Ephesians 4:17-32; Renewed Creatures

Sermon in a sentence: My mind will lead me to holiness.

Introduction

Ophiocordyceps unilateralis is a parasitic fungus that infects carpenter ants. Parasitic fungi are not uncommon in the insect world, but what makes O. unilateralis uniquely creepy, and why it’s called the “zombie fungus,” is the strange way O. unilateralis affects the behavior of an ant for its own propagation.

When a hapless ant makes contact with an O. unilateralis spore, the spore attaches itself to the ant and begins to drill into the ant’s exoskeleton with a combination of enzymes and pressure. When past the ant’s exterior armor, fungal cells feed on the ant’s insides and begin to spread throughout the unfortunate victim’s body. Once the infection progresses past a critical stage, the ant’s behavior changes. Instead of following the colony’s pheromone trails and foraging, as an ant normally would, the infected ant walks erratically. It wanders aimlessly for a time, before the fungus compels the ant to climb up a nearby twig or stem and lock on to it with its jaws. Death follows shortly after. In a few days, a stalk shoots out of the ant’s head, releasing spores to start the whole process over again.

One thing that makes this process so amazing is how precisely O. unilateralis, with no brain or nervous system of its own, can control its host.

Renegade Creatures (vs. 17-19)

Paul calls the Lord as his witness (μαρτυρομαι) against the formal lifestyle of the Gentiles.

Notice that Paul contrasts the church (made of Jews and Gentiles) and the unbelieving world (the Gentiles he calls them)

Jesus has made the Jews and the Gentiles one new man in Christ! (Eph 2:14)

Our culture or former lifestyles should not define us.

Sin ravishes the mind and hearts of humans.

Radical depravity does not mean that people cannot do anything pleasing to God. Instead, it means that everything, the very root of who we are, has been affected by sin.

Abolitionist Rising - Men and Women saying they want to “f… those babies”, a young lady saying “murder the babies” as she jumps up and down. Numerous people saying they want to eat aborted babies.

William Lane Craig and atheist disagree about immaterial realities. 1+1=2. What do you mean by 2? Š

Renewed Creatures (vs. 20-32)

The Christian has been given a new mind and heart that reflects the very nature of God.

We dishonor God when we do not serve God with our hearts and our minds.

Luke 10:27 ESV

27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

We should enjoy the things of God. Just like our tongues, our hearts will enjoy that which we desire. Train your hearts to love the things of God.

Our minds should be honor God with how we think, reason, grow in our knowledge. - Bad arguments against weekly communion

God gives his people new actions that replace their former sins.

vs. 25 - Speak the truth. - What does Christian conversation look like?

Ephesians 5:19 “19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,”

vs. 26-27: Be angry. Psalm 4. Our sin must be righteous and give no opportunity for the devil.

vs. 28: Proper work. We are not a drain but a blessing. We work as until the Lord not men.

vs. 29-30: Building up not tearing down. Are you will to build someone up, loving rebuke their sin, or disciple someone?

vs. 31-32: Be kind and seek no paybacks just as God forgave us.

Conclusion

Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative neurological disease. Over time, the disease breaks down neurons and can cause tremors, changes in personality, and other disorders. The disease is literally the brain’s deterioration to the point that it can’t fully control its own body.

Brothers and sisters, I call us all to take off our old minds, habits, emotions, and desires. Let us put on Christ. Galatians 3:27.

Galatians 3:27 ESV

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Application

This week, as you are getting ready for the day by putting on your new clothes, I want you to remind yourselves that you are putting on Christ. We will not be controlled by our old thoughts or desires. No, we are new creations. We will put on Christ each morning. Say Ephesians 4:32

Ephesians 4:32 NIV

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.