Ephesians - Part 7

  

     This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on 9th August 2026, by Colin. For the audio , please click here.  For the worship, please click here.

Living Worthy of Your Calling: Unity, Maturity, and Purpose in Christ

"Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received." — Ephesians 4:1

As we begin the fourth chapter of Ephesians, the apostle Paul makes a remarkable transition. The first three chapters are filled with the incredible blessings God has freely given us in Christ—our identity, salvation, adoption, redemption, and every spiritual blessing. But chapter four shifts the focus from what God has done for us to how we should now live in response.

Grace is never meant to leave us unchanged. Those who have been called by God are invited to live lives that reflect the greatness of that calling.

Walk Worthy of Your Calling

Paul urges believers to "walk worthy" of the calling they have received. The word worthy carries the idea of balance or equal weight. God has lavished immeasurable blessings upon us through Christ, and our lives should now reflect the weight of those blessings.

Imagine a child who has been rescued from poverty, adopted into a loving family, clothed, fed, educated, and given an inheritance—yet continues to live like a beggar on the streets. That would contradict his new identity.

In the same way, God has brought us into His family and given us a new identity. We are no longer defined by our old life. We are called to live as sons and daughters of God.

Unity Is the Mark of the Church

Modern culture celebrates individuality and personal choice. While choice itself is not wrong, it often makes it difficult to think beyond ourselves. Yet God's design for the Church is very different.

Paul repeatedly emphasizes unity. We are one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all.

This unity is not something we create—it is something God has already given us through the Holy Spirit. Our responsibility is to protect and preserve it.

Paul tells us that unity is maintained through four Christ-like attitudes:

• Humility that places others before ourselves.
• Gentleness that exercises strength under control.
• Patience that is slow to anger and quick to extend grace.
• Bearing with one another in love despite each other's imperfections.

Every church family consists of imperfect people. Unity doesn't come from everyone being alike; it comes from everyone choosing love over preference and grace over pride.

Sometimes unity is expressed in simple acts of participation—praying together, fasting together, serving together, or standing together as one body. God delights in a people who pursue unity because where His people dwell together in unity, He commands His blessing.

Unity Without Compromising Truth

Biblical unity does not mean ignoring truth.

Paul reminds us that there are foundational truths that unite every believer: Jesus Christ is Lord, salvation is found in Him alone, His death and resurrection are central to our faith, and we belong to one body.

On these essential truths, there can be no compromise.

At the same time, believers may hold different opinions on secondary matters. In those areas, we extend liberty and charity while remaining united in Christ.

True unity is built on truth and sustained by love.

Christ Has Given Every Believer a Gift

Paul goes on to explain that every believer has received grace according to Christ's measure.

No Christian is giftless.

When Christ ascended in victory, He distributed gifts to His people. Among these are leadership gifts—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—not so they can do all the ministry themselves, but so they can equip God's people for ministry.

This is one of the beautiful truths about the Church: ministry is not reserved for a few leaders. Every believer has a role to play.

The purpose of spiritual leadership is to prepare the entire body of Christ to serve.

Growing Toward Spiritual Maturity

As believers are equipped and actively serve, something wonderful happens.

They grow.

Paul describes this growth as increasing in the knowledge of Christ and becoming mature—measuring up to the fullness of Christ Himself.

Spiritual maturity isn't simply gaining more information. It involves putting God's Word into practice through daily obedience.

Jesus Himself modeled this life. Though He was the Son of God, He humbled Himself and learned obedience. As we follow His example, our lives are transformed, and we become more like Him.

Mature believers are also stable believers.

Instead of being tossed around by every new teaching or deceptive idea, they are firmly rooted in God's truth. They can discern error because they know Christ and His Word.

Every Part Matters

Paul concludes with a beautiful picture of the Church as a human body.

Every part has a purpose.

Every member contributes to the health of the whole.

When each person faithfully serves using the gifts God has given, the Church grows stronger, healthier, and more loving.

But when someone refuses to use the gifts God has entrusted to them, the body suffers. Just as a physical body struggles when one part is unable to function, the Church is hindered when believers choose not to serve.

This raises two important questions for each of us:

• Do I know the gifts God has given me?
• Am I faithfully using them to build up the body of Christ?

God has uniquely designed every believer for a purpose. Your contribution matters more than you may realize.

Looking Ahead with Hope

As believers, we have a glorious future.

One day we will receive new bodies. There will be no more pain, sickness, sorrow, or death. We will live forever in the presence of Christ.

But until that day arrives, God has given us a mission.

He calls us to protect the unity He has established, grow in faith and maturity, discover and use our spiritual gifts, and faithfully serve one another in love.

Final Thoughts

The Christian life is not merely about receiving God's blessings—it is about responding to them.

Because Christ has called us, we should walk worthy of that calling.

Because He has united us, we should preserve that unity.

Because He has gifted us, we should serve faithfully.

And because He is transforming us, we should continually grow into His likeness until the day we see Him face to face.

May we live lives that truly reflect the incredible calling we have received in Christ.

 Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org. 

Spare Part Anyone? | Colin D

This message was preached  by Colin D'cruz at Word of Grace Church on November 13th, 2016. To listen/download the audio please click here. To listen to the Sunday's worship and prophetic contributions please click here

In many cities, we see people begging. These people are incomplete- either they have no hands or legs. They are human beings, but they’re not complete. Some of them have deformities. Some may have extra organs. There are another kind of bodies- like in the 2016 Olympics, the gymnasts doing amazing things.

This morning I want to talk to you about the Body of Christ. While Jesus was on earth, he was the Body of Christ. But after he went to heaven, we are his body on earth as it says in 1 Corinthians 12:27- “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”

We are a part of the body of Christ. Jesus did amazing things when he was on earth. He walked the water, people were saved and delivered, miracles took place. He died on the cross and went to heaven. So who’s going to do his work? There is so much need in the world. 2-3 weeks ago, in New York, I saw homeless people everywhere. Where is the Body of Christ? The way Jesus works is that he uses the church to do his work now on earth.

In creation, God first forms. He separated the earth from the sea, the water from the sky. First he formed and then he filled it. He filled the sky with stars, the earth with vegetation, the water with animals, etc. After he fills it, he gave it a function.

Man is a special creation. Throughout Gen 1, he created just by speaking. When he created man, he fashioned man with his hands. He then breathed life into man and he came alive. And then he gave him a purpose. He said, increase in number, fill the earth and subdue it.

Q. What about the church?

In the same way, God operates with the church.

1.      He formed the church: Jesus’ disciples came together.

2.      On the 50^th day, on the day of Pentecost, he filled them with the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:2-“”

3.      The next thing is that they started functioning. Before the day of Pentecost, the disciples 

were hiding and praying. They couldn’t fulfil their function because they haven’t been filled yet.

It is the same thing with us. The day we come to know Jesus as our saviour, we are born again, we are formed. When you trust in Jesus as the only God, and no other God- you believe and repent, you are born as a spiritual being. Then we are filled with the spirit, which gives us different gifts which relate to our function. But we need to work together with these gifts. When we do this, we are the body of Christ.

Q. Which kind of body would you want to be like?

Do we want to be like the body that is deformed or sick or like a gymnast’s body which is strong and flexible and able to do great things? It depends on each one of us what kind of a body we are.

Q. What are the different parts of the Body?

1 Cor 12:28- 31- “And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts” There are multiple gifts in the body. God has given you something.

1 Cor 12:14- 18- “Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be” No matter what your personality and gifting, God has formed you, filled and given you a purpose which is different functions.

Q. Which is the more important part of the Body?

We all need one another. In fact, in verse 22 it says, “On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable”. We have to find out, what our gift is.

Sachin tendulkar has scored thousands of runs. He has done it with his hands. But if his hands were not connected to the body he wouldn’t have done anything. Whatever gift God has placed in you, for it to be brought into fruition, you need to be connected to the body correctly.

Eph 4:16- “From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” As we are rightly connected to the church, we will grow.

Another list of gifts are given in Romans 12:3- 8. There are more gifts than these because the Holy Spirit is limitless.

One of the values I spoke about earlier is that we are there for one another’s success. We identify the gift of people and bring it into maturity. We are in this together. There is no competition in that. In a car, there are wheels without which the car won’t even move. They are indispensible. So find out what your gift is so that it can serve the body.    

There is also a caution:

Acts 20:31- Paul preached the word and warned them about certain things. Matthew 21 is one of those warnings- Jesus and his disciples saw a fig tree. Jesus was expecting fruit and fruitfulness from the fig tree. But when it didn’t, he cursed it an it withered.

Jesus is keeping note of what we are doing with the things he gave us. Rev 2:19- “I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.” Here is the lesson for us. Jesus is keeping score. Are we serving, and are we serving faithfully. There was an increase in what they were doing. We need to keep growing in what we are doing.

Rev 3:1-3: “These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits[b] of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.” Jesus speaking to the church in Sardia- these are some strong words!

Rev 3: 14- 16 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”

We are privileged to be a part of the body of Christ. So let’s do and do increasingly, what 

God has called us to do. And for doing it, we have a heavenly reward.

Rev 22:12- “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” The good news is that Jesus has chosen us. Our response is- what did you give me and what do I do with it?

Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that have people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service. To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.  

There remains much land to possess | STEVE OLIVER | FUSION 2016

This message was preached by STEVE OLIVER at the Fusion 2016 RegionsBeyond gathering in the UK.
The audio /video link please click here.

Regions Beyond is not about a movement but its about reaching the lost, building up the broken hearted etc. Regions Beyond however does have some distinctiveness. 




We have a heart for multi generational leadership where : 

• Everybody is involved - we are an apostolic people group. 
• There is a deep reliance on relationships. 
• Its about multiplied leadership where we raise up and invest in one another. 
• Its not about one man etc.
•  Its about a heart for the poor.
• The glorious church where every community is helping one another and where we are an expression of Jesus in the neighbourhood.
• We are here for one another's success.

The world does not know this. If we can do this we can quickly go across the world.

JOSHUA 1:1

This great giant is born under the fathering and leadership of Moses.

If we walk in humility and faith,  we have started the most wonderful journey together.

so, Pack up and get ready!!!

Joshua must have had so much anticipation. We will remember this day- when God sent us packing!! ( due to a storm warning, we had to break camp, take down all our tents , pack up a go home a day early).

As they crossed the Jordan, they knew that they had Jericho to face. One of the things that make a church community great is encouragement and celebration. Keep encouraging your people.They need encouragement to be strong and courageous. Promises don't come without a fight!

No sooner had they received a call to pack up in chapter 3, they come to Jordan. There is the word "all". That is what God is looking for.

Ch3:10 the people crossed over on dry land when the Jordan was in full flood!! They had battles to fight - Jericho, then Ai. 

Every step Joshua established a place of worship. It was all about God! Such pioneers! We are doing the same thing again. Maybe you have been isolated and momentum is not easy . Go back in faith this time. We walk and live by faith. Call the people in.

Josh 8:30

I was carrying in my heart the promise of a world wide move of God.Joshua builds an alter on Mount Ebo of uncut stones. .This must not be a work of man but by the spirit. Stones shaped by fire and each one will have its shape. Its not one size its all. God wants to raise up people who are birthed in the Spirit. One linked to the other and holding each other up. We don;t have 23 boxes to tick and sign. We are welcoming and accepting  and lean heavily on one another. There is no place for individualism.

Ch 9 More campaigns and more battles are fought and more cities taken. Church planting is tough and many of us know that

Ch 13:1-

God speaks to Joshua when he is old . You would think that God would tell him you can relax now! But God says, there remains very much more land to possess.

We can think we are old, but there is no settling.

This is the beginning of a journey. There remains land to take.

It raises the question : how do we go forward , here in the UK?

1. Its a season of wells to turn into springs. Resource basis that will become springs. No more hard work o drawing water up. Divine resources . Teach this to your churches.

2. Prayer must become the vehicle of going forward. Look at how you do prayer. Its very important.

3. Strategically we want to establish and recognise HUB churches. We want to see numerous Hubs established.

For exponential growth we need many gifts around the country. One man cannot do it. Its multiplied leadership. Its not geographically but rationally. They will build relationship but also plant churches. These clusters of churches

• Will plant churches. 
• They will work together to strengthen people.
• we will train and equip.
• Ministry collaboration
• Pastoral support

Release and recognition. Eph 4 gifts. This is the ultimate aim and all the other gifts. It takes time to recognise apostolic gifts. They will open up new areas, give birth to people and correct doctrine.

Our aim is to have exponential growth.

4. Times of corporate prayer

5. Task team for theology and training

6. FUSION 2018

7. HUB every other year.Next year 13-18 Nov 2017

What can I give? | Justin J

This message was preached  by Justin Jaykumar at Word of Grace Church on June 6th, 2016. To listen/download the audio please click here. To listen to the Sunday's worship and prophetic contributions please click here

It was not a usual day in that town- there was a lot of commotion. A little boy asked, what’s happening. They said, that guy is coming... the guy who calmed the storm is coming to our town. The little boy’s mum packs a lunch box with his favourite food. Then he runs off to join this massive crowd listening to this one guy speaking. Jesus was teaching them about the kingdom of God! Everyone was listening to them attentively. Not worried about the break time.

Then the disciples said, “why don’t we let them go and get something to eat?” Jesus said, let’s feed them. The boy offers his lunch. Andrew said, “would you like to give to Jesus?” What happens next shocks him! Jesus multiplied the 5 loaves and 2 fish. He sees that there is so much left after they are all fed. 

Mark 6:30- 44

We too can make a difference in the lives of people.

Q. How can we make this difference?

The book of Judges has a lot of names- Gideon, Samson, Yehud, etc. You and I can live lives like this. With our names in the pages of history!

This is our challenge.

When Jesus was teaching them, disciples said, let’s send them back. Jesus said, you give them something to eat. That word ‘you’ is important. You are important. You have the opportunity to bring life into people. Jesus could have asked God for manna- to have a repeat of the wilderness experience. But instead, Jesus asked them to be a blessing to the people around.

Gen 12:1-3- God called Abraham not only to bless him but that through him blessing will flow to all the families of the world.

The disciples said, it’ll take half a year’s wages! The need is great and the task is enormous. It will cost. Their reply was logical. They will fend for themselves. When there is a need and you are taken care of, you think everyone can find something for themselves.

People are in need. So what do we do? We have the key for the blessing into the lives of these people.

In verse 38 Jesus asks: Q. What do you have?

Write down on a sheet of paper, what do you have with you that can bring blessing into the lives of others.

5 loaves and 2 fish are nothing. But it is what he had. It is not easy to handle a mob. The disciples felt inadequate to handle this situation.

The little that was given in the hands of Jesus- what has it become? Jesus takes control. There was order. Things change when Jesus takes control of what you have.

Many times we think we are experts, but when we give that into Jesus’ hands, he breaks it and then multiplies it. Mark 6: 42- they all ate and were filled. People were satisfied and it was more than sufficient.

The Bible records lives of so many people who had nothing in their hands. Moses- you know what God told him? What do you have your hand? Joseph- what do you have in your hand? A dreamer? He used that. God will use you.

Queen Esther- beautiful woman! Did she make a difference in the lives of people? Yes, an entire race. Daniel, David, Barnabus--- these men did not go out of their way, God used what they had. Paul was an Old Testament Scholar. He fought against heresies that were coming up in the early church.

God can use us when we give it to him. 

What can we give to him today?

                                       

 Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that have people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service. To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.

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