<p> Body Building Ephesians Series – Pt. 4 6/14/08-6/15/08 Ephesians Chapter 4 A Calling to Live a Life Worthy of Christ</p><p>“Maturity is achieved when a person postpones immediate pleasures for long-term values.” Joshua Loth Liebman</p><p>"A person who is growing in spiritual maturity is developing emotional health. A person who is growing in spiritual maturity is healing broken relationships and building healthy ones. A person who is growing in spiritual maturity begins to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ and no longer allows imaginations of the heart to run riot..." ~ Erwin McManus</p><p>“Sometimes when we read the words of those who have been more than conquerors, we feel almost despondent. I feel that I shall never be like that. But they won through step by step by little bits of wills little denials of self little inward victories by faithfulness in very little things. They became what they are. No one sees these little hidden steps. They only see the accomplishment, but even so, those small steps were taken. There is no sudden triumph no spiritual maturity.” Amy Carmichael </p><p>“In The Last Days Newsletter, Leonard Ravenhill tells about a group of tourists visiting a picturesque village who walked by an old man sitting beside a fence. In a rather patronizing way, one tourist asked, "Were any great men born in this village?" The old man replied, "Nope, only babies." A frothy question brought a profound answer. There are no instant heroes--whether in this world or in the kingdom of God. Growth takes time,...” William C. Shereos We _____ Always ___ As We Are ____ Outline Living a Life Worthy  A Call to Live a Life Worthy of Christ (Eph 4:1-3) Prism  How Unity Reflects in Individuality (Eph 4:4-8; 11-13) Going Down  Paul’s Tangent on Christ Descent (Eph 4:9-10) A Glorious Goal  The Benefits of Spiritual Maturity (Eph 4:14-16) Earwax Build Up  Paul Commands Different Living for Believers (Eph 4:17-19) Switching Selves  A Call to Adjust Perspective and Lifestyle (Eph 4:20-24) Give Me An Example  What It Looks Like to Live Worthy (Eph 4:25-32) Body Building Ephesians Series – Pt. 4 6/14/08-6/15/08 Ephesians Chapter 4 A Calling to Live a Life Worthy of Christ</p><p>DIGGING DEEPER</p><p>Questions for the Heart and Spirit 1. Are you walking in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called? Compare yourself to the standards that Paul presents in Chapter 4. 2. Would you consider yourself more of a child (verse 14) or a grown up (verse 15)? 3. No matter where you are on that scale, what is Paul urging you to do in Chapter 4? 4. Children grow up automatically, but the final product depends upon what is put into their lives while they are growing. What are you inputting into your life? Your children`s lives? 5. Paul urges us to “put on” or “lay aside” various items. How does Chapter 4 tell us we are able to do that?</p><p>Questions for the Mind  Read: Ephesians Chapter 4; Rom 13:12;Heb 12:1  What do these verses tell us we are to lay and, and why? Who is this instruction intended for and does it apply to you today? (See 2 Tim 3:16- 17)  Read: Eph 4:1-3; Ps 119:35; Prov 28:26; Ps 1:1; Lk 1:6; Rom 6:4; Jn 8:12  Chapter 5 is about how we are to walk (live) as a part of the body of Christ. What do these verses tell you about what that walk is to look like?  Read: Rom 7:4; Eph 4:12; Rom 12:14-15; 1Cor 12:12-17; Col 1:18-24  There are several definitions of the body of Christ, How do these verses define it? Are you a part of it?  Read:: Rom 14:19; Eph 4:12-16; 1 Thess 5:11; Acts 20:32;  While living as a part of the body of Christ, what is one of the things we are called to do? What are some of the ways we can do that?  Read: Rom 13:12-14; Eph 4:24; Eph 6:11-14; Col 3:12-14; 1 Thess 5:8; Heb 13:6  In order to walk as we are called to walk as followers of Christ, what are we called to put on? Who helps us with our putting on? Are you regularly asking Him for that help? Application . Pray for God`s help to walk in a manner worthy of your calling in Christ Jesus, then just do it in the power of the Holy Spirit.</p>