Putting Off The Old Life Series

Putting Off the Old Life

Ephesians 4:17-24

Rev. Brian Bill

March 9-10, 2024

This past Sunday night, a 17-year-old follower of Christ named Jennifer Jeffries impressed the American Idol judges with her original song called “Change My Ways.” The lyrics speak of her being so independent that she had not been reading her Bible, which led to her “feeding the flesh” and “living in sin.”

I love that this was watched by millions of people.

I’ve got a Bible on my desk

With no highlights or creases

Pages still crisp

I had this idea

Miss Independent

That’s who I am

Just watch me excel

Well, I am falling fast

Too fast to catch myself

Miss Independent

Didn’t age too well

Well, I have been feeding the flesh

I have been living in sin

My mouth’s been running wild

And I’ve been acting like a wild child

I like how she linked her unopened Bible to her ungodly behavior. Here’s what I’m hoping we learn today: Believers are to behave differently than unbelievers.

This is the main message of Ephesians 4:17-24: “Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Since we are a community of unity, we’re to deploy our gifts while making sure our walk matches our talk. We learned last weekend that no one can do everything, but everyone can do something. I’m so grateful to be part of a church community filled with servants who are serving their families, their neighbors, and their co-workers. Many of you are partnering alongside our Go Team partners, preparing for mission trips, and involved in various ministries at Edgewood. God prompts us to serve in different ways in different seasons of life. It’s so moving to see so many of you go through your day asking the Lord how you can respond to the needs He brings your way. A good friend reminded me how Titus 3:1 urges us “to be ready for every good work.”

Here’s our outline for today.

• Be distinctive (17-19).

• Be devoted (20-21).

• Be decisive (22-24).

1. Be distinctive (17-19). Ephesians 4:17 tells us there is to be a distinct difference between Christians and non-Christians: “Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the Gentiles do…” The word “now” can be translated as “therefore.” To “testify in the Lord” means Paul is summoning the Lord Himself to give testimony as a witness. This is not just something Paul is suggesting; it’s a command from Christ Himself.

We could say it like this: A new life in Christ demands a new lifestyle. In sociology, a lifestyle is the way a person or a group lives, which includes social relations, consumption, entertainment, and dress. A lifestyle also typically reflects an individual’s attitudes, values, or worldview. One dictionary defines it this way: “The habits, attitudes, moral standards…that constitute the mode of living of an individual or group.” Here’s one more: “The distinctive pattern and manner of living that an individual or group uses…that typically reflects their attitudes, beliefs, and values.”

The lifestyle of one who follows Christ must be distinctively Christian. Sadly, according to George Barna, “when measured for moral behaviors, born-again believers are not much different from non-born-again adults.” Other polls indicate there is no appreciable difference between the way professing Christians live and how the rest of the culture lives.

This carries a sense of importance and urgency because we are to no longer “walk as the Gentiles do…” A similar charge is stated positively in Ephesians 4:1: “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.” This is fleshed out some more in 1 Thessalonians 2:12: “We exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.” Brothers and sisters, never forget that Christians are called to be countercultural and not walk according to the ways of the world.