Putting Off and Putting On — Part 1 (Speaking truth, Righteous Anger, Honest Work)

We’re looking some of the most practical pages of the Bible this morning. Now, to be sure, every page of Scripture has much we can learn about our Lord, mankind, ourselves, and how the Lord calls us to live worshipfully. But much like the first eleven chapters of Romans is heavy with wonderful doctrine and is then fleshed out in the latter five chapters with practical application of that doctrine, Paul also lays down wonderful doctrine in Ephesians chps. 1-3 and follows by unfolding the incredibly practical side of what this means.

SLIDE (Ephesians answers the question)

Remember, Paul labors in love to show us what it means to be in Christ, so we eagerly welcome what God demands of us as we walk in Him as a result.

When Paul says, in 4:2 that we’re to, “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you’ve been called,” he’s telling us how to live out, or act in line with, our new identity as a corporate, unified body of Christ and as individual members of this body. He’s just explained that it makes no sense for our lives to look similar to those who don’t know Christ as their Lord and Savior now that “we” are “we in Christ.”

Illustration: toward the school of Christ

School’s about ready to fire up again here and it made me realize that we all go to school of some kind. Oh, we may not call it school, but we’re learning from someone and several people. We’re in school.

? What school are you in? Who do you learn from in the majority of your life?

In the School of Christ

Paul speaks in v 20 of learning Christ! He means that these Ephesians Christians (and you and I) learned Christ as we learned from the Word and from others the Lord used to influence us for the Lord. This is what Paul’s getting after in 1 Cor 3:5 when he says that Paul and Apollos were “...servants through whom the Corinthian Christians believed, as the Lord assigned to each” (interesting phrase). The point was that the vehicle through whom we learn Christ wasn’t the important focus. Learning Christ well according to the Bible is the most important focus.

As Paul develops this, and as we saw last week, learning Christ means that we believed the gospel for the first time by:

SCRIPTURE SLIDES (Bullet 1 is vs 22 and has two slides to fill in the blanks; bullet 2 is vs 23; bullet 3 is vs 24)

putting off the old self which is what? corrupt through deceitful desires (repentance),

This is a picture of repentance.

Paul is telling us that our hearts, which means our inner desires, follow the direction of our thinking.

ILL: Our hearts are like boats with rudders. The rudder turns the boat, and, in this analogy, our affections (what/whom we love) is the rudder. And (as J.I. Packer and Gloria Furman say it so well):

SLIDE (Furman Quote)

“Our thoughts steer the affection rudder of our hearts, and we have a need to be renewed in the spirit of our minds,” which is why Paul doesn’t stop at v 22. He goes on to say we are to:

be renewed in the spirit of our minds (God’s means for transformation);

and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness (walking in a manner worthy of the calling to which we’ve been called—or simply, walking/living in faith-filled obedience).

From learning Christ to Christlike behavior in personal relationships seeking to maintain the unity of the spirit.

Paul moves from the highest heights of learning Christ and the new creation to ‘the nitty-gritty of Christian behavior: telling the truth and controlling our anger, honesty at work and kindness of speech, forgiveness, love and sexual control’. Each of these exhortations has to do with personal relationships within the body of Christ (v. 25). And, more specifically, they are intended to foster unity within the people of God, the unity of the Spirit which which Paul has already urged us to zealously and energetically to maintain (v. 3 “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”), while ‘the evils to be avoided are all destroyers of human harmony’ (as commentator J.L. Houlden rightly points out, 260).

But beyond giving up lying, stealing, and losing our tempers; we are also to speak the truth, work hard, and be kind to others—each of which carries a positive motivation which gives what is tantamount to a theological reason (though it is sometimes implied).

Toward the end (4:32-5:2), his exhortations are entirely positive in 4:32–5:2, where the Ephesians (and us) are urged to practice mutual generosity, mercy, and forgiveness. He then moves to the central, overarching command for love, leading right back to the school of Christ as the model for it all: ‘as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God’ (5:2).

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IMMEDIATE APPLICATION MEN: This Friday and Saturday we have an opportunity to participate in a local men’s conference, “Unfiltered.”

Join many others in the School of Christ as we look at the importance of Bible reading, prayer, accountability & then learn how to turn those into sustainable, daily habits. Hear from several speakers who will challenge you to grow & lead your families well. I’m looking forward to being there because I need to grow in my relationship with the Lord. I encourage you to prioritize it. Take a card on your seat and go to their website or FB to sign up today so we have enough food for everyone.

Fri., Aug. 20 // 6PM-9:15PM (dinner included)

Sat., Aug. 21 // 8AM-2:15PM (breakfast & lunch included)

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? Now, let me ask you a question, men: As you think about this question does your heart (the affection rudder of the boat of your life) move you toward prioritizing life around growing in Christ with other men who also need to grow in Christ? Or are you, for any number of reasons, led you away from it to other priorities (loves…even though men don’t like to use that word)?

What we’re learning so far is that we are to put off lesser desires, be transformed by the renewing of our minds (i.e. men need one another in accountable, Word-centered friendships according the God), and to put on the greater desire of doing what is necessary to grow in Christ!

How do you know where you’re at?

Well, if you already have a significant commitment on the books, you should probably keep that commitment unless it’s easily adjusted or a smaller commitment.

But, if you’re firing off reasons you don’t want to go as reasons why you can’t go, well then, that’s a different story.

Or, if you fear being exposed in front of others as a Christian who needs a whole ton of growth—so maybe fear is keeping you from going. But I’m sure we’re not walking around saying, “No, I don’t want to go because I’m afraid that people will see me as I am and I have to protect my image.”

Guess what, men? We ALL feel like that! We just don’t talk about it. We need to learn how to grow in the Word together. It’s supernatural, not natural.

Or, if you’re an introvert who doesn’t love being around a lot of people, it takes some extra work to say, “This isn’t about me. I’m part of a greater body of Christ…an integral member (whether you’re a church member or not) of how these men, and I, grow.

I need to put aside/put off my personal desire of being alone (not a bad desire in itself…it just becomes sinful when wrongly prioritized over the greater need of the Body of Christ),

I need to remember that God made me to need others and they need me—even if I don’t feel like it—(being transformed by the renewing of your mind),

and I need to put on the selfless, sacrificial, humble pursuit of doing my part (“each part working properly,” v. 16) as a member of the body of Christ.

Transition: do you know what many of these “reasons” are? Let’s see how Paul helps us.

SLIDE

Ephesians 4:25 ESV

25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

SLIDE

I. From Falsehood to Telling the Truth (25)

Put off falsehood. | Put on truth-speaking. [WHY? We are members of one another.]

? How truthful are your words?

We have many kinds of falsehoods

Half-truths

Lies that cover for someone or for ourselves

Undercover lies we call exaggeration

The silent lie

We bend the truth by cheating

We lie to our employer by cheating

The Bible is brutally honest in exposing the failures of some of the great men and women of faith when it comes to lying. Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Aaron, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, Rachel, and David all lied, along with Peter in the New Testament.

Recognize the sources:

Satan is the father of lies

Jesus, when speaking to those who were ready to stone the woman caught in adultery, said to those challenging him:

SLIDE

John 8:44 ESV

44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

The source of Truth is God, who cannot lie (Titus 1:2; Heb 6:18)

SLIDES

Titus 1:2 ESV

2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began

Hebrews 6:18 ESV

18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

Christ is Himself “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6);

the Holy Spirit is “the Spirit of truth” (Eph 14:17);

and God’s Word is truth (Jn 17:17)Falsehood: Satan, the father of lies who doesn’t stand in the truth.

Transition: Now, what about the source of falsehood/lying?

When a person becomes a believer he steps out of the domain of falsehood into the domain of truth, and every form of lying therefore is utterly inconsistent with his new self.

The tense, “having put away falsehood,” shows us that when we came to Christ in salvation we stepped into the person who is truth. Remember the doctrine of our union with Christ:

SLIDES

Galatians 2:20 ESV

20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Colossians 3:3–4 ESV

3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Ladies, on Sept. 10 you have an opportunity to spend time with other ladies, at our ladies game night. Maybe you love games, maybe you don’t. Do you love God’s fellow sisters? Would you come and have a great time playing games and fostering relationships with other ladies for the sake of building the body of Christ?

Or, do you find yourself decrying games, waiting for just the right activity, to get to know other ladies for the sake of building into their lives and allowing them builds into yours?

As you hear this, as an equal opportunity offender, are you thinking through it and responding honestly?

Friends, what is the posture of your heart as you consider your honest or dishonest communication with others?

Remember, we step out of the domain of falsehood into the domain of truth because we are in Christ and living to build up the body of Christ.

SLIDE

II. If Angry, Pursue Godly Anger (26-27)

SLIDE

Ephesians 4:26–27 ESV

26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil.

(Paul reverses the pattern here.) Put on (righteous) anger. | Put off sinful responses from our anger. [WHY? That we might not give the devil a foothold.]

Paul is likely citing Psalm 4:4 here to say that we should be angry about some things, but even then we need to be careful so that it does not become sinful anger.

SLIDE

Psalm 4:1–5 ESV

1 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! 2 O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah 3 But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. 4 Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah 5 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord.

When we’re angry, we must determine whether it is righteous or unrighteous anger.

In the context of Psalm 4, David is being falsely accused by his enemies who are seeking his life. In verse 4, he is probably addressing his over-zealous friends, who would quickly settle things by giving vent to their fierce anger (Derek Kidner, Psalms 1–72 [IVP], p. 56).

Derek Kidner points out that the Hebrew verb is literally, “Tremble,” which the translators of the LXX (Septuagint - the Greek translation of the Hebrew OT) understood to be, “tremble with anger.” The idea is, “Be angry enough so that you don’t passively acquiesce to sin, but don’t allow your anger to boil over into sinful vengeance or excessive reaction.”

Righteous anger aligns with what God is angry toward.

Sinful anger is angry toward the wrong things and passive toward the wrong things. Both usually center around ourselves and those we care most about. Worldly people do not get angry about the right things. They see sins that destroy people, shrug their shoulders and say, “Whatever!” Or, even worse, they laugh at these sins as they are portrayed on the evil sitcoms on TV. In this apathy toward sin, they are very un-godlike.

SLIDES

James 1:19–20 ESV

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Later James develops this, asking the rhetorical question:

James 4:1–10 ESV

1 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Keep in mind that Paul is telling us specific ways in which we need to put off the old way of life, be transformed by renewing our minds, and put on the new life of Christ.

We even see this in Psalm 4, as David goes to the Lord in prayer and exhorts/challenges his men with truth (transformation by renewing their mind with God’s truth).

He calls them to:

Remember that God sets apart the godly for himself (Ps 4:3);

consider in their own hearts and be silent (in other words, don’t sinfully vent ungodly anger, but be silent before the Lord);

Offer right sacrifices and put your trust in the Lord.

As we grow to be more like Jesus, we will also grow in righteous anger toward sin. We ought to be angry toward sin.

First and foremost, we should be angry at our own sin, which should lead us to take whatever drastic steps are needed to deal with it.

Second, we should be righteously angry toward things in the world that anger God, but also deal with it in godly ways.

Just because we’re angry for what we believe God would be angry toward, does not give us license to handle it in ungodly ways.

When we do, we are failing to trust God who says, that we’re to leave room for the wrath of God:

SLIDE

Romans 12:19 ESV

19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

Transition statement:

SLIDE

III. From Stealing to Honest Work to Serve Others in Need (28)

SLIDE

Ephesians 4:28 ESV

28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

Put off stealing. | Put on honest work. [Why? To share with those in need (godly generosity).]

Put off whatever would keep you from dishonest work, or work itself. (This is not to say unable to work due to some limitation you cannot control.)

SLIDE

Proverbs 13:4 ESV

4 The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.

Laziness

Excuses

Etc.

Put on whatever work the Lord would provide with.

We cannot wait for the perfect job. We must find honest work that provides. More desirable work is a benefit that may come later as a result of good, hard, honest work.

The word translated “labor” (kopiaō) carries the idea of physical exertion. And Paul often says that Christians should work hard with their own hands (cf. 1 Cor. 4:12; 1 Thess. 4:11; 2 Thess. 3:8).

He then offers the motivation: “that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” The helping of others was expected of Christians (Acts 20:35; 1 Tim. 5:8; Titus 3:14; James 1:27; 1 John 3:17), and here Paul encourages those who were thieves to go beyond simply no longer stealing and to become generous to others.

Do not miss this. The purpose of work is not to become wealthy, but to provide for ourselves and then “share with anyone in need.”

Some have asked, “When is a thief no longer a thief? When he is working to sharing with someone else?”

Proverbs offers a wonderful prayer when asking for the Lord to provide.

SLIDE

Proverbs 30:8–9 ESV

8 Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, 9 lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.

A Christ should desire to work to provide for his/her family and then be free from the trappings of this world (always wanting more for self) so that he/she is free to be able to give more and help more.

Generosity in practice: I’m so thankful for the incredible generosity I see in this church. You love others well and when there has ever been a need, it is quickly met.

Conclusion and Transition to Communion

The school of Christ teaches us to live in ways that affirm the Ten Commandments and the Greatest Commandments Jesus gave in the NT which, to take nothing away from it, is simply a fulfillment of the Old Covenant and New Covenant.

SLIDE

John 13:34 ESV

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

Speaking truthfully in order to build up the body of Christ, being godly in what we’re angry about and our handling of it, and working hard and honestly so we can meet the needs of others are just three ways in honoring this new commandment.

Don’t miss the key phrase, “just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

Communion transition

Christ lived perfectly in every way. Not only does that mean he didn’t ever sin; it also means he left nothing undone that God the Father wanted him to complete to fulfill all righteousness. Then, as if that wasn’t enough, he willingly sacrificed himself on Calvary in a demonstration of his great love…enough to pay the penalty for everyone who would trust in him for salvation.

Use this time to consider how God is calling you to lay down your life for one another.

Closing Prayer

Communion

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