LESSON THIRTY-EIGHT
The Gospel Applied
The first half of Ephesians celebrates the gospel blessings of our salvation. Christians have been chosen, adopted, forgiven, and made alive in Christ. They have been saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone to the glory of God alone. God has revealed his plan to unite all things in and under the kingship of Jesus. Jews and Gentiles are united in Christ as a new humanity. They are filled with the Spirit as God’s new temple.
The gospel applies to our relationships, our vocations, our sexuality, our money, our families, and every other corner of our lives.
The second half of Ephesians now shows what difference this makes in our lives. The first half celebrated gospel theology; the second half urges gospel living. It shows how a life of ever-deepening faith in Christ transforms us to become like him. Faith makes us humble, gentle, and patient. It creates a unified and Christlike gospel culture in churches. The gospel applies to our relationships, our vocations, our sexuality, our money, our families, and every other corner of our lives.
And God’s grace in Jesus is the foundation and motivation for this new life. We do not obey in order to receive God’s blessings; we obey because we already have them.
SCRIPTURE READING
Ephesians 4-6
Reading Time: 8 Minutes
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says,
“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”
(In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!—assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.
Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.
EPHESIANS 4-6
Study Guide Questions
- What key virtues does Paul emphasize first, and in what ways are these needed today?
- What difference does it make to know that we obey not in order to receive Christ’s love and acceptance but because we already have these gifts?
- How should the gospel transform and shape relationships between Christians?
EPHESIANS 4
Family Discussion Questions
- Since Christians now have a “new self,” they are to “put off the old self.” What are some of the sinful characteristics of the old self that we are to put off?
- What are some of the Christ-like characteristics of the new self that we are to put on?
- Why are characteristics like gentleness, patience, and humility so important for living in peace and unity together?
PART SEVEN REVIEW
The Gospel Spreads and All Is Made New
The good news of Jesus creates an explosion of joy. People learn that they are part of a bigger story—that the God who made them reconciles them to himself on terms of grace.
The book of Acts begins with Jesus’ commissioning of his apostles to be his “witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” This order reflects God’s promises to Abraham and the prophets: God would first restore believing Israelites and then spread his blessing through them to the ends of the earth. Acts shows how Christians carry the message of Jesus to the ends of the earth in the power of the Spirit. One of the greatest missionaries is the apostle Paul—he spreads the gospel, makes disciples, and plants many churches. He also writes letters such as Ephesians to show how the good news of Jesus must transform every part of our lives.
Revelation culminates the Bible with a symbolic vision of Jesus and his sovereign rule over history. Jesus encourages his churches to maintain their first love and persevere in a hostile culture.
This message concludes with a beautiful picture of our eternal future. We will not live disembodied forever; we will live in a new creation with Jesus and his people. These final chapters tie together many of the themes that began in the first chapters of the Bible. God is our temple; the world is our Eden; Jesus is our sacrificial Lamb. All who trust in Jesus will be restored to reflect God’s image by reigning with Jesus over all things forever.
LESSON THIRTY-EIGHT
The Gospel Applied
The first part of Ephesians celebrated the blessings God gives to Christians. Those who trust Jesus have been chosen, adopted, forgiven, and made spiritually alive in Christ. And all this comes to us not because we are good but because he is good.
This next part of Ephesians shows what difference this makes in our lives. The wonderful truth about the gospel leads us to live a new kind of life. As we continue to know and trust in Jesus, we become transformed to be more like him! The Holy Spirit begins to make us humble, gentle, and patient with other people. We start to think and feel and speak and act more like Jesus—more like the kind of person God made us to be. We do not do this in order to get blessings from God; we do it because he has already given us everything we need.
SCRIPTURE READING
Ephesians 4:1-32
Reading Time: 3 Minutes
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says,
“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”
(In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ! — assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
SERMON SERIES
Finding Our Purpose in God’s Plan
These six messages belong to the Unfolding Grace: Finding Our Purpose in God’s Plan sermon series that author and pastor Drew Hunter preached at his home church. Through these six messages, he tells us the story of the Bible—a story that reveals the grace of God.
Genesis 1:1-3:24 | 38 Min
Exodus 12:1-25:40 | 34 Min
2 Samuel 7:1-19 | 36 Min
Ezekiel 36:16-32 | 37 Min
Mark 16:1-8 | 39 Min
Revelation 21:1-8 | 40 Min
BUY THE BOOK
Book Series
The content you enjoy in this Unfolding Grace Reading Plan comes from the Unfolding Grace book series by Pastor Drew Hunter, published by Crossway Publishers. We encourage you to purchase a physical copy of Unfolding Grace to use individually, with your family, or as a small group.
Unfolding Grace:
40 Guided Readings Through the Bible
Unfolding Grace Study Guide
Unfolding Grace for Kids:
A 40-Day Journey Through the Bible