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 2nd journey began in
50AD, four years later; during this time he wrote 1st and 2nd
Thessalonians, and Galatians, with his second journey ending in 54AD.
Paul’s 3rd journey began in
55AD and lasted until 58AD where he found himself imprisoned in Judea from 58-60AD.
During his 3rd journey Paul wrote 1st and 2nd
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, 1st 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
17 So 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. 18 They 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. 19 Having 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.
20 That, however, is not
the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about
Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You
were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful
desires;23 to be
made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to
put on the new self, created to be like God in true
righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore 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, 27 and do not give the
devil a foothold. 28 Anyone 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.
29 Do 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. 30 And do
not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid
of all bitterness, rage and
anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be 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
o
Patient
o
Bearing with
one another in love (I Cor. 13)
o
Making EVERY
effort to keep unity of Spirit through the bond of peace
·
Stop living like a spoiled
immature infant, a big baby
o
Self-centered
o
Crying a lot,
especially if you don’t think your needs are being met
o
Messy, not
cleaning up messes you create
o
Impatient, wanting
what you want, and wanting it 5 minutes ago
o
Not cooperating
o
Unable to
apologize
o
Resisting
sharing
o
Explosive,
going off at just about anything and everything
§
If you are
always having problems with others…you may actually be the problem
o
Having great
expectations for others, but none for yourself
It is time for you, who are called to live a life
worthy of Him who has called you.
It is time to grow up in the Lord.
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