Prayer for All Members Based on Pastor Travis’s Message, May 22, 2022 Ephesians 4:25-5:2
Walking in Love

Introduction: Last week we saw the clear difference that has come about in our lives through coming to know Christ: we put off the old and put on the new. Now Paul gives us practical, specific ways to put off the old and put on the new and so promote our unity and build up one another. Our words matter, our emotions matter, our actions matter:

1. Our words matter: Do not speak lies but truth. (4:25)

   Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

   Each of us as individuals and all of us together must speak truth to one another. We need truth to function as one, unified church.

   Lord, please help us to promote unity by speaking the truth to one another.

2. Our emotions matter: Do not stay angry. (4:26-27)

   Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.

   If we allow our anger to fester, we give the enemy an opportunity. There should be no place in our lives or in our church to give the enemy an opportunity.

   Lord, please help us to resolve any anger quickly so as to resist the enemy’s attempts to divide us.

3. Our actions matter: Do not steal; instead work hard and share. (4:28)

   Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

   Don’t provide for yourself by stealing, but rather by hard work purpose not only to provide for yourself and your family, but also to share with one another as needed.

   Lord, please help us not to rob others, but rather to share with others, and so build one another up.

4. Again, our words matter: Do not use words that corrupt, but rather words that build up. (4:29-30)

   Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up... And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

   When we use kind words to build people up, we may be giving grace to those who hear. The Holy Spirit who has sealed us is now at work in us to sanctify us. So anything we think, say, or do that is unholy grieves Him.

   Lord, help us to build up one another by speaking gracious words throughout our church and lives.

Summing it all up: Imitate our God and Savior. (4:31-5:2)

Let all bitterness... be put away from you... Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you... Be imitators of God... And walk in love, as Christ loved us...

Walk in love! How do we put off the old? Walk in love! How do we put on the new? Walk in love! Let us look to Christ who died for us, and live for Him!

O Redeemer, by Your grace, please help us to forgive as You have forgiven us, and love as You have loved us.