Putting on the New Life Ephesians 4:17-32

1. Intro

a. Pray

b. Ephesians 4:1-16 told us to live a life worthy of Jesus. This passage tells us the how.

2. The New Life in Christ, Ephesians 4:17-24

Ephesians 4:17–24 NLT

17 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

a. Defining the Old Way, Ephesians 4:17-19

i. Our old way is defined by turning from God, hardening our hearts towards him. Ephesians 4:17-18

Ephesians 4:17–18 NLT

17 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him.

1. Ethnically Gentile but Ethically Jewish

ii. Our old way is a shameless life. One defined by immorality and dishonesty. Ephesians 4:19

Ephesians 4:19 NLT

19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.

b. Our New Life in Christ, Ephesians 4:20-24

i. As Christians, we have learned a new way. Ephesians 4:20

Ephesians 4:20 NLT

20 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ.

ii. Because of what Christ has taught us, we must:

1. Throw off the old ways Ephesians 4:22-23

Ephesians 4:22–23 NLT

22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.

a. The old way of living was corrupted by sexual immorality and deception.

b. Let the Holy Spirit renew our minds.

i. Pray this daily.

ii. Pray this whenever impure thoughts or other sins rear their ugly heads.

2. Put on the new nature, created to be like Jesus. Ephesians 4:24

Ephesians 4:24 NLT

24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

a. Holy

b. Truly Righteous

3. Walking out our New Life in Christ, Ephesians 4:25-32

a. Ephesians 4:25 – Honesty

Ephesians 4:25 NLT

25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.

i. Stop Lying

ii. Speak the truth in love

b. Ephesians 4:26-27 – Do not be controlled by anger.

Ephesians 4:26–27 NLT

26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

i. Anger has a place. Jesus shows us that.

ii. Anger from impure motives is sin.

iii. We cannot hold onto our anger. We can’t hold a grudge.

c. Ephesians 4:28 – Integrity and Work Ethic

Ephesians 4:28 NLT

28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.

i. Don’t steal.

ii. Work hard and give.

d. Ephesians 4:29 – Watch your words.

Ephesians 4:29 NLT

29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

i. Don’t use foul or abusive language.

ii. Use good words to encourage.

e. Ephesians 4:30 – Do not grieve the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 4:30 NLT

30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

i. see Isaiah 63:10 where the reference is to Israel’s rejection of God in the wilderness and God’s subsequent rejection of Israel.

f. Ephesians 4:31-32 – Have a Christlike attitude.

Ephesians 4:31–32 NLT

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

i. Get rid of bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, slander, and all types of evil

ii. Be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving as Christ forgives.

4. Conclusion

a. We must put away our old way of living and embrace the way of life Jesus has called us to. Lots of examples in this passage

b. Love should be the word to sum up our lives.

c. Let’s daily ask Holy Spirit to renew our thoughts and minds. Change our words and attitudes to be like Jesus.