Put Off, Put On
Notes
Transcript
Call to Worship
Call to Worship
The Mighty One, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. Our God comes; he does not keep silence; before him is a devouring fire, around him a mighty tempest.
Prayer
Prayer
Adoration: God who is light, w/ no mixture of darkness at all//pure in righteousness and love//created us new by your grace
Confession: We have not to be renewed as we ought, but allowed callouses to grow//have followed deceitful desires
Thanksgiving: you have (1) forgiven all sins past present future, (2) given ability + help to grow…
Supplication: Lead us in holiness//bind our hearts together in unity for your glory; RGC Oak Harbor (growing pains + more shepherds); youth of the community—lost + unloved; believers + gospel in Ukraine
Family Matters
Family Matters
Congregational meeting + potluck/list of officers available; looking for a couple more kid’s Sunday School helpers
Benediction
Benediction
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Sermon
Sermon
Read: Ephesians 4:25-32
Read: Ephesians 4:25-32
Main Idea: The Law: (1) reveals the residue of the old self, points to the reality of the new self; and (2) points to God’s character in the gospel as the model for us to imitate; to confront our “residue=sin” to help us be progressively renewed in the spirit of our minds.
Main Idea: The Law: (1) reveals the residue of the old self, points to the reality of the new self; and (2) points to God’s character in the gospel as the model for us to imitate; to confront our “residue=sin” to help us be progressively renewed in the spirit of our minds.
Intro:
Intro:
We heard:
Nations live in darkness b/c of who they are spiritually = hardness of heart
But… if you belong to Christ => you have put off… are being renewed… have put on {restored imago dei}
So truth = if you belong to Christ => not who you used to be…
But then—“I say and testify in the Lord,” you must no longer walk like the nations around you…
Bottom line:
You really have put off/put on, but…
The new self not yet perfected//old self left a stubborn residue behind…
Cleaning the fireplace… (soap, more soap, more soap… specialized cleaner… and again… )
No fire actively belching soot
But stubborn residue…
Cleaner needed = gospel + law
Law = Soap? How does it work?
NOT a series of regulations => I’ll do my best to get better at following it over time…
honest = discouragement
self deceived = self-righteousness
BUT ALSO NOT: we give up the law…
“It’s not about rules, but relationship”
those aren’t opposites…
What do we do with “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul?”
…a vital cleaning agent!
So then… how does it work???
Instruction # 1—Speech: Lies and Truth
Instruction # 1—Speech: Lies and Truth
Reality # 1—United in Christ
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
[Basis] Notice—
positive//negative
“put away” = put off (old self) vs 22 =>
based on the pattern of what has already happened IF you belong to Christ… Paul saying—
“You have put off the old self//on the new…”
Therefore [since you’ve been created new in that way] => put off lying and put on truth-telling
[Implication 1]
Fight sin like you really have been made new
Are you a habitual lier? A life of truth-telling is really possible
Belong to Christ? => you are by nature being renewed in the spirit of your mind…
App. = memorize this verse?
[Implication 2]
Already been a lot of talk about truth vs. deception in Eph…
Christ gave his blood to free you from the futile thinking of the nations//deceitful desires…
How messed up to then turn around and speak falsehood to your neighbor…
[which in this case = quote from Zech. 8:16 = fellow member of the covenant community… brothers + sisters (though of course overflow)}
[Implication 3]
… and so he says, “we are members one of another” = we are “neighbors” spiritually speaking, b/c we are members of Christ’s own body
That’s what “new self” is! => created for membership in community of God’s people => created to practice love…
To deceive = to despise; to tell truth = to love.
So what did Paul do? He applied the Law (Do not Lie) in order to reveal residue of the old self in us… + reveal the reality of the new self (tell truth)...
Respond to the residue? Confess + remember forgiveness in Christ.
Respond to the reality? Ask God for help + set out to live
Result: Renew
Instruction # 2—Handling Anger
Instruction # 2—Handling Anger
[Implied Reality—Spiritual Warfare?]
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.
[Basis] Notice again—
positive//negative
again, based on the pattern of what has already happened IF you belong to Christ… Paul saying—
“You have put off the old self//on the new…”
Therefore [since you’ve been created new in that way] => Not just resist sin, but actively deal w/ your anger.
But… tricky: anger itself not necessarily sin
“Be angry and do not sin” = what Paul saying? = quote from Psalm 4
O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah
But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.
Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah
Be angry = anger in response to deceit… => wider principle: anger in response to sin/injustice
Anger not wrong… part of Psalm (read vs 2) = be angry (emotion)… natural, even rightful response…
Meet anger w/ truth… wrestling in prayer (read vs 3)
Don’t sin in your anger = recognition that even righteous anger leaves you very vulnerable to temptation/sin
Let truth of God’s faithfulness, anger => quiet trust (don’t stay angry = don’t let the sun go down on your anger)
Main point = anger w/in local congregation
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Why? b/c:
Hot emotion of anger (even just) quickly deforms into pride-driven anger => inflates pride => makes you quicker to anger
Giving bigger, bigger place to devil => wishes to tear down our unity
What to do? Positive command: “don’t let sun go down on anger”
Process you anger w/ God
App: Pray Psalm 4.
BTW: one Christian leader said, “redemptive anger” = about political/justice things => red flags!
Right to hate evil… “abhor what is evil” (Rom 12:9)… not same as living w/ rage…
Beware of Instagram posts designed to feed political rage!
In faulted human beings, no such thing as redemptive anger!
A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.
Jesus on holding on to/acting in anger within the covenant community:
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’
But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.
Anger: complex!
Totally unjust/result of pride… repent now!
Attached to a legitimate wound… processing it can be hard!
even that can become bitter
Diagnose:
Is your anger self-righteous/prideful?
Does your anger have room for the redemption of your enemy?
Is your anger causing problems w/ those around you?
Have you been holding on to your anger for a while?
Command: in anger, do not sin; if you have sinned, repent; in every case, deal w/ your anger in ‘wrestling prayer’ w/ God…
So what did Paul do? He applied the Law (deal w/ your anger) in order to reveal residue of the old self in us… + reveal reality of the new self (moves from anger to faith)...
Respond to the residue?
Process your anger in prayer w/ God
Repent of sinful anger//sins committed in anger
Respond to the reality?
Refuse temptation to stew in anger
Remember God’s faithfulness: anger => faith + joy
Result: Renewed
Instruction # 3—Taking and Giving
Instruction # 3—Taking and Giving
[Implied Reality—Needs of the Poor?]
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.
[Basis] Notice once again—
negative//positive
again, based on the pattern of what has already happened IF you belong to Christ… Paul saying—
“You have put off the old self//on the new…”
Therefore [since you’ve been created new in that way] => don’t just stop stealing, but work with a goal of being generous.
Observation: seems to be more about a “lower/middle class” person than a rich person robbing from the poor.
more commonly, Scripture talks about rich stealing from poor = abuse of power
but temptation is also there for normal/poor:
Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.
recognizing: poverty/need brings temptation
root =
lack of faith in God to provide
lack of love toward others [must ignore humanity/dignity of who you take from]
theft = clear/easy to avoid?
Jerome:
Those who live in the midst of this life’s intense business appear to be forced, for the sake of food and necessary provisions, to buy and sell certain things and to seek unfair profit from business. It is difficult even for those who have been set free from the other passions… to escape being caught by this subtle vice.
In other words: pressures of life easily cause us to slip into fudging the numbers, stealing a little on the side, etc.
Not a neutral habit—tendency to grow/shapes the heart
Most spectacular sin began w/ this...
Judas criticizing Mary for anointing Jesus’ feet w/ expensive perfume:
“Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.
next he offered up Jesus for 30…
Contrast Judas and Jesus?
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
Stealing = lack of faith in God’s provision… stingy w/ money = lack of faith in God’s provision
Righteousness = more than not stealing, but also giving to those in need…
BTW: Living on the edge of your resources will prevent you from giving to those in need… budget?
Not just money...
So what did Paul do here? He applied the Law (you shall not steal) in order to reveal residue of the old self in us… + reveal reality of the new self (work hard so that you can be generous)...
Respond to the residue? If you’ve been stealing, repent + remember grace.
Respond to the reality?
If stingy toward those in need, repent.
Ask God for help to grow in faith + love…
Result: Renewed
Instruction # 4—Speech: Corrupting vs. Building Up
Instruction # 4—Speech: Corrupting vs. Building Up
[Implied Reality—Need to Build Up Body?]
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
[Basis] Notice yet again—
negative//positive
again, based on the pattern of what has already happened IF you belong to Christ… Paul saying—
“You have put off the old self//on the new…”
Therefore [since you’ve been created new in that way] => don’t just avoid corrupt talk, but make it your aim to speak in ways that build up your brothers and sisters in Christ.
What corrupt talk?
Some transl. = cussing/talking dirty = certainly included
Idea more broad = speech => tears down/encourages sin/points away from God + his Word = does whatever is opposite of building up + giving grace
Your words are supposed to be a conduit of God’s grace = kindness, fellowship, truth, gospel; spoken in wisdom
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Sounds easy to avoid… but:
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
[explain whisperer = says corrupt words in low tone//evil likes to hide]
delicious = fascinating to hear even though it’s none of our business
go down to the inner parts = corrupt us + our unity with the body
applies in wider world too
How dangerous?
So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.
For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,
but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.
From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
We are not doomed to this… how to avoid?
Sometimes silence… but
Goal: speech which brings spiritual healing.
Jerome, talking about a brother who has sinned sexually and is now repenting:
Suppose your brother has committed sexual immorality. Do not lord it over him. Do not gloat. That will not help your brother but damage him. It is as if you were driving a nail into him. If you counsel him, do so in a gracious manner.
Sometimes grace-giving words include exhortation//even confrontation => it is unloving to see a fellow believer caught in sin and say nothing
But ALWAYS it is seasoned with love, to bring grace and healing
So what did Paul do here? He applied the Law (do not speak corrupting words) in order to reveal residue of the old self in us… + reveal reality of the new self (we should speak words designed to deliver grace)...
Respond to the residue?
If you’ve spoken in corrupting ways, repent + remember grace
If kept silent when should have spoken, repent + remember grace
Respond to the reality?
Is there someone that God has been prompting you to speak to?
=> wisdom needed: ask for counsel
Ask God for help to grow in this
Result: Renewed
The Pattern
The Pattern
The Law: for the true believer reveals the residue of the old self—
We: often not good at seeing our own sin…
Law says: here is how you’ve sinned… here is where there is a stain of the old self… unpleasant/hurts!
Maybe less like soap//more like a black light?
Repent: turn from sin, confess, remember the cross/forgiveness//from there, empowered by gospel, ask help to change
The Law: for the true believer reveals the reality of the new self… what are we supposed to look like anyway?
New self (vs 24) created after likeness of God = restored image of God in Christ
=> created to grow in Christlikeness
Law… complex subject…
Of Moses? More general?
Of Moses: national = temporary; ceremonial = temporary/fulfilled in Christ
What we’re talking about here: moral component—laws/instructions/commands reflecting God’s own righteousness for human living = fulfilled in Christ’s perfect life of perfect obedience
Law/moral instruction in Bible describes Christlikeness//summed up:
And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
This is the great and first commandment.
And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Fulfilled by Christ!
Paul’s commands here = just “boots on the ground” details of what it actually looks like to love God + neighbor
Instruction # 5—Do Not Grieve the Spirit
Instruction # 5—Do Not Grieve the Spirit
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
“Grieve Holy Spirit of God” = opposite of greatest commandment//bookends
(vs 25) Don’t lie to your neighbor = breaking the 2nd greatest law...
All these sins grieve the HS of God—1st commandment, much more serious
HS present among us as God’s presence in God’s temple (= us)
A sin within the body = very personal to God = a desecration of his temple
But… who have you sinned against?
God who will now cast you out?
Revoke your forgiveness?
NO!!! HS “by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption”
You stand in grace//repent surrounded by grace
This is where the Law had no power: w/o grace, the law can only condemn
GOSPEL
Actually… is another use of law = cleans away our self reliance
Self reliance => proud: “I can do this”; miserable: “this is so hard//but I have to do it”
From “I can/I should try” => “I can’t even get close”
From “I must earn God’s favor” => “impossible to live by God’s good standard/I’m so riddled w/ sin… I am dead in sin + need forgiveness…”
Law teaches => impossible to save ourselves/to earn God’s favor
Law teaches => value of Christ bearing the awful divine curse for us, that we might from him receive forgiveness and all the blessedness of becoming God’s own children
Prayer
Prayer
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
Lord’s Table
Lord’s Table
Ask those selected to come forward and prepare to serve the congregation
“Partaking in the bread and the cup is symbolizes our union with Christ by faith—the source of our forgiveness. These symbols—the bread and the cup—do not cause us to be forgiven. All who belong to Christ are forgiven! There is sometimes a mistaken idea that, if you’ve sinned “too much” the previous week, you should abstain from the Lord’s Table. That’s not true. Certainly, if you are living in unrepentant sin, or are actively plotting and planning to sin, you should not partake. You should repent, and then partake! But if the Law has convicted you, and you feel the guilt of sin in your life—even from this past week—come! Let neither shame nor guilt prevent you, but come! The Law is good, but powerless to change you on its own. The grace of God in Christ is needed. Come, and remember the truth of the lamb who gave his body to be broken for your life, symbolized by the bread, and his blood to be poured out for our redemption, symbolized by the cup. And may the Spirit use these symbols to bring healing, reminding us of the forgiveness and new life that we have received: full, free, and incorruptible.
“Now, the Lord’s Table is an act of fellowship with God through Christ—a place for weary sinners to find joy and rest. But because it is a symbol and an act of true worship and fellowship, it is only appropriate for believers. And so, if you are a believer who has already symbolized the beginning of your Fellowship with Christ through baptism, and are in good standing with your local congregation, we welcome you with joy to participate in this meal with us. And if you are not a believer yet, we welcome you to watch as we partake of the bread and the cup, and contemplate their meaning: that Jesus opened his veins to give entrance into his kingdom; that Jesus gave his body to be broken for the forgiveness of sinners.
Prayer
Passing out the bread + Cup
1 Corinthians 11:23-24 “…the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.””
1 Corinthians 11:25 “In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.””
1 Corinthians 11:26 “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”