(Sermon delivered: Wesley Methodist Kampar on 09Aug09, Ipoh Garden Baptist 27Sep09)
Introduction
One of the most demanding tasks for parents when bringing up children is to teach them to understand reason - the "why" behind all the things they should or shouldn't do. Very often this appears possible only after the child has begun learning how to talk, usually when they're about two years old. This ability to reason continues to develop in them, perhaps even throughout their adult lives, to enable the individual to make decisions and choices in life.The ability to reason is also necessary for Christians to understand and put into practice the teachings of our Lord and of his apostles. In today's passage, the instructions in verses 25 - 32, calling Christians in Ephesus to put an end to their old way of life, and to replace them with a new one, is based on some assertions and elaborate reasoning explained by the apostle Paul in the preceding verses of 17 - 24.
Firstly, Paul asserted that:
The thoughts of the Gentiles (heathen) are futile
Their understanding is darkened (v.17)
Their hearts are hardened (v.18)
They are separated from the Life of God (v.18)
And they live without restraint (v.19)
In contrast, Paul reasoned with the Ephesian Christians:
You did not learn about Christ in that way (the way of the Gentiles, as asserted above)
You have heard, and you were taught, with certainty, the truth in Christ:
to put off - the old self which is corrupted by deceitful desires
to renew - your attitude / hearts and minds (TEV) v.23
to put on - the new self after God's likeness, which is righteous and holy in His sight.
Thus, on the basis that "you did not learn Christ that way", every Christian is called to abandon his old person and to adopt a new God-like one. This is a call to everyone who believes in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, that we should imitate God.
This morning's passage presents to us a three-fold call to imitate God - a call to abandon the old self (v 25 - 31), along with a call to adopt a new self (v. 24 - 32) and finally a call to assume a vigilant life (v.27 and 30)
I The call to abandon the old self.
"put off" v.22 (NIV)Verses 25 to 31 tells us to put off the things of the past:
No more lying, v.25
No more sinning in anger, v.26: this includes, in v.31, no more bitterness, pasion, anger, shouting, insults, and hateful feelings of any sort.
No more stealing (NIV) or robbery (TEV) v.28
Ans similarly, there is a call to cease using harmful words (TEV) v. 29 or unwholesome talk (NIV).
II. The call to adopt a new self.
"put on" v.24In contrast to the call to abandon our old person, and intertwined within the same passage, from verses 24 to 32, is a call for us to put on a new person, to be "renewed in the spirit of your minds" as verse 23 says:
Start telling the truth v.25 - "everyone" (TEV), "each of you"(NIV)
- to fellow believers
- because we are members of the body of Christ.
Start working v.28 - "doing something useful with own hands" (NIV), "earn an honest living" (TEV)
- to help the poor (TEV)
- to share with those in need (NIV)
Start using helpful words, v.29 - words that build up, that "do good to those who hear" (TEV) or "benefit" (NIV)
Start being kind and tender-hearted, v.32 - "compassionate" (NIV), and forgiving one another
- as God has forgiven us, in Christ.
And finally, in the midst of these two calls, there is:
III. The call to assume a vigilant life.
We are called to be vigilant in our actionsv.27 Do not give the Devil a chance (TEV) or a foothold (NIV)
- this verse may be understood in the context of v.25 - quoting Psalm 4: 4 - "do not sin in your anger"
In your anger, do not sin. When you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Psalm 4: 4
v.30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit (NIV) or make God's Spirit sad (TEV)
The Holy Spirit of God is a seal or mark in us to "certify" his ownership over us. It is also a "guarantee" of our redemption on the day of the coming of the Lord.
