MESSAGE TEXT
Ephesians 4:17-24
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INTRODUCTION
In Ephesians 4:17-24, Paul has clothing on his mind. He says the old life without Jesus is like a set of filthy clothes with habits and behaviors that reek of an old way of doing things with its empty living. But our new the new life we have in Christ is a set of clean clothes that have the aroma of Jesus on them: new ways of thinking, positive attitudes, and wholesome behaviors that lift and build up. Clothing is a great image to use, because clothing is something we can change. It’s not as if you’re stuck with your current clothes forever. Change is always possible.
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PROPOSITION
Paul is telling Christians not to live the way they used to (like people who don’t know God). Instead, they should live a new kind of life because they belong to Jesus. Apostle Paul believed that we should reflect the dramatic transformation that has taken place since Jesus came into our lives and gave us a new status, a new identity. Ephesians 4:17-24 tells you how to decisively change your lifestyle to match your new status. We have to put off the old clothes-the habits, the ways of thinking, the longing for mere sensual satisfaction-and put on Christ-the love, the grace, the purity, the truth, the full commitment to the Father's will. Paul proposes: “Here’s what’s wrong with us.” “Here’s where we need to go.” “And here’s the power to get there.”. The Bible calls this being “made new” in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
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OUTLINE
The passage breaks down this way:
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What We Were (17-19)
Who. Not Do
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What We’re Growing Out of (20-22)
Train. Not Try
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What We’re Growing Into (23-24)
Power. Not Willpower
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CONCLUSION
The amazing love of Christ penetrates even the hardness of men's hearts. The Ephesians learned Christ. And you can too. But there has to be a decisive act of stepping out of the old change of clothes into a new identity. Do you have an old set of clothes you need to leave behind? Christ has given you something to wear. Why don’t you change into them today?