Practical Christian Living - Study Notes

 

Practical Christian Living

Ephesians 4:17-32

 

Introduction:                             

David prayed in Psalm 51:10 - Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit in me.

 

David prayed tis because he was UNABLE to change his heart. He was unable to create a clean heart within himself. We don’t have the power to change our hearts, but we do have the power to change our minds. 

If I stop justifying the activity or the habits, If I change my mind, God ill change my heart.

God wont change my heart until I change my mind. 

 

1. Walking v. 17-19

V. 17 Vanity - Lit. Profitless (empty). Though we are surrounded by the world, do not walk like they walk. Blind, in ignorance. 

Why are people blind? Paul tells us on Romans 1:22 - people , instead of worshipping God, the profess to be wise in themselves. 

 

I got this! I can figure this out! Rest in Christ that He has it figured out! 

V. 19

After Dr. Donald Barnhouse, the classic preacher from a generation ago, shared a message about the repercussions of sin, a young man approached him and said, “I sin, but it doesn’t seem to matter at all. I’m not haunted by it. I don’t get depressed about it. It doesn’t bother me a bit.” ‘

Dr. Barnhouse looked at him and said, “Tell me, son, What would happen if I dropped an eight-hundred-pound weight on the body of a dead man? Would he feel it? Would he be in pain? Would it bother him?”

“Of course not,” said the young man.

“That’s the point,” said Dr. Barnhouse. “If you don’t feel the weight of sin, if it’s not heavy upon you, if it’s not having an impact on you, it’s because you’re spiritually dead.” 

Being alive in Christ causes us to….

Recognize the effects others have on us! - 

1 Corinthians 15:33

33  Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits."

 Recognize the effects others have on others! - 

Romans 16:17

17  Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.

Cause us to separate ourselves from close relationships! - 

2 Corinthians 6:14

14  Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

2. Transforming             v. 20-24

v.22 -As you learn Christ, you will find yourself changing your mind about everything. 

 

You will be…

Romans 12:2

2  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

 

Romans 13:14

14  But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

If you are an alcoholic, don’t sit close to the bar. That is making provision for the flesh

 

Galatians 5:16-21

16  I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

17  For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

18  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19  Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,

20  idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, 

selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,

21  envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

 

3. Communicating             v. 25-32

Eph 4:22-24

22  that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt 

according to the deceitful lusts,

23  and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,

24  and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, 

in true righteousness and holiness.

 

PUT OFF!

Lying (v. 25)

     Lying vs truth- Complete opposites! There is no grey area. Speak truth!

 

Matthew 12:33-37

33  "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; 

for a tree is known by its fruit.

34  Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? 

For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

35  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, 

and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.

36  But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, 

they will give account of it in the day of judgment.

37  For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

 

Anger - (v. 26-27)

Matthew 21:12-14

12  Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.

13  And He said to them, "It is written, 'MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER,' but you have made it a 'DEN OF THIEVES.'"

14  Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.

 

Jesus overturned the tables in the temple, not because his feelings were hurt but because the people were being hindered from freely worshipping the Lord. 

 

 

Corrupt Communication (v. 29)

 

Warming himself by the fire outside the house of Caiaphas, Peter denied ever knowing Jesus. 

But a servant girl knew otherwise because his accent gave him away (Mark 14:70).

 

You can always tell Which kingdom a person is from by his speech. 

 

The language of the kingdom of darkness and death is that of complaining and murmuring. fault-finding and cynicism, cursing and corrupt communication. 

 

A person living in the kingdom of light and life, on the other hand, Speaks graciously and kindly, using words of hope and thanksgiving.

 

Grieving the Spirit (v. 30-31)

 

My bitterness, my anger, my speaking evil of someone or losing my temper With someone grieves the Spirit. 

 

Why? It’s not that God says, ‘Anger and evil speaking cause My ears to burn,” or, “Bitterness and wrath are offensive to Me.” That’s not the idea. 

 

There’s not a curse word God hasn’t heard. There is nothing that shocks Him. God is not grieved by how our speech, anger, or malice affects Him, but by how it affects us. 

 

He’s grieved not because He can’t handle our sin, but because it hinders Him from doing His work in, through, and for us.