Beginning today—and continuing over the next six weeks, we’re going to be talking about what’s involved in building the church. As we begin—I want to draw our attention to something that’s of the utmost importance. Matthew 16:18 says very clearly that Jesus is the One who ultimately builds His church. He’s the architect, engineer, and the One who oversees the work.

Paul reminds us of this in 4:11 when he says, “It was He who gave…” So—as we look at these sixteen verses here in chapter 4—we’ll see time and time again that Jesus is the One at work. He’s at work through His people…He’s in charge and He is still in control of His church.

As Paul moves from chapter 3 in his letter to the church at Ephesus into chapter 4—we see a transition from doctrine to duty, from our new position as a believer in Christ to practical truth, and from principles to daily practice. For the Christian who is no longer dead in his trespasses and sin…there’s an expectation to live in such a way that exemplifies the presence and power of God’s saving work He has begun in our life.

The Bible tells us again in Phil. 1:6 it was “He who—began a good work in us…and He will complete it.” The reason Jesus is at work in our lives is to see that we are “built up” (V12)…built up in our faith, built up in our knowledge and built up in spiritual maturity. As these things begin to develop in us...we can begin to walk worthy of the calling we have received.

Therefore—as each of us begin to walk worthy of our calling…the church will continue to be built individually and collectively at the same time. Today we want to begin our study by looking at 3 things that are required for walking worthy of the call found here in verses 1-2.

1. The call must be real.

A genuine call. Jesus said in John 6:44, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him.” The unless in that verse refers to the action taken by God the Father in our behalf. God is the One who calls people to Himself (1:18). Unless God calls you it cannot be a real call. Therefore—unless God calls you into the church…you cannot come.

In 21^st century America we have such a skewed view of things that we believe if there’s anything at all that we want—we not only can have it…we deserve it and no one can deny us of it. Even to the extent that some people are trying to change their gender orientation. At best—the result is superficial…not genuine.

A similar situation is true of some church members. On the surface they appear to be genuine believers…but they are not real believers. Like the person who no longer wants to live life in the gender God called them to…they seek a process that meets their own desire. They learn church language, they learn church procedures, they learn the church membership process and then they come to the church on their own terms.

Remember what Jesus said in John 6:44, unless…unless the Father who sent Me draws you—you cannot come. At best—all they’ll ever be is a superficial church member…not genuine because they were not really called by the Father. Therefore—they cannot walk worthy of the calling. The Christian life becomes a burden to them, not a blessing. It’s a life of do’s and don’ts, not a life of deliverance from the power of temptation and sinful activity. In order for us to walk worthy—our call…

2. The call must have results.

In other words there must be some evidence that God has called you into His family. Paul mentions 4 things here in verse 2 that points to a genuine call in a person’s life.

Humility—the opposite of self-centeredness and pride. The absence of arrogance. A person who’s equally interested in the welfare of others as much as he is his own. Our example for humility is Jesus—He said in Mat.11:29, “Take My yoke upon you for I am gentle and humble at heart.”

Gentleness—a virtue which the Bible says is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:23). Gentleness is not to be confused as it often is with weakness. Biblical gentleness carries the idea of “power under control.” Our example again is Jesus. When the mob came to arrest Him in the garden He could have called upon His divine power but He did not, therefore demonstrating power under control. A gentle person is not easily annoyed or angered by every little inconvenience.

Patience—this is the outgrowth of humility and gentleness. It’s pictured in endurance. Examples would be Abraham, Noah, Isaiah, Jeremiah and even Paul who endured so much suffering to share the Word of God. Are we patient?

Forbearing love—covers over a multitude of sins (I Pet.4:8). Forbearing love doesn’t blindly excuse sin—yet it’s willing to take abuse while at the same time extending the love of Christ. Forbearing love is exemplified in our Savior, Jesus Christ. Love that’s gives continuously and unconditionally.

These are all fruit of the Spirit that dwells in the heart of everyone who has received a real call. This is why Paul can tell us to live a life worthy of the call. Because he knows that we can…”We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us” (Phil. 4:13). Paul himself was a person who experienced a real call from the Lord on the road to Damascus and the result of that call was a changed man. He went from a persecutor of the faith to a preacher of the faith (Gal. 1:23).

Since the Spirit of God lives in us and the angel Gabriel said, “There is nothing impossible with God” (Luke 1:37)…why would we ever think for a moment that we can’t live worthy of our call? Living worthy of the call means living up to the responsibility that comes with the gift of salvation. The word worthy in the Greek means …balancing the scales.

When this is applied to us it means the result of our call should be actions and attitudes that are equal to the value of salvation. Humility love ,etc are examples.

3. The call must be received.

The call is to come out of spiritual darkness into the saving light of Jesus Christ. And Paul has told us in chapter 2:8-9 that salvation is a gift from God. Something that must be received.

Why would it be important when talking about blueprints for building the church—for members to have a real, result oriented call that was received by grace? Unity. If the members are not real the church is nothing more than a building on a movie set…it looks good from the outside but it’s empty on the inside. A façade – a fake – no future

If its members have not been called by God they are merely actors. Living a life that’s not real. The question is—have we experienced a real call? Are there results in our life that exemplifies that call? Paul tells us to “examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.” (2 Cor. 13:5)

Just as there are believers and non-believers living together in the world…there are believers and non-believers in the church. Jesus gives a picture of this in the parable of the weeds (Mat. 13:24-30). If the members are not real there won’t be any unity in the church.