Off With the Old, On With the New

Christ’s word concerning Lazarus, was “Come Forth” (a picture of Salvation). Then it was “loose him and let him go” (a picture of Sanctification).

What to Put Off

The Old man is dead, don’t wear the grave clothes anymore! Put on your GRACE clothes!

Verse 9 - You have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man.

The list: fornication, impurity, lust, evil desire, covetousness (greed) = idolatry. Anger, wrath (fits of rage, violent outbursts), malice, blasphemy, filthy language, and lying.

What to Put On

Put On the Love of Christ

First take note of what we are called: elect (chosen) by God, holy, beloved.

Love binds everything together.

Adrian Rogers Sermon Archive Introduction

God created us that He might pour His love out to us and that we might pour our love back to God. And that’s the greatest thing that we can give God—is our love. If we give God our riches, He’s no richer. If we give God our strength, He’s no stronger. If we give God our wisdom, God is no wiser. If we give God our glory, God is no more glorious. If we give God our power, God is no more powerful, because God has everything. There’s nothing that could be added to any of the attributes of God. But when we give God our worship, when we give God our love, that meets the desire in the heart of the Father

The fruit of God’s love in our life will be compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, and a forgiving heart. As Christ forgave us...

Let the Peace of Christ Umpire Your Heart

First, let peace rule in your own heart. This comes by time spent with the Lord in prayer.

Philippians 4:6–9 “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Second, it comes as we learn how to think as God would have us think. John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Finally, let Christ’s peace be the “umpire” in disputes between believers.

Allow the Word of Christ to Dwell in You Richly

The parallel to Ephesians 5:18–20 “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,”

Being filled with the Word and being filled with the Spirit go hand in hand.

This is all of God’s Word, but it is also specifically the message about the Lord Jesus Christ.

It results in joyful praise and thanksgiving!

Do Everything in the Name of Christ