The Miracle Of Metamorphosis Series

Message

Ephesians 4:22-24

The Miracle of Metamorphosis

Through the month of December we have been looking at a series of messages under the working title of “Advent Miracles”.

In this series we have been considering the impact of the birth of Jesus on our identity as the people of God. Indeed we have consistently seen that the arrival of God-in-the-flesh consistently has a transformative effect on who we are as believers in Jesus.

Today we will consider the last message in the series with a look at

Ephesians 4:22-24

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.

What is being described here is the miracle of metamorphosis.

It is the ultimate transformative action in our lives.

Let’s start by reading the passage in its context – then we will consider a number of truths that come out of this Scripture.

The context is Ephesians 4:17-5:2

When reading that context you can see how Ephesians 4:22-24 is pivotal.

Paul opens in 4:17 talking about the Gentile life.

Gentiles are have no Bible spiritual heritage.

The Jews at least have the Old Testament part of the Bible.

The Gentiles just have their religion.

A belief in many “gods” … even the living “god” Caesar.

A system where “gods” need to be appeased, or they will not help you.

A spiritual world where the “gods” are just as immoral and corrupt as humans.

It results in a free-for-all.

Gentiles are futile in their thinking. They are darkened and ignorant because of their hard hearts. 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.

Earlier in Ephesians 2:1-3 Paul describes the former life this way. (read)

dead in your transgressions and sin

The Gentile life is like a corpse at the bottom of a 10km deep sea trench. It has been there for ten years and sharks have eaten the heart. Dead in sin … fixed … at an end.

following the ruler of the kingdom of the air

That is another way of saying, “following Satan”. Satan is making footsteps in sin … like footsteps on the beach. Gentiles are just concentrating on putting their foot into footprint ahead – with no concern to look where they are going.

gratifying the cravings of your sinful nature

The response of Gentiles to sin is like that of a 12 year old boy at their first visit to a smorgasbord restaurant. You get there and eat … and eat … and eat. You’re at the point of loosening your belt … but you eat. You know you are going to have a real sore stomach … but you eat. Why? Because you have paid for the right to eat as much food as you can. And we want to get value for money. That is the Gentile … craving sin.

Paul is painting the picture. That is what Gentiles are like.

All the Ephesians Christians as they listen to this description nod their head in agreement.

Yes … those terrible Gentile!

Then Paul makes it personal.

This was your former way of life

You were one of them! You were a Gentile!

You have come from that pool of society.

Not just the Ephesians. You today … you here at NEC … that is the pool you came from as well. Which we do forget sometimes don’t we.

A significant number of us here today grew up in Christian homes.

My parents, grand parents, great grand parents were all Christians. On both sides of my family

… my Dad’s side

… and my Mum’s side.

Some of my ancestors in the early 1900’s were street preachers.

You all know me.

Surely I’m not that bad?

… …

We like to try and fool ourselves don’t we. Thinking we are not like THEM.

But Paul wants us to make sure we really understand our identity.

The Ephesians might be thinking … “but Paul my old life was a long time ago.”

We can certain say … “Paul we are a long way from the first century. Australia is a Christian country.”

Well that gets an LOL from God.

Paul joins the laugh. And he uses some very specific language to make his point.

We need some Greek … and some Grammar!

The NIV translates the word I have in mind as “is being corrupted.” (Eph 4:22)

In the Greek it looks like this f?e???µe???.

The grammar, or the form, of this work is Present Passive Participle