Rooted In Your Wealth 18

The Truth Of Your Identity

Text: Ephesians 4:17-24

Introduction

When soldiers, firemen, policemen, or astronauts first put on their distinct uniforms, they are taking on new responsibilities corresponding to their new identity. So it is with the Christian. When we put on Christ, we receive a new spiritual identity and new corresponding responsibilities. Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2014), 104.

There are multiples places in the Bible where the metaphor of “putting on” something particular.

Job 29:14 “14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: My judgment was as a robe and a diadem.”

Job 40:10 “10 Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; And array thyself with glory and beauty.”

Colossians 3:9–10 “9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:”

Romans 13:14 “14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”

Our text today will be about the doctrine of our new identity.

What is the “therefore” there for?

Since the baptized believer is now part of a local body, he/she must be aware that a healthy and unified body is not an automatic and effortless result.

Everyone is to be striving to operate their spiritual gift to its peak efficiency. Everyone supplies a portion of health to the whole body.

The whole body must be edified in love.

Thesis — Who is the believer and who made him/her that way?

1) Our Christ-less Past

A. Paul speaks from authority

“testify in the Lord”

Marking this a very intense exhortation.

DON’T WALK LIKE A NON-CHRISTIAN!

DON’T BLEND IN!

Illustration: This calls to mind Johnny Cash’s hit song “I Walk the Line.” It was his first number one song. Evidently he wrote it backstage just after being married, as a pledge of devotion to his wife. He wrote, “Since you’ve been mine I walk the line.… Oh, I admit I’m a fool for you, since you’ve been mine, I walk the line.” Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2014), 105.

B. Paul speaks about morality

How the Gentiles walked:

Futility of their mind = futility n. — uselessness as a consequence of being purposeless or incapable of producing results.

Understanding darkened = to become inane ⇔ darken v. — to be or become unable or unwilling to perceive or understand; conceived as becoming more deficient in light or brightness.

life of God = life source n. — the inherent capacity for producing (and maintaining) living beings; especially understood as a life characterized by healthiness, happiness, exuberance, energy, vitality, and the like.

Ignorance = sinful ignorance

Blindness of their heart = callousness n. — the state of being devoid of feeling and mental awareness.

Romans 1:21 “21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”

have given themselves over = to bring into a state ⇔ deliver v. — to force or compel into a state or condition; conceived of as handing someone over to an authority.

The course of our natural self is to become vile.

C. Paul is leading us to our greatest need

We live in the information age, yet the world is deprived of wisdom.

People think they can understand themselves and the world around them without Jesus…WRONG!

Debates — Richard Dawkins and John Lennox

We were all in a desperate need of Christ!

Christ is our only way to thinking the right way, responding the right way, and acting the right way.

2) Our Christ-Centered Education

A. Our education is centered on Christ

FIRST — The subject is always Christ

“learned Christ”

Christianity is not about the intellectual, but rather about knowing a LIVING PERSON.

Christianity is not about the academics of Jesus, but the relationship one can have with Jesus.

APP — Have you learned Christ? This new life can only be entered by conversion.

Paul is speaking with the assumption they have heard about Him.

APP — Have you heard Jesus?

Quote: Christianity is not about moral rule keeping, religious attendance, having “warm feelings” at a religious event, merely believing in a god, doing good things, or knowing facts about Christ. It is about knowing Christ. Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2014), 107.

John 17:3 “3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

Illustration: I heard of a little girl who was getting a swine flu shot, and the nurse asked, “Which arm do you want it in, Sweetie?” The little girl said, “In Momma’s arm.” Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2014), 107.

B. Christ is also the one who teaches you

(v21) “heard him”

Quote: Frank Thielman said, “As with that expression, the implication is that Christ is alive and that when one hears the gospel preached, as Paul assumes his readers have, one is put in touch with a living person”

C. Christ is the context of His teaching

“were taught in him”

This is likely referring to the ongoing instruction after becoming a Christian.

Everything you learn about the ethical life from Christ is to be understood with your union with Christ in mind.

Examples: love your enemies (you were an enemy of God, yet he provided forgiveness).

D. Christ is the truth

All Jesus’ involvement assures you are walking in truth.

To come too and learn Christ is to come to Christ.

Quote: “For the truth is not just a set of propositions. The truth has fingernails and scarred hands. Jesus said He is the truth.” Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2014), 108.

John 14:6 “6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Paul only mentions the name “Jesus” in Ephesians.

Deliberate to point out the historic Jesus; He died, buried and rose again.

You find Him, you find LIFE!!!

3) Our Christ-Like Clothing

A. Put off and put on

Ref — Colossians 3:9–10 “9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:”

Paul is speaking to the follow practical follow through of the fact your spiritual clothing has been changed through Jesus.

In other words, the goal set before you is to live differently because you truly are a new person in Christ.

Notice verse 22

“former conversation”

“old man”

These were not the characteristics the Godhead put in you…SIN DID THAT.

Through Christ, you are recreated into His image.

How does one become successful to live that way?

B. Be renewed in your mind

Colossians 3:10 “10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:”

Paul is speaking of an ongoing transformation through God’s Word and His Spirit.

Colossians 3:1–3 “1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”

Conclusion

To know Christ personally, to be created new, have minds that are being renewed, God has empowered you to practically live our the new identity He has given you.