Living in Christ Part 1: Off With the Old and On With the New
Text: Eph. 4:17-24
Introduction
1. Illustration: A good set of clothes make all the difference. A Methodist church tried to get a man to attend, but he never did. "Why don’t you come?" the minister asked, and the man finally admitted it was because he didn’t have proper clothes. So a member of the congregation took him to a clothing store and got him a nice suit, shirt, tie, and shoes. But on the following Sunday, he still did not show up. So the minister visited him again and asked him why he didn’t come. "When I got dressed up in my new suit," the man explained, "I looked so good I decided to go to the Episcopal church."
2. According to Paul, we need to take off our old clothes and put on new ones. He tells us to:
a. Walk differently
b. Put off our old clothes
c. Put on our new clothes
3. Read Eph. 4:17-24
Proposition: If we are in Christ, we need to leave our old life behind us and embrace new life.
Transition: Paul tells us to...
I. Walk Differently (17-19)
A. Live No Longer, As the Gentiles Do
1. Paul begins this section with "With the Lord’s authority I say this..."
a. The NIV renders it "So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord..."
b. Literally, it is "I testify" or "I declare." In contexts like this it has the connotation "urge."
c. "In the Lord" adds authority to his appeal and virtually suggests his teaching comes from the Lord (Snodgrass, NIV Application Commentary, New Testament: Ephesians, 229).
d. Another reason why I love the NLT, because it simplifies the text and makes it clearer.
e. What he is really saying is "I insist upon it because the Lord insists upon it.
f. It is not merely my words, but they are God’s words.
2. What Paul is getting at is this "Live no longer as the Gentiles do..."
a. 1 Peter 2:9 (NLT)
But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
b. Why would you go back to the useless way of life that you had before Christ?
c. If He has called you out of the darkness and into His marvelous light, why would you choose to go back to the darkness?
d. Don’t go back to that; leave it behind you.
3. Then he lists reasons why they shouldn’t go back. First, he says "for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds..."
a. Paul’s primary concern is not with a list of specific sins, but with a distortion and disorientation of the mind ( Snodgrass, 229).
b. As my Dad used to say "they’re not wrapped too tight!"
c. This describes the unfortunate state of the unbelievers surrounding this core of believers in the church.
d. The unbelievers had closed minds that were full of darkness, while the believers had found the light of Christ and were given his wisdom. (Life Application New Testament Commentary).
e. Contrary to popular opinion, others do not close your mind for you. You choose to close it yourself. You do have a choice.
4. Then he adds to this "...and hardened their hearts against him."
a. We associate thought and memory with the brain today, but in the idiom of the Bible, thinking is a function of the heart (Ryken, L., Wilhoit, J., Longman, T., Duriez, C., Penney, D., & Reid, D. G. 2000, c1998. Dictionary of Biblical Imagery (electronic ed.), InterVarsity Press: Downers Grove, IL).
b. However, in most cases, when the Bible talks about the heart it is referring to the emotions and will.
c. The heart not only feels, but it also decides a course of action.
d. Again, they had a choice, but they chose the wrong one.
5. Paul adds a third reason, "They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity."
a. Choosing to go astray from God eventually takes its toll on a person. Just like smoking or over eating will eventually take its toll.
b. You see, guilt is a God installed warning system. It tells us that we did something that was not only wrong, but not good for us.
c. However, when we choose to ignore it, we eventually become numb to it.
d. 1 Timothy 4:2 (NIV)
Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.
e. They used to use a hot iron, years ago, to cauterize a wound to stop the bleeding, but it also numbed the pain.
f. If you continually sin, and ignore the warning signs, eventually you can’t feel it anymore.
g. Therefore, you no longer feel ashamed.
6. As a result, "They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity."
a. This is where we get the phrase "if it feels good, do it."
b. The consequences aren’t taken into consideration.
c. All that matters is how it feels at the time.
d. Just do it!
B. Be Separate
1. 2 Corinthians 6:17 (NLT)
Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.
2. Illustration: "We are not to be isolated but insulated," said Vance Havner, "moving in the midst of evil but untouched by it." Separation is contact with contamination. Jesus was "holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners" (Heb. 7:26), yet He was "a friend of tax collectors and sinners" (Luke 7:34).
3. We are not to have a monastery mindset.
a. A monastery mindset says that the word separate means to get away from, so we must get away from the world- completely away.
b. However, this doesn’t take into account that Jesus also said Go, therefore," and "you shall be my witnesses."
c. How to be a witness when no one can see you.
d. Consequently, this text must mean something else.
e. It must mean be among them, but don’t do what they do.
4. Instead, we are to have a missionary mindset.
a. Since we have the truth, and they need the truth, it is up to us to tell them.
b. Sometimes we have to tell them by showing them.
c. Francis of Assisi said, "preach the gospel everywhere you go, and if you must, use words.
5. We must be different.
a. Different in the way we look.
b. Different in the way we act.
c. Different in what we say.
d. Different in what we value. (God’s ways are higher than our ways.
Transition: For this reason, we must...
II. Put Off the Old (20-22)
A. Throw Off the Old Sinful Nature
1. In verse 20, Paul draws a sharp contrast between his audience and their unbelieving neighbors. He says "But that isn’t what you learned about Christ."
a. Paul is indicating to them that they are to be different.
b. The Ephesian believers had learned about Christ from Paul himself as well as from other teachers.
c. To know Christ is the greatest knowledge that anyone can have.
d. That knowledge is the truth; that knowledge opposes what the evil world teaches and applauds.
e. Therefore, what the Ephesians and the other believers were taught should make all the difference in their lifestyles (Life Application New Testament Commentary).
2. Paul goes on to say, "Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him..."
a. Coming to know Christ should be a liberating time in a person’s life.
b. They know better than to live the life he described in verses 17 – 19, for they know the truth that is in Jesus.
c. Galatians 5:1 (NLT)
So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.
d. If Christ has set you free, redeemed you, and given you a new life, why would you ever want to go back to your old way of life?
3. Instead, Paul tells us "throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception."
a. The old nature was rotten through and through, full of lust and deception.
b. Like a cancer, the evil nature spreads and destroys. The person was enslaved to sin, bound to the world, and without hope (Life Application New Testament Commentary).
c. The old self describes those areas of rebellion against God. We must forsake this former lifestyle.
d. To “throw off” that old nature will take conscious, daily decisions to remove anything that supports or feeds the old self’s desires.
B. Get Rid Of It
1. Illustration: When a baby has a dirty diaper, there is only one thing you can do with it - get rid of it!
2. Our old nature is like that dirty diaper - it stinks!
a. It will only bring us misery and discomfort.
b. It will only make those around us uncomfortable.
c. It will only make those connected to it uncomfortable.
3. Our old nature is like that dirty diaper - we must get rid of it.
a. If we hold on to it, it will make us sick.
b. If we hold on to it, it will begin to decay and rot.
c. If we hold on to it, it will lead us to the depths of despair.
4. There is only one thing that a dirty diaper is useful for – the trash!
a. Colossians 3:8 (NLT)
But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.
b. Now is the time to get rid of the old sinful nature.
c. Now is the time to discard everything connected to our old way of life.
d. Now is the time to put off the old, and put on the new.
Transition: Paul tells us to throw off the old, and...
III. Put On the New (23-24)
A. Put On Your New Nature
1. For every action, there needs to be an equal but opposite reaction. Therefore, Paul tells us "Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes."
a. If we are to get rid of our old nature, we must also embrace a new nature.
b. The old being is in a state of ever-deepening corruption, and the Christian life is an ever-increasing renewal of the mind (Snodgrass, 235).
c. Romans 12:2 (NLT)
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
d. What Paul is talking about is transformation.
e. But refusing to conform to this world’s values must go even deeper than the level of behavior and customs—it must go to the transforming of the way we think.
f. Believers are to experience a complete transformation from the inside out. And the change must begin in the mind, where all thoughts and actions begin.
2. As with anything else in life, transformation is a matter of the will.
a. We choose whether or not we want to be transformed by God.
b. We choose whether or not we are willing to submit ourselves to His Lordship.
c. We choose whether or not we control our thoughts and attitudes or we let God control them.
3. Therefore, Paul calls upon us to make a contious decision to be changed by the power of God. He tells us to "Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy."
a. The language for the new being recalls Genesis 1:26 – 27 and the idea of creation in God’s image.
b. The image marred in Eden is being recreated in Christ. This new creation is viewed as a work God has already accomplished (Snodgrass, 235).
c. Rom. 13:12 The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.
d. Paul is imploring us to put off our old life, with its corruption, deception, and pain, and embrace new life in Christ.
4. What he is telling us it to let God make new persons out of us.
a. This new person is created according to the likeness of God—righteous, holy, and true.
b. These qualities are “true,” meaning they cannot be faked. This is totally opposite of the old way of living characterized by sin and corruption.
c. Finally, the new person refers not to a split in one’s personality; instead, it pictures the new direction, attitude, and mind-set away from self and toward God and his will.
B. New Clothes
1. Illustration: There was an item printed in Newsweek magazine a few years ago. It was a letter from the Greenville County, South Carolina, Department of Social Services. The letter was written to a dead person. It said: "To whom it may concern: Your food stamps will be stopped effective immediately, because we have received notice that you passed away. You may reapply if there is a change in your circumstances."
2. In order to begin new life, we must be willing to die to the old one.
a. John 12:24 (NLT)
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives.
b. It means saying no to you and yes to God.
c. It means being willing to surrender your thoughts.
d. It means being willing to surrender your dreams.
e. It means being willing to surrender your fears.
3. In order to begin new life, we must be willing to allow the Holy Spirit to change us.
a. Change our attitudes
b. Change our ideas
c. Change our desires
d. Change our hearts.
4. In order to begin new life, we must be willing to give everything we have to God.
a. John 3:30 (NLT)
He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.
b. Give him your life
c. Give him your mind
d. Give him your heart
Conclusion
1. Are you living as Christ would have you live this morning?
2. Have you put off your old life, and put on the new one?
3. Are you looking forward, or are you looking behind?
