Day 26 - Things To Do (part 1) by Pastor Philip Olubakin: MP3 Download & Sermon Notes

Walk Worthy of the Calling

Ephesians 4:1

Ephesians 4 is where Paul pivots. The first three chapters told you who you are. Now he begins: walk worthy of the vocation where you are called.

There is an expectation on your life. There is a way you are expected to talk, to react, to comment, to carry yourself — because you are a believer.

Not to earn your salvation. Not to impress people. But because of who you already are. There are places believers should not be found. There are ways believers should not speak. Not rules without reason — but expressions of who you are in God.

The Five Ministry Offices

Ephesians 4:11-12

God gives apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Five offices. And they are not given so that ministry can be done by the five — they are given so that the saints can be perfected for the work of ministry.

It is you who are called to do the work of ministry. The five offices equip you to do it.

You are not waiting to be called into ministry. John 15:16 said: I chose you, I ordained you, I sent you to go and bear fruit. That sending is your ministry. Take it to entertainment, to fashion, to education, to government. Everywhere people are is a mission field.

Unity Over Uniformity

Ephesians 4:5, 13

One Lord, one faith, one baptism. God wants unity. Not uniformity — two people do not need to be the same. But they need to be united. Stop creating division. Stop dragging other people's pastors online. Stop making controversy a daily habit. Endeavour to keep the unity of the spirit.

Speak the Truth in Love

Ephesians 4:15

There are two failure modes here. Some people speak the truth in hatred — looking for every opportunity to show others up, always rushing to fire back. Others do not speak the truth at all — too afraid of drama to say anything. Both are failures.

Speak truth. But speak it because you care, not because you are looking for an opportunity to be right.

Ephesians 4:29 — let no corrupt communication come out of your mouth. Everything that comes out of your mouth should be such that it edifies those who hear it. Vulgar jokes, corrupt statements, insults hidden behind humour — these should have no place.