When the Church Walks in Truth (How does the church respond during pride month)
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text: Eph 4:17-32
Intro:
Imagine two individuals standing side by side, each at a crossroads in their lives, searching for a sense of identity and purpose. The first person, let's call them Alex, is engrossed in a hobby. They are surrounded by a collection of objects related to their passion, whether it be sports memorabilia, musical instruments, or art supplies. These possessions reflect their deep involvement and attachment to this particular interest. However, despite the fulfillment they may find in their hobby, there is a lingering sense of emptiness, a void that cannot be filled by material possessions alone.
Now, let's shift our attention to the second person, named Chris. They are shown standing in front of a mirror, gazing at their reflection. Rather than finding their identity solely in external factors, Chris has discovered a profound connection to their faith in Christ. Their reflection not only reveals physical features but also emanates a sense of peace, purpose, and confidence. Chris's identity is rooted in the unconditional love and grace they have found in their relationship with Christ. It transcends earthly labels, preferences, or fleeting hobbies.
it becomes evident that while hobbies and personal preferences can bring temporary joy and fulfillment, they are limited in their ability to provide a deep and lasting sense of identity. On the other hand, finding one's identity in Christ offers an unwavering foundation—a spiritual connection that goes beyond superficial aspects of life. It grants a sense of belonging, purpose, and a transformative power that can shape every aspect of one's being.
The illustration depicts the stark contrast between a person immersed in a hobby and another who has discovered their identity in Christ. Reflect on where we seek our true sense of self and reminds us of the unparalleled fulfillment that comes from embracing our identity as children of God.
Sometimes it can feel like we are all alone, no one that gets us. understand us. thinks like us. But God’s word outlines for us the model of connection that draws us to unity. It is not around a series of externals but around the transformation that comes from within.
God's divine plan for the church revolves around discovering our true identity in Him, which leads to a profound transformation and a sense of security and peace. However, society tends to distort this purpose, insisting that one can only find happiness by identifying with specific groups and attaching themselves to those communities. Regrettably, what we witness in our culture today is not an organic response to personal liberation, but rather a meticulously orchestrated agenda spanning 15 to 20 years. This agenda aims to manipulate and exploit the most vulnerable and impressionable members of society through social media, breeding a social contagion that lacks genuine unity and authentic identity. Nevertheless, the allure of belongingness and shared connections can deceive people, steering them towards falsehoods.
Vs. 17 is to be understood in light of the “WORTHY WALK”
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
The local church is an entity of unity. not a unity in diversity but a Unity that:
Springs from the Work of the Holy Spirit
Established in the Gifts of God.
Strengthens the Body of Christ.
Some authors divide vs 1-17 and 17-32 into two parts and claim like some western author wrote it that
First walking in Unity Second walking in Truth
This is fouled up because the prescription is the same for both sides. What you are looking at in the book of Ephesians is not a change of subject but a description of how to walk in unity. And truth is a part of that...
Remember the command of vs. 17 don’t walk like the Gentiles...
This is comparison to walking WORTHY
The lost man cannot walk worthy of Christ. That is not to say that they cannot be moral or behave in a moral manner. It is to say that merely living a certain kind of way is not the point.
They walk "vanity of their mind" - How so?
It starts with the "darkened understanding"
OOO isn’t that a sad verse… they once had understanding Romans says all creation has a conscience.
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
But they allow the Ignorance to over power the understanding...
Which alienates them from God...
1. Satan is at Work to Keep people blind.
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
2. People like to hold on to their Hard Heart
And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
Because of this hardness of their heart we end up with “PRIDE MONTH”
"have given themselves over to licentiousness" (i.e., unbridled lust, excess)"work all uncleanness with greediness"-- Desensitized, they seek after ever-increasing forms moral depravity - cf. Ro 1:18-32INSTEAD,
There are two warnings for these...
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Don’t walk like that...
Remember what you learned in Christ... (20-24)
This is how you learned Christ
You heard him… (ad 60-61, largely Gentile by birth)(not eye witnesses)
You heard his word...
You were taught by him (You believed him, rejecting all others.)
For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
You accepted as true, Christ…
God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
What did HE teach us..."put off" the "old man"
That is, your "former conduct", how you behaved before you were saved - cf. Col 3:5-9Putting off the old man is needed because it is never content, but "grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts" (like addictive drugs, you always need more)And to "be renewed in the spirit of your mind"
Which is the key to true "transformation" - cf. Ro 12:1-2You "renew" your mind only as you "set your mind on things above" - cf. Col 3:1-2And to "put on the new man"
A new man "which was created according to God" - cf. Col 3:10A new man, "in righteousness and true holiness" - cf. Col 3:12-17
[In giving the admonition "No longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles", Paul has made it clear that it involves both a "putting off" and a "putting on". I.e., our "Walking In Truth And Holiness" is not just a bunch of "Thou Shalt Not's", there are also some "Thou Shalt's".
To illustrate further the difference between the "old man" (how the rest of the Gentiles walk) and the "new man" (how Christians are to walk), we find Paul making...]
Why are we being told these things because only walking worthy protects the unity.
Walking in the flesh will destroy the unity of the church. vs 2 is still the point.
THE APPLICATION (25-32)
CASE IN POINT: LYING... (25)
The "old man" thinks nothing of lyingThe "new man" puts away lying, and in its place speaks truth with his neighbor (especially to those who members of the same body)
CASE IN POINT: ANGER... (26-27)
The "old man" gets angry and lets it linger, or get out of controlThe "new man" may get angry, but does not...
Let it linger ("do not let the sun go down on your wrath"Allow it to prompt sinful behavior ("nor give place to the devil")
CASE IN POINT: STEALING... (28)
The "old man" is willing to stealThe "new man" not only stops stealing, but works so he can help others in need!
CASE IN POINT: CORRUPT COMMUNICATION... (29)
The "old man" doesn't worry or care what comes out of his mouthThe "new man" not only avoids "corrupt communication", but seeks to speak that which is uplifting to those who hear
SUMMARY... (30-32)
Why be concerned about putting off the "old man" and putting on the "new man"?
When Christians act like the "old man", it grieves the Holy SpiritBy the Holy Spirit we were sealed for the day of redemption - cf. Ep 1:13-14Therefore, we ought to put away those things befitting the "old man" (bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking, malice)And in it's place we need to put on those things befitting the "new man" (being kind, tenderhearted, forgiving one another just as God forgives us in Christ)
God’s plan for the church is that we find our identity in him. Then enjoy the transformation of a new man then a connection of safety and peace.
The world flips this all around. They say you can’t be happy until you find some delusional identity group and then latch yourself to that group of people. Sadly what we are seeing in our culture is not an organic response to the liberty of coming out, Rather we are watching what happens with a 15-20 year agenda to groom and create social contagion largely driven by social media aimed at the weakest and most impressionable in society. This is not unity and their is not real identity. But it feels so good to have a common connection with people it works in steering people to the lie.
Sometimes we can forget this and we start thinking of ourselves as the most important player.
Sometimes we forget and live like the lost thinking it will do nthing to the church.
Sometimes we have people in our lives that are looking for connection and our live and let live mentality in the church is leaving people open to the predations of a world that offers acceptence.
To this world we offer the changed life in Christ
To this world we offer identity in Christ.
To this world we offer unity with a group called the local new testament church...
It starts by us believeing what Scripture taught.
Stop finding your acceptance online. (Cut social media posts and find someone you can tell and let that be enough) don’t trade likes for connection.
Stop ignoring the one to ones that stand ready to be addressed. (this takes some bravery, but you can in love offer people something that the world can’t Transformation then identity.
While the increasing worldliness in our society naturally concerns us...Let's be careful not to react with attitudes that are more in keeping with the "old man"But having been "sealed for the day of redemption", let's be sure to react in "righteousness and true holiness"