Quote from Forum Archives on March 20, 2013, 3:03 pm

Posted by: info <info@...>

E-pistle

FreeWay Foundation            March 22, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unity of the spirit; unity of the faith

                                  Ephesians 4:1-3; 13-16

 

I.  UNITY OF THE SPIRIT (1-3)

            Characteristics:

                        1.  Lowliness

                        2.  Gentleness

                        3. Longsuffering

                        4.  Bearing with one another

                        5.  Love

                        6.  Bond of peace

            Note:  Unity of the Spirit precedes unity of the faith.

II.  UNITY OF THE FAITH (13-16)

            1.  Knowledge of the Son of God produces spiritual maturity.

            2.  Spiritual maturity produces doctrinal stability.

            3.  Doctrinal stability produces personal integrity.

            4.  Personal integrity produces functional efficiency.

CONCLUSION:

            Results of Unity of the Spirit and Unity of the Faith:

                        1.  Growth of the body (numerical expansion)

                        2.  Edifying of itself in love (internal strengthening)

 

 

 

No pain; no gain!

Dr. Curt Scarborough

 

In Romans 5:1-5, Paul speaks to those of us who are ministers of the gospel.  He says we need three things:

hope, character, and perseverance.

HOPE – not an optimistic outlook or wishful, positive thinking,

            But confident expectation based on solid certainty.

CHARACTER – moral vigor or firmness, especially as acquired

                        through self-discipline.

PERSEVERANCE – persistence; steadfast                   

                               steadfast pursuit of a aim or undertaking.

 

As fitness coaches say, "NO PAIN; NO GAIN!"  So Paul tells us in this text how to acquire hope, character,

and perseverance . . . suffering!  How should we react to suffering?  Is it to be avoided?  Expected?  Sought?

Provoked?  Welcomed?  Ignored?  Denied?  Acts 5:41 reveals the right attitude:  "They departed from the

presence of the council, REJOICING THAT THEY WERE COUNTED WORTHY TO SUFFER SHAME FOR HIS NAME."

I.  WHAT JESUS SAID ABOUT SUFFERING

            1.  It was NECESSARY for the Christ to suffer. 

     (Luke 9:51; 13:32-33; 24:26; 46; Matthew 16:21)

2.  It is REQUIRED of disciples.

     (Matthew 10:24; Luke 6:22-23, 26; 14:27)

3.  It BRINGS BLESSINGS and rewards.

     (Matthew 5:10-12; Mark 10:29, 30)

4.  Suffering and death PRODUCE MUCH FRUIT.

     (John 12:24; I Corinthians 15:36)

II.  WHAT PETER SAID ABOUT SUFFERING

            1.  Christians are called to FOLLOW CHRIST'S EXAMPLE IN SUFFERING.

                 (I Peter 2:21; John 15:18-21; 16:1-4)

            2.  Suffering for righteousness BRINGS BLESSEDNESS.

                 (I Peter 3:14-18)

            3.  Suffering is connected with having 'THE MIND OF CHRIST."

                 (I Peter 4:1; Philippians 2:5-8)

            4.  REJOICE because suffering GLORIFIES GOD.

                 (I Peter 4:13-19; Philippians 2:9-11)

III.  WHAT PAUL SAYS ABOUT SUFFERING

            1.  "Joint-heirs" INVOLVES SUFFERING WITH Christ as well as being

                 glorified with Him.

                 (Romans 8:17, 18)

            2.  Suffering for Christ is a GRANTED PRIVILEGE, just as is believing

                 in Him. 

                 (Philippians 1:29; 3:10; II Thessalonians 1:3-8)

            3.  Suffering fills up what is "lacking" IN Christ's afflictions.

                 (Colossians 1:24)

            4.  All committed Christians WILL SUFFER persecution.

                 (II timothy 3:12; Acts 9:15, 16)

IV.  WHAT HEBREWS SAYS ABOUT SUFFERING

            1.  Suffering made Christ PERFECT (mature). 

                 (Hebrews 2:10, 11; I Peter 5:10)

            2.  Christ learned OBEDIENCE through suffering.

                 (Hebrews 5:8)

            3.  Illumination (enlightenment; understanding) PRECEDES profitable

                 Suffering and FOLLOWS it.

                 (Hebrews 13:12, 13; II Corinthians 1:3-7)

Therefore, Christians are to be "POURED OUT" offerings (Philippians 2:17;  II Timothy 4:6).  We are to be "LIVING SACRIFICES"

(Romans 12:1, 2).  Charles Shelton in his classic book In His Steps, suggests that in every situation we should ask the question,

"What would Jesus do?"  True discipleship means doing what Jesus would do, and that inevitable involves suffering.

 

I am Thankful:

"For all the complaining I hear about the government

because it means we have freedom of speech."

--author unknown

--
To unsubscribe, send ANY message to: epistle2equip-unsubscribe@welovegod.org