HOFC Sermon Archive: Paul's Epistles - Ephesians - Part 9: Live as Followers of Christ

Sunday, October 9, 2016

Paul's Epistles - Ephesians - Part 9: Live as Followers of Christ

Paul's Epistles - Ephesians - Part 9:

Live as Followers of Christ

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org

SERMON INTRODUCTION

In Paul’s 35 years of ministry, since his conversion in Damascus, we have recorded in the Holy Bible many of his epistles, or letters.

Paul’s first journey took place from 33AD (the year of his conversion), through 46AD, leaving Damascus in 38AD.

Paul’s 2^nd journey began in 50AD, four years later; during this time he wrote 1^st and 2^nd Thessalonians, and Galatians, with his second journey ending in 54AD.

Paul’s 3^rd journey began in 55AD and lasted until 58AD where he found himself imprisoned in Judea from 58-60AD. During his 3^rd journey Paul wrote 1^st and 2^nd Corinthians, and Romans. We have no record of writings from Paul during his prison time between 58-60AD in Judea.

After his release from Judea, Paul traveled on his voyage to Rome from 60-61AD, writing Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon, and finding himself in a Roman prison in 63AD.

Released soon after his incarceration, Paul then writes the epistles Hebrews, 1^st Timothy, Titus and his final letter before his death 2 Timothy, which was written from a Roman prison he was placed in during 66-68AD.

Though the bible does not tell us when or how Paul died, it is believed by scholars that he was beheaded in 68AD in May or June.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE Ephesians 4:17-32

¹⁷So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. ¹⁸They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. ¹⁹Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

²⁰That, however, is not the way of life you learned ²¹when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²²You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;²³to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

²⁵Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ²⁶“In your anger do not sin”^[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷and do not give the devil a foothold. ²⁸Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

²⁹Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³²Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Paul explains how the Body of Believer’s are to live.

The message of this epistle to the church is “The Church, The Body of Christ”.

I. I INSIST ON THIS IN THE LORD

a. You no longer live as the Gentiles do

i. In the futility of their thinking

b. They are darkened (their understanding darkened)

i. And separated from the life of God

ii. Because ignorance that is in them is DUE to the hardening of their hearts

c. Having lost ALL sensitivity

i. They have given themselves over to sensuality

ii. So as to indulge in every kind of impurity

iii. And they are full of greed

II. THAT IS NOT THE WAY OF LIFE YOU LEARNED

a. When you heard about Christ

i. And were taught by Him in accordance with the Truth that is in Jesus

b. You were taught with regard to your former way of life

i. To put-off your OLD SELF (old palayos– not recent)

c. Which is the Old Man

i. Corrupted by deceitful desires

ii. And be made (LIT – and that you put on) the NEW man created to be like God

iii. True righteousness and holiness

III. THEREFORE, EACH OF YOU MUST

a. Put away (cast off literally speaking) lying

i. Speak truth with your neighbor

ii. For we are ONE BODY

b. In your anger, do not sin

i. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry

ii. Do not give the devil a foothold

c. Anyone who has been stealing, must steal no longer

i. But MUST work

ii. Doing something with their own hands

iii. That way they may have something to share with those in need

d. Do not let unwholesome (corrupt) talk come out of your mouths

i. Corrupt – morally bad

ii. Speaking lies, gossip, backstabbing, speaking ill of others you think wronged you

iii. But ONLY speak what is helpful for building others up

iv. According to their needs (not yours)

v. That it may benefit those who listen

CONCLUSION – do not grieve the holy spirit of god

Who has sealed you (with the Holy Spirit) for the Day of Redemption, Meaning, the seal for the Day of Redemption may be broken. How? By grieving the Holy Spirit.

How do you grieve the Holy Spirit?

Paul has been telling us for the last couple sermons, by being Spiritually Immature, or living in a way that is contrary to the life of a person who is truly a follower of Christ.

Paul says, get rid of (to keep from grieving the Holy Spirit);

· Bitterness

· Rage

· Anger

· Brawling

· Slander

· All forms of malice (depravity & wickedness)

Be kind and compassionate to one another.

And do not be Spiritually immature;

· Live a life worthy of the calling you have received

o Completely humble

o Gentile