Walking Worthy of Our Calling
Alan Martin teaches that believers are called to walk worthy of their calling by embodying humility, meekness, patience, and love, reflecting Christ's sacrificial unity and grace in their relationships.
This sermon emphasizes the importance of loving one another as Jesus loved us, highlighting the need to walk in humility, meekness, and long-suffering, forbearing with one another in love. It delves into the significance of knowing each other according to the Spirit, seeing others through God's eyes, and praying for all the saints by name to resist the enemy's divisive tactics. The ultimate goal is to preserve unity, reflecting the love of Christ to the world and fulfilling the new commandment to love one another.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Call to Walk Worthy
- Understanding our calling as believers
- Living a life equal to the calling
- Exhortation from Paul in Ephesians 4:1
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II. Characteristics of Walking Worthy
- Lowliness and meekness as humility
- Long-suffering and forbearance in love
- Preserving unity through peace
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III. The Role of the Holy Spirit
- Walking by the Spirit versus the flesh
- Love of Christ controlling our actions
- Relating to others according to the Spirit
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IV. Practical Warnings and Encouragements
- Avoiding pride, contention, and categorizing others
- Speaking words that build up and give grace
- Forgiving as God forgave us
Key Quotes
“Therefore, I, the prisoner in the Lord, exhort you to walk worthy of the calling which you have been called.” — Alan Martin
“Meekness is strength under control, broken, gentle.” — Alan Martin
“The love of Christ controls us, constrains us, keeps us in our lane.” — Alan Martin
Application Points
- Practice humility and gentleness in all your interactions, recognizing that every person is valuable to God.
- Exercise patience and forbearance with others, especially when faced with difficult personalities or situations.
- Speak words that build up and give grace, avoiding criticism and judgment that harm unity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to walk worthy of our calling?
It means living a life that reflects the character and purpose God has given us, embodying humility, love, patience, and unity as taught in Ephesians 4.
Why is humility important in Christian relationships?
Humility prevents pride and contention, allowing believers to relate with gentleness and patience, fostering unity and peace within the church.
How does the Holy Spirit help us walk worthy?
The Holy Spirit empowers believers to love others like Christ, restrain fleshly desires, and maintain unity by guiding us to live according to God's heart.
What should we do when we feel irritated by others?
We should exercise forbearance and patience, remembering Christ’s sacrifice and choosing to bear with others in love rather than giving place to frustration or division.
How can we preserve unity in the church?
By remembering the peace made through Jesus’ cross, avoiding judgment and categorizing others, speaking graciously, and forgiving one another as God forgave us.