In the first three chapters the Apostle Paul taught us who we are in Christ, saints in Christ, chosen by God, predestined for adoption, redeemed by the blood of Christ and God’s own inheritance. As such the eyes of your heart have been opened. You who were once dead in your trespasses and sins—God has made alive…made you for good works. 

Now here at chapter 4 Paul shifted the focus from who we are to how we are to live as His children. “I, therefore, the prisoner [a]of the Lord, [b]beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1-3). 
Now, listen on as we begin to learn how God wants us to be transformed. . . 

Question: Is tithing is required of the church? Tithing is “tenthing” or giving of ten percent (10%). Tithing did take place under the old covenant. But, some carelessly handle the Word of God and apply these Old Testament examples to the New Testament Church. We now are living under the law of Christ (Heb. 9:16-17), we are no longer under the schoolmaster (Gal. 3:25), hence we are no longer under the old law which has been nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14). Paul says “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Col 3:17), that is by the authority of Christ. 

Where in the new covenant does God bind tithing? He didn’t!

Paul Prays for Strengthening – “14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father [a]of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,” (Eph. 3:14). You are strengthened, God does not simply want you to know it, but to live accordingly…

Jesus says, “You are the light of the world…” (Matt. 5:14), Paul said of the saints, “to the intent that now the [a]manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the [b]principalities and powers in the heavenly places,” (Eph. 3:10). 
Yes, every Christian is to be a Revealer, that is one who reveals the good news, the light in the darkness, the church of Christ to the world. 

“Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory” (Eph. 3:13)

Jesus said, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church…” (Matt. 16:18), and “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:16), Paul said, “4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in [a]you all.” (Eph. 4:4-6). Why then are there so many distinctly different and divisive “churches”? Why is there so much religious confusion? 

The answer is because men have sought to pervert or distort the gospel (Gal. 1:6-8), and have done so since day one. But that is why God gave us all that pertains unto life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3), the truth (John 17:17) and why the only way out of all the confusion is to “Let God be true and every man a liar” (Rom. 3:4).

Paul says, “11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:11-13).

But now says Paul (v.13), indicating a change. All who have obeyed the gospel of Christ are included in that simple, yet powerful statement. Listen as Paul explains the change from old to new, from before and now after Christ. 

We know that good works do not save us—but understand me when I say that everything ever made has a purpose. Paul wrote to the Romans saying that God’s “invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and [g]Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (1:20). David wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork” (19:1). These are all God’s workmanship and as for the saved—it is God’s intention that our salvation results in acts of service.

Paul wants every saint that reads this to know who “you are” and to know your current state in contrast to your past condition, which is brought out in verses 2 and 3. Something we must never forget—brothers and sisters—we once walked according to the course of this world, and we were dead in our sins. Do we appreciate this? Do we remember that we once walked in worldliness? As we look back to the first chapter, I pray that we grasp the compelling significance of this truth. Do you understand that you are redeemed—then you had a sin debt. Do you realize you are redeemed by the blood—then you must have been previously walking in sin with no hope of freedom. Do you comprehend that you are adopted—then brothers and sisters—by necessity that means you were formerly separated from God with no rights—no relationship—no spiritual family.

What church comes to mind when you hear the name, Luther, Wesley, Calvin, Smith, Russel? Some you may know and some you may not, but it is certain that the ones you do know you will attribute them to a denomination that was “founded” by them. The name on the building often reminds you of the founder, and such is the case with the Church of Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ is the chief corner stone, builder and head (Eph. 2:20; Matt. 16:18; Col. 1:18) of the churches of Christ. There are no others to point to, and no other leader over the church. All decisions are made by Him concerning the practice of the faith. The manner of worship, the work the church is to do is all predefined by Jesus through His word, our guidebook, the Bible. 

Without doubt the saints in Ephesus have shown great love for the Lord Jesus and for all the brethren. It is that kind of love that every child of God needs to have if heaven is to be our home. “15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:” (Eph. 1:15-16). Imagine what great things can be accomplished by you if that kind of love is your motivation. Paul prays the the Lord will give these saints something else, that is, “17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your [a]understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,” (Eph. 1:17-18).

In this lesson we’ll be discussing what all that means, what is the spirit of wisdom, and what is meant by having they eyes of your understanding being enlightened?