4/17/05

Intro: Ch.4:1-2- after warnings about “enemies of the

cross”, Paul makes personal & concerned remarks.

I. After words of endearment, Paul calls the church

to stand fast (or firm). 

(1) To stand fast means to own or to possess Biblical

    truth as our own.

We must inculcate truth into our deepest person-

Psa.119:11, 105, 130  John 15:7   Rom.6:17

(2) Forces that would rob us of the possession and

application of Biblical truth are persistent.

Luke 8:11-12- Satan       8:13-flesh      8:14-world

(3) Instability joins with those forces to prevent real

growth.  Eph.4:14 & James 1:6

II. Paul then calls for unity among workers. 4:2-3

(1)  This theme of unity in attitude and effort runs

throughout the epistle—1:27    2:2-3    2:25

3:15-16      4:2-3

  This practice of unity looks to the reality of unity as

The Body of Christ-  Rom.12:4-6

(2)  The great disruptor of unity remains mental attitude

sins-  some mental sins would include:

  JEALOUSY – Prov.6:34, 14:30, 23:17,  Song 8:6

       And James 3:14-16

  BITTERNESS- Rom. 3:14,  Heb. 12:15 (fault-finding)

  MATERIALISM- James 5:1-6