Sermon Tone Analysis

*Changed by the Vision*

*Ephesians 4:17-5:21**               August 14, 2005*

 

*RECAP*

 

          God’s vision for us (chosen~/predestined to be part of his kingdom – to the praise of his glory)

          How to keep it alive (prayer)

          How to live it (grace~/not works)

          United in it (family)

          Committed to it (mystery~/love)

          Consumed by it (prisoner~/mature~/work~/‘one’)

/          ~*Changed by it (obey)/

 

*Introduction:*

 

So, if we are God’s prisoner (like Paul), taken captive by his love, resurrected unto increasing maturity to do good works in the kingdom of God through the spiritual gifts bestowed on us by his abundant grace, our lives must look and act differently than they used to.

(Being a prisoner is usually intended to be remedial.)

This is the point Ephesians brings us to this morning in 4:17-5:20 as we continue on with the theme of God’s vision for us, which of course must then become our vision for us if we are in him.

We must claim that for which we have been claimed, we must work toward that for which he labored, we must become that for which he came.

As Paul ends our last section in v16 and begins today’s section in v17 [read], we see that we must work toward change.

What good is the vision of God for us if it does not involve change?

Indeed, that is what vision is all about – change toward that which may seem far off because we need change so much, but is achievable by his grace.

Grace is an important factor here because that is how God steps in to cover that which we, in our fallenness, just can’t seem to muster the faith to accomplish.

But we must not forget that it is also grace that erases our sin and gives us freedom to change if we will.

God works in us to do what we cannot – if we let him.

Bottom line --- God wants change whether we do it with his help (reaping reward for increasing faith), or whether he has to do it for us (losing potential reward for lacking faith).

To quote the text from the message I gave to bring in this New Year (Hope in a New Year), Jesus says in the end of the Bible ---

 

“He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."” (Re 21:5 NivUS)

 

God has set out from the beginning to remake his creation that has fallen into disrepair through the sin of man and his myriad debilitations.

When the flood came in Noah’s time, it didn’t just take out sinful humanity – it took out all things of breathing flesh that he did not ‘shut in’ under the cover of his ark (of the covenant) floating upon the sea of his grace.

Since man is the cause of world collapse, man is his focus, being made in his image.

When man is changed, the world will change – indeed all creation.

By closer extension, when we are changed, his church will change.

God has set his sights, his vision, upon changing sinful man.

So, if the vision is yours of bringing glory to God by being part of the kingdom of Christ, you must become changed – different from the way you were before claiming the benefits of his kingdom for yourself.

It is like being hired for a new job.

You get your daily pay (provision), health insurance and retirement.

“But you mean I actually have to learn, work and produce something on the job?”

Well, yes --- can we claim the benefits of employment without doing the work?

Can we rightfully claim the benefits of God’s kingdom and not care about producing spiritual fruit?

Unless we keep changing into something more like his image, we cannot produce much spiritual fruit.

Again --- we cannot fulfill his vision for us unless we continue to come into it.

*Question:*

 

/What are the ways we must be changed by embracing God’s vision for us?/

 

*I.

We must think differently (vv 4:17-19)*

 

 

*II.

We must act differently (vv.

4:20-24)*

 

 

*III.

We must talk differently (vv.

4:25-28)*

*          [comment on stealing vision]*

 

 

*IV.

We must become more conscious of God (vv.

4:29-32)*

* *

“4  You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5  Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely?”

(Jas 4:4-5 NivUS)

 

“I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy.

I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.”

(2Co 11:2 NivUS)

 

“You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,” (Ex 20:5 NivUS)

 

 

*V.

We must become more like God (vv.

5:1-2)*

 

 

*VI.

We must become holy (vv.

5:3-7)*

 

*          A.

Sexually*

 

*          B.

Materially*

 

*          C.

Verbally*

 

*D.

Religiously*

*[inherit kingdom of God – our part in the vision]*

* *

*E.

Categorically*

* *

*          1.

Contrast dark~/light (vv.

8-14a)*

* *

*                   2.       Contrast sleep~/wake (v.

14b)*

* *

*                   3.       Contrast foolish~/wise (vv.

15-17a)*

 

*VII.

We must understand God’s will (vision) for us (vv.

17b-21)*

*          --- as part of the kingdom of God ---*

 

*          A.

We must be spiritual in mind (reverence toward the Holy Spirit)*

 

*          B.

We must be spiritual in relationship (reverence toward others)*

*                   [speak to each other as if it is worship]*

 

“If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.

If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.

To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever.

Amen.” (1Pe 4:11 NivUS)

 

*          C.

We must be spiritual in worship (reverence toward God)*

 

*          D.

We must submit all things to Christ (reverence toward Jesus)*

 

*Conclusion:*

 

Do you know when the KOG got its start?

It was in Gen. 4:25-26 when the line of Seth separated from the line of Cain.

Only the line of a costly “blood” religion – a line changed by Christ – is worthy to be called the KOG.

The line of Seth led to Noah – a preacher of righteousness (2Pet.

2:5).

The line of Cain dies out in Scripture after Gen. 4:19-24 – never to be heard from again.

“6 ¶  Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry?