Eph 4 Prt 3: Speak Like Jesus

INTRODUCTION

Good Morning Life church:

G-MORNING - TODAY WE WILL WRAP UP EPHESIANS 4

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Paul has emphasized our unity in Christ through the unity of the Holy Spirit.

This unity he refered to as the mystery of the Gospel.

Jews and Gentiles / male and female / all ethnic groups

United in Christ and reconciled to Yahweh, sharing in the promises of Jesus.

Brought into one new household

As a new people / new humanity - we are called to live with one another in the UNITY of the SPIRIT.

Did you catch that?

Unity of the SPIRIT - It is the SPIRIT that gives us UNITY.

UNITY IS A GRACE AND POWER THAT COMES FROM THE HS!

THAT POWER LOOKS LIKE:

Humility

Gentleness

Patience

Long suffering

THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS GRACED US WITH THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST.

BUT WE ARE RESPONSIBLE TO WALK IN THAT POWER AND NOT DEFER BACK TO OUR OLD WAYS.

As Paul Says

Ephesians 4:22 NIV

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;

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NOT ONLY ARE WE GRACED WITH THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST BUT THE POWER OF CHRIST TO BUILD UP THE BODY OF CHRIST UNTIL WE ARE UNIFIED IN FAITH AND KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST.

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FINALLY PAUL TELLS US OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY IN BUILDING UNITY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST.

Ephesians 4:14–16 NIV

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

SPEAKING TRUTH IN LOVE

In other words, we are called to live like Jesus to build unity.

Walk in the power of Jesus to build up and unify the body of Christ.

And to speak to one another and the world like Jesus!

TO SPEAK TRUTH IN LOVE.

HOW WE OFTEN APPROACH SPEECH.

Speak love with no truth.

This is not love for others but rather selfish concern that others will reject us if we speak the truth.

You are perfect just the way you are? But what if they are not?

It’s the way God made you? But what if they are the way sin made them?

Your truth is as valid as anyone’s - But what if they believe something contrary to Scripture?

SPEAK TRUTH WITH NO LOVE!

This is just as evil.

Again it is self centered.

More concerned with winning an argument than seeing people set free.

More concerned with feeling correct than concerned with the eternal state of others.

This is not the family feud game show. Trying to win points proving others are wrong.

WE NEED TO FOLLOW THE PATH OF JESUS.

JESUS TO PETER - Get behind me Satan.

Peter was not speaking the wisdom of God but of man.

Jesus spoke harshly and spoke to the one who planted that thought in Peter’s mind.

If you follow me, you must pick up your cross.

Later this harsh truth would prepare Peter for the day he would choose his own death over denying the Gospel.

Jesus harsh words were truth but they were motivated by His love for Peter.

THE WOMAN CAUGHT IN ADULTERY

He stood up to her knowing the hearts and actions of those who accused her.

While showing love he also spoke truth to her - GO AND SIN NO MORE!

He called out the sin and called her to repent.

Hi words of truth and actions of love allowed this woman to find freedom from sin and suffering.

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3 WAYS SPEAKING TRUTH IN LOVE BUILDS THE CHURCH IN UNITY AND BUILDS OURSELVES IN RIGHTEOUSNESS.

TRUTH PROTECTS US FROM FALLING BACK INTO A LIFE OF SIN WHICH LEADS TO ETERNAL DEATH.

Ephesians 4:17–25 NIV

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

Truth renews our mind and allows us to put on Christ.

Truth teaches us to walk in Christ and to reject the way of the world.

Truth helps us lay aside the lies we used to live by.

SECOND, WORDS BUILD UP AND DESTROY SO WATCH HOW YOU SPEAK TO ONE ANOTHER.

Ephesians 4:29–32 NIV

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

God defines unwholesome talk as words that tear down.

We must slow down and not speak out of anger or our own hurt.

Speak truth to the need of the other and not out of our own sense of rage.

Be honest but do so in a way that builds others up even when you feel you have been hurt.

Your words to take a perceived enemy and reconcile them as a brother or sister.

YOUR WORDS SPEAK TO THE THOUGHTS OF YOUR MIND AND ACTIONS WILL FOLLOW.

Ephesians 5:3–7 NIV

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.

Our words follow our thoughts and our actions will follow our words.

A pervert in words is will become a pervert in action.

Words that sexually dehumanize others will lead to dehumanizing actions.

This kind of talk is selfish and childish by nature. It is only concerned with seeing others and a means of pleasure.

This kind of talk is an insult to God, whom all men and women are created after His image.

Focus on being and speaking from a place of thanksgiving for what God has given you.

Paul is pointing out that Thankfulness for what we have is the opposite of what we might call perverse thinking and language.

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Worship team up

Prayer asking for forgiveness for our use of words.

Forgive us for not speaking truth in love but choosing rather to ignore sin because we do not want to be rejected.

Forgive us for speaking words that are cruel to one another - tearing others down, when you have called us to speak your truth over others to build them up.

Forgive us for allowing words to come from a place of pain, therefore causing us to hurt others.

Forgive us Lord for our immoral thoughts and our immoral words, dehumanizing those who were created in your image.

Help us see the beauty of what you have given us and give us a thankful heart.

Use us Lord, empower our words, to speak truth in love, building and encouraging your church.