Following Jesus is not a solo act.
Following Jesus is a community activity.
America is a culture founded on individual effort, but the reality is that without people coming together for the common good, we would not exist as a nation.
If we are going to follow and serve Jesus effectively, we need each other.
In Ephesians 4:25-32 Paul give us guidelines on how we can do that in ways that honor God and reflect the character of Jesus.
In the latter part of Ephesians 4:25 it says, “for we are all members of one body.” Paul is not only writing to the church, but he is saying that these things need to take place in the context of the church.
Ephesians 4:25a
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor.
#1: We are to be people of truth and honesty.
We live in a world where deceit and falsehood prevail.
We see falsehood in advertising, sports, politics, and in almost every segment of our society.
We are not to see deceit or falsehood in the church among God’s people.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is speaking and living truth.
Ephesians 4:26
In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.
#2: We are not to be angry people
It is not our anger and condemnation that bring people to God. According to Romans 2:4 it is God’s kindness that leads people to repentance.
We are not to be characterized by anger.
We are not to hold on to our anger.
We are to be characterized by love.
We are to be longsuffering in our love for others.
Ephesians 4:27
And do not give the devil a foothold.
#3: We are not to allow Satan to have any influence in our lives.
In 2 Corinthians 4:4 Satan is referred to as the god of this age.
When we take on the thoughts, values or desires that characterized the world then we are allowing Satan to influence us because the thoughts, values, and desires of this world are the thoughts, values, and desires of Satan.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is characterizing the thoughts, values, and desires of God.
Ephesians 4:28
He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
#4: We are to allow our faith in God to make a difference in how we live.
In James 1:22 it says that we are not to merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourself . Do what it says.
Faith in Jesus is not intellectual or religious.
Faith in Jesus is reality.
It changes the way that we live or it is not real faith.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is our faith in Jesus being the determining factor in how we live.
Ephesians 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
#5: We are to build up, not tear down others.
In Romans 8:1 we are told that for those in Christ there is no condemnation. Jesus does not condemn us.
Jesus builds us up.
Jesus encourages us.
Jesus is honest with us.
Jesus speaks the truth in love to us.
We are to reflect Jesus and do the same thing.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is encouraging and building others up.
Ephesians 4:30
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
#6: We are to bring joy to God and not grieve the Holy Spirit.
We bring joy to God and thus not grieve the Holy Spirit by:
Being Truthful and Honest
Loving
Focusing Exclusively on Jesus
Our Faith Making a Difference in Our Lives
Building Up and Encouraging Others
Ephesians 4:31
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
#7: We are to be people of peace.
In Matthew 5:9 Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”
In Luke 2:14 the angels declared peace on those whom God’s grace rests.
God wants us to experience His peace. In Isaiah 9:6 Jesus is called, “The Prince of Peace.”
We experience peace and become people of peace through Jesus.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is experiencing and sharing God’s peace.
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
#8: We are to be a forgiving people.
We are to show kindness.
We are to show compassion.
We are to forgive.
We do all this just as God does it to us and for us in Jesus.
Jesus showed kindness when He reinstated Peter after Peter denied Him.
Jesus showed compassion to the widow of Nain when He raised her son from the dead.
Jesus asked the Father to forgive those who were crucifying Him.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is forgiving others as God forgives us.
The church is the body of Christ. We as the body of Christ:
Show the world who Jesus is
Display the Character of the Father to the world
Function as the temple of the Holy Spirit
As a Member of the One Body Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls
Joe
No comments:
Post a Comment