The following sermon draws from Ephesians 4:1-16 to challenge believers to live out their calling in Christ with humility, unity, and purpose. The message emphasizes the importance of walking worthy of our vocation, using our spiritual gifts to build the body of Christ, and growing into Christlike maturity. Below, the sermon is formatted as a blog post to inspire and edify our church community as we seek to grow together in faith.
Walk Worthy by Guarding Unity (Ephesians 4:1-6)
In Ephesians 4:1-6, Paul urges believers to walk worthy of the calling they have received, a call rooted in the glorious truths of the gospel outlined in the first three chapters of Ephesians. As believers, we are chosen, redeemed, sealed by the Holy Spirit, and seated with Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 1-3). These are not earned privileges but gracious gifts from God. Paul pleads with us to live in a manner that reflects this high calling, saying, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called” (Ephesians 4:1, KJV). This is no mere suggestion; it is a heartfelt plea to align our lives with the honour of bearing Christ’s name.
Walking worthy begins with humility, meekness, and patience. Paul instructs us to live “with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2, KJV). A prideful or harsh attitude contradicts the grace we have received. If we truly grasp how undeserving we are of God’s mercy, we will strive to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3). This unity is grounded in seven unshakable truths: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all (Ephesians 4:4-6). These realities unite all believers, regardless of background, into one body in Christ. We do not create this unity; the Holy Spirit does. Our role is to guard it by living humbly and lovingly with one another.
Consider the story of Alexander the Great, who confronted a cowardly soldier sharing his name and demanded, “Either change your ways or change your name.” Similarly, as Christians, we bear Christ’s name and must live in a way that honours Him. A worthy walk reflects the grace we have received and fosters peace within the church, ensuring we are not peace-breakers but peace-binders among our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Use Your Gift to Build The Body (Ephesians 4:7-12)
Paul transitions in Ephesians 4:7-12 to emphasize that every believer has been given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ” (Ephesians 4:7, KJV). When Christ ascended, He gave spiritual gifts to His church to equip believers for service. These gifts, bestowed by the Holy Spirit, are not just for personal benefit but for building up the body of Christ.
Paul lists specific leadership gifts: apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors and teachers (Ephesians 4:11). While apostles and prophets laid the foundation of the church through their eyewitness testimony and revelation of God’s Word (Ephesians 2:20), these roles are no longer active today since the Bible is complete. Evangelists and pastor-teachers, however, continue to serve, equipping believers for the work of the ministry. The purpose of these gifts is clear: “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12, KJV). The ministry is not the sole responsibility of pastors; it is the calling of every believer. Pastors are called to equip the saints, not to do all the work themselves.
Every Christian has at least one spiritual gift, an empowerment from Christ to serve His church. Whether teaching, serving, or encouraging, these gifts are meant to strengthen the body. Like a construction project hindered by too many breaks, the church suffers when believers fail to use their gifts. We must ask ourselves: Are we contributing to the body’s growth, or are we merely watching others build?
Grow Up into Christlike Maturity (Ephesians 4:13-16)
Finally, Paul calls believers to grow into Christlike maturity, a collective goal for the church. “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13, KJV). Maturity is marked by a shared commitment to the gospel, a deepening personal knowledge of Christ, and a life that reflects His character in love, holiness, and wisdom.
A mature church is stable, not swayed by every new trend or doctrine. Paul warns against being “children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness” (Ephesians 4:14, KJV). Instead, mature believers speak the truth in love, reflecting both the message and manner of Christ (Ephesians 4:15). Truth without love can hurt, and love without truth can deceive. We must embody both, speaking of Christ and speaking like Christ.
The church is likened to a body, “fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth” (Ephesians 4:16, KJV). When every believer uses their gifts, the body grows, edifying itself in love. The world does not need to see weak, divided, or childish churches. It needs to see a church rooted in Christ, standing strong, and maturing in His likeness. As we walk worthy, serve faithfully, and grow deeply, the gospel shines forth, and God receives the glory.
Conclusion
Ephesians 4:1-16 paints a beautiful picture of the church: one body, united by the Spirit, equipped with diverse gifts, and growing into the likeness of Christ. As believers, we are called to walk worthy of our calling, use our gifts to build the body, and pursue Christlike maturity. Let us examine ourselves: Are we guarding the unity of the Spirit? Are we serving with the gifts Christ has given us? Are we growing into the stature of Christ, speaking the truth in love? May we commit to growing together in Christ, reflecting His grace and glory to a watching world.
