August 15, 2024 • 27 mins
What if living as true ambassadors for Christ could transform not only your life but also the world around you? Join us on The Takeaway as we dissect Ephesians 4:17-32 and uncover profound insights into embodying Christ's teachings in a secular world. We draw lessons from Peter's faltering behavior in Galatians 2:11-14 to illustrate our human vulnerabilities and emphasize the necessity for mutual encouragement within the church community. Furthermore, we tackle the importance of steadfast faith in the face of fear and worldly temptations, distinguishing the faithful from the unbelievers. Through the lens of Romans 5:1-5, we delve into how suffering refines faith and contemplate the futility of the unbeliever's mind as described in Ephesians 2 and Romans 1:28-32.
In the second part of the episode, prepare to explore the spiritual battleground where vigilance is key. We discuss the devil's relentless efforts to undermine believers and the extraordinary power bestowed upon Christians by the Holy Spirit. Discover how living in God's will can help overcome any obstacle. We also highlight the importance of honest work and the profound impact of generosity, reflecting on the communal spirit of early Christians. With scriptural backing, we argue that cheerful giving aligns us with God's boundless grace and urge believers to place their trust in divine providence rather than uncertain riches. Join us as we navigate the complexities of faith, generosity, and the spiritual warfare that defines the Christian journey.
Please visit www.chosenbydesign.net for more information on Pastor Harry’s new book, "Chosen By Design - God’s Purpose for Your Life."
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello, welcome again to the Takeaway.
I'm your host, pastor HarryBehrens, and in today's episode
we're going to be coveringEphesians, chapter 4, verses 17
to 32, discussing the topic howdo we live in this world while
being separated from it?
Now, before we dive in, I wantto invite you to share any
questions or feedback you mayhave by using the text us link
(00:20):
in the episode description, asyour input is invaluable in
shaping future episodes.
Here at the Takeaway, we arecommitted to creating content
that supports your spiritualgrowth, and we can only do that
with your feedback, so pleaselet us know your thoughts, as we
would love to hear from you.
So now, starting in thissection of chapter four, it is
all about what the new life inChrist Jesus should look like
(00:42):
when we submit to the will ofGod and live in the power and
gifting of the Holy Spirit.
When we accepted Jesus into ourlives, we took on the role of
ambassadors for Christ.
Similar to how ambassadorsrepresent their home country
when they visit other nations,we are tasked with representing
the kingdom of God wherever wego.
Our responsibility goes beyondsimply speaking about Jesus.
(01:03):
We are called to embody histeachings and values through our
actions, just as a politicalambassador would not be taken
seriously if their behaviorcontradicted their country's
principles.
Our conduct should align withthe message we carry.
It's like a representative fromRussia coming to the US and
behaving like a local citizen ora representative from China.
(01:24):
It wouldn't make any sense.
Yet often believers fail toremember their role as
representatives of Christ intheir daily interactions with
non-believers.
This was evident in the case ofPeter who, as mentioned in the
letter to the Galatians,demonstrated behavior that did
not reflect Christ's characterand had to be addressed by Paul.
Galatians 2 2, verses 11-14.
(01:46):
But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face
because he stood condemned, forbefore certain men came from
James.
He was eating with the Gentiles, but when they came, he drew
back and separated himself,fearing the circumcision party,
and the rest of the Jews actedhypocritically along with him,
(02:07):
so that even Barnabas was ledastray by their hypocrisy.
But when I saw that theirconduct was not in step with the
truth of the gospel, I said toCephas before them all if you,
though a Jew, live like aGentile and not like a Jew, how
can you force Gentiles to livelike Jews, like a Gentile and
not like a Jew?
(02:27):
How can you force Gentiles tolive like Jews?
Here we see Cephas, also knownas Peter, a prominent apostle
who demonstrated behaviorinconsistent with his beliefs.
The passage acknowledges thateven those who are saved or
experienced in their faith canstill act foolishly, especially
when influenced by fear orconflict with others.
It underscores the fact that,despite being a revered apostle,
peter, like any believer, wassusceptible to moments of
(02:49):
weakness.
The text highlights the naturalhuman tendency to act out of
fear or to confirm to thebehavior of others in order to
avoid conflict.
Now this behavior is labeled ashypocritical, contrasting with
the expected conduct of afaithful believer.
It emphasizes the importance ofmutual encouragement and
support within the church, whilealso sounding a warning to both
(03:10):
leaders and congregations toremain steadfast in their faith.
It suggests the need forboldness in addressing and
guiding fellow believers back tothe righteous path when they
stray.
Ultimately, the text conveysthe message that those
representing God's kingdomshould uphold the values and
ideals they were called toembody.
If they falter, it is thecollective responsibility of the
(03:32):
church to offer correction andfacilitate the return, with the
assurance that God is faithfulto forgive and restore those who
have erred.
(03:58):
Galatians, chapter 6, verses 1to 5.
When he is nothing, he deceiveshimself.
But let each one test his ownwork, and then his reason to
boast will be in himself aloneand not in his neighbor, for
each will have to bear his ownload.
Now let's get started inEphesians, chapter 4, verses 17
to 19.
Now this I say and testify inthe Lord that you must no longer
(04:22):
walk as the Gentiles do in thefutility of their minds.
They are darkened in theirunderstanding, alienated from
the life.
Paul is urging us to rememberhis words in chapter 2 and not
to live as the Gentiles do.
(04:47):
He emphasizes that we are nolonger to live in the same way
as we did before, when we werelost.
Chapter 2 illustrates thenature of our past lives, while
chapter 4 highlights that we arenow called to live differently.
A clear distinction existsbetween believers and
unbelievers.
Whether we pursue worldlydesires or strive for
(05:08):
righteousness in Jesus, it isessential to comprehend God's
plan and to be filled with theSpirit enabling us to lead a
life that honors God.
The world constantly entices usto return to our old ways, and
when that fails, it seeks toinstill fear to lead us astray.
Jesus forewarned that we wouldface trials and tribulations in
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this world, and fear is apowerful tool of the enemy, but
through it God refines our faith.
Romans, chapter 5, verses 1 to5.
Therefore, since we have beenjustified by faith, we have
peace with God through our LordJesus Christ.
Through him, we have alsoobtained access by faith into
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this grace in which we stand andrejoice in hope of the glory of
God.
Not only that, but we rejoicein our sufferings, knowing that
suffering produces endurance,and endurance produces character
, and character produces hope.
And hope does not put us toshame, because God's love has
been poured into our heartsthrough the Holy Spirit whom he
has, whom has been given to us.
The unbeliever does not thinkrationally, and Paul says in
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verse 17 that they walk in thefutility of their minds.
That's what it means to beenslaved to sin in Ephesians,
chapter 2.
We see a picture of this inRomans, chapter 1, verses 18 to
32, but to save time, I'm justgoing to read verses 28 to 32.
And since they did not see fitto acknowledge God, god gave
them up to the debased mind todo what ought not to be done.
(06:42):
They were filled with allmanner of unrighteousness, evil,
covetousness, malice.
They are full of envy, murder,strife, deceit, maliciousness.
They are gossips, slanders,haters of God, insolent, haughty
, boastful inventors of evil,disobedient to parents, foolish,
faithless, heartless andruthless.
Ruthless, though they knowGod's righteous decree that
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those who practice such thingsdeserve to die.
They not only do them, but giveapproval to those who practice
them.
Now these individuals arewithout excuse and God gives
them over to the lust of theirhearts, even though they know
God's righteous decrees.
It again shows that knowingGod's word does not save you.
(07:24):
You must be transformed andempowered by the Spirit to live
according to his word.
Unbelievers, on the other hand,are intellectually unproductive
.
Their rational processes aredistorted.
Second, they are separated fromGod and ignorant about his
truth.
Third, they're morallyinsensitive.
The more they sin, the moreinsensitive they become.
(07:45):
And fourth, they'rebehaviorally depraved.
They lose moral restraint,especially in sexual sin.
Now Paul says in verses 20 to 23of Ephesians, chapter 4, but
that is not the way you learnedChrist, assuming that you have
heard about him and were taughtin him, as the truth is in Jesus
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, to put off your old self,which belongs to your former
manner of life and is corruptthrough deceitful desires, and
to be renewed in the spirit ofyour minds and to put on the new
self created after the likenessof God in true righteousness
and holiness.
Verses 20 and 21 clarify thatwe need to be taught how to live
the Christian life.
God empowers us to live it, butwe must learn how to first, as
(08:30):
we learn what we must do.
God is faithful.
To empower us to walk in thetruth, it requires us to take
the step of faith as we aretaught what that step is.
What makes us different fromthis lost world is that we have
been set free in Christ and cannow make life-changing decisions
that were impossible before wewere saved.
That's what it means to be setfree in Christ.
(08:51):
He is not a cruel master, but aloving and kind one who doesn't
force his will upon us.
He shows his tender love andkindness and allows us to come
and go as we please, so that wecan learn of his love and our
sin.
John 10, verse 9,.
I am the door.
If anyone enters by me, he willbe saved and will go in and out
(09:15):
and find pasture.
As we mature, we learn toseparate these two natures and
live more for him and less forus due to his long suffering,
patience, mercy, grace andforgiveness towards us.
That's why we see believersfall into sin all the time.
It's not a matter of being savedor not saved.
It's a matter of learning towalk Like toddlers, taking their
(09:38):
first steps.
You would never expect them torun and not fall on their first
try, or even the first few dozentimes.
As loving parents, we let themfall so they can learn how to
get up and trust us, as weencourage them.
God is our loving Father doingexactly that for us.
So, knowing this, it's time tostop crawling around like a
toddler and start walking as amature believer.
(10:00):
You will fall, but your Fatherin heaven is faithful and just
to forgive.
1 John 1.9.
If we confess our sins, he isfaithful and just to forgive us
our sins and to cleanse us fromall unrighteousness.
Now verses 25 to 27 ofEphesians 4.
Therefore, having put awayfalsehood, let each one of you
(10:21):
speak the truth with hisneighbor, for we are members one
of another.
Being angry and do not sin.
Do not let the sun go down onyour anger and give no
opportunity to the devil.
Paul is now moving forward inhis thought with the assumption
that you and I have understoodeverything up to this point, and
is now saying since you haveput away falsehood.
(10:42):
Let each one of you speak thetruth Now.
At this point, we should beconvinced that we are children
of God, having been adopted outof sin and into righteousness by
God's choice, and that he gaveus everything we need for life
and godliness.
Through a spirit that dwells inus, we should now be taking the
steps to enact this new life byliving in faith, and a faith
(11:05):
that is pleasing to him.
Hebrews, chapter 11, verse 6,.
And without faith, it isimpossible to please him, for
whoever would draw near to Godmust believe that he exists and
that he rewards those who seekhim.
Verse 27 says we should give noopportunity to the devil.
What is it that the devil wantsto do?
(11:26):
Well, let's look at 1 Peter 5,verses 8 to 9.
Be sober-minded, be watchful.
Your adversary, the devil,prowls around like a roaring
lion seeking someone to devour.
Resist him, firm in your faith,knowing that the same kinds of
suffering are being experiencedby your brotherhood throughout
the world.
He is determined to consume you.
(11:48):
It's not just about losingsalvation.
It's about making you feelpowerless or, even worse,
convincing you that you are.
Satan isn't targeting thesinners of this world to destroy
them.
He's after you.
He's known as the prince of thepower of the air and the God of
this world, because he'sproviding sinners with
everything they desire to keepthem trapped.
(12:08):
Yet he's actively seekingopportunities to drag you down
and make you question your placein the kingdom of God.
Imagine if you were faced withan adversary who held absolute
power to bring about yourdownfall.
Your only options would be toeither align yourself with them
or to convince them that theyhave no power.
If you could achieve the latter, you would render them harmless
(12:34):
to you.
The last thing your adversary,the devil, desires for you to
realize the power that youpossess and, furthermore, how to
wield that power.
The indwelling power of theHoly Spirit within you surpasses
even the power of angels.
Can you grasp the magnitude ofthat?
It is the power of the livingGod, and when we live according
(12:54):
to his will and through hispower, nothing can obstruct our
path.
1 Corinthians, chapter 15,verses 57 to 58, says 1
Corinthians 15, verses 57-58says Ephesians 4.
(13:23):
28,.
Moving on here, let the thiefno longer steal, but rather let
him labor, doing honest workwith his own hands, so that he
may have something to share withanyone in need.
In these verses, paul isemphasizing that Christians are
known for their diligent workand their generous giving nature
.
When he admonishes thieves tono longer steal, he is conveying
a dual message.
Firstly, he emphasizes theimportance of not exploiting
(13:46):
others or seeking wealth throughdishonest means.
Secondly, he stresses thesignificance of not withholding
from God the resources that hehas bestowed upon you.
The essence of a Christian isto be a generous benefactor,
mirroring the characteristics ofour Heavenly Father.
Now, refraining from givingsuggests a disbelief in God's
benevolence and implies that ourpossessions are primarily for
(14:10):
our benefit rather than foradvancing God's kingdom.
Giving is a sore subject withmost people, as it reveals a
person's true heart and whatmaster they truly serve.
Matthew 6, verse 24,.
No one can serve two masters,for either he will hate the one
and love the other.
Matthew 6, verse 24.
(14:31):
And Matthew 6, verse 21.
Now, someone once said thisreflects the idea that through
(15:12):
our giving, we can reflect theabundant grace and generosity
that we receive from God.
2 Corinthians 9, verse 6-7,says the point is this whoever
sows sparingly will also reapsparingly, and whoever sows
bountifully will also reapbountifully.
Each one must give as he hasdecided in his heart, not
(15:32):
reluctantly or under compulsion,for God loves a cheerful giver.
The reason why God favors thosewho give with joy is because he
is a cheerful giver himself.
Joy is because he is a cheerfulgiver himself.
It is important to recognizethat our Heavenly Father has
boundless resources at hisdisposal, and he has granted us
unrestricted access to thoseresources.
All that's needed from us is togive, and he will replenish
(15:56):
what we have shared.
It undoubtedly requires faith,but once you take that step,
you'll never regret it.
From my own experience, Idiscovered that it's impossible
for me to surpass God in hisgiving.
This revelation brings meimmense pleasure in giving.
Every time I extend mygenerosity with a joyful heart,
I have witnessed God returningeven more to me.
(16:16):
Malachi 3.10,.
Bring the full tithe into thestorehouse and there may be food
in my house and thereby put meto the test, says the Lord of
hosts, if I will not open thewindows of heaven for you and
pour down for you a blessinguntil there is no more need.
Now some may argue that theBible doesn't teach tithing in
(16:38):
the New Testament, or that theconcept was intended for Israel
and not applicable to us.
However, I don't subscribe toeither of those beliefs.
I believe that God's natureremains consistent from
beginning to end and hisattributes do not change.
If we serve this unchanging God, we should expect certain
things.
Disputing this point may stemfrom a desire to hold on to your
(17:01):
possessions.
Furthermore, while the NewTestament doesn't explicitly
command tithing, I agree that weshouldn't give out of a sense
of duty.
Instead, we are called tosurrender everything and
acknowledge that everything wehave comes from God and is meant
for God.
It's important not to allow aselfish heart to obstruct this
(17:21):
truth.
1 Timothy 6, verse 17.
As for the rich in this presentage, charge them not to be
haughty nor to set their hopeson the uncertainty of riches,
but on God, who richly providesus with everything to enjoy.
In Acts 4, verse 32-35, now,the full number of those who
(17:43):
believed were of one heart andsoul, and no one said that any
of the things that belonged tohim was his own.
But they had everything incommon and with great power, the
apostles were giving theirtestimony to the resurrection of
the Lord Jesus, and great gracewas upon them all.
There was not a needy personamong them, for as many as were
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owners of lands or houses, soldthem and brought the proceeds of
what was sold and laid it atthe apostles' feet and it was
distributed to each and anotherone.
Luke, chapter 12, verse 16 to21.
And he told them a parablesaying the land of a rich man
(18:33):
produced plentifully.
And he thought to himself whatshall I do?
For I have nowhere to store mycrops.
And he said, I'll do this.
I'll tear down my barns andbuild larger ones and there I
will store all my grain and mygoods.
And I will say to my soul soul,you have ample goods laid up
(18:53):
for many years.
Relax, eat, drink, be merry.
But God said to him fool, thisnight, your soul is required of
you and the things you haveprepared whose will they be.
So is the one who lays uptreasures for himself and is not
rich toward God.
The act of giving is closelytied to doing honest work.
(19:16):
The true purpose of working isnot just to fulfill our own
desires, but also to be able tocontribute to others.
There's no way to avoid thistruth, and any attempt to
rationalize why we don't givereflects the true intentions of
our heart.
When you become overly attachedto your money, it can lead to a
sense of spiritual decay,creating an unfulfilled
(19:38):
existence.
This behavior does not alignwith the values of a Christian,
but rather mirrors the attitudesof those who are solely focused
on worldly pursuits.
What inspired the believers inActs 4 to part with their
possessions and generously giveto others?
Furthermore, why do many of usfall short of this level of
generosity?
The key lies in examining ourown hearts and questioning our
(20:01):
motivations.
Are our desires driven byself-interest or by genuine
passion for serving God?
Ultimately, it all comes downto this fundamental truth If we
do not truly value Jesus, wewill struggle to be generous.
However, if we recognize theimmense sacrifice he made for us
, we're going to be compelled togive sacrificially in return.
(20:24):
So now looking at Ephesians,chapter 4, verse, verse 29.
Let no corrupting talk come outof your mouths, but only such
as is good for building up asfits the occasion that it may
give grace to those who hear.
Now I believe it's crucial toremember that we should never
tear people down, whether it'sthrough sarcasm, jokes at
(20:46):
someone else's expense or othermeans.
It's challenging to resist thisbehavior, especially when we're
surrounded by others who engagein it.
It's natural to want to fit inand mimic the actions of the
crowd, but we must strive to bepart of a different kind of
community, one that uplifts andsupports each other rather than
tearing down.
You know, in my years workingin the trades, I witnessed a
(21:08):
culture of tearing each otherrather than tearing down.
You know, in my years workingin the trades, I witnessed a
culture of tearing each otherdown to the point where I became
desensitized to its impact onothers.
It wasn't until I brought thisattitude home and saw its effect
on my wife that I trulyunderstood its toxicity.
It took being around supportiveChristians to recognize the
detrimental impact of thisbehavior and to build the
(21:28):
strength to resist its influence.
Over time, I learned to rely onmy faith and the Holy Spirit to
navigate this challengingenvironment and become a
positive influence.
While it was initially a lonelypath, staying steadfast in my
faith attracted others whodesired to change.
This led to the development ofa circle of Christian friends
within my workplace whoencouraged and uplifted each
(21:49):
other.
This experience ultimatelytransformed my leadership and I
found great fulfillment inleading a team of mostly
believers.
Now, as we connected andsupported each other, we evolved
from mere colleagues toclose-knit community doing life
together.
For years, I prayed to be sentinto the mission field and to
become a full-time paid minister, but little did I know that my
(22:12):
job was the fulfillment of thatprayer.
God allowed me to establish ameaningful and impactful
ministry within my workplace,all while being well compensated
for a job that I love.
It's amazing how often wealready possess what we ask for
but fail to recognize it.
So be patient and wait on God,trusting that he is working all
things for your good, and intime you will see the fruit of
(22:35):
your labor.
James, chapter one, verses 19to 25.
Know this, my beloved brotherslet every person be quick to
hear, slow to speak, slow toanger.
(23:27):
Moving on to Ephesians, chapter4, verse 30.
And do not grieve the HolySpirit of God, by whom you were
sealed for the day of redemption.
That verse emphasizes theactions and attitudes of
Christians and that we caneither grieve or honor the
Spirit.
Those who cling tightly totheir lies will ultimately lose
them and grieve the Spirit,while those who relinquish their
(23:50):
lies will find them and bringglory to their father in heaven.
Matthew 10, verse 39,.
Whoever finds his life willlose it, and whoever loses his
life for my sake will find it.
In Ephesians, chapter 4, verse31 to 32, we're moving on.
Let all bitterness and wrathand anger and clamor and slander
be put away from you, alongwith all malice.
Be kind to one another,tender-hearted, forgiving one
(24:11):
another.
The destructive force ofbitterness can harm
relationships and communities,leading to judgment and disdain
for others.
However, as believers, we arecalled to show kindness and
emulate Christ.
The previous chapters have beenleading up to this point, and
now we are encouraged to putinto practice all that we have
(24:31):
learned by imitating Christ.
We will delve into this further, starting in our next episode
in chapter 5.
Now, based on what we've learnedso far, it's time to put our
faith into action.
Regardless of the amount offaith we have, we need to do
something with it.
It's important to remember thatan active Christian is a living
Christian, while a passive oneis not really living.
(24:52):
This week, take some time toread chapter 11 of Hebrews,
which is known as the Hall ofFame of Faith.
This chapter is filled with thenames of people from the Bible
who are recognized for theirfaith because they trusted in
God.
They were not perfect by anymeans, but they believed in God
and His promises.
They demonstrated their faithby taking action based on what
they knew and understood.
(25:12):
God then worked in their livesto make up the difference.
They were truly God's handiwork, just as we are.
So I encourage you to presentyourself to God as a living
sacrifice and allow him to workin and through you.
Romans, chapter 12, verses 1 to2.
I appeal to you, therefore,brothers, by the mercies of God,
(25:34):
to present your bodies as aliving sacrifice, holy and
acceptable to God, which is yourspiritual worship.
Do not be conformed to thisworld, but be transformed by the
renewal of your mind that, bytesting, you may discern what is
the will of God, what is goodand acceptable and perfect.
(25:56):
Let's pray, father.
Thank you for the gift of theHoly Spirit, who helps us in our
walk to overcome this world.
Your grace is indeed sufficient.
As Paul said, we can trust thatyou will always make up the
difference where we fall short.
My ask is that you help us tounderstand the path that we're
(26:18):
on and that you would give usthe faith to step out and trust
you as we walk in this dark andlost world.
Father, we love you and wethank you in Jesus name, amen.
Now I want to thank you forjoining us today and I hope I
really do hope this messagehelped you take a step closer in
your relationship with Jesusand that you have a better
(26:40):
understanding of just how muchGod loves you and wants you to
know him.
And on our upcoming episode,we're going to delve into
chapter five of Ephesians, wherePaul encourages us to emulate
Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Our ultimate aim in life is toimitate Christ, and the only way
to achieve this is tounderstand his life as revealed
(27:00):
in the scriptures and guided byhis spirit within us.
Jesus has not abandoned us inthis world.
In fact, he has equipped uswith everything we need to
mirror him and live a life thatbrings glory to our heavenly
father.
Now, before we go, I want toencourage you to visit us at
thetakeawayfaith.
On our website, you can sign upto receive email notifications
(27:23):
and send us a text message fromthe link provided in the
description of this episode.
Now, we hope that you would usethis podcast as a resource to
help others and that you wouldsend us a message, a word of
encouragement or any questionsor comments, as we would love to
hear from you.
God bless, and we'll see younext time on the Takeaway.
Thank you.
Hello, welcome again to the Takeaway.
I'm your host, pastor HarryBehrens, and in today's episode
we're going to be coveringEphesians, chapter 4, verses 17
to 32, discussing the topic howdo we live in this world while
being separated from it?
Now, before we dive in, I wantto invite you to share any
questions or feedback you mayhave by using the text us link
(00:20):
in the episode description, asyour input is invaluable in
shaping future episodes.
Here at the Takeaway, we arecommitted to creating content
that supports your spiritualgrowth, and we can only do that
with your feedback, so pleaselet us know your thoughts, as we
would love to hear from you.
So now, starting in thissection of chapter four, it is
all about what the new life inChrist Jesus should look like
(00:42):
when we submit to the will ofGod and live in the power and
gifting of the Holy Spirit.
When we accepted Jesus into ourlives, we took on the role of
ambassadors for Christ.
Similar to how ambassadorsrepresent their home country
when they visit other nations,we are tasked with representing
the kingdom of God wherever wego.
Our responsibility goes beyondsimply speaking about Jesus.
(01:03):
We are called to embody histeachings and values through our
actions, just as a politicalambassador would not be taken
seriously if their behaviorcontradicted their country's
principles.
Our conduct should align withthe message we carry.
It's like a representative fromRussia coming to the US and
behaving like a local citizen ora representative from China.
(01:24):
It wouldn't make any sense.
Yet often believers fail toremember their role as
representatives of Christ intheir daily interactions with
non-believers.
This was evident in the case ofPeter who, as mentioned in the
letter to the Galatians,demonstrated behavior that did
not reflect Christ's characterand had to be addressed by Paul.
Galatians 2 2, verses 11-14.
(01:46):
But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face
because he stood condemned, forbefore certain men came from
James.
He was eating with the Gentiles, but when they came, he drew
back and separated himself,fearing the circumcision party,
and the rest of the Jews actedhypocritically along with him,
(02:07):
so that even Barnabas was ledastray by their hypocrisy.
But when I saw that theirconduct was not in step with the
truth of the gospel, I said toCephas before them all if you,
though a Jew, live like aGentile and not like a Jew, how
can you force Gentiles to livelike Jews, like a Gentile and
not like a Jew?
(02:27):
How can you force Gentiles tolive like Jews?
Here we see Cephas, also knownas Peter, a prominent apostle
who demonstrated behaviorinconsistent with his beliefs.
The passage acknowledges thateven those who are saved or
experienced in their faith canstill act foolishly, especially
when influenced by fear orconflict with others.
It underscores the fact that,despite being a revered apostle,
peter, like any believer, wassusceptible to moments of
(02:49):
weakness.
The text highlights the naturalhuman tendency to act out of
fear or to confirm to thebehavior of others in order to
avoid conflict.
Now this behavior is labeled ashypocritical, contrasting with
the expected conduct of afaithful believer.
It emphasizes the importance ofmutual encouragement and
support within the church, whilealso sounding a warning to both
(03:10):
leaders and congregations toremain steadfast in their faith.
It suggests the need forboldness in addressing and
guiding fellow believers back tothe righteous path when they
stray.
Ultimately, the text conveysthe message that those
representing God's kingdomshould uphold the values and
ideals they were called toembody.
If they falter, it is thecollective responsibility of the
(03:32):
church to offer correction andfacilitate the return, with the
assurance that God is faithfulto forgive and restore those who
have erred.
(03:58):
Galatians, chapter 6, verses 1to 5.
When he is nothing, he deceiveshimself.
But let each one test his ownwork, and then his reason to
boast will be in himself aloneand not in his neighbor, for
each will have to bear his ownload.
Now let's get started inEphesians, chapter 4, verses 17
to 19.
Now this I say and testify inthe Lord that you must no longer
(04:22):
walk as the Gentiles do in thefutility of their minds.
They are darkened in theirunderstanding, alienated from
the life.
Paul is urging us to rememberhis words in chapter 2 and not
to live as the Gentiles do.
(04:47):
He emphasizes that we are nolonger to live in the same way
as we did before, when we werelost.
Chapter 2 illustrates thenature of our past lives, while
chapter 4 highlights that we arenow called to live differently.
A clear distinction existsbetween believers and
unbelievers.
Whether we pursue worldlydesires or strive for
(05:08):
righteousness in Jesus, it isessential to comprehend God's
plan and to be filled with theSpirit enabling us to lead a
life that honors God.
The world constantly entices usto return to our old ways, and
when that fails, it seeks toinstill fear to lead us astray.
Jesus forewarned that we wouldface trials and tribulations in
(05:29):
this world, and fear is apowerful tool of the enemy, but
through it God refines our faith.
Romans, chapter 5, verses 1 to5.
Therefore, since we have beenjustified by faith, we have
peace with God through our LordJesus Christ.
Through him, we have alsoobtained access by faith into
(05:54):
this grace in which we stand andrejoice in hope of the glory of
God.
Not only that, but we rejoicein our sufferings, knowing that
suffering produces endurance,and endurance produces character
, and character produces hope.
And hope does not put us toshame, because God's love has
been poured into our heartsthrough the Holy Spirit whom he
has, whom has been given to us.
The unbeliever does not thinkrationally, and Paul says in
(06:19):
verse 17 that they walk in thefutility of their minds.
That's what it means to beenslaved to sin in Ephesians,
chapter 2.
We see a picture of this inRomans, chapter 1, verses 18 to
32, but to save time, I'm justgoing to read verses 28 to 32.
And since they did not see fitto acknowledge God, god gave
them up to the debased mind todo what ought not to be done.
(06:42):
They were filled with allmanner of unrighteousness, evil,
covetousness, malice.
They are full of envy, murder,strife, deceit, maliciousness.
They are gossips, slanders,haters of God, insolent, haughty
, boastful inventors of evil,disobedient to parents, foolish,
faithless, heartless andruthless.
Ruthless, though they knowGod's righteous decree that
(07:04):
those who practice such thingsdeserve to die.
They not only do them, but giveapproval to those who practice
them.
Now these individuals arewithout excuse and God gives
them over to the lust of theirhearts, even though they know
God's righteous decrees.
It again shows that knowingGod's word does not save you.
(07:24):
You must be transformed andempowered by the Spirit to live
according to his word.
Unbelievers, on the other hand,are intellectually unproductive
.
Their rational processes aredistorted.
Second, they are separated fromGod and ignorant about his
truth.
Third, they're morallyinsensitive.
The more they sin, the moreinsensitive they become.
(07:45):
And fourth, they'rebehaviorally depraved.
They lose moral restraint,especially in sexual sin.
Now Paul says in verses 20 to 23of Ephesians, chapter 4, but
that is not the way you learnedChrist, assuming that you have
heard about him and were taughtin him, as the truth is in Jesus
(08:06):
, to put off your old self,which belongs to your former
manner of life and is corruptthrough deceitful desires, and
to be renewed in the spirit ofyour minds and to put on the new
self created after the likenessof God in true righteousness
and holiness.
Verses 20 and 21 clarify thatwe need to be taught how to live
the Christian life.
God empowers us to live it, butwe must learn how to first, as
(08:30):
we learn what we must do.
God is faithful.
To empower us to walk in thetruth, it requires us to take
the step of faith as we aretaught what that step is.
What makes us different fromthis lost world is that we have
been set free in Christ and cannow make life-changing decisions
that were impossible before wewere saved.
That's what it means to be setfree in Christ.
(08:51):
He is not a cruel master, but aloving and kind one who doesn't
force his will upon us.
He shows his tender love andkindness and allows us to come
and go as we please, so that wecan learn of his love and our
sin.
John 10, verse 9,.
I am the door.
If anyone enters by me, he willbe saved and will go in and out
(09:15):
and find pasture.
As we mature, we learn toseparate these two natures and
live more for him and less forus due to his long suffering,
patience, mercy, grace andforgiveness towards us.
That's why we see believersfall into sin all the time.
It's not a matter of being savedor not saved.
It's a matter of learning towalk Like toddlers, taking their
(09:38):
first steps.
You would never expect them torun and not fall on their first
try, or even the first few dozentimes.
As loving parents, we let themfall so they can learn how to
get up and trust us, as weencourage them.
God is our loving Father doingexactly that for us.
So, knowing this, it's time tostop crawling around like a
toddler and start walking as amature believer.
(10:00):
You will fall, but your Fatherin heaven is faithful and just
to forgive.
1 John 1.9.
If we confess our sins, he isfaithful and just to forgive us
our sins and to cleanse us fromall unrighteousness.
Now verses 25 to 27 ofEphesians 4.
Therefore, having put awayfalsehood, let each one of you
(10:21):
speak the truth with hisneighbor, for we are members one
of another.
Being angry and do not sin.
Do not let the sun go down onyour anger and give no
opportunity to the devil.
Paul is now moving forward inhis thought with the assumption
that you and I have understoodeverything up to this point, and
is now saying since you haveput away falsehood.
(10:42):
Let each one of you speak thetruth Now.
At this point, we should beconvinced that we are children
of God, having been adopted outof sin and into righteousness by
God's choice, and that he gaveus everything we need for life
and godliness.
Through a spirit that dwells inus, we should now be taking the
steps to enact this new life byliving in faith, and a faith
(11:05):
that is pleasing to him.
Hebrews, chapter 11, verse 6,.
And without faith, it isimpossible to please him, for
whoever would draw near to Godmust believe that he exists and
that he rewards those who seekhim.
Verse 27 says we should give noopportunity to the devil.
What is it that the devil wantsto do?
(11:26):
Well, let's look at 1 Peter 5,verses 8 to 9.
Be sober-minded, be watchful.
Your adversary, the devil,prowls around like a roaring
lion seeking someone to devour.
Resist him, firm in your faith,knowing that the same kinds of
suffering are being experiencedby your brotherhood throughout
the world.
He is determined to consume you.
(11:48):
It's not just about losingsalvation.
It's about making you feelpowerless or, even worse,
convincing you that you are.
Satan isn't targeting thesinners of this world to destroy
them.
He's after you.
He's known as the prince of thepower of the air and the God of
this world, because he'sproviding sinners with
everything they desire to keepthem trapped.
(12:08):
Yet he's actively seekingopportunities to drag you down
and make you question your placein the kingdom of God.
Imagine if you were faced withan adversary who held absolute
power to bring about yourdownfall.
Your only options would be toeither align yourself with them
or to convince them that theyhave no power.
If you could achieve the latter, you would render them harmless
(12:34):
to you.
The last thing your adversary,the devil, desires for you to
realize the power that youpossess and, furthermore, how to
wield that power.
The indwelling power of theHoly Spirit within you surpasses
even the power of angels.
Can you grasp the magnitude ofthat?
It is the power of the livingGod, and when we live according
(12:54):
to his will and through hispower, nothing can obstruct our
path.
1 Corinthians, chapter 15,verses 57 to 58, says 1
Corinthians 15, verses 57-58says Ephesians 4.
(13:23):
28,.
Moving on here, let the thiefno longer steal, but rather let
him labor, doing honest workwith his own hands, so that he
may have something to share withanyone in need.
In these verses, paul isemphasizing that Christians are
known for their diligent workand their generous giving nature
.
When he admonishes thieves tono longer steal, he is conveying
a dual message.
Firstly, he emphasizes theimportance of not exploiting
(13:46):
others or seeking wealth throughdishonest means.
Secondly, he stresses thesignificance of not withholding
from God the resources that hehas bestowed upon you.
The essence of a Christian isto be a generous benefactor,
mirroring the characteristics ofour Heavenly Father.
Now, refraining from givingsuggests a disbelief in God's
benevolence and implies that ourpossessions are primarily for
(14:10):
our benefit rather than foradvancing God's kingdom.
Giving is a sore subject withmost people, as it reveals a
person's true heart and whatmaster they truly serve.
Matthew 6, verse 24,.
No one can serve two masters,for either he will hate the one
and love the other.
Matthew 6, verse 24.
(14:31):
And Matthew 6, verse 21.
Now, someone once said thisreflects the idea that through
(15:12):
our giving, we can reflect theabundant grace and generosity
that we receive from God.
2 Corinthians 9, verse 6-7,says the point is this whoever
sows sparingly will also reapsparingly, and whoever sows
bountifully will also reapbountifully.
Each one must give as he hasdecided in his heart, not
(15:32):
reluctantly or under compulsion,for God loves a cheerful giver.
The reason why God favors thosewho give with joy is because he
is a cheerful giver himself.
Joy is because he is a cheerfulgiver himself.
It is important to recognizethat our Heavenly Father has
boundless resources at hisdisposal, and he has granted us
unrestricted access to thoseresources.
All that's needed from us is togive, and he will replenish
(15:56):
what we have shared.
It undoubtedly requires faith,but once you take that step,
you'll never regret it.
From my own experience, Idiscovered that it's impossible
for me to surpass God in hisgiving.
This revelation brings meimmense pleasure in giving.
Every time I extend mygenerosity with a joyful heart,
I have witnessed God returningeven more to me.
(16:16):
Malachi 3.10,.
Bring the full tithe into thestorehouse and there may be food
in my house and thereby put meto the test, says the Lord of
hosts, if I will not open thewindows of heaven for you and
pour down for you a blessinguntil there is no more need.
Now some may argue that theBible doesn't teach tithing in
(16:38):
the New Testament, or that theconcept was intended for Israel
and not applicable to us.
However, I don't subscribe toeither of those beliefs.
I believe that God's natureremains consistent from
beginning to end and hisattributes do not change.
If we serve this unchanging God, we should expect certain
things.
Disputing this point may stemfrom a desire to hold on to your
(17:01):
possessions.
Furthermore, while the NewTestament doesn't explicitly
command tithing, I agree that weshouldn't give out of a sense
of duty.
Instead, we are called tosurrender everything and
acknowledge that everything wehave comes from God and is meant
for God.
It's important not to allow aselfish heart to obstruct this
(17:21):
truth.
1 Timothy 6, verse 17.
As for the rich in this presentage, charge them not to be
haughty nor to set their hopeson the uncertainty of riches,
but on God, who richly providesus with everything to enjoy.
In Acts 4, verse 32-35, now,the full number of those who
(17:43):
believed were of one heart andsoul, and no one said that any
of the things that belonged tohim was his own.
But they had everything incommon and with great power, the
apostles were giving theirtestimony to the resurrection of
the Lord Jesus, and great gracewas upon them all.
There was not a needy personamong them, for as many as were
(18:04):
owners of lands or houses, soldthem and brought the proceeds of
what was sold and laid it atthe apostles' feet and it was
distributed to each and anotherone.
Luke, chapter 12, verse 16 to21.
And he told them a parablesaying the land of a rich man
(18:33):
produced plentifully.
And he thought to himself whatshall I do?
For I have nowhere to store mycrops.
And he said, I'll do this.
I'll tear down my barns andbuild larger ones and there I
will store all my grain and mygoods.
And I will say to my soul soul,you have ample goods laid up
(18:53):
for many years.
Relax, eat, drink, be merry.
But God said to him fool, thisnight, your soul is required of
you and the things you haveprepared whose will they be.
So is the one who lays uptreasures for himself and is not
rich toward God.
The act of giving is closelytied to doing honest work.
(19:16):
The true purpose of working isnot just to fulfill our own
desires, but also to be able tocontribute to others.
There's no way to avoid thistruth, and any attempt to
rationalize why we don't givereflects the true intentions of
our heart.
When you become overly attachedto your money, it can lead to a
sense of spiritual decay,creating an unfulfilled
(19:38):
existence.
This behavior does not alignwith the values of a Christian,
but rather mirrors the attitudesof those who are solely focused
on worldly pursuits.
What inspired the believers inActs 4 to part with their
possessions and generously giveto others?
Furthermore, why do many of usfall short of this level of
generosity?
The key lies in examining ourown hearts and questioning our
(20:01):
motivations.
Are our desires driven byself-interest or by genuine
passion for serving God?
Ultimately, it all comes downto this fundamental truth If we
do not truly value Jesus, wewill struggle to be generous.
However, if we recognize theimmense sacrifice he made for us
, we're going to be compelled togive sacrificially in return.
(20:24):
So now looking at Ephesians,chapter 4, verse, verse 29.
Let no corrupting talk come outof your mouths, but only such
as is good for building up asfits the occasion that it may
give grace to those who hear.
Now I believe it's crucial toremember that we should never
tear people down, whether it'sthrough sarcasm, jokes at
(20:46):
someone else's expense or othermeans.
It's challenging to resist thisbehavior, especially when we're
surrounded by others who engagein it.
It's natural to want to fit inand mimic the actions of the
crowd, but we must strive to bepart of a different kind of
community, one that uplifts andsupports each other rather than
tearing down.
You know, in my years workingin the trades, I witnessed a
(21:08):
culture of tearing each otherrather than tearing down.
You know, in my years workingin the trades, I witnessed a
culture of tearing each otherdown to the point where I became
desensitized to its impact onothers.
It wasn't until I brought thisattitude home and saw its effect
on my wife that I trulyunderstood its toxicity.
It took being around supportiveChristians to recognize the
detrimental impact of thisbehavior and to build the
(21:28):
strength to resist its influence.
Over time, I learned to rely onmy faith and the Holy Spirit to
navigate this challengingenvironment and become a
positive influence.
While it was initially a lonelypath, staying steadfast in my
faith attracted others whodesired to change.
This led to the development ofa circle of Christian friends
within my workplace whoencouraged and uplifted each
(21:49):
other.
This experience ultimatelytransformed my leadership and I
found great fulfillment inleading a team of mostly
believers.
Now, as we connected andsupported each other, we evolved
from mere colleagues toclose-knit community doing life
together.
For years, I prayed to be sentinto the mission field and to
become a full-time paid minister, but little did I know that my
(22:12):
job was the fulfillment of thatprayer.
God allowed me to establish ameaningful and impactful
ministry within my workplace,all while being well compensated
for a job that I love.
It's amazing how often wealready possess what we ask for
but fail to recognize it.
So be patient and wait on God,trusting that he is working all
things for your good, and intime you will see the fruit of
(22:35):
your labor.
James, chapter one, verses 19to 25.
Know this, my beloved brotherslet every person be quick to
hear, slow to speak, slow toanger.
(23:27):
Moving on to Ephesians, chapter4, verse 30.
And do not grieve the HolySpirit of God, by whom you were
sealed for the day of redemption.
That verse emphasizes theactions and attitudes of
Christians and that we caneither grieve or honor the
Spirit.
Those who cling tightly totheir lies will ultimately lose
them and grieve the Spirit,while those who relinquish their
(23:50):
lies will find them and bringglory to their father in heaven.
Matthew 10, verse 39,.
Whoever finds his life willlose it, and whoever loses his
life for my sake will find it.
In Ephesians, chapter 4, verse31 to 32, we're moving on.
Let all bitterness and wrathand anger and clamor and slander
be put away from you, alongwith all malice.
Be kind to one another,tender-hearted, forgiving one
(24:11):
another.
The destructive force ofbitterness can harm
relationships and communities,leading to judgment and disdain
for others.
However, as believers, we arecalled to show kindness and
emulate Christ.
The previous chapters have beenleading up to this point, and
now we are encouraged to putinto practice all that we have
(24:31):
learned by imitating Christ.
We will delve into this further, starting in our next episode
in chapter 5.
Now, based on what we've learnedso far, it's time to put our
faith into action.
Regardless of the amount offaith we have, we need to do
something with it.
It's important to remember thatan active Christian is a living
Christian, while a passive oneis not really living.
(24:52):
This week, take some time toread chapter 11 of Hebrews,
which is known as the Hall ofFame of Faith.
This chapter is filled with thenames of people from the Bible
who are recognized for theirfaith because they trusted in
God.
They were not perfect by anymeans, but they believed in God
and His promises.
They demonstrated their faithby taking action based on what
they knew and understood.
(25:12):
God then worked in their livesto make up the difference.
They were truly God's handiwork, just as we are.
So I encourage you to presentyourself to God as a living
sacrifice and allow him to workin and through you.
Romans, chapter 12, verses 1 to2.
I appeal to you, therefore,brothers, by the mercies of God,
(25:34):
to present your bodies as aliving sacrifice, holy and
acceptable to God, which is yourspiritual worship.
Do not be conformed to thisworld, but be transformed by the
renewal of your mind that, bytesting, you may discern what is
the will of God, what is goodand acceptable and perfect.
(25:56):
Let's pray, father.
Thank you for the gift of theHoly Spirit, who helps us in our
walk to overcome this world.
Your grace is indeed sufficient.
As Paul said, we can trust thatyou will always make up the
difference where we fall short.
My ask is that you help us tounderstand the path that we're
(26:18):
on and that you would give usthe faith to step out and trust
you as we walk in this dark andlost world.
Father, we love you and wethank you in Jesus name, amen.
Now I want to thank you forjoining us today and I hope I
really do hope this messagehelped you take a step closer in
your relationship with Jesusand that you have a better
(26:40):
understanding of just how muchGod loves you and wants you to
know him.
And on our upcoming episode,we're going to delve into
chapter five of Ephesians, wherePaul encourages us to emulate
Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Our ultimate aim in life is toimitate Christ, and the only way
to achieve this is tounderstand his life as revealed
(27:00):
in the scriptures and guided byhis spirit within us.
Jesus has not abandoned us inthis world.
In fact, he has equipped uswith everything we need to
mirror him and live a life thatbrings glory to our heavenly
father.
Now, before we go, I want toencourage you to visit us at
thetakeawayfaith.
On our website, you can sign upto receive email notifications
(27:23):
and send us a text message fromthe link provided in the
description of this episode.
Now, we hope that you would usethis podcast as a resource to
help others and that you wouldsend us a message, a word of
encouragement or any questionsor comments, as we would love to
hear from you.
God bless, and we'll see younext time on the Takeaway.
Thank you.
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