Ephesians 4:1-2- "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,"

Love is the most important aspect of our dealings with one another. If we have love - true love - then it is the fruit of the gospel. Christ has risen in our hearts. He’s taught us to follow him, and he’s given us the power. As we see his love, we’re made loving. 1 John 4:19, “We love him, because he first loved us.”

Love interacts with patience and gentleness; it is not self seeking. It considers the concerns of others. It is not quick to anger, nor slow to forgive. Love doesn’t look for reasons to forsake the assembly. It doesn’t break off relationships easily, and endures hardships. The faults of brothers and sisters are forgiven, even as our own faults are by God.

When I was asked to preach this Sunday, realizing the struggles of the congregation, love immediately rose up in my heart. How can I help these suffering people? How can I point them to Christ, and fulfill my duty?

I have two ambitions this morning. One, to comfort the afflicted. Two, to exhort church members unto good works and perseverance. I want our Christianity to be authentic, and full of joy. I beg you to have a clean conscience before God. The blood of Jesus and repentance brings us into the fellowship of God’s love, so we can serve. Hebrews 9:14 - "how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works so that we can serve the living God?” We serve Christ by serving his people - the church - and being utterly committed.

Secondly, there is one gospel. Ephesians 4:4-5, "There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call-- one Lord, one faith, one baptism," We must suffer, and stand for the truth. We can’t tell people that they don’t have to believe hard doctrine - that they can reject election, justification by faith, or holiness. All of these are mandatory, and must be believed. If it’s not election, then it’s works [Rom 9:11-12]. If even Peter turns away from justification by faith, then let him be accursed [Gal 1:6]. Holiness is non optional. Everyone who believes the truth bears fruit, as God ordained from the beginning [Eph 2:10].

Do not compromise, and do not be afraid. Stand strong. Demand that people believe the gospel, as is. They have no right to change it, and deny God his glory. Any doctrine that brings glory to man…or denies holiness… is not of God, and it is not the gospel.

Thirdly, in order to give us gifts, Christ had to suffer the wrath of God. Ephesians 4:9 - "(In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?" He became a Man, so he could justify us by faith. He took sin upon himself, so that he could extinguish God’s wrath against us, making atonement. The substitutionary death of Christ is the heartbeat of Christianity; it is the essence of everything.

There is a false teacher, named NT Wright, who denies substitutionary atonement, and teaches Christ merely died as an example. It is a false doctrine that troubles Reformed churches in Ethiopia, and it must be abandoned! Christ’s death is the righteousness of God, through faith in his blood. Romans 3:25 - "whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed.” Christ’s death is our full acceptance, because HE TOOK OUR SINS upon himself, and was punished. The wrath of God - his holy anger and justice - must be satisfied, and Christ did it. Therefore, God raised him from the dead, and made him Lord. Our sufferings earn nothing. His suffering makes us pleasing to God and accepted.

Never take your eyes off the death of Christ. Acknowledge his victory, and receive his gifts. Proclaim him to be highly exalted, because he is worthy.

Fourthly, Gifted men are given to the church for your benefit. Ephesians 4:11 - "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,"

When I first heard that I’d preach today, an immediate burden came upon me. Not just to honor the Lord, but to comfort and exhort. I heard about your pastor’s wife, our dear sister, and the return of her stage 4 cancer. Then, I heard about the loss they suffered a couple of years ago in the death of their son. To go to routine surgery, and never come out is a harsh and drastic way to lose your child, and it is grievous. Now, after thinking her cancer was gone, the Lord has said, “No, you must suffer, and endure this too.” It is a hard blow, and it hurts. Compassion was stirred up in me. This isn’t human. This isn’t concocted, and it is far more than I felt, when I simply planned to hear the preaching. Now, I’m called upon to speak, so the burden was with me day and night. I shed many tears, because God makes his preachers care.

Evangelists, pastors and teachers love you! We are not in it for ourselves. We are not trying to make a name. Jer 45:5, “Do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not.” We are motivated by the love of God, and as selfish as we are by nature, it is subdued by the Spirit.

We genuinely want your good, and we’ve been ordained to help you. 1 Corinthians 12:28, “God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers.” God has chosen the foolishness of preaching. Therefore, we preach so your eyes may be fixed upon the Lord, and your soul satisfied.

Do not abandon this ministry. Give to support it. Know that the most important thing is, “Thus says the Lord,” and these men have been gifted to open the Scriptures and to devote their life to Christ for YOU. These men benefit the church. He gives us the word, so you can grow, persevere, and be instructed. We have no intrinsic value, other than pointing others to Christ. Take advantage of it, and stay under sound teaching. Do not run off, when things are hard.

Fifthly, speaking the truth in love is what all of us must do. Ephesians 4:15-16 - "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love." The preacher equips you to be a good minister.

All hands on deck. Everyone involved. Do what the Lord commands with the gifts that he’s given you. Serve the church. Don’t merely be a spectator - in and out. Labor to lift up others, and make this gathering an expression of your love for Christ. Put your all into this. Speak the truth in love, and use your gifts with the zeal whereby you once lived for yourself.

Don’t try to be an “apologist” - arguing constantly about the faults of others. Preach the gospel to yourself, and then preach God’s whole counsel to others. Clear out your own heart, so you can be useful, not merely condemning, but helping people up when they are wrong. Galatians 6:1 - "Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that you also won't be tempted." I know nothing more suited to loving fellowship than Christ upon EVERYONE’S lips, because he’s on everyone’s heart.