Ephesians 4:17-24
Introduction:
1. The worship practices we discussed recently are crucial to Christian living.
2. In addition to glorifying God, it spurs us on to faithful living (Hebrews 10:24-25).
3. It seems fitting to conclude this series with a look at the transformation that makes the church a people uniquely belonging to the Lord.
Discussion:
I. The Need for Re-creation
A. Paul now shifts to the moral/ethical life of the mature Christian.
B. Humanity’s greatest danger is living in sin (Genesis 2:17; Isaiah 59:1-2; Ezekiel 18:4, 20; Romans 6:23; Luke 13:1-5; 19:10; John 8:31-35).
C. Paul urged the Ephesians to abandon Gentile ways (Ephesians 4:17-19).
D. The root of the sin problem is a matter of the heart and mind, and the solution is a renewed or re-created heart and mind.
II. God’s Means for Re-creation
A. Learning Christ reshapes the mind (Ephesians 4:20-21)
1. Jesus is the embodiment of truth (John 14:6; 18:37; Colossians 2:3)
2. The imperative of hearing, believing, and embracing the truth is front and center (John 6:44-45; Romans 10:17).
B. Major changes from pre-conversion state (Ephesians 4:22-24).
1. Not just a new way, a new person (vs. 22; Romans 6:6; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
2. Renewed in mind (vs. 23; Colossians 3:9-10; Romans 12:2)
3. Created after God’s image (2 Corinthians 3:18)
III. Putting Off and Putting On
A. From Ephesians 4:25-6:9 Paul detailed a host of practical examples of this re-creation in everyday living.
B. Christians must eliminate the world’s ways and embrace God’s ways (Matthew 12:43-45; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17; Titus 2:11-14; James 4:4; 1 Peter 1:13-16; 4:1-4).
C. This demands we mature in our knowledge of His will and ways as we cannot do what we do not know to do (Ephesians 5:15-17; cf. Romans 12:1-2).
Conclusion:
1. Ephesians 4 began with a call to walk worthy of the calling of Christ (vv. 1-6).
2. Verses 2-16 informs the reader of God’s provisions for our success.
3. Verses 17-24 shows that those provisions are to re-create us according to His image, which we were created to bear (Genesis 1:26ff).
4. How well are we bearing His image in our daily lives?