God’s Design Week 6

Introduction

We have 4 more weeks through Ephesians. We took a diversion from Ephesians to look at the 4 purposes of the Church. Paul has reminded the Ephesians what Christ did for them in the first half of this letter. The next half is about how the Church should live life with each other.

Prayer

Hook:

Transition to text: Paul continues to teach the churches around Ephesus about their past and present.

Ephesians 4:17-32

Paul’s message to the Ephesians

Verses 17-19-Don’t live like you did before Christ

The Gentiles in Ephesus were particularly sinful. Ephesus was a leading city of commerce and culture in the Roman Empire, the home of the pagan temple of Diana, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Worship of Diana involved the worst immorality of degraded pagan religion. That influence made Ephesus a wretched hive of scum and villainy, a wicked place indeed. Temple prostitution, graft, crime, immorality, idolatry, and every conceivable form of sin abounded. Many of the Christians in Ephesus came out of that kind of background. In contrast with that evil background, Paul made his appeal, “Don’t live like that any longer!”

Verses 20-24-Put on your new self because you know Christ

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!”

Remember what you learned to know Christ.

Verses 25-32-For the purpose of building the body, incorporate these attitudes.

Stop lying- Zechariah 8:16 “These are the things you must do: Speak truth to one another; make true and sound decisions within your city gates.”

Don’t sin in anger- Psalm 4:4 “Be angry and do not sin; reflect in your heart while on your bed and be silent. Selah”

Don’t Steal

Build others up with words

Transition to Main Point:

MAIN POINT: GOD’S DESIGN FOR THE BODY IS TO LIVE DIFFERENT THAN THE WORLD

A Follower of Christ:

Does not look like the World!

Explain

Christians should not look like the rest of the world.

Argue

“It’s hard to break a habit” “I don’t want to be considered a ‘Holy roller’”

Some people are impatient and expect a radical change to happen immediately. Sometimes it can happen, but it isn’t likely.

Illustrate

It takes time

It’s a process

Apply

Followers of Jesus should not behave anything like the world. BE WEIRD!!

Start Life-Giving habits

Explain

If we are in Christ, then we are new creatures. Meaning there should be a change in how we act and think. It does not mean we are perfect, but that is the ultimate goal. We can help the change by creating new habits.

Argue

The dangers of Legalism.

Illustrate

Breaking a habit is difficult. CDL Driving training the steering wheel is to be held with two hands and never place hand under steering wheel to turn.

Apply

What habits, or disciplines, do you need to start or restart?

Supports the Body through Holy Living

Explain

Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians & Colossians D. The Cultivation of Holiness (vv. 25–32)

Living like the person you have become means incorporating a formidable list of specific actions into your daily life.

A key way we can support the body of Christ is through a life that seeks holiness.

Argue

What’s the big deal about my living? How does it affect others?Z

Illustrate

Body needs support-Achilles tendon

Apply

Be Honest

Self-Control

Have Integrity

Build others up with words