Today’s message title: The New Life.

• Series Continuation

  • Continuing our series through the book of Ephesians.
  • Today’s section: Eph 4:17-5:20.

• Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:25-32

  So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
  If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
  And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
  Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. —Eph 4:25-32

  • Stop telling lies; tell the truth.
  • Don’t let anger control you; don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry.
  • If you’re a thief, quit stealing; work hard and give generously.
  • Don’t use foul or abusive language; speak good and helpful words.
  • Don’t bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live.
  • Get rid of bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, slander, and all types of evil behavior.
  • Be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving.

• Key Points from the Scripture
  

  With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. —Ephesians 4:17
  

  • Every religion advises similar moral behaviors, except the self-centered “
    Reveal Answer
    .”
  • The Apostle Paul emphasizes not living like the Gentiles, who are hopelessly confused.
  • Gentiles: Anyone who
    Reveal Answer
    .

• Living Without God
  

  They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity. —Ephesians 4:19
  

  • Gentiles live for lustful pleasure and practice all kinds of impurity.
  • Greed, lustful pleasures, and substance abuse are examples of life enslaved to desires.

• Transformation Through Christ

  - Honest Question: What’s the one thing you have to have for life to be good?

  Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. —Ephesians 4:18

  • Absence of God leads to cravings and a lack of satisfaction.
  • Alienation from God is due to closing minds and hardening hearts against Him.
  • With God, our lives are satisfied and filled.

• Human Condition

  “The same sun that hardens

  Reveal Answer

  .” —attributed to Aristotle
  The idea of objective human beings who are just disinterested seekers in truth is crazy… the human heart is too insecure to ever be able to handle the truth. There is a natural hatred and fear of the truth. We revise our memories to fit the story of ourselves that we want to believe… ‘there’s no way I could ever have done that’ says our pride. And it’s not long before the past we remember is the past we WANT to be true. —Friedrich Nietzsche

  • People modify the truth to fit their preferences.
  • We often see God not as He is, but as we want Him to be.
  • When skeptics’ hearts soften, they begin to see evidence of God everywhere.

  - Humanities problem: we have an ignorant, dead heart that doesn’t really want God.

• Two Solutions
  

  Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
  —Ephesians 4:24

• Throw off the old sinful nature.
  

  Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.
  —Ephesians 4:21-22

Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.
—Ephesians 4:23

- Fundamental Differences in New Life in Christ vs. Religious moralism

• Five Axioms of Biblical Change

  1. Gospel centered biblical change happens by change of desire: Change of desire, not just action.
     
     • Moralism: External behaviors not an internal disposition.
       

  2. Gospel change begins with spiritual sight:: Pray for eyes to see God’s truth.

  3. Gospel change is a response to grace and not an attempt to earn God’s favor: Not earning God’s favor but responding to His grace.
     

     Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life —Ephesians 4:21

  4. Gospel change is more powerful than religious change:

     Be kind, compassionate, and forgiving, just as Christ forgave you. —Ephesians 4:32

  5. 5. Gospel change is all encompassing: It covers every area of our lives
     
     • Paul references poor communication, emotions, relationships, sexuality, materialism, time-management, humor, care for the poor, theft, families, employer-employee relationships, marriage, the occult world…. Not one square inch of us is unaffected. HE talks about them all.

• Application

  • What changes do I need to make in my life.

  • Seek a deeper knowledge of God and allow the Spirit to renew my heart.
  • Respond to God’s grace with gratitude and transformation.

Conclusion