We continue in our People of Action sermon series and today our sermon is called The Worthy Walk. Our sermon verse today comes from Paul in his letter to the Ephesians.

Ephesians 4:1-3
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. ESV

A challenge or a command, to practical Christian living. The word “calling” is vocation. It does not mean a job, but describes walking the “Jesus life” in your profession. What does that involve?

We will use these 3 verses to explore 5 aspects for a worthy walk of Faith.

I. Walk in Humility and Gentleness
Ephesians 4:2
….with all humility and gentleness ESV

“Humility”is putting Christ first, others second and self last.

“Gentleness” is not weakness. It is power under control. Jesus said from the Sermon on the mount

Matthew 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. ESV

II. Walk in Patience

Ephesians 4:2
…bearing with one another in love… ESV

This is a “hang-in-there” attitude when life is difficult, no one is constantly on the mountaintop.

We are called to be an overcomer, to be patient.

Psalm 27:14
Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! ESV

Every human relationship requires bearing with each other!!

III. Walk in Forbearance
This is the next portion of our sermon verse

Ephesians 4:2
…forbearing one another in love… ESV

Walk in love. Seek to understand and live at peace with one another.

Max Lucado quote… “Jesus was approachable by the common people. People enjoyed being with him. The Almighty wasn’t high and mighty. The Holy One wasn’t holier than thou. The one who knew it all wasn’t a know it all. The one who made the stars didn’t keep his head in them. The one who owns all stuff on earth never strutted it. His faith made him likable, not detestable.”

We this aspect of Jesus reflected here in Galatians

Philippians 2:5-8
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. ESV

Loving people means to quit tearing them down and find a way to love them. Next a worthy walk is a

IV. Walk in Unity

Ephesians 4:3
…eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ESV

Be eager to maintain, guard and strive for unity. Work at it! Because Satan strives to wreck it!

John 10:10
*The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.*ESV

Don’t let your ego, sense of being Right, or old ways of thinking give him a foothold in your life.

Paul then lists seven basic spiritual realities that unite all Christians.

Ephesians 4:4-6
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. ESV

Seven spiritual truthes

A One Body: The body of Christ.

B One Spirit: This is the doctrine of the Holy Spirit.

C One Hope: This is the doctrine of eschatology.

D One Lord: The doctrine of lordship.

E One Faith: The doctrine of faith. Hebrews says

Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. ESV

F One Baptism: Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

G One God: We are children of a family with one father.

Walk a Worthy Walk of faith.