Rags to Robes
Ephesians Series
CCCAG May 7th, 2022
Scripture- Ephesians 4:17-32
Intro:
One of my favorite movies is called “The Last Samurai” with Tom Cruise and Ken Wasanami. It’s a story of a civil war soldier named Nathan Algren who is hired by the emperor of Japan to train his armies in modern warfare. At that point, the Japanese empire had largely been defended by a warrior class known as samurai- experts in medieval warfare with swords, bows, and cavalry. The Samurai were beginning to rebel against their government moving into the modern world, and were becoming a problem that the emperor, and his chief counselor, wanted dealt with.
When Captain Algren arrives in Japan, he begins to train a largely conscript army in how to use single shot firearms and the rigid formations that were used during that time. Unfortunately, the emperor insisted on deploying his army before it was well trained, and during his first battle with the Samurai, the army is soundly defeated and Captain Algren is taken prisoner by the leader of the Samurai, a man named Kosomoto. Over the next several months, Captain Algren learns a system of honor and conduct called Bushido- which the samurai cling to without question, and those found violating this code are expected to end their own lives.
At their first meeting when Captain Algren angerly accuses Kosomoto of murder for beheading a kneeling member of his army. Kosomoto explained that was to be expected of a Japanese solider- that he aided him in ending his life because he had been defeated in battle and could not live with that shame.
Kosomoto said, “Many of our ways be strange to you, as many of your ways are strange to us”
It got me thinking that most of us here were brought up with an American mindset. The American mindset is one of rugged individualism that say, as Frank Sinatra put it- “I’ll do it my way.”
That kind of explains the state of our country now. There really is no moral code that we are all expected to follow such as there was in feudal Japan.
I’ve heard it said that America has about 330 Million people who are 330 million special interest groups- we all want what we want, even if it’s at the expense of others.
We have seen this idea this week, haven’t we? The leak of a confidential memo at the Supreme Court about repealing the landmark abortion case called “Roe V Wade” has caused people to lose their minds thinking abortion rights are about to be rescinded.
Let me make one thing perfectly clear- in God’s eyes, abortion is evil, it is murder, and God will eventually judge our country for allowing it to happen here.
Now, if anyone here or on the podcast has very gotten an abortion, or participated in one being the man involved in getting the woman pregnant, there is forgiveness for you at the cross of Christ, just like any other sin.
To break it down- The only thing repealing Roe V Wade does is send the issue back to the states, or forces the US congress to draft laws allowing it.
In other word, abortion could be illegal here in Wisconsin, but completely legal in Michigan or Minnesota.
That’s all that is happening with that. Pray that this country makes wiser choices in the coming months and years.
All this argument about this one subject proves the point about us all being our own special interest group.
The bible has a different view.
I don’t know if you know this about Christianity- it was not called Christianity at first. It was called “The Way”.
Speaking about the fallen world system, In verse 20 of Ephesians 4, it says,
“That, however, is not the way of life you learned”
Focus on that phrase way of life. What does that mean for us?
It means that Christianity is not just a core set of beliefs- it comes with some core set of actions that prove our beliefs.
That’s what the Apostle Paul is telling the church of Ephesus 2000 years ago, and sending that truth forward to us this morning.
You can’t call yourself a Christian if you fail to try to live up to the teachings of Christ.
We are going to go step by step through Ephesians 4:17-32 this morning,
We are going to start with the condition of those who do not know or refuse to acknowledge Jesus and LORD and God.
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.
Prayer
Paul had a slightly different way of looking at humanity than we might today. It was very binary and not particularly tolerant of other people’s viewpoints or culture.
In his mind, there were believers, and there were unbelievers.
There were no degrees in between. You were either in, or you were out.
A lot of people in our world right now want to live half in, and half out.
Or 1/7th in, and 6/7 out- Sunday morning, we will be Christians, but don’t tell me how I should act Sunday afternoon into the next Sunday morning.
That’s why so many churches (airquotes), pastors, and people who identify themselves as Christian can be seen marching in parades supporting abortion.
As Paul described them, their thinking is futile- meaning it has no future, it is wrong, and you can’t stand on it as truth because it’s a castle made of sand, and the tide is coming in.
He even gives us the reason when he says that their minds have been darkened due to the hardening of their hearts.
He even goes so far as to say that is why so many of them have lost all spiritual sensitively.
They have disconnected from the source of all truth and swallowed the lies of the enemy.
You can’t even determine what is right, and what is wrong apart from God’s influence through the Holy Spirit in your life.
Listen to me here- truth is reality as seen through the eyes of God (repeat).
Therefore, God can be the Homeplate umpire in our lives and call balls and strikes when it comes to our behavior, or beliefs, our desires, and our opinions.
He can do that because he is creator, we are created.
As God has said in Romans-
Romans 9:20–21 (NIV): 20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?
Listen my friends- it’s God’s world. He created it, and everything in it, including you.
He has a right to judge your behavior, your beliefs, your desires, and your opinions.
If you don’t like that, feel free to make your own universe and set the rules as you see fit.
Until that time, trust your Father in heaven that He wants what is best for you.
That’s where Paul is heading as we continue to read in Ephesians 4
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.
Here we get into the meat of the message.
The picture you see on the screen, or as the thumbnail to the message if you are listening online, shows a picture of Jesus robing us with a robe of righteousness.
This matches what Paul says in Romans 13
Romans 13:14 (NIV): 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
A lot of reason America has turned away from God is that we have made the wearing of Jesus a part time event.
I mentioned it a few moments ago- Sunday only Christian’s, and then only so long enough to look good in church before hanging up their spiritual robe or tossing it in the trunk of their car.
And then those same people will complain that God is not blessing them.
God is a good Father, and HE will not give you something that will bring you harm.
Jesus made the statement that if you ask for a piece of bread, God will not give you a stone, and if you ask for a fish, he will not give you a serpent.
The point Jesus was making is that often we pray for the wrong things- it might sound good to us, but in the end be something that causes us, or someone else, great harm.
That’s why when we clothe ourselves with Jesus, HE Is right here. Again- look to the picture on the screen.
If we clothe ourselves in HIM- His guidance, His wisdom, His power, and His presence is always available. We know how to pray, we know how to speak, we know how to act because He is totally enveloping us in HIMself so that we won’t go the wrong way.
There is a scene in the bible in Zechariah 3 where the high priest of that time, a guy named Joshua, is standing before God wearing filthy robes as Satan accuses him of sin, and the Angel of the LORD (Jesus) is standing next to him.
A voice from the throne of God says this
Zech 3: 2 The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?” 3 Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. 4 The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.” 5 Then I said, “Put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the Lord stood by.
Focus on two things here-
God saying “Isn’t this man like a burning stick, snatched from the fire”
The Angel of the LORD saying, “Put Clean robes on him”
God was saying- “That man’s salvation is standing right next him devil. I rebuke you for calling him anything other than my child!”
Jesus (Angel of the LORD) is saying, clothe him in my robes, and he will never be dirty again.
That’s the greatest rags to robes story you will ever hear. And it’s not just a story, but the reality of all those who follow Jesus, who call HIM LORD, God, Savior, and King. Your filthy rags of sin, of living for yourself, and trying to please God on your terms will fall away, and you will wear the robe of righteousness that is the person of Jesus the Christ.
And if we are wearing Jesus Christ, then the last part of the message should be obvious-
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”: 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.
A couple of quick points as we prepare to close this morning-
1. Do not give the devil a foothold
Never, ever underestimate the power of what you may consider just a little sin. Sin is a cancer, a metastatic cancer. If left unchecked, it spread throughout the person until it kills his host.
In the movie “Saving Private Ryan” the beginning shows the Allies invasion of France by storming the beaches under blistering machine gun fire and artillery shells, fighting to gain a foothold in France so the rest of the invasion force can land.
The devil should be facing that whenever he comes knocking on the door of your heart. The attack from heaven should be so profound that he won’t dare come and ring your doorbell anymore.
However, if he already has a foothold from some sin you enjoy to much to give up- he already has the keys, and permission to wreak havoc in your life.
Consider the areas he might have a foothold in your life today.
2. Swearing and sinful joking
This is a hard one for many. A lot of people over the years have told me that outside of taking God’s name in vain, there isn’t anything in the bible that prohibits cursing.
Well, you are wrong. You can’t be wearing Christ, and sound like the devil- that’s just common sense. But the bible has a lot to say about speaking carelessly, using curses, and letting our anger get the better of ourselves.
It’s been said that you are the only bible many people will read. I will ask- What would people find written in your pages?
If you don’t rid yourself of those, then the next group comes into play-
3. bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
Listen, I don’t care what evil has been done to you. I’m not minimizing it, and I’m not saying to just get over it. I grieve with you that evil was done to you at some point.
However, consider Jesus-
He never sinned, but was punished as if he did.
His very creation that he loves turned on him.
And he suffered the greatest injustice ever to be done to any person.
Yet there was no bitterness, rage, or anger in HIM. Instead, HIS love for you held him to that cross.
Don’t let anger rule in your heart. That’s one of the chief footholds of the enemy. It will lead to swearing, violence, selfishness, and casting off of Jesus as LORD and picking up the devils rags to wear again.
Finally
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
That cloak you spiritually wear is the Holy Spirit’s power. He shares in everything you do or think.
The Holy Spirit is not like “The Force” in Star Wars- He is a person, He feels emotion, and He is grieved when you drag him into the mires of sin with you.
AS Christians, and Pentecostal Christians, we should treasure the presence of God through the Holy Spirt, and guard that with every ounce of our being.
Let Jesus be the only thing people see in you, and do that by casting off the robes of your old life, and putting on the robes of the new life.
Let’s all rise
Many some here need that fresh touch from God.
Altar Call
