ has loved us. As wrestlers, we are to stand in the power of his might. You hear that, George? Not your own power, but the power of his might. And take the whole arm of God. Notice chapter 6 and verse 13, please. The Bible says, wherefore, take unto you the whole arm of God, that ye may be able to withstand an evil day, and have him done all to stand. So that's our calling. in Christ Jesus as a household, as a family, as followers, as wrestlers. Now, the first three chapters of Ephesians could be described as how God sees us in Christ, whereas in chapter 4 through 6 can be described how men see Christ in us. And that's what we've got to do. Make sure that people see Christ in us. And don't be a fake about this. Be sincere. And let the Lord know that I want people to see Jesus in me. I want people to see the Lord in me. Now, Ephesians chapter 4 and verse 1, the Bible says, therefore, Paul's not changing thoughts here. He says, I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, What he's doing is he's continuing by stating that we should prove what has been professed by the man of our walk. And one lives, one lives, should back up what we say. Our lives should be very careful in what we profess and what we practice. So there should not be a difference between Christian doctrine and Christian doing. Our profession and our practice, this should be consistent. And if we're in Christ, we should be growing in Christlikeness. Let's stop. I want to take an inventory of your heart and life. Are you growing Christlikeness? Are you living for Jesus Christ? Since your profession of faith, has there been a real change in your life, in your demeanor, in your practice, in your belief? I mean, these things should be evident in what you are practicing. And if not, then it should cause you concern. Another word we observe in this epistle is walk. Ephesians chapter 2, verse 10. The Bible says we are His workmanship, according to Christ Jesus, unto good works, which God hath before today, and that we should walk. in them. Chapter 4 and verse 1, the Bible says, therefore the prison of the Lord beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called. In chapter 4 verse 17, the Bible says, I say therefore and testify in the Lord that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk in the valley of the mines. We're not to imitate the world. And the more we grow in the Lord, the less the world's going to be in us. Chapter 5, verse 2, the Bible says, 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 Savior. Verse 8, for ye were sometimes darkness But now I enlighten the Lord, walk as children of the light. And notice chapter 5 verse 15, see then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. So make sure you're careful with your life. Why? Why be careful? Because God says you ought to be. That's why. Be circumspectly, walk circumspectly with your lives. Now walk speaks of motion. implies purpose, a goal, practice, advantage, sustained motion, the action of the mind, and the decision to start. First of all, we need to walk in unity. The Bible says, therefore a prisoner of the Lord beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation, whatever it be called, with all lowliness, meekness, long-suffering, forbearing in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. So God commands us to walk in unity. And unity, Paul is speaking of only one type, as presented, as promoted in the scriptures, is doctrinal unity. Now that doesn't mean we have to dress like everyone, dress the same. Look, you go to another country, I don't dress like people in Bangladesh. What do they have, they call it a suri? Is that a woman's clothes or men? I love Nathanael. So they wear a suri, is that a man's clothing? Woman. All right, what do men wear that they wear a skirt? What is that thing? That's what I thought. I wouldn't look good in a skirt. But men in balencesto, and that's their culture. And their culture is modest, so there's nothing correct there. So the thing is this, just because we don't dress the same, doesn't mean we can't believe the same. You see? Very important. And the Bible says our doctrine, verse four to six, the Bible says one body, one spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and father of all. So God speaks here in chapter four of our demeanor. And he says here, he said in chapter four, let me see here. Chapter four, verse two. He said, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering for bearing one another in love. So the Bible says here, lowliness. That speaks of our humility. May we understand that without lowliness, we would be unacceptable before God. Now that's important. So what are you saying? People are saying they aren't going to be proud. And that doesn't mean instantaneously after the salvation, it's part of sanctification. We've got to put on Christ. Put on Christ. As Brother Fryman preached last Wednesday, in the mind of Christ. And the mind of Christ is all lowliness. And we're to humble ourselves before God. You know, you're not going to see pride in heaven. Not found anywhere. And praise the Lord. But the Bible says pride is against God. But loneliness is acceptable before God. And this word loneliness means to think or judge with humility. So there's things that people do, and I can name but some of them we're not going to, that cause them to be proud. Maybe what you wear, maybe the way you fix your hair, Maybe it's, you know, certain things that you do that make you proud. Well, I want to suggest this very strongly. Don't do it. Get that right in your heart. God resists the proud, gives grace to the humble. And the Bible says, loneliness or humility begins with a proper view of self. So, I want to say this in 1 John 1.8. The Bible says if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves. Not anyone's going to deceive us, but we're deceiving ourselves when we say we have no sin, and the truth is not in us. So what do we have to be proud of? I'm driving this car. I live in this house. So what? You know, it just takes a good old-fashioned depression to change that. Seriously. What about if you lose your job and you don't have that income coming in? That could change the whole thing that you're living in. I'm proud of this furniture. I'm proud of the way we eat. There's nothing to be proud of. The Bible says walk with lowliness. So loneliness allows us to view ourselves as we really are. And the loneliness allows us to view the Lord in the proper way. Marcus dealt with that last week when he preached on, I saw the Lord high and lifted up and put things in perspective. Whatever we have, whatever we possess, It's because of God's goodness in our life. That's all it is. It has nothing to do with you personally. It has to do with God's goodness. And so many people judge themselves with others. They think they're better. And our standard by which we judge ourselves should be the Lord. It's not others. You can't compare yourself to others. 2 Corinthians chapter 10 verse 12, for we dare not make ourselves of a number or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves, but they measure themselves by themselves, comparing themselves among themselves are not wise. So, you know, guys will compare themselves visually with others. Oh, that guy, I could kill him. I could beat him like a red-headed stepchild. If you got red hair, I'm not. I'm just saying what that guy said. So, you know, so what? There's always an equalizer, right? So maybe you're strong physically, but maybe you don't own a shotgun. That's an equalizer. Just kidding. Anyway, the idea is this. So you're stronger than me. It doesn't matter. I am what I am by the grace of God. And that's how I look at things. I don't think I'm strong. I got more money. I drive a faster car than you. You know, I still get there. It may take me a little while, but I still get there. These things are so immature. They're not worthy to invest in. So there's not only in spiritual, also unintelligent. That's what this stuff does, causes to be unintelligent. Loneliness also produces meekness. You cannot be meek without humility and you cannot be meek with pride. Meekness is not, in verse 2, is not timid, but the spirit of self-control. And the opposite of vengeance and vindictiveness is meekness. It's having our strength tamed on a control of God's spirit. King David displayed meekness when he could have killed Saul. But he refused. He was living a meek life. And Christians who is meek has the right attitude towards others. Christians and the lost. They don't have to have an attitude of superiority, but humility. And again, if you realize what we are by the grace of God, in the sight of God, There'd be no one who's proud. No one. What would be the purpose of being proud? It's an offense to God. It's an offense to the Godhead. You're not going to be filled with God's Spirit if you're proud. That's what God wants from His people, to walk in humility, to be what God wants us to be. And God, the issue is not to be proud or, you know, selfish with our lives, but rather walk in loneliness, meekness, and long-suffering. Long-suffering, this is the third characteristic of walking worthy. Patience is enduring negative circumstances and giving, not giving into them. So if there's things that you struggle with, or you don't think it's right, and so on, what does God's word say? And patience is really important, long suffering is really important. Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5 verse 14, be patient towards all men. That's what God wants. So if you have a younger brother, be patient with him. If you have a younger sister, be patient. If there are people in life, a church family or an individual family, be patient with one another. Just because you got a down pat and you snap out, I got this, that, well, maybe the other person doesn't. A saint who walks worthy of a calling in unity going to accept God's plan for everything without questioning or complaining. So we see lowliness, meekness, long-suffering, and then forbearing. And forbearing one another in love. This is the fourth characteristic of the walk in unity. Forbearing is putting up. with enduring to hold up one against another. So, it's so important that we forbear with people. 1 Peter chapter 4 verse 8, above all things have fervent charity among yourselves, for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. In Proverbs chapter 10 verse 12, hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins. So forbearing love takes abuse from others while continually and unconditionally loving them. And this is agape love, which is to continue to love whether it's ever returned. If any church takes these four characteristics, loneliness, meekness, long-suffering, forbearing, and applies them towards church unity, That church will not have divisions or schisms, but rather sound doctrinally, strong Christ-like church, walking worthy of the Lord in unity. That's a great goal to try to accomplish in your life. So we see walking in unity, second of all, the walking in holiness. And notice the calling in chapter 4 of Ephesians, Verse 17, this I say therefore, testify in the Lord that you henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk in the vanity of minds. So other Gentiles or lost are clearly described in chapter four, verse 17 through 19. Bible says in verse 18, having the understanding darkened. being annihilated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of blindness of the heart, who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness to walk and work all in cleanness with greediness. So the Bible clearly defines what it's like to be lost. And this is what the Bible says, and this is the way it is. So you can't expect a sane person to be spiritually minded because they're not. Their understanding is darkened. They're alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them. Lost people, I say with all kindness, but they're ignorant of the life in Christ. They don't get it. And the Bible says, in verse 18, because of the blindness of their heart. Now, if you've been around a blind person, you realize they can't see. Say, I didn't know that. Of course. And you may have a relative who's blind or a friend or whatever, but blindness is blindness. And you can tell them right to the face, can't you see that? It's right in front of you. They're blind. Can't see it. You can describe it to them. You can tell what's going to happen. They touch it. Don't see it. They're blind. That's the way it is in a church setting. If people here are blind, we got to pray that God would free them from the blindness that Satan has put on their minds. That's a good way to pray. And the Bible tells us, as Paul said this, they're spiritually dead. They're alienated from the life of God. Mentally in darkness, having understanding darkened. They're morally degenerate, who past feelings have given themselves over, and physically depraved under the sinness to work all in cleanness with greediness. Now, you say, well, my son, my daughter are lost. You see what God's Word says? This is the truth. And it would be very, very wise of you Keep in touch with them. What's going on in your life? What's happening? What are you doing? Now, Paul quickly turns from such darkness to verse 20, but ye have not sown Christ. There's a difference. In verse 21, he says, if so be. He does not assure them of their salvation, but he says in verse 21, if so be that you heard him and have been taught by him, and the truth is in Jesus. So holiness in character. And you can say all you want about raising children right, and that's true. You ought to raise them right. And it could cause them to refrain from certain activities But the idea is this, you know, there's a holiness in character. Let's go back to Ephesians chapter one. And notice verse four, according to chosenness in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. So the key is that we're going to be holy. And the Bible states this many times, holiness unto the Lord. clean living, the right demeanor, holiness. Think about what God says in chapter four, verse 24. The Bible says, and that you put on the new man, which after God has created in righteousness and true holiness. That's how God made us. We're saved. We've been converted to Christ. God says that you create in righteousness and true holiness. And then notice if you would, chapter 5 and verse 27, the Bible says that he might be presented to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that you should be holy and without blemish. So this is the goal of the child of God. God wants us to be spotless from this world. And even though we live in a world that has fallen and defiled, we're still to be holy people. And again, this is not, you know, oh, how can I be holy? Well, there's a side of me that says, you know, I can't be holy, but we have to strive for holiness. That's the way God wants us to be, and we're created in righteousness and true holiness. So will I ever perfect holiness in this flesh? No. But the Bible says that's a goal we should shoot for, to be holy in our conversation. Our Lord said, be holy for I'm holy. It's part of new nature. Holiness of character is achieved by saturating yourself with the Word of God and being fully surrendered and obedient to it. And that's very important, beloved, very important. Because God's going to judge us on our holiness. And we see holiness of conduct. In Romans chapter 12, verse 1 and 2, I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercy of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice. Holy. First thing God says, holy. It's not on the bottom of the list, it's on the first. First part, first thing, God says to be holy, acceptable unto God, which is a reasonable service. So if you're not holy, it's unacceptable before God. You understand the connection there? So important to be holy. And he says in verse 2, and be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. So let me tell you, that's the problem. That's a real problem, not being conformed to this world. And that's why you hear the phrase, oh, they're worldly Christians. Well, you never see that in the Bible. That's made up by people. Preachers compromising. Oh, you're a worldly Christian. I remember one time I talked to a guy, and his pastor was standing there, and they were going on about how he got backslung and got away from the Lord. I think about where God is. He's everywhere. How do you get away from Him? And he wound up being involved with witchcraft. He was going to sacrifice his first child to the devil. And then he got right with God. That's what I think of that testimony. What a goof. Apparently he had no instruction of the word of God. How do you? Say, oh, no, I was going to sacrifice today to the devil, not to the Lord, but to the devil. That's the Christian life. What a joke. What a joke. But be you transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. Our body is the means in which we demonstrate to the lost of our testimony in Christ, our words, our actions, our lifestyle. And that's how we demonstrate to the lost if we're true Christians or not. So this is part of our sanctification. We set apart our lives in the Lord. Notice verse 25. Would you read that for us, please? Chapter, let's see, Chapter 4. All right. So a lie and the truth are exact opposites. And a lie is any degree of falseness, deception, hypocrisy, misrepresentation. Verse 26, James. So God tells us anger is a smoldering resentment, inward irritation, hidden malice, outburst of temper. So righteous anger is to be angry and sin not. It's an anger of the sin and not the person. Now, I know most people claim, no, it's righteous anger. When I screamed at my kids this week, it was righteous anger. When I was mad at another church, it's righteous anger. Okay. Sure it was. But it really wasn't. Again, you have a smoldering resentment, an inward irritation, hidden malice, outburst of temper. And to be righteous is to be angry and not to sin, and to be angry at the sin and not the person. But if you have resentment or a problem with an individual, That's not righteous. Verse 27, James. So it speaks of a walk of holiness, cause any smoldering anger, resentment, hard feeling to be confessed and forsaken. And when we live right, we're living close to the Lord and right with others, there will be no opportunity to get placed on the devil. Because our focus is on the Lord and not others. And that's important. You know, today you should be looking to the Lord as we study the Word of God, examining yourself. Is this me? Not others. What's going on with others? Am I right with God? Am I walking in the Spirit? Am I living a holy life? So we see holiness in character, holiness in conduct, and then James when we read verse 29 we see holiness in conversation. The Bible is clear on this in Ephesians 5 verse 4, neither filthiness nor foolish talking nor jesting which are not convenient but rather giving of thanks. So we are to be holy people in every area of our lives, living epistles of the Word of Christ in our lives. So we see a walk in unity, a walk in holiness, and then we see, third of all, a walk in love. In chapter 5, verse 2, the Bible says, walk in love as Christ also loved us, hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor. So again, this is so important because these are not words just filling up space in the Bible. This is what God wants us to do. He wants us to live this way. He's not challenging us to live a certain way and just filling up words. This is God's command. So the Bible tells us that in Ephesians 4, 31 puts a responsibility on us. So notice he says here in chapter 4, verse 31, So he said in verse 31, let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking, put away from you with all malice. So God tells us, let, in Ephesians 4, 31, puts the responsibility on us. It's my responsibility to make sure that I'm not bitter, wrathful, anger, clamor, et cetera. So we can say, he made me. That family, they did this to me. Doesn't matter. God tells us, let all bitterness, et cetera. We decide if we're going to be offended and harbor bitterness. We decide if we're going to let hard feelings continue. I have to make that decision. Am I going to be offended at someone? Am I going to be offended at my spouse, my children, my fellow brother and sister in Christ? I don't want to. And so I have to make that decision. Decide if we're going to let hard feelings continue or let it go and love a God that loves us. 1 John chapter 2, verse 9 through 11, he that saith he's in the light, and hateth his brother is in darkness even now. That's for us. Verse 10, he that loveth a brother bindeth in light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. He that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness. and knoweth not whither he goeth, because the darkness has blinded his eyes." 1 John 3, verse 14, we know that we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. That's what God says. So you abide in the light or you abide in death? I mean, I want to be practical with this, okay? He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Let's be practical with that. You is or you ain't. You're either a convert or you're not. Now you may be a faithful church member. That's what God says. He said love. If he's in 5 verse 1, He therefore followed God as dear children, and walked in love as Christ also had loved us, and given himself an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling saber. So God tells us our walk should be in unity, without any division. Walk in holiness. Not of the world, but be separated from the world and walk in love. And again, it's so important that we either abide in Christ or abide in death. So did God speak to your heart today? What about? Very important that we are honest with God. and are doing God's will for our lives. And I say this, if you're doing God's will, it's wonderful. I mean that. If you're not, that's a problem. I trust you're gonna rectify this and make those things right. Let's stand on our feet, please. Heads are bowed, eyes are closed, no one looking around. Father, thank you, Lord, for this time. Thank you, Lord, your word, and Father, we praise your name for our call to walk as Jesus walked. And I pray that you help us to be honest with ourselves. Help us do your will. And we pray, Father, that you'd be glorified in this. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.