The Christian Birth

Ephesians 4:18–19 NKJV

18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

Ephesians 4:15–19 NKJV

15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. 17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

Ephesians 4:17–19 NKJV

17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

Sermon Outlines for Christians 1. The Christian’s Birth (Ephesians 4:20–32)

1. The Christian’s Birth

Ephesians 4:20–32

I. NEW LIFE—vv. 20–25

A. New meaning

1.) The truth—vv. 20–21. Jesus said He was the truth—John 14:6. He also said the truth would make man free—John 8:32.

2.) The change—vv. 22–23. All old lust and sin are gone!

B. New man—v. 24. Those who “put on Christ” have true holiness and righteousness. “Putting on Christ” means accepting Christ.

C. New manners—v. 25. A Christian puts away lying and speaks the truth at all times. A Christian does not practice lying.

II. NEW LOVE—vv. 22–27

A. Refusing sin—v. 26. Note these words, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”—James 4:7. If you try to “play with sin and temptation” they will overcome and defeat you.

B. Refusing Satan—v. 27. Satan goes about the earth, seeking whom he may destroy—1 Peter 5:8.

Love for God will cause us to resist the temptations of Satan.

III. NEW LEARNING—vv. 28–29

A. Change—v. 28

1.) Change of heart—1 Timothy 1:5; Matthew 5:8.

2.) Changes of habits—2 Corinthians 5:17; 7:1. The Christian’s thoughts are different from those of the sinner. The Christian has the mind of Christ—Philippians 2:5.

B. Communication—v. 29. A born-again Christian’s speech is clean and pure. He thinks before he speaks—James 1:19. Note the warning from David—Psalm 19:14. Jesus said we will be judged by our words. BE CAREFUL OF WHAT YOU SPEAK. You will never be sorry for something you didn’t say.

IV. NEW LIVING—vv. 30–32

A. Surrender—v. 30. When the Holy Spirit speaks—obey! Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit. He will work through you, if you allow Him to do so.

B. Separation—v. 31. Meanness, bad temper, anger are the characteristics of non-Christians. Arguing and harsh words should not come from Christians. The born-again Christian does not live like the sinner—he is completely different.

C. Soft-hearted—v. 32. Note these words: kind, tenderhearted, forgiving. Here are the marks of a real Christian.

Ephesians 4:20–32 NKJV

20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

1.

NEW LIFE

Vs. 20-25 describe this new life - What we call “Born again”

New meaning - “if indeed you have heard of Him” — The truth is in Him

A. New meaning

The truth—vv. 20–21. Jesus said He was the truth—. He also said the truth would make man free—.

The truth—v. 20–21. Jesus said He was the truth—.

He also said the truth would make man free—.

There is no other way - No other truth

Put off the Old Man

Being born again speaks of a “new Life” - old things are passed away -

Paul went so far as saying “I was crucified with Christ” - that old person is gone

I can tell you many stories about my past, but it is almost as though I am talking of someone else (Recent story)

There has been change—v. 22–23. speak of putting off that former conduct -

2.) The change—vv. 22–23. All old lust and sin are gone!

putting off the deceitful lusts - (and how deceitful they are!!)

Now, in Him - All old lust and sin are gone!

This happens through being renewed (reborn) in our mind

Put on The New Man

As simple as changing clothes

You have no obligation to the flesh

Romans 8:12 NKJV

12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.

Sin has a way of tricking us into thinking that we have to keep on sinning

We tend to try to be who people expect us to be -

As Christians - we put on the new man - created according to God

This new life- Christian birth is made in true holiness and righteousness -

B. New man—v. 24. Those who “put on Christ” have true holiness and righteousness. “Putting on Christ” means accepting Christ.

Those who “put on Christ” have true holiness and righteousness. “Putting on Christ” means accepting Christ.

If you “accept” Him, you also receive His righteousness, His holiness

Begin today to think of yourself as Holy

Yes, you are “righteous” through accepting Him

New man with New manners

(vs. 25) A Christian puts away lying and speaks the truth at all times. A Christian does not practice lying.

Also means being honest with ourselves

People lie because of fear - fear of rejection, fear of consequence

We lie to ourselves out of the same fears -

Perfect love casts out fear -

I can admit my faults without fear - I am born again

He will not reject me, nor harm me

NEW LOVE

Be angry - but do not sin -

We all experience human emotion - this is not an excuse to sin

In fact, it would be wrong if certain things did not make us angry - we are instructed to be angry

but sin cannot justify sin

Refusing sin—v. 26. Note these words, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”—. If you try to “play with sin and temptation” they will overcome and defeat you.

Refusing Satan—v. 27. Satan goes about the earth, seeking whom he may destroy—.

Love for God will cause us to resist the temptations of Satan.

We do not overcome sin by leaning about sin - we do so by being closer to God

NEW LEARNING

The Christian birth brings Change

Change of heart ( . pure in heart)

A pure heart - that which is pure is not polluted or diluted

Changes of habits— The one who steals doesn’t steal any more -

Not only that, but now he works that he may have something to give -

this is one of the greatest miracles of Christianity - perhaps greatest, this change of heart

and we see it just as true today

The Christian’s thoughts are different from those of the sinner.( ; )

The Christian has the mind of Christ—.

Change in Communication—v. 29.

A born-again Christian’s speech is clean and pure. He thinks before he speaks—(. - Swift to hear - Slow to speak)

The tendency of the natural man is to do exactly the opposite

A Christians words will edify, will impart grace tot he hearer

Are we imparting grace with our words?

Please stop and examine ourselves right hear for a moment - us “seasoned Christians”

If we are not imparting grace with our words, why not?

IV. NEW LIVING—vv. 30–32

NEW LIVING

Surrender—v. 30. When the Holy Spirit speaks—obey!

Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit.

Has it occured to you that our actions, words and thoughts, might actually “grieve the Spirit of God”?

How wonderfully He loves us! That we could be a grief to Him through our loss

Why would we so live?

Yet, we need not grieve Him - He will work through you, if you allow Him to do so.

Separation

Meanness, bad temper, anger are the characteristics of non-Christians. Arguing and harsh words should not come from Christians.

The born-again Christian does not live like the sinner—he is completely different. - He has put away bitterness, wrath, anger, and evil speaking

Soft-hearted—v. 32. Note these words: kind, tenderhearted, forgiving. Here are the marks of a real Christian.

Ephesians 4:32 NKJV

32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

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Here are the marks of a Christian:

tenderhearted - please, be tender, not callous, not chafed, (and there is no excuse if you will not)

forgiving one another

even as God in Christ forgave you