Sermon Cloud

A whole new life.  Isn’t that appealing?  Doesn’t a new life sound great?  You know, extreme makeover for a house?  Extreme makeover for a person?  New make up?  New do?  I don’t mean this in a bad sense.  I don’t want to downgrade our present blessings.  I want to be grateful.

We have a lot for which to be thankful.  And we are.  But we also want something better.  Isn’t that what America is all about?  As parents, we hope to make sure our children and grand children have a better life.  As good citizens, we try to preserve the future for others by ensuring their freedom, protection and prosperity.

So – every once in a while – we vote for the other political party.  We throw out the old bums and put in the new bums.

All to make things better.  To get better.  To be better.  On a personal level, that’s why we go on diets.  Or go the gym.  Or try to actually live on a budget.  Make changes now -- to make better things later.

Paul knew about this.  He knew all about it .  In today’s passage, he tells what it is all about.  And why we should do it.

Ephesians 4:17-32.  So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. You, however, did not come to know Christ that way.  Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 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; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteous-ness and holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

There’s something interesting that Paul is telling us.  He’s telling us that this process of being changed isn’t easy.  But it isn’t so much about trying and striving.  It’s about making choices.  Good choices. 
 
So, this week, my sermon contains something different.  A change of clothes.
Now before you faint, don’t worry.  I’m not going to change clothes in front of the whole congregation.  But I AM going to show you a different wardrobe.  Because I want you all to understand -- and remember -- that living a powerful Christian life is all about choices.  Bad clothes we put off.  Good clothes we put on.

How’s this for a stunning ensemble?  Eclectic, expressive, contemporary yet with a reassuring hint of tradition?  Actually, one shirt is a mess and the other is quite nice.  The junk one is from my daughter Keri.  The good one is from Diane.  (Describe)

The first item we need put off is the old life.  Based on the futility of bad thinking.  Let’s take  that off.  What are people like who live in sinful darkness? 

Paul tells us.  Verse 17.
Because their minds are empty, their thinking is futile. The Greek word means "in a state of being without use or value, empty, futile, without purpose."  Sounds like a lot of politicians.  Lots of words little thought.  Since their thinking is futile, they are…
Darkened in their understanding.  Darkened in their understanding because they give no thought to Jesus. They are convinced that Christianity is wrong. They know that.  They just know it.  They assume it.  So they reject it.  We all know people like this.  And the result – in their lives -- is darkness.  That makes them…
Separated from God's life. Choosing rejection shuts them off. God's life all around, all through creation. But they miss it.  They miss it all.  Ultimate reality and truth are right before them, and their minds too blind to see it.  Therefore, they are truly…
Ignorant. They just don't know God. Or anything about him.  They suffer from "ignorance, unawareness, lack of discernment." But it's not as if they've never heard.  They’ve heard.  They know about Jesus.  They’ve been told.  But theirs is willful ignorance.  They don’t want to know.  By the way, isn’t it interesting that the world often tells Christians that we’re the ones who are ignorant?  We’re the ones who don’t understand.  We’re the ones who willfully disregard what’s going on?  Wow.  Paul tells us that reality is just the opposite.  Unbelievers are the ones who are ignorant.  That’s because they…
Hardened their hearts.  Here, the Greek means "state or condition of complete lack of understanding, dullness, obstinacy." Some people complain about God hardening Pharaoh's heart. Pharaoh did that pretty well his own, according to Scripture.  But then God gave him over fully to a hardened heart.  God hardened it even more.  Personally, I think this is what is going to happen during the tribulation – when the restraining power of the Holy Spirit has been removed.  The hardening decisions that people have made will be confirmed by God, then allowed to harden still further.  And all these leads to a predictable end, says Paul. People are…
Given to sexual immorality. Here the Greek means "sensuality.” A "lack of self-constraint that violates all social bounds." Sexual depravity, "with a continual lust for more." This has become acceptable. Think about the practice of “hooking up” on college campuses.  A guy and a girl just hook up sexually for the weekend.  Just to mess around.  Not get to know each other.  Not care.  Just do it.  And be done with it.  And be done with each other.  Imagine the scars that are left behind.
Paul is saying that sexual immorality is more of a symptom than a disease.  It reflects a greater darkness in our lives.
Paul wants us to see the contrast between darkness and light, between hellishness and holiness.  So he says, make a choice.  Put off the darkness.  Put on the light.
Verses 20-24.  "You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 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; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."
Bad behavior has nothing to do with Christ.  Paul wants the Ephesians – and us – to put off the old, corrupt self, and to put on the new, holy and righteous self.
Paul compares it to taking off dirty clothing and putting on clean ones. We see this elsewhere in his writings.  It isn’t just a matter of changing things externally.  
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17)

"Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation." (Galatians 6:15)
We don't become Christians by reforming our ways. God works a basic change inside by his Holy Spirit. Jesus called it being "born again" (John 3:1-8).  Not reformation.  Transformation.
When I'm dirty, I take a shower. It’s nice.  It feels good.  I get clean.  But why would I choose to put on my dirty underwear and pants? When I'm clean, I want to put on clean clothes. That’s what Paul is saying.  Verse 25. You've been "created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness,” so "put on the new self."
So put off the old self.  Put on the new self.
We are to "put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteous and holiness" (vs. 24). You mean we are created to be like God? Yes. That's the new nature, the new self.
So let’s take a look at the rack where we find all sorts of clothes.  Hum.  Some old dirty ones. And some new ones. 
"Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.
He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need." (4:25-28)
Oh look, here’s something nice to wear.
Speaking Truthfully (4:25)
The first change is in our speaking. If God is truth, then we must put off our clever white lie.  And, instead, speak truthfully.  Not to be cruel in our truth-telling. Instead, "speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him" (4:15). If God is the ultimate truth, and we are "created to be like God" (4:24), then we too must speak like our Father. The reason for speaking truth within the Christian community is plain: "for we are all members of one body" (4:25).
I laughed my head off at the comedy movie “Liar, Liar.”  The main character was a lawyer who was forced to tell the truth for a whole day.  It was hilarious.  But the more I thought about it, the whole concept bothered me.  The movie itself was a lie.  As funny as it was – and it WAS funny – telling the truth was infinitely better.  There are all kinds of ways to say all kinds of things.  We should always be truthful.  But do it in a loving, tender way.
Here’s another nice item of clothing.  Controlling Anger (4:26-27)
"'In your anger do not sin': Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." (Ephesians 4:26-27)
I love it when the New Testament quotes the Old Testament.  It’s another way that God confirmed to me that people have never changed…and neither has God.  Paul is quoting Psalm 4:4, "In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent."
Anger itself is not sin. Anger can be a natural reaction to injustice.  We’re not supposed to be silent when we see it.  But we must be careful.  When we are angry, we must know why.  So Paul shows us some bad clothes off the rack.  Don’t wear these, he says.
1. Selfishness. Be careful.  Ours might not be righteous anger.  It might be all about us. 
2. Lack of control. Without self-control, anger can be abusive, violent, and sinful. "In your anger do not sin," says Paul (4:26).
3. Bitterness. Anger can turn into bitterness. "Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry." A lot of our stress and results from buried anger.  Buried anger, turned inward, becomes depression.
4. Foothold for Satan. Anger can "give the devil a foothold" (4:27). Once we say those things, we can't recall them.
Personally, my problem is that I’m often not aware when I’m angry.  Now I try to check myself.  Or I ask Diane.  Am I getting angry.  She knows.  It’s usually written all over my face.  This is so important.  Anger itself isn't sin.  But if it’s not controlled, it soon results in sin.
Remember, all these new clothes are supposed to make us like God.  And God is "slow to anger" (Exodus 34:6). We need to stop making excuses for our temper tantrums and become like our Father.
Ugh.  Here’s a dirty, crummy piece of clothing.  Theft (4:28)
"He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need." (Ephesians 4:28)
For the Christian, stealing, too, must go. Many people take things if they can get away with it. Shoplifting is rampant. People steal pencils and supplies from their offices, copies from the copy machine, time from their workday.
Our culture smirks at dishonesty. Getting away with it is a mark of cleverness.
But God's Holy Spirit doesn't let us get away with it.. First, Jesus reminds us to treat others as we, ourselves, would like to be treated. Stealing isn't wrong just because it defrauds someone else. It is wrong because it avoids "work, doing something useful with his own hands" (4:28b). Work is not a necessary evil, it is good. God worked for six days and rested on the seventh. Jesus supported his family as a carpenter until being about his Father's work. We may look down on people who take advantage of the welfare system.  But if we steal, we are no better.
Think about this.  Stealing is the opposite of giving. A person who is a "taker" is seldom a "giver." Our God is the ultimate Giver.
The former thief is admonished to do honest work "that he may have something to share with those in need" (4:28c).
Oh, oh. Look here.  Here’s a whole section of lousy clothes.  Verse 29.  Talking.  All manner of bad talking. 
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (4:29-32)
It is interesting to note how much of the "new self" has to do with changing the way we talk. James talks a lot about the evil done by the tongue. "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight reign on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless" (James 1:26).
Ephesians 4:29 contains a lot of truth in a few words. "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths.” The Greek word translated here as "unwholesome is "spoiled, rotten." It literally describes spoiled fish, decayed trees, rotten fruits. “Yuck.
So.  What to do?  In verse 29, Paul gives three guidelines:
1. Is it helpful for building others up? Does it edify? Does it enlighten? Does it encourage?
2. Is it according to the hearer's needs? Or only our need to vent our frustrations? Does he really need this? Does she really need this? Some things need to be said, however hard. But many of the things we say could just as well be left unsaid.
3. Is it beneficial to the hearer? If love is our mainstay, then benefiting others is our way of life.
Our speech can destroy or heal, it can rip apart or it can build up. Our words are at the very heart of our Christianity.
Paul identifies in particular, "all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." Slander is "speech that denigrates, defames, disrespects or slanders." 
Are you given to unwholesome comments.  Not here in church, of course.  Or maybe.  Sexual innuendo.  They’re not funny.  They are symptoms of an unconverted heart.  And out of the heart, the mouth speaks.
Verse 30 is the result of bad words. Grieving the Holy Spirit of God.  "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."
Our words can "grieve the Holy Spirit of God." The Greek here is hard to think about.  It means "to cause severe mental or emotional distress, vex, irritate, offend, insult."
We are indwelt by the Spirit, but our words can insult the Spirit; we can offend Him by our words. We see this phrase to "grieve the Holy Spirit" in Isaiah:
We may have trained ourselves not to offend minorities with insensitive statements. We try to be politically correct.  But do we try to be spiritually correct?
When we seek to blend in with unbelievers, we may be offending and grieving our very best Friend.
Our words can cause deep pain to the One who loves us the most -- God himself.
Here’s a nice section of clothing.  Verse 32.  "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (4:32)
Instead of thinking and acting like the world revolves around you, Paul commands kindness and compassion towards each other. Don't return evil for evil, but instead good. That’s real cure for bitterness and anger -- forgiveness.
Sometimes we withhold forgiveness because we don't think that the person deserves forgiveness. While we are probably right, it shows that we don't understand forgiveness. Forgiveness, like grace, isn’t earned or deserved. It is granted freely, unilaterally, by the giver, with no thought to the worth of the one receiving it.
Wow.  What a great wardrobe God has given us.  We get to throw away all our dirty old clothes.  And we get an extreme makeover, a completely new look.  Being truthful.  Controlling anger.  Doing good work.  Speaking good words.  Making the Holy Spirit feel welcome in our lives.
The key to putting on the new self, is following Jesus, emulating him, making him our new Role Model. Unbelievers perhaps once had seemed attractive.  But no more.
We are part of Christ's body, part of the church, a new creation, a new self. We've taken a nice hot shower. We’re clean now, washed in the blood…so to speak. 
Our sins were scarlet, but now they are as white as snow.  Isn’t that wonderful, Paul says.
Yes, we all say.  Now let's make sure we put on those clean clothes.
Now.  It won’t be easy.  I heard a story about a thief.  He came from a family of thieves.  It was all he knew.  And he was good at it, a real pro.  But all crooks get caught, and he did.  Time and again.  Finally, he ended up in a long stretch in prison.  While there, he came to Christ.  He realized that the only person he was really stealing from was himself.  He changed his life.  He was transformed.  And he got out early for good behavior.
But freedom, which should have been a blessing, seemed like a curse.  What would he do?  How would he survive?  All he knew what to do was steal.  He was a thief.  From a whole family of thieves.  As he got hungrier and more desperate, he became hopeless.
He decided to walk into an old church.  There was a prayer service going on.  But he sat in the back, just listening.  There was love in the place.  There was a sense of forgiveness that you could almost feel.  He felt comfort for the first time in days.  But then he looked in the pew race in front of him.  There was an old Gospel Tract.
And right on the front page was the 8th commandment.  “Thou shalt not steal.”  The words burned into his heart.  They convicted him far worse than any court.  He felt shame, deep in his soul.  But then – during that prayer service – listening to the prayers – listening to the hymns being softly sung – those four words were transformed.
Instead of being a commandment, they became a promise.  God’s promise to him.
It was as though God leaned out of heaven and said, “I love you.  I cherish you.  I will strengthen you.  I will provide all you need.  And because I will empower you with love, hope and faith – Thou shalt not steal.”
My friends, the Old Testament gives us Ten Commandments that we can never obey.  The New Testament gives us those same Ten Commandments – so we will never fail.
I am the Lord God Almighty.  I am the Living God.  You are My Child.  You shall have no other God’s before me.  You shall not misuse my name.  You shall not commit adultery.  You shall not kill unjustly.  You shall not steal.
I will see to it.  I promise.  Let’s pray.