EPHESIANS

Week 9 of EPHESIANS » God’s Ultimate Purpose
Message title: One Calling
Scriptures: Ephesians 4:1-6; 1st Peter 2:9-12; John 15:16-17
Preacher: Chris Garrison
Date: 3/17/13

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Stories are significant, and they shape us as people, and as a whole culture. Each of us is shaped by our own life story. That story shapes the way we live, the purposes we live for, the type of person we will be and pursue becoming, the way we treat the people around us. The stories you and I live and have a large role in determining the future, as we imagine the possibilities of what our story can hold, and the things we can do because of the stories we believe.

In Ephesians 4:1-6 the Apostle Paul takes a story he’s been telling and calls us to live a different story ourselves.

Scriptures:
Ephesians 4:1-6:

4 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

1st Peter 2:9-12:

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

John 15:16-17 (Jesus speaking):

16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

What if we as a church decided we are willing to walk in a manner worthy of the calling of Christ?

What does it look like when the body of Christ is filled with so much love that people cannot wait to see that love, touch it, and understand it more?