Text: Eph. 4:17-5:2
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.
Facebook: The old self is dead and you are renewed!
Last week I talked about some of our Hall of Fame players on Detroit sports teams that remained humble in the midst of their success and how our Lord molds us to reflect his love in our world. But if we look at those same teams today there is much to be done to bring former glory and success of those teams back to life.
Rebuilding is a word that has been used quite a bit in the last few years in Detroit and with our sports teams. The Red Wings, Pistons, Tigers and Lions all seem to all be rebuilding. New players, faces, coaches, stadiums and the like seem to abound.
The Pistons just drafted Cade Cunningham #1 and my son and many others are very happy and think this young man might be the one piece to put the Pistons in contention on the basketball map.
Rebuilding brings a new sense of purpose and joy, whether in sports, your home or your life.
Paul writes to the church in Ephesus:
22 … put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life … 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Asking the question, 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, - this Jesus?
Last week the emphasis of the message was on humility, gentleness and patience. Peace, Love and Understanding.
One Body,
One Spirit,
One Lord,
One Faith,
One Baptism,
One God and Father of all
And now Paul askes, 21 assuming that you have heard about [Jesus]?
For we who have been here for years it would be like Pastor Merrell or another long-time pastor in your life asking – do you know Jesus? Have you heard about him?
Because, you certainly don’t live like you know him.
At least that is what it sounds like he is saying to me.
And then adding a rebuke for the Gentiles living as they do.
And I paraphrase the text:
17 … don’t live like the heathen, whose thoughts are worthless 18 … whose minds are in the dark. They have no part in the life that God gives, for they are completely ignorant and stubborn. GNT
This rebuke from Paul, their beloved pastor, says they’ve missed the mark. They’ve fallen short.
Goodness, how heartbreaking. How stubborn! How close it hits to home.
To hear this from Pastor Merrell or Moritz in my case or Pastor Evenson the longtime pastor from St. Stephens would be hard to hear.
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;
Saying in a sense that sin is having its way with you. It is corrupting you and you need to look not to who you were, but to who you have become in Christ!
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.
To not live the sinful way on the sinful road but to live in the light of the forgiveness you have received in righteousness and holiness.
To be righteous – to be covered with Christ
To be Holy – to be set apart, reflecting Jesus and acting in a manner worthy of your calling.
Many years ago, I had a friend and coworker who was experiencing money problems. It can happen to us all and it can come without warning.
He had a newer truck and a high lease payment. It was burying him in debt.
Just as he got close to the end of his two-year lease, I told him what my dad had taught me - that you need to live within your means, save your money, buy what you can afford, which may not the new car or truck you want but probably a used one.
He said, “My dad never taught me that.”
So, I said, “Well, call me daddy! Because I’m telling you now.”
To put on the new self means there needs to be a change.
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
Unfortunately, in this case his lease expired, he had no savings to draw from and the sinful sale slogan rang loudly in his ears as he said to me – Sign and Drive, baby!
You don’t need and money, no down payment, just pick out your car, sign the paperwork and drive it home. He did.
A few months later it was again the same familiar thing, a monthly payment and a car – though nice – that had lost its new car appeal as the monthly payments came due.
27 and do not give the devil a foothold.
Don’t do it. Whatever it is. Don’t let the devil entice you so that you give in to his desires or yours.
My friend needed money and he needed a car. He was angry at his situation and he gave in the sin of the here and now – sign and drive, baby!
We all do at times.
In Paul’s day and in the Ephesian church some weren’t even working for what they needed thinking stealing was okay for them.
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.
The reality is that they had lost focus on Christ.
They had taken their eyes off Jesus.
Do we? Sure, we do.
Daily, weekly, and at times it becomes the norm.
Don’t say bad things,
Build other’s up,
Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit - his work is heard enough.
Look at what he is working with. Me and you.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
The early church under Paul had its problems, didn’t they? And we do too.
But here is the meat and potatoes or the cookies on the bottom shelf so the kiddies can get them take away for today.
32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
We can forgive because we have been forgiven!
The old self is dead and you are renewed!
5 1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
You are a new creation and so it is not you but Christ in you that brings this fruit to life.
Work as if everything depends on you and live as if everything depends on Christ! Because it does!
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit!
Amen
So, I said, “Well, call me daddy! Because I’m telling you now.”
To put on the new self means there needs to be a change.
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
Unfortunately, in this case his lease expired, he had no savings to draw from and the sinful sale slogan rang loudly in his ears as he said to me – Sign and Drive, baby!
You don’t need and money, no down payment, just pick out your car, sign the paperwork and drive it home. He did.
A few months later it was again the same familiar thing, a monthly payment and a car – though nice – that had lost its new car appeal as the monthly payments came due.
27 and do not give the devil a foothold.
Don’t do it. Whatever it is. Don’t let the devil entice you so that you give in to his desires or yours.
My friend needed money and he needed a car. He was angry at his situation and he gave in the sin of the here and now – sign and drive, baby!
We all do at times.
In Paul’s day and in the Ephesian church some weren’t even working for what they needed thinking stealing was okay for them.
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.
The reality is that they had lost focus on Christ.
They had taken their eyes off Jesus.
Do we? Sure, we do.
Daily, weekly, and at times it becomes the norm.
Don’t say bad things,
Build other’s up,
Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit - his work is heard enough.
Look at what he is working with. Me and you.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
The early church under Paul had its problems, didn’t they? And we do too.
But here is the meat and potatoes or the cookies on the bottom shelf so the kiddies can get them take away for today.
32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
We can forgive because we have been forgiven!
The old self is dead and you are renewed!
5 1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
You are a new creation and so it is not you but Christ in you that brings this fruit to life.
Work as if everything depends on you and live as if everything depends on Christ! Because it does!
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit!
Amen
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