06PM March 12 Ephesians 4 20_32

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March 12, 2006—Evening Worship

 

“The Glorious Grace of God” Series – Part 12

It’s the New You – Part 2

Evidences of Spiritual Transformation

Ephesians 4:20-32

 

Intro:  Last week I told you that what we needed was – somehow – to get the church, as a whole, to walk w/Jesus on a daily basis & that the church desperately needed spiritual transformation. The church – as a whole – needs to be transformed from the Ho-Hum, Common, Everyday, Usual routine of Christianity – & to be struck in awe of the relationship they have w/God through Jesus Christ!

          “We don’t need change in our churches so much as we need our churches changed!” IOW, we don’t need to change a bunch of stuff & think or hope that it’s going to change our church. What we need is to be radically transformed through discipleship; radically revived in our spirits; radically renewed in our minds; & to know that God has done what only He can do!

          So w/all that in mind, let’s read our text (both last week’s & this week’s) & find evidences of spiritual transformation in the 2nd part of this messaged titled, “It’s The New You!”

Ephesians 4 (last week’s text) 17 This I say, therefore, & 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, b/c of the ignorance that is in them, b/c of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness w/greediness. (& this week’s text) 20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him & 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 & be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 & that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness & holiness. 25 Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth w/his neighbor," for we are members of one another. 26 "Be angry, & 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 w/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 & 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, & evil speaking be put away from you, w/all malice. 32 & be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

 

- A quick review of last week’s message tells us that…

- The new you will give evidences of spiritual transformation & that…

1. Transformation is Reflected in Your New Walk. (vv. 17-19)

- Which is governed by…

    A. Your mind filled w/truth. (v. 17) This I say, therefore, & testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind

- The Gentile unbelievers were empty-headed when it came to the truth about God & salvation in Jesus Christ.

- Paul encouraged his readers NOT to walk or live in the same manner, after the same pattern as the rest of the Gentiles.

- IOW don’t be like what you used to be – be different!

- & it’s Biblical to say, if there is no difference between you & the world, then there is no difference between you & the world.

- Your mind is no longer empty but it’s filled w/the truth of God’s word, love, grace!

- Your new walk is governed by…

    B. Your desires changed by light. (v. 18a) having their understanding darkened

- Satan has blinded or darkened the understanding of those who do not believe.

- But the understanding of the believer has been changed by the light of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ!

- Therefore our desires are different! We can see clearly – now that the darkness has past!

- Your new walk is governed by…

    C. Your life indwelt by God. (v. 18b) being alienated from the life of God

- & that meaning that they are continually shut out from the life of God.

- The unbeliever has no access to life!

- The only place to find life is from God.

- We have the capacity to enjoy the life God has given us!

- Your new walk is governed by…

    D. Your life infused w/wisdom. (v. 18c) b/c of the ignorance that is in them

- The word translated “ignorance” comes from a root word that simply means “not to know, not to understand.”

- Ignorance simply means “you don’t know.”

- But as a believer, your life is infused w/wisdom.

- Had it not been for God shining the light of knowledge or wisdom into your heart, you’d still be in the ignorance of your sinfulness!

- But your life is now infused w/wisdom of Him & how & what He requires of you!

- Your new walk is governed by…

    E. Your inner spiritual vision. (v. 18d) b/c of the blindness of their heart

- The word translated “blindness” talks about the thick, hard, extra layers of skin that form calluses.

- That’s a picture of the thick, hardening of the heart that forms as the unbeliever continues in his sin.

- But you have the inner spiritual vision that God placed in you at the moment of your salvation!

- Your eyes were opened & the glorious light of the gospel flooded in!

- Your new walk is governed by…

    F. Your newfound sensitivity and shame. (v. 19a) who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness

- Unbelievers have lost the sensitivity to be ashamed of what they do.

- But the believer comes to a newfound awareness; a newfound sensitivity & shame to the old way of life & seeks to live the new life in the awareness of God’s holiness & purity.

- All you want to do is to be like Jesus!

- Your new walk is governed by…

    G. Your complete turnaround. (v. 19b) to work all uncleanness w/greediness

- The Bible tells us that unbelievers practice sin.

- & what that means is, they work at it; they practice it; they desire it; they follow it; they crave it; they seek it in all its forms.

- They want to do all they can to sin b/c they love to sin!

- But believers want to be as far away from sin as we can possibly be b/c Jesus is not like that!

- IOW your life is to glorify God & since He changed you, you can be different.

- Therefore, your complete turnaround is a compelling testimony to the grace & power & sufficiency of God in Jesus Christ!

- But notice also that your…

2. Transformation is Reflected in You New Wardrobe. (vv. 20-24)

- I’m not so much talking about what you wear physically, although that is a part of it; but what’s even more important is what you wear spiritually, & IOW, that begins with…

    A. What you are to “Put Off.” (vv. 20-22) 20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him & 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,

- You didn’t learn of Christ by walking in your old heathen ways.

- You didn’t learn of Him through blindness or ignorance or callousness.

- If you are a believer, Paul says, you’ve heard Him & have been taught by Him b/c that‘s where you find the truth. It is in Jesus!

- & the truth is, once you come to faith in Christ, you are to put off…the old man.

- You are to put off the habits, the sins, the former conduct of your old sinful nature.

- You put off the old man very similarly to changing dirty clothes. You put off the dirty ones & put on the clean ones.

Romans 6 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified w/Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

- But if our old man is dead, crucified dead, why does v. 22 of Ephesians 4 tell us that the old man grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts?

- IOW, how can what is dead continue to grow corrupt?

- Left unchecked in its natural state your old nature in Adam continues to grow worse & worse. It’s a process of corruption.

- But the phrase translated “done away with” in Romans 6:6 literally means, “to render idle, unemployed, inactivate, inoperative; to cause a person or thing to have no further efficiency; to deprive of force, influence, power; to cause to cease, put an end to, do away with, annul, abolish; to cease, to pass away, be done away; to be severed from, separated from, discharged from, loosed from; & to terminate!”

- So, your old man, your old nature has been rendered idle, inoperative, severed, separated & terminated! SO PUT IT OFF!

- IOW don’t allow the old patterns & habits to control you but be controlled by the Spirit.

- The Bible never instructs you on what you are to put off w/o instructing you…

    B. What you are to “Put On.” (vv. 23-24) 23 & be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 & that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness & holiness.

Romans 12 2 & do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good & acceptable & perfect will of God.

- Reject, jettison, eradicate the old ways & thoughts from your mind!

- & the only way to do that is to submit your mind to the Spirit of God; to absorb the word of God; to be radically changed by the renewing of your mind according to God!

- & it’s then that you can put on the new man, the clean clothes, the true righteousness & holiness for which God made you!

- Something I’ve started recently is, every day, to consciously “put on” the new man & to consciously “put on” the armor of God through prayer.

- I’ve found out that I can’t just assume that I’m dressed for the day w/o consciously putting off the old & putting on the new.

- I’m talking about spiritual transformation which is reflected in your new walk & your new wardrobe & spiritual…

3. Transformation is Reflected in Your New Work. (vv. 25-29)

- If we are different, we will act differently. We will do differently than before.

- & so, your transformation is reflected in your new work…

    A. Of your Love. (vv. 25-27) 25 Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth w/his neighbor," for we are members of one another. 26 "Be angry, & do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil.

- IOW what Paul is saying is that we should let our love for one another be seen & heard in our conversations w/one another.

- B/c we love one another, we should speak the truth in love. After all, we are members of the same body of Christ, which makes us members of each other.

- Therefore, at the times that anger is appropriate, it should be seasoned w/love!

- We should never allow our anger to escalate to the point where it simmers or boils or cooks over night.

- We should address issues that may exist between us w/haste.

- & the reason for that is that if we don’t, the devil could use that as an opportunity to start division w/in the body.

- All he needs is the smallest crack, the tiniest place to take hold; from which he begins to drive wedges & cause arguments & creates division.

- Through love we can ensure that never happens.

- Spiritual transformation is not only reflected in your love, but also in the new work…

    B. Of your Labor. (v. 28) 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working w/his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.

- A thief stops being a thief only when he starts working & providing for the needs of others. Until then, his primary thought is himself & his needs; what can I get?

- But when he begins to work for the benefit of others, he stops being a thief & becomes benevolent.

- This speaks of much more than just restitution – it goes far beyond that.

- This says that those who were once caught up in greed are now generous!

- & we all should be generous w/what God has provided for us.

Acts 2 44 Now all who believed were together, & had all things in common, 45 & sold their possessions & goods, & divided them among all, as anyone had need.

Acts 4 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, & brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 & laid them at the apostles' feet; & they distributed to each as anyone had need.

- What’s important is not who has what – but who needs what; so that the need is met!

- Spiritual transformation is reflected in your new work of love & labor &…

    C. Of your Language. (v. 29) 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.

- The Bible tells us here that every word we speak to one another is to be for the edification of those who hear. IOW our words are to build up others, to encourage others, to benefit others.

- There is never a time when our words should be “corrupt” & that word literally means, “unfit for use, worthless, rotten or putrefied.”

- IOW your language is to possess the fragrance of grace – not the stench of decay.

- Our language is to promote growth not prevent it.

- Everything we say is to be “necessary” & not needless, empty, vial or hurtful words.

- So far we’ve said that spiritual transformation, that which is done in us through the power of God at work in us—is reflected in a new walk, a new wardrobe, a new work & lastly, spiritual…

4. Transformation is Reflected in Your New Worship. (vv. 30-32)

- This is seen in your obedience to…

    A. The Command. (v. 30) 30 & do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

- This is living a life of holiness as God created you to do.

- This is following the leadership of the Spirit of God who is in you to guide you until the end.

- This is allowing God to be seen in you by your intimate fellowship w/Him.

- We are to long to worship; we were made for worship; our lives should be worship of the One who died to set us free!

- If your life is not an example of worship, you are grieving the Holy Spirit of God; you are hindering His work in you; & you are not reflecting the purpose God has for you – to glorify Him w/your life.

- & that’s why v. 31 contains…

    B. The Correction. (v. 31) 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, & evil speaking be put away from you, w/all malice.

- If you put away all these things from your life, you should not be grieving the Spirit.

- This verse is an explanation of the command in the previous verses to put off the old man.

- Just in case anyone was unsure of some of the things that need to be put away, Paul gives a summation list.

- & notice that he says that all these are to be put away w/all malice.

- That literally means “an ill-will or a desire to injure.”

- So what the Bible is saying here is that our attitude toward bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, & evil speaking should be that we desire to kill & bury them.

- IOW we spare nothing in our attempts to eradicate them from our lives.

- But, w/that being said, we also need…

    C. The Consideration. (v. 32) 32 & be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

- This is the essence of true worship; it’s following the leadership of the Spirit; putting away everything from our lives that would be displeasing to God & loving others & forgiving them in the same way that we’ve been forgiven!

- We cannot be right w/God if we are not right w/our fellow man.

- & we cannot be right w/our fellow man if we still harbor the emotions, attitudes & tendencies listed in v. 31.

- The Holy Spirit in us is our guarantee that we belong to God.

- & having received forgiveness from Him, we pass it on to others.

- Those unwilling to forgive have not become one w/Christ, who was willing even to forgive those who crucified Him.

- & in these vv. Paul commands us to be kind, tenderhearted & forgiving that we may be just like Jesus.

 

Conclusion:  For the past 2 Sunday nights we’ve been talking about spiritual transformation, which is an internal character change that expresses itself in the outward life.

- IOW, spiritual transformation is the process by which God works in an individual’s life to conform them to the image of Jesus.

- But how do we know if that’s being “fleshed out” or lived out in our lives?

- By the evidences of spiritual transformation reflected in:

          1) Your new walk w/God

          2) Your new wardrobe from God

          3) Your new work by God

          4) Your new worship of God

          As the church, we’ve been called to cultivate an environment to help believers press on toward becoming more & more like Jesus. & we’ve been called to go & make disciples. Are you a vital part of helping the church fulfill its ministries – or are you really just a spectator, passively watching ministry take place?

“We don’t need change in our churches so much as we need our churches changed!” IOW, what we need is to be radically transformed, radically revived, radically renewed by the power of God! Are you—would you pray for that to happen in this church, its leadership, its people & in you?

Invitation:  If God has spoken to you about your need to be spiritually transformed – don’t just sit there – offer yourself to Him as a living sacrifice through prayer. Seek His grace, His forgiveness, His love & His transforming power – that you might be changed!

          & let’s stand together as we sing…

Hymn 502 Open My Eyes, That I May See

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