The New Man: Spiritual Training

New Orientation

Have you ever met someone that was hyper focused on a goal?

For example:

Body building : have you ever looked into how much goes into the process of building the physic of atlas?

It starts with an awareness for change.

Theres a dissatisfaction with the present, but a vision for what the future will be

Reading books, learning about nutrition, ratios of carbs, fats, proteins…

There’s a different in a person who knows about body building and the one who puts the knowledge into practice.

Ephesians 4:20 ESV

But that is not the way you learned Christ!—

The Way You Learned Christ:

Learn: - Similar to the word for disciple..

not simply the doctrine of Christ, but Christ Himself, a process not merely of getting to know the person but of so applying the knowledge as to walk differently from the rest of the Gentiles;

The Message of Ephesians (b. The Christian Life (Verses 20–24))

so their hearers ‘learn’ Christ, and ‘receive’ him, that is, a tradition about him. But what sort of Christ do they learn? Not just the Word made flesh, the unique Godman, who died, rose and reigns. More than that. The implication of the context is that we must also preach his lordship, the kingdom or rule of righteousness he ushered in, and all the moral demands of the new life. The Christ whom the Ephesians had learned was calling them to standards and values totally at variance with their former pagan life.

to learn by use and practice, to acquire the habit of, be accustomed to,"

In Paul’s world to “learn Christ” isn’t simply a passing acknowledgement, but a direction we are actively moving.

To imitate him.

Ephesians 4:21 ESV

assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus,

Assuming you have heard about him.

Heard - Really in the original language is better translated “you heard HIM”

Paul assumes that through the voice of their Christian teachers, they had actually heard Christ’s voice. Thus, when sound biblical moral instruction is being given, it may be said that Christ is teaching about Christ.

Head Knowledge - cognitive

Heart Knowledge - volition

With any goal, there comes a time when we move from passive longing into active pursuits

There is a principle of “you reap what you sow”

Galatians 6:7 ESV

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

In time, as we “sow” hearing Christ, we will reap the benefits of a relationship with Christ.

Taught in Him:

The Message of Ephesians b. The Christian Life (Verses 20–24)

Thirdly, they had been taught in him. That is to say, Jesus Christ, in addition to being the teacher and the teaching, was also the context, even the atmosphere within which the teaching was given.

For the Christian, to learn about Jesus isn’t simply a subject of interest

being taught in him, is to learn from him. To realize the divine transaction between believer and God taking place.

To recognize that as a pastor you aren’t “my disciples” but we are to all be disciples of Jesus.

My job isn’t to teach you to be like me, but to become like Him.

Ephesians 4:22 ESV

to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,

There is the one time transaction of salvation

John 5:24 ESV

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

But, then there is a daily process by which we are to actively set aside sinfulness.

When an body builder begins training there is a renovation of lifestyle.

This involves denying present pleasures for future gains.

Every decision in life keeps the main goal in focus.

For the life of the believer… with holiness as our aim

It is an awareness of the absurdity of sin, that it has zero nutritional value for our souls.

When is the last time you met an alcoholic who regrets not starting the habit sooner?

Or a Thief in prison who wished they had started stealing earlier in life?

Walking in holiness has a long perspective able to forsake temporary desires that are deceitful

Remember those old snickers commercials?

Betty white playing football?

You are not yourself when you are hungry…

Anyone serious about health is going to really understand that a snickers bar is the wrong fuel to put into your body.

Ephesians 4:23 ESV

and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,

In other words, you’re not going to be like Christ when you are hungry.

Redeem the time in your life for spiritual nutrition that will feed your relationship with Christ.

Ephesians 4:24 ESV

and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Looking link Jesus is our goal..

Not the compare ourselves to others.

Don’t make pastors, teachers, elders your goal. We are hear to teach others to be like him.

Closing.

As I said earlier… the transaction of salvation was and is a “one time” event in the life of the Christian

We we are called to in our worthy walk is to daily lay aside the former things of our lives in pursuit of knowing Christ.

2 Peter 1:8 ESV

For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.