The Model Christian

Ephesians 4:25–28 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. 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. 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.

FCF: Failure to change

Proposition: When we subject ourselves to the power of God we are compelled to live different.

Introduction:

Paul encourages the Church at Ephesus to live differently from their former lives . He explains that their relationship with Christ can be projected by the way they live. Paul teaches that people will know who you are not merely by your words but by your actions. So Paul exhorts the church to demonstrate their new life in Christ by subjecting themselves to the divine power of Christ which will cause a change. In verses 23 & 24, Paul says, "and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." The call is for each believer to change his ways and be different from the world not so that we can be saved but because we are save. The cue is that we are in a new relationship that calls for a new attitude which says, "God desires my best life so that He is glorified by it!"

Transition: So what does this Model Christian look like? How do I glorify God with my life as a believer? Paul gives several exhortations to the church at Ephesus, which I believe will help today as we strive to walk as Believers.

1. The Model Christian Lives A Life of Truth (v.25)

Ephesians 4:25 ESV

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

lying must be "put away" which means it is not something we carry. It is not our character. We have rid ourselves of this. "speak every man truth with his neighbor" Note that Paul says,"speak truth with your neighbor" There is no doubt by these words that Paul must have become familiar with the teachings of Jesus in Luke 10. It was in this parable of the Samaritan who cared for and showed mercy for a Jew who had been robbed and left for dead on the roadside. Jesus used this parable to emphasize that all are our neighbors.

It is in this same tone that Paul speaks to the Church in Ephesus. That our neighbors are not limited to those who live beside us but everyone we come in contact with. And he presses this by stating that: "we are members one of another" We are one body. We are joined together by the Blood of Jesus. Therefore, deceit hurts, misleading others, hurts. We must be careful not to lie, because of how lies affect the body. Lies can ruin our witness and destroy our testimonies. Lies can break relationships and destroy fellowships.

Illustration: Do you remember Pinocchio? Each time Pinocchio told a lie his nose grew outwardly. People knew he was lying when his nose grew but they also saw the damage his lie and mischief had caused to those around him. Pinocchio disappointed his father Geppeto and caused him great embarrassment. Pinocchio's lies created unnecessary stress, frustration, elements of mistrust and insecurities.

Transition: So it is the same with dishonesty in the body of Christ. We not only hurt ourselves but hurt others. We hurt the Church, we hurt and disappoint our Father God.

Application: Don't lie to God. Don't lie on God. Don't lie to others. Don't lie on others. Be committed to honesty regardless of the cost.

Transition: Paul continues this exhortation by challenging the believer at Ephesus to recognize

2. The Model Christian Lives A Life of Temperance (v.26)

Ephesians 4:26 ESV

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,

The problem is not being angry; truth is we all become disappointed and are sometimes pushed to our limits of refrain.

According to Paul, in this text, the issue is what can occur when we become angry. Do you see it? "Be angry, and do not sin" Paul says, as a believer don't allow our anger to lead us to sinful actions. He further states that our anger must be brief. "do not the sun go down on your anger" Wrath - rage or unbridled anger. Have you ever felt that way? Often when we get to this point we think of some harsh and horrible things and perhaps say some horrible things and for some do some horrible things. Paul is teaching don't allow it to get to that point.

Paul gives allusion to psalm 4:4

Psalm 4:4 ESV

4 Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah

Paul seeks to challenge the church to guard and uphold unity within the body.

Illus: Story is told of an old farmer who owned a goat that became trapped in a well and he was unable to rescue him. The old man decided to bury him while he was there. Each time he threw dirt over on the goat, the goat would shake it off and pack it under his feet . . .

Transition: We too can use this same remedy with our anger

Application: Learn to shake it off and move on. Don't allow yourself to be buried beneath anger. Forgive people who offend you.

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Part 2- May 16, 2021 - 10AM

Announcements:

* Church 75th Anniversary

We will no longer broadcast on Facebook Live

Our Youtube channel- Grace Baptist Church of Peoria

Our website- www.gracebaptistpeoria.org

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Ephesians 4:27–28 ESV

27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 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.

3. The Model Christian Resists the Devil (v.27)

Ephesians 4:27 ESV

and give no opportunity to the devil.

Something that every believer needs to remain cognizant of is that the devil will approach you. You are not exempt from the devil’s agenda. The devil desires to flood your life with temptation and sin.

Note well that temptation comes in all forms, just as sin comes in all forms. We are to be on guard against the devil’s ploy.

Paul say's, do not let the devil have a chance to take advantage. Big mama would say, “don’t let the devil ride because he will want to drive”

Do not give the devil access

to your life

to your mind

to your family

to your children

Do not yield to the temptations of the devil

You must remain on guard

When the devil appears, turn away from him.

Paul is saying the same thing James says in, James 4:7,

James 4:7 ESV

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Here is something to consider: The devil wants to destroy you! 1 Peter 5:8 says,

1 Peter 5:8 ESV

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

That word devour means to swallow up. Satan is dedicated to destroying the believer.

Transition: Paul warns do not allow the devil to be near nor to take hold. If he does he will do all he can to swallow the believer up.

Illustration: Flip Wilson became famous for a statement when he'd do something shocking, "The devil made me do it"

Transition: We can not be like Flip Wilson refusing to resist the devil and allowing the devil's control over us.

Application: We as believers have been given the power of God to resist satan. This does not mean he will not continue to try to control us, because he will.

But we must live by the example of Christ, which commands satan to get behind us. Luke 4:8, gives us a concrete picture of resisting the influence of satan. Continue in the Word of God. Find people you can pray with and will pray with you continuously. Pray for God's continued guidance and direction.

Say No, to those things which we know are wrong. Say no to fornication, say no to adultery, say no to gossip, say no to lying, say no to hatred, say no to bitterness. Just say no!!

Luke 4:8 ESV

8 And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’ ”

4. The Model Christian Live A Life of Generosity (v.28)

Ephesians 4:28 ESV

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.

Paul stresses the need for community. Remember, Paul is talking to Jews and gentiles who have become believers. Jewish culture embraced the significance of liberality and taking care of the less fortunate. This concept was foreign in the Greco-Roman society. This is one of Paul’s rationale for admonishing this Church to refrain from stealing.

The word for steal in this text is where we get the word Kleptomaniac from. It means to take but also to misuse others for ones own advantage.

Paul enforces one of the commandments by sternly cautioning against thievery. But it goes further than stealing and robbery. He admonishes: Don't take advantage of others work for things you desire

Live to benefit others - give to others - The Scripture teaches that "it is better to give than to receive"

Leviticus 23:22 ESV

“And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, nor shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God.”

Deuteronomy 24:19–22 ESV

“When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over them again. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not strip it afterward. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this.

Do you think of others or do you think only of yourself?

Illus: When asked through a survey, what was the worst day to be a server, 90% of the servers and customer relations personnel from the various restaurants answered, Sunday. They went on to say that many of the people come from church and are the meanest and most demanding people. They are also the worst at tipping.

Application: Start giving to others. look for opportunities to do the "Good Thing" When was the last time you just gave some thing to some one in need and not looked for anything in return. Start being generous and liberal in your giving. Remember you've been there. There was a time you didn't have but God blessed you with what you have now. You've been in need! You've been in want! You have had it rough! You have not always been able to eat steak. You have not always worn Donna Kara, Ralph Lauren, Movodo, Gucci, Coach. God has been good to you! Be generous to others.

Are you living the love of Christ?

do you take advantage of people have you mistreated your neighbor have you ignored the helpless

Christ lived His Love:

- in the garden of Gethsemane

- from judgment hall to judgment hall

- on the cross

- in the Grave

- when he rose

- RIGHT NOW Everyday of my life

Ephesians 4:29 ESV

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.