THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS, PART 4
The Book of Ephesians
Pastor Brandon Cross
Woodland Church
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
THE BIG IDEA:
The Gospel should affect the way we live our lives personally, in our communities, and with our families.
RECAP:
Ephesians 3: The Mystery of the Gospel
Paul explains the “mystery”—that Gentiles are co-heirs with Israel through the gospel. He prays for believers to be strengthened by the Spirit and to know the immense love of Christ temple.
Ephesians 4: Unity and the New Life
The focus shifts to practice: walking worthy of the calling, maintaining unity in the body, and utilizing spiritual gifts for growth. Paul urges believers to shed their old, sinful nature and “put on” the new self, characterized by holiness.
SECTIONS:
- Walking in Unity (Verses 1-6)
- Gifts for the Church Body (Verses 7-16)
- Living as the New Self (Verses 17-24)
- Practical Rules for Daily Life (Verses 25-32)
1. Walking in Unity (Verses 1-6)
(Ephesians 4:1-6) “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
- Verses 1–2: Paul asks believers to live worthy of their calling with humility, gentleness, and patience.
QUESTIONS:
Have you ever had to work hard at responding to other believers or church family in a way that honors what Paul says we are called to in verses 1-2?
What was the circumstance? Why is it hard to do so?
- Verses 3-6: Christians must protect the unity of the Holy Spirit because there is one body, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God.
- Make Every Effort
- Bond of Peace
- Unity of the Spirit
QUESTION:
What is Paul telling us to focus on in order to be able to have unity as The Church?
2. Gifts for the Church Body (Verses 7-16)
(Ephesians 4:7-16) “But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says:
“When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.”
(Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”
- Verses 7-10: Christ gives unearned grace and gifts to each person, having ascended after descending to the lower parts of the earth.
- Verse 7: These gifts are unearned and distributed so that every person plays a specific, active role in the church.
- Verse 8: Christ is the victorious King who conquered the powers of darkness and gives gifts to his followers.
- Verses 9-10: His “ascent” means He returned to the highest heavens, victorious over sin, to fill the entire universe with His presence and power.
QUESTIONS:
Have you ever stopped to think about what your specific and active role in the church is?
Are you fulfilling it? If not, what is stopping you?
QUESTION:
Does understanding that Jesus’ death and resurrection were also intended to provide you a unique gift to be used in The Church give you a different perspective?
- Verses 11-12: Jesus gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to prepare God’s people for service and build up the church.
The Leaders (Verse 11)
- Apostles
- Prophets
- Evangelists
- Pastors and Teachers
The Purpose (Verse 12)
- Equipping Believers
- Doing the Work
- Building Up the Church
QUESTIONS:
What does it mean for us to “do the work of the ministry?”
How would you describe your responsibility – or, your part – in that regard?
- Verses 13-16: These gifts help believers reach maturity, avoiding false teachings and growing together in love.
- Spiritual Maturity and Unity
- Rejecting False Ideas / False Teaching
- Speaking Truth in Love
- Working Together Like a Body
QUESTIONS:
What does a “mature” believer in Christ “look like”?
What are the characteristics we need to aim for?
QUESTIONS:
How would you describe what false teaching is?
How should we respond to teaching that we find questionable?
QUESTIONS:
What is our responsibility to the rest of the church body?
Why is each of us important?
3. Living as the New Self (Verses 17-24)
(Ephesians 4:17-24) “This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”
- Verses 17-19: Paul is telling believers that their new life in Christ requires a completely different way of thinking and acting.
QUESTIONS:
How would you describe what it means to be lost or “alienated” from God?
What do you think Paul means by “empty” or “futile” thinking?
- Verses 20-24: In contrast with verses 17-19, believers must put off their old sinful self; be renewed in their thinking; and put on the new self; thus, be created to be like God in righteousness and holiness.
QUESTION:
What does it mean for you and me to “put on the new man” versus the “old man”?
4. Practical Rules for Daily Life (Verses 25-32)
(Ephesians 4:25-32) “Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
- Do Not Grieve the Spirit
- This passage teaches believers how to live a changed life through specific daily actions: speaking truth, managing anger, and showing kindness.
- Verse 25: Stop lying – speak the truth to your neighbor because all believers are connected in – or, part of – one community.
- Verses 26-27: Do not let anger lead you to sin, and do not give the devil an opening.
QUESTIONS:
What do you think it means to “give the devil an opening”?
How do we guard against it?
- Verses 28-30: Use words that help others and do not grieve the Holy Spirit.
- Stop stealing and using bad talk.
- Verses 31-32: Get rid of bitterness, rage, and anger. Be kind, compassionate, and forgiving to each other, just as God forgave you through Christ.
QUESTION:
What is the danger of bitterness, rage, and anger to the believer’s relationship with God or with others?