Summary: Life after conversion should be different than life before conversion. We learn to live (to walk) differently by allowing the Holy Spirit to change us from the inside-out. Paul suggests five different areas in which our walk as a Christian should distin

LEARNING TO WALK

Text: Ephesians 2:1 – 10

Introduction:

· Life after conversion should be different than life before conversion.

· We learn to live (to walk) differently by allowing the Holy Spirit to change us from the inside-out.

· Paul suggests five different areas in which our walk as a Christian should distinguish us from the world.

· Before we explore these five areas, it might be helpful to examine the change in our walk that takes place when we become a Christian.

Body:

A. Our “Old” Walk

1. Dead in trespasses and sins (v. 1)

· Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:17 – 19)

· Romans 3:10, 23; 5:12; 6:23a

· I saw a video of a fish that was eaten by piranha…it kept on swimming...didn’t know it was dead.

· 1st step = admit that you are a sinner

2. Dragged along by sinful influences (vv. 2, 3)

· Leaf dragged along by current in creek

· Satan and his demons will say:

o It’s ok to take items from work

o Nothing wrong with cheating on taxes

o No one will know

o Everyone is doing it

o There are many paths to Heaven

o No moral absolutes

o A loving God wouldn’t send you to Hell

o Flip Wilson: “The devil made me do it”

· Worldly system says:

o Love those who love you

o Do unto others before they do unto you

o Eye for an eye; tooth for a tooth

o Greed

· Flesh saya:

o If it feels good, do it

o Sex is our God

o Pornography and homosexuality

o Infidelity in marriage

3. Doomed to everlasting punishment in Hell (v. 3)

· Revelation 20:12 – 15; 21:8

· Torment, separation, darkness, hopelessness

· Already headed there (John 3:18)

But God… (John 3:16)

B. Our “New” Walk

1. Alive in Christ (v. 5)

· Deacon at 18th Street: “Life began at 40” because that is when he got saved

· John 3:3

· Romans 5:8; 6:11 – 13, 23b

2. Accepted into a family for support (v. 6)

· Don’t understand Christians that won’t go to church (Hebrews 10:24, 25)

· There for weddings, funerals, problems

3. Able to live forever in Heaven (v. 7)

Conclusion:

· Have someone in the congregation walk away from the pulpit and say, "lost, lost, lost, saved!" (they turn around)

· To begin your new walk as a Christian, you need to turn around and walk the other way.

o True repentance always results in a change in direction (way of thinking)

o Ephesians 2:8, 9

· Once you’re headed in the right direction, don’t turn back.

o Don’t sit; walk!

o Life should be marked by good works. (Ephesians 2:10)

o May stumble and fall, but don’t give up. (Galatians 6:9, 10)

o Rest if you have to, but don’t quit.