Rooted In Your Wealth 19

Choose The Right Clothing

Text: Ephesians 4:25-32

Introduction

We have a teacher named Jesus Christ, the subject to be learned which is Jesus Christ all in light of His relationship with humanity. The believer has been given a “new creation!” This new creation has be created by God to have the appetite for nothing less than “…true righteousness and holiness.”

With all of that being said, we are embarking tonight into how we should live out our new identity.

WARNING — This will not fit the culture or main stream. God’s leadership will never take you to a place in your psyche where you are content with being less than the image of your Savior.

Romans 12:2 “2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Before we unpack these behaviors, we need to notice how they are relational. Our behavior affects us and others also.

Paul mentions a negative and then a positive.

Holiness = not to sin AND yes to God

Illustration: dirty clothes in hamper AND clean clothes worn.

There are theological reasons why we “put off” the sinful and “put on” the Christian.

Our practice and theology are connected.

Not just live different, but for different reasons.

What we believe about God, man, sin, Satan, church impacts why we chose to live differently.

1) Be A Truth Teller

A lie is anything that deviates someone from the truth.

Illustration: A jury needs to hear the truth and nothing but the truth in order to make the right decision.

Illustration: The iron is not hot…they touch it and get burned.

Why is this important for you? You are connected as a body.

“lying” is actually in the singular.

Carrying the thought of idolatry — exchanging the truth of God for a lie — Romans 1:25 “25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.”

Who is the father of lies??? SATAN!

2) Be Angry At Sin

Verses 26-27

Scripture permits only one kind of anger…ANGRY AT SIN.

Illustration: Someone asked, “What does righteous anger look like? Someone replied, “It’s when you get mad but you don’t cuss.”

Righteous anger is having holy anger against sin — Even the sin you are currently committing.

Q — How many of you believe Christians should feel anger?

You are NOT to have the feeling of indifference.

As Jesus was angered many times over sin and the hardness of people’s hearts, WE TOO should be grieved and angry.

Satan is looking for a GAP.

(v31) wrath n. — a feeling of intense anger that does not subside; often on an epic scale.

“Don’t let the sun go down upon your wrath”

I don’t think it would be a good idea to move to the North Pole just so you can hold a grudge for six months while the sun is up.

Paul is saying, “Don’t let it fester.”

Good anger can cause you problems also (forgive others for their sin)

Satan is looking for a GAP!

Illustration: Someone said, “Don’t go to bed with unresolved conflict or else you will sleep with the Devil.”

3) Be A Worker & Giver

Verse 28

In the first century, it was typical for tradesman when out of work to steal for survival. Paul says NO MORE!

Paul was saying the Christ must do honest hard work to help others who are in need.

Think about “work.”

Who created work? GOD!

Jesus knew exactly what it was like to put in an honest day of work as a carpenter.

We need to see the NEED for work! — 2 Thessalonians 3:10–12 “10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.”

Proverbs 28:19 “19 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: But he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.”

Quote: “Work as hard as you can, make as much as you can, then give as much as you can.” (John Wesley)

Example: Zacchaeus was a “taker” all his life until he met Jesus! — Luke 19:8 “8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.”

4) Use The Right Words

Verses 29-30

A. No more filthy words

Paul is saying, “Get rid of your filthy words.”

Your words should be building blocks not a wrecking ball!

LISTEN…the words you use comes straight from your heart!

These words could be filthy words, lying, abusive, vulgar, gossip, slander, etc.

Illustration: Augustine hung a sign on his dining room wall: “Whoever speaks evil of an absent man or woman is not welcome at this table” Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2014), 114.

B. Choose the good words

Quote: If your disposition is cynical and critical and there is no warmth and encouragement, you will not be a good leader—in your job, in your family, or in a church. Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2014), 114.

Practice words of affirmation as early in your life as you can. It gets harder as you get older.

You can grieve the Holy Spirit with your speech.

Ask yourself, “Are the words I am about to use going to please the Spirit or grieve Him?”

5) Be Kind & Forgiving

Verses 31-32

Paul says put off these: resentful attitudes, festering anger, indignant outbursts, public shouting, abusive language, and hostility.

PUT ON — kindness and forgiveness (your clothing)

God has given us a good example of kindness:

Romans 2:4 “4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”

Titus 3:4–5 “4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”

Notice how Paul gives us one of the most POWERFUL verses on forgiveness (v32)

What has God permitted you not to forgive? NOTHING!!!

Conclusion

Are you digging in the dirty hamper for your daily clothes or are you wearing the clean clothes Jesus has given you?