June 12, 2011
Evening Service

Paul continued revealing God’s “New You” plan this morning. 

 

In Ephesians 4:22 we are instructed to “put off the old man” and become the “new man” that God has created us to be (one with purpose).

 

Putting off the old sins of: lying, anger, stealing, foul language, bitterness, wrath and all malice so we do not “grieve” the Holy Spirit.

 

We were commanded to put on:  kindness, mercy and forgiveness loving our neighbor as we love ourselves.

 

We do this all in love for our Savior, not as a duty or chore.  It is a daily battle for each of us as long as we are her in this fleshly body.

 

Eph 5:1-2 Therefore be followers of God, as dear children.  (2)  And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given Himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor.

• A good name for a Christian would be a “God Follower” or “God Imitator”.  We should follow or imitate or Heavenly Father just like as small children follow/imitate our earthly parents.
• What should we imitate?   Walking in love as Christ did offering Himself as a sacrifice for us.
• OT the sacrifice of meat was burnt on the altar and God was said to feast on the aroma.  If the smell was sweet, it was said to be especially pleasing (or acceptable) to Him.
• Our sacrifice is the offering our life for His service and it should be equally pleasing.
• 2Co 2:14-17 Now thanks be to God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ, and He revealing through us the odor of the knowledge of Him in every place.  (15)  For we are to God a sweet savor of Christ, in those being saved, and in those being lost;  (16)  to the one we are the savor of death to death, and to the other we are the savor of life to life. And who is sufficient for these things?  (17)  For we are not as many, hawking the Word of God; but as of sincerity, but as of God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.
• Does our life have the sweet aroma of Christ or the stench of death?

 

Paul again steps in close to us and looks at some areas of our lives we may be faltering in.

 

Eph 5:3 For let fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness not be once named among you, as becomes saints,

• The very idea of sexual purity was another “new” concept here taught to the Ephesians.
• Pagan temples were often filled with prostitutes who’s earnings helped support it.
• The society they lived in now strangely resembles ours, in that sexual sin was looked at so lightly that it was not considered sin at all.
• We as saints (believers) should have nothing to do with such sin.  Our lives should sexually pure and holy. How do we know what is right.

·         Rom 14:23  But, the one doubting, if he eats, he has been condemned, because it is not of faith; and all that is not of faith is sin.

·         If your conscience (guided by the Holy Spirit) doesn’t tell you it is of faith, don’t do it.

·         1Th 5:22 Abstain from every appearance of evil.

 

 

 

 

 

Eph 5:4 neither filthiness, foolish talking, jesting, which are not becoming, but rather giving of thanks.

·         Paul again warns of the power of our words.

·         Do not let :

o   Filthiness-obscenities, off color or dirty jokes, or indecent speech are not to be part of our vocabulary.

·         Foolish talk-empty conversation that is senseless, stupid, or foolish 

·         Jesting-jokes with unsavory or hidden meanings, flirting with the subjects of sin.

·         Rather our words should reflect our heart of thanksgiving for the things God has provided us with.

 

Eph 5:5-7 For you know this, that no fornicator, or unclean person, or covetous one (who is an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.  (6)  Let no man deceive you with vain words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the children of disobedience.  (7)  Therefore do not be partakers with them.

·         No inheritance means they are not saved.  They that continually practice these sins (life styles) will not go to heaven.

·         Do not be deceived, salvation is free, yes, but without the movement towards change in becoming that “new man” we forfeit that gift offered us  by not accepting it fully.

·         God is not Santa Claus.  He is a just God and renders the judgment we deserve.  His wrath is real.

·         Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

·         Gal 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, that he also will reap.

·         DO NOT be partakers.

 

Eph 5:8-10  For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light  (9)  (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth),  (10)  proving what is acceptable to the Lord.

·         Our new lives are ones lived in the light of God’s Word, not in darkness.

·         The fruit we should be producing is good fruit.

·         Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, (23) meekness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

·         Rom 12:2  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God.

 

Eph 5:11-12  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.  (12)  For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.

·         We are to have no part with the evil workings of this world, but rather expose them for what they really are..sin.

·         We MUST do this in love, not with a judgmental attitude for we are not The Judge.

·         Eph 4:15  But that you, speaking the truth in love, may in all things grow up to Him who is the Head, even Christ;

 

What does it mean to be a follower of Christ?  It means a constant battle to “put off” the old man of flesh we were born into and “put on” the righteousness of Christ.

 

Phi 3:13-14  My brothers, I do not count myself to have taken possession, but one thing I do, forgetting the things behind and reaching forward to the things before,  (14)  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.