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.
