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以弗所书［第四章］
Book of Ephesians 4

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以弗所书 第四章 |Book of Ephesians 4

【活出恩召的全新行事为人】


主讲：丘均发传道

13/08/2024

一、竭力保守合一的心（V1-6）

1. 行事当与恩召相称（V1-3）

我们因神的恩典被呼召，生活应当与此呼召相称。行事为人需展现谦虚、温柔、忍耐，并以爱心保守圣灵所赐的合一。合一并非人为制造，而是神赐的恩典，因此我们需竭力守护，避免分裂！

2. 在基督合一的基础（V4-6）

在基督合一的基础是：一主、一信、一洗、一神，强调信仰的统一性。基督徒信奉同一个神，共享同一个信仰和盼望，所以当保守和活出这样的合一，使教会在纷争的世界中见证合一的力量。

二、使用恩赐建造教会（V7-16）

保罗指出，基督赐予信徒各种恩赐，为了装备圣徒，各尽其职，建造教会。恩赐的运用，就是要在爱中说诚实话，互相学习与督促，以促使教会整体成长，达到基督的身量，成为神荣耀的见证。

用‘爱心说诚实话’，也是一种‘话语的事奉’。信徒因不会‘说话’在教会中造成人事纠纷，甚至教会分裂是常有的事。所以，挑战自己在遇到需要坦诚交流时，用爱心说出真话，为教会的合一与成长贡献力量。

三、脱去旧人穿上新人（V17-24）

1.行事不再像外邦人（V17-19）

基督徒的生活方式应与不信者截然不同，不该有虚妄的心，而应避免心地昏暗，与神隔绝的状态，抵制行为的放纵，保持良心的纯洁。

2.脱去变败坏的旧人（V20-22）

学习真理的基督徒要脱去旧人，抛弃代表旧有败坏行为的习惯，像丢弃一件陈旧变坏的衣服一样。

3.穿上神形像的新人（V23-24）

新人是照着神的形像造的，拥有真理中的仁义与圣洁。基督徒要更新心志，活出新生命，展示神的荣耀。

今天审视自己的言行，有哪些旧习需要脱去？如何通过更新心志，活出属神的新生命？每一天以新的态度面对挑战，活出神形像的荣耀。

四、展现新生活的样式（V25-32）

保罗在此提出信徒“穿上新人”应有的一些新生活表现：
1.弃绝谎言说实话（V25）
2.生气却不要犯罪（V26）
3.不给魔鬼留地步（V27）
4.要勤劳作正经事（V28）
5.说造就人的好话（V29）
6.不要叫圣灵担忧（V30）
7.除去一切的恶毒（V31）


总结：恩慈相待 彼此饶恕（V32）

保罗以恩慈相待和彼此饶恕作为总结，呼应了本章开头的谦虚、温柔和忍耐，提醒我们要以基督的心为心。这样才能与弟兄姊妹建立真正的合一，彰显神的荣耀，活出恩召生命的全新行事为人！向世人展现福音的大能！


Ephesians 4 Living Out Calling with a New Conduct
GK611 Morning Devotion
13 Aug 2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps Daniel Kew

1. Strive to maintain a united heart (V1-6)

(1) The act worthy of the calling (V1-3)

We are called by God’s grace and our lives should be worthy of that calling. We need to walk in humility, gentleness, patience, and maintain the unity given by the Holy Spirit in love. Unity is not man-made, but a gift from God, so we need to protect it and avoid division!

(2) The basis of unity in Christ (V4-6)

The basis of unity in Christ is: one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God, emphasising the unity of faith. Christians believe in the same God and share the same faith and hope, so they should preserve and live out such unity so that the church can witness the power of unity in a world of strife.

2. Using gifts to build the church (V7-16)

Paul pointed out that Christ has given believers various gifts in order to equip the saints to perform their duties and build up the church. The use of gifts is to speak the truth in love, learn and supervise each other, so as to promote the overall growth of the church, reach the stature of Christ, and become a witness to the glory of God.

‘Speaking the truth in love’ is also a ‘service of the word’. It is common for believers not to "speak" which cause personnel disputes in the church and even church divisions. So challenge yourself to speak the truth in love and contribute to the unity and growth of your church when you need to communicate honestly.

3. Putting off the old man and put on the new man (V17-24)

1) No longer behave like Gentiles (V17-19)

Christians should live a completely different lifestyle from unbelievers. They should not have futility of their mind, but should avoid a darkened heart and a state of isolation from God, resist indulgence in behaviour, and keep a pure conscience.

2) Putting off the old man that has become corrupted (V20-22)

Christians who learn the truth must put off the old man and abandon the habits that represent old corrupted behaviours, just like discarding an old and deteriorated garment.

3) The new man who puts on the image of God (V23-24)

The new man is created in the image of God, possessing righteousness and holiness in truth. Christians must renew their minds, live a new life, and display the glory of God.

Look at your words and deeds today. Are there any old habits that you need to get rid of? How to live a new life of God by renewing your mind? Face challenges every day with a new attitude and live out the glory of God’s image.

4. Showing the style of a new life (V25-32)

Paul here proposes some new manifestations of life that believers should “put on the new man”:
1. Put away lies and speak the truth (V25)
2. Be angry but do not sin (V26)
3. Give no place for the devil (V27)
4. Be diligent and do good things (V28)
5. Say good things that edify people (V29)
6. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit (V30)
7. Put away all evil (V31)

Conclusion: Be kind to each other and forgive each other (V32)

Paul concludes with words of kindness to one another and forgiveness of one another, echoing the humility, gentleness, and patience of the beginning of this chapter, reminding us to have the mind of Christ. Only in this way can we establish true unity with our brothers and sisters, demonstrate the glory of God, and live out a brand-new behaviour in our life of calling! Show the world the power of the gospel!