June 12, 2011
Morning Service

So far in Chapter 4 of Ephesians, we have been:

·        Urged to have a “walk worthy of our calling” by possessing and using the five Christian virtues (humility, gentleness, patience, love, & peace).

·       Reminded again of the unity we possess  as the Church (one body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism & Father)

·       Taught the fivefold ministry of the Church and its purposes (equipping the saints, work of the ministry, & the building up of the body of Christ).

·       Warned not to conform to the world’s standards of living and avoid vain living, walking blindly, placing a distance between ourselves and God, yielding to lust, partaking in worldly life styles, and getting caught up in greed.

 

This is only the beginning of the Paul’s “New You” creation plan.  VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYI_aOyCn9Y

 

1Co 14:37 If anyone thinks to be a prophet, or a spiritual one, let him recognize the things I write to you, that they are a commandment of the Lord.

 

Eph 4:22-24 For you ought to put off the old man (according to your way of living before) who is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, (23) and be renewed in the spirit of your mind.  (24)  And you should put on the new man, who according to God was created in righteousness and true holiness.

 

• Rom 6:4-7 Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father; even so we also should walk in newness of life.  (5)  For if we have been joined together in the likeness of His death, we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection;  (6)  knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be destroyed, that from now on we should not serve sin.  (7)  For he who died has been justified from sin.
• 2Co 5:17 So that if anyone is in Christ, that one is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
• Heb 12:1  Therefore since we also are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

 

Eph 4:25 Therefore putting away lying let each man speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.

Lying- dishonesty, misrepresenting the truth.

• Acts 5 tells of Ananias & Sapphira (verse 4 “you have not lied to man, but to God”)
• It weakens the bond of brotherhood & creates disharmony of the Body (affects others).
• Stains our personal character and integrity.

Truthfulness will create a need for forgiveness and also a natural accountability.

 

Eph 4:26-27 Be angry, and do not sin. Do not let the sun go down upon your wrath,  (27)  neither give place to the Devil.

• Paul speaks of two types of anger, this is righteous anger but without sin.
• It is righteous anger when we are upset at the treatment of others or of some unrighteous act
• Mar 3:5 And looking around on them with anger, being grieved because of the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, Stretch out your hand! And he stretched it out. And his hand was restored whole, like the other.

 

 

 

 

• Jesus cleansing the temple (Matt 21)

“Do not let the sun go down on your wrath.”

• Time does not heal all wounds.  It allows the devil an area to work in (a crack in our armor).
• We must resolve our differences and forgive quickly.

 

Eph 4:28  Let him who stole steal no more, but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, so that he may have something to give to him who needs.

• Stealing can take many forms:  grand larceny, not paying debts, falsifying tax returns, even stealing time from our employer.
• We are instead encouraged to labor or work with our hands creating a way to not only support our selves, but to help support others in need.
• Act 20:35  I have shown you all things, that working in this way we ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

 

Eph 4:29  Let not any filthy word go out of your mouth, but if any is good to building up in respect of need, that it may give grace to the ones hearing.

• Mother’s advice is very Biblical. “ If you can’t say something good….”

• Mat 12:36 But I say to you that every idle word, whatever men may speak, they shall give account of it in the Day of Judgment.
• Our words are to be tools for construction (building up) not destruction (tearing down).

 

Eph 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you are sealed until the day of redemption.

• When we act in any of these ways contrary to what pleases God, it grieves (hurts) Him.
• Sin also puts us off of our task (Bring glory to our Father).

 

Eph 4:31  Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and tumult and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.

• Bitterness-smoldering resentment, unwilling to forgive, creating harsh feelings.
• Wrath-Bursts of rage, violent passion, temper tantrums.
• Anger-(unrighteous) animosity, hostility shown from a selfish or short sighted manner.
• Tumult- (clamor) loud outcries of anger, bickering, shouting down opponents.
• Evil speaking-insulting language, slander, abusive speech
• Malice-spite, wishing evil on someone, meanness.

 

Eph 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.

• Kind-an unselfish concern for the welfare of others with a desire to be helpful.
• Tenderhearted-(merciful) an affectionate or compassionate interest in others creating a wiliness to bear their burdens.
• Forgiving-a readiness to pardon offences and forget personal wrongs without harboring a desire to retaliate.

Mat 22:36-40 Master, which is the great commandment in the Law?  (37)  Jesus said to him, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.  (38)  This is the first and great commandment.  (39)  And the second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.  (40)  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.

 

Joh 14:15 If you love Me, keep My commandments.