WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.700 So I tell you this and insist on it in the Lord, 00:00:02.859 --> 00:00:06.780 that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do in the futility of their thinking. 00:00:07.320 --> 00:00:10.960 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God 00:00:10.960 --> 00:00:14.480 because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 00:00:15.099 --> 00:00:19.179 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality 00:00:19.179 --> 00:00:23.500 so as to indulge in every kind of impurity with a continual lust for more. 00:00:24.179 --> 00:00:26.640 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 00:00:26.640 --> 00:00:31.620 Surely you have heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 00:00:32.240 --> 00:00:36.079 You were taught with regard to your former way of life to put off your old self, 00:00:36.280 --> 00:00:38.780 which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires, 00:00:39.200 --> 00:00:41.439 to be made new in the attitude of your minds, 00:00:41.760 --> 00:00:46.159 and to put on the new self created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 00:00:46.960 --> 00:00:50.859 Therefore, each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbour, 00:00:51.299 --> 00:00:53.079 for we are all members of one body. 00:00:53.659 --> 00:00:55.040 In your anger, do not sin. 00:00:55.039 --> 00:00:58.000 Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 00:00:58.240 --> 00:00:59.879 and do not give the devil a foothold. 00:01:01.519 --> 00:01:03.700 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, 00:01:03.979 --> 00:01:06.799 but must work doing something useful with his own hands 00:01:06.799 --> 00:01:09.200 that he may have something to share with those in need. 00:01:09.620 --> 00:01:12.659 Do not let any unwholesome talk come from your mouths, 00:01:12.920 --> 00:01:16.620 but only let what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, 00:01:16.799 --> 00:01:18.739 that it may benefit those who listen. 00:01:19.259 --> 00:01:21.439 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, 00:01:21.539 --> 00:01:24.280 with whom you are sealed for the day of redemption. 00:01:24.280 --> 00:01:27.320 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, 00:01:27.680 --> 00:01:30.420 brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 00:01:30.900 --> 00:01:32.680 Be kind and compassionate to one another, 00:01:32.980 --> 00:01:35.659 forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 00:01:36.400 --> 00:01:39.120 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children, 00:01:39.320 --> 00:01:43.379 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved and gave himself up for us, 00:01:43.439 --> 00:01:45.840 as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 00:01:45.840 --> 00:01:53.200 Be among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality 00:01:53.200 --> 00:01:55.460 or of any kind of impurity or of greed, 00:01:55.780 --> 00:01:58.640 because these are improper for God's holy people. 00:01:59.180 --> 00:02:02.800 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, 00:02:03.020 --> 00:02:05.260 which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 00:02:05.260 --> 00:02:16.800 It would be great if you could have that passage in front of you, ready to go, 00:02:17.300 --> 00:02:21.580 as we continue to look through the book of Ephesians. 00:02:22.099 --> 00:02:25.719 I don't know about you, but after a couple of hits in the short space of time, 00:02:25.759 --> 00:02:28.259 you might be feeling a little bit fuzzy in the brain, 00:02:28.340 --> 00:02:30.360 so I'm going to ask God to sharpen us, 00:02:30.780 --> 00:02:32.939 so that we can hear him speak this morning. 00:02:32.939 --> 00:02:33.500 So let's pray. 00:02:35.400 --> 00:02:38.000 Father God, we want to thank and praise you for your word. 00:02:38.699 --> 00:02:41.439 We thank you that you're a God who has revealed himself 00:02:41.439 --> 00:02:43.000 and who wants us to know him. 00:02:43.719 --> 00:02:48.699 We thank you that you are a God who shows us things in our lives that need to change, 00:02:48.879 --> 00:02:53.139 that you're a God who gives us the answers. 00:02:53.300 --> 00:02:55.060 Lord, you don't leave us to guess. 00:02:55.800 --> 00:03:01.340 And we ask this morning that you would take away tiredness or distraction or anything else 00:03:01.340 --> 00:03:03.360 and enable us to hear you speak, 00:03:03.659 --> 00:03:06.099 the result being that we might be more like your son 00:03:06.099 --> 00:03:08.439 and that our lives might give you more glory. 00:03:08.939 --> 00:03:09.300 Amen. 00:03:11.199 --> 00:03:15.480 I remember when I was growing up, I used to be a bit of a church event junkie. 00:03:15.780 --> 00:03:18.280 So I used to go to a lot of different church events. 00:03:18.379 --> 00:03:20.379 I used to do two youth groups when I was in high school. 00:03:20.480 --> 00:03:23.379 On Friday night, I'd go to my local Anglican church, 00:03:23.439 --> 00:03:25.780 and on Saturday night, I'd go to my local Pentecostal church 00:03:25.780 --> 00:03:27.300 because I couldn't get enough of youth group. 00:03:27.300 --> 00:03:31.939 And I remember something that struck me as I hung around youth groups and events 00:03:31.939 --> 00:03:35.939 was these incredible testimonies that evangelists had. 00:03:36.660 --> 00:03:40.140 It seemed like a prerequisite to being a guest preacher 00:03:40.140 --> 00:03:42.700 was a serious drug habit somewhere in life. 00:03:43.280 --> 00:03:44.900 And I remember I used to sit there and think, 00:03:45.000 --> 00:03:46.660 this is not long after I'd become a Christian. 00:03:47.160 --> 00:03:49.900 I knew that I wanted to spend my life telling people about Jesus, 00:03:49.980 --> 00:03:52.100 and I was thinking, where am I going to squeeze this drug habit in? 00:03:52.140 --> 00:03:52.560 I'm busy. 00:03:53.140 --> 00:03:54.140 I've got time. 00:03:54.139 --> 00:03:57.279 And I'd be looking at my life and thinking, my life's so boring. 00:03:57.439 --> 00:03:59.479 It's reasonably good. 00:03:59.539 --> 00:04:02.279 And I had some stuff that I thought was pretty serious. 00:04:02.399 --> 00:04:05.719 But when I heard these testimonies, my life just sounded like I was already a Christian. 00:04:05.819 --> 00:04:07.119 I'd just forgotten to go to church. 00:04:07.619 --> 00:04:14.299 But the problem was that I'd completely misunderstood what my life was like in God's eyes. 00:04:14.359 --> 00:04:19.419 I'd completely misunderstood what God saw when He looked at my life. 00:04:19.420 --> 00:04:23.840 And for the Ephesians, Paul comes to this point in chapter 4, 00:04:23.900 --> 00:04:26.140 and there's been a shift in this second half of the book. 00:04:26.699 --> 00:04:31.020 He started to really drive on the practical application of what he's been talking about. 00:04:31.080 --> 00:04:34.819 He's been talking about the significant work that God has been doing. 00:04:34.939 --> 00:04:37.780 In chapter 1, we learn about the gospel of Jesus, 00:04:37.939 --> 00:04:41.259 by which we were chosen and predestined and adopted and forgiven. 00:04:41.900 --> 00:04:45.819 And in chapter 2, he reminds them that in Christ they were brought from death to life. 00:04:45.939 --> 00:04:47.819 There's a significant work that has gone on. 00:04:47.819 --> 00:04:50.860 And then he begins chapter 4 by saying, 00:04:50.980 --> 00:04:57.040 As a prisoner for the Lord then, I urge you to live a life worthy of that calling. 00:04:57.279 --> 00:05:02.379 This second half is all about what that life in the gospel is supposed to look like. 00:05:02.939 --> 00:05:06.519 But here, in this second part of chapter 4, 00:05:07.079 --> 00:05:12.659 it's like Paul needs the Ephesians to look again at what their life is like without Jesus. 00:05:13.600 --> 00:05:17.659 It's like the Ephesians maybe, like I used to, have looked at their life and thought, 00:05:17.660 --> 00:05:20.900 we were kind of not amazing before, but we weren't bad either. 00:05:21.400 --> 00:05:26.920 A few subtle changes and we'll be pretty sorted for this new life that God has called us to. 00:05:27.360 --> 00:05:31.640 But in case they've missed the phrase dead in chapter 2, 00:05:32.520 --> 00:05:34.100 Paul goes hard again here. 00:05:34.180 --> 00:05:36.320 Have a look at verses 17 to 19. 00:05:36.500 --> 00:05:37.500 I mean, this isn't subtle. 00:05:37.500 --> 00:05:44.220 This is an absolute denunciation, an absolute slamming of the way of life without Jesus. 00:05:44.439 --> 00:05:44.740 He says, 00:05:44.800 --> 00:05:49.980 I tell you this and insist on it in the Lord that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do. 00:05:50.540 --> 00:05:54.300 And for the Jews, Gentiles is the same as what we would think of as pagans. 00:05:54.399 --> 00:05:56.259 For the people who don't know Jesus, he says, 00:05:56.339 --> 00:06:00.180 I insist you must no longer live like they do in the futility of their thinking. 00:06:00.180 --> 00:06:05.040 See, their way of life is based on a hopeless thinking. 00:06:05.980 --> 00:06:11.360 They can't actually use their mind to understand their existence and their earth 00:06:11.360 --> 00:06:13.300 and what the right path for their life is. 00:06:13.379 --> 00:06:18.560 There is a futility and a hopelessness even in their ability to choose right and wrong. 00:06:18.660 --> 00:06:20.519 It says they're dark in their understanding. 00:06:20.680 --> 00:06:22.379 They're separated from life. 00:06:23.980 --> 00:06:24.899 You've got to hear it again. 00:06:24.899 --> 00:06:26.679 Without Jesus, you were dead. 00:06:27.500 --> 00:06:29.279 Dead in your transgressions and sins. 00:06:29.479 --> 00:06:30.319 Separated from God. 00:06:30.439 --> 00:06:31.859 Cut off from the source of life. 00:06:32.379 --> 00:06:33.099 And ignorant. 00:06:33.879 --> 00:06:34.699 Hard-hearted. 00:06:34.919 --> 00:06:36.359 Lost all sensitivity. 00:06:37.079 --> 00:06:39.159 It's like sin has become second nature. 00:06:40.259 --> 00:06:41.139 Sin is the normal. 00:06:41.299 --> 00:06:44.639 It's like this happens for us as an ongoing challenge. 00:06:45.319 --> 00:06:48.599 I remember finding myself as a younger man 00:06:48.599 --> 00:06:54.639 perfectly okay with the increasing nudity and profanity 00:06:54.639 --> 00:06:55.819 that I would find on television. 00:06:56.500 --> 00:06:59.079 I remember as a 10, 11, a 12-year-old, 00:06:59.139 --> 00:07:02.019 I'd get really embarrassed if there was nudity on television 00:07:02.019 --> 00:07:04.439 and I'd run out of the room or my parents would cover my eyes 00:07:04.439 --> 00:07:05.079 or something like that. 00:07:05.159 --> 00:07:08.419 But progressively, I got desensitized 00:07:08.419 --> 00:07:09.860 to the point where it was normal. 00:07:09.939 --> 00:07:10.639 That's what's on TV. 00:07:10.800 --> 00:07:11.620 So I'd just watch it. 00:07:13.120 --> 00:07:16.279 And Paul is saying that's what life is like before Jesus. 00:07:16.899 --> 00:07:18.579 There's no sense of this is wrong. 00:07:18.719 --> 00:07:19.659 It's natural. 00:07:19.660 --> 00:07:25.580 Your life is completely on a path of disobedience to God. 00:07:25.840 --> 00:07:27.860 Your life is consumed by it. 00:07:29.520 --> 00:07:31.820 It's like you're gathering up impurity. 00:07:32.560 --> 00:07:34.040 It says there in verse 19, 00:07:34.040 --> 00:07:46.200 Without God as the standard for our lives, 00:07:46.960 --> 00:07:49.620 the only standard here is sensuality. 00:07:50.720 --> 00:07:52.860 It's the things that I feel right now. 00:07:53.320 --> 00:07:53.860 It's me. 00:07:54.780 --> 00:07:56.480 I'm the center of the universe. 00:07:57.220 --> 00:08:00.300 Paul says that is the existence of every non-believer. 00:08:00.300 --> 00:08:03.840 Now, at first, we feel this kind of awkwardness. 00:08:03.879 --> 00:08:05.000 Isn't that a bit harsh? 00:08:05.860 --> 00:08:07.540 I know some nice non-Christians. 00:08:07.680 --> 00:08:09.699 I know some non-Christians that seem to do good things. 00:08:09.800 --> 00:08:11.400 But the point here is that sin, 00:08:12.680 --> 00:08:15.379 that the life without God is life without God. 00:08:15.460 --> 00:08:16.379 That's what sin is. 00:08:17.360 --> 00:08:20.420 Sin is life lived outside of God's rule. 00:08:20.519 --> 00:08:21.139 And it's there. 00:08:21.740 --> 00:08:24.220 Without Jesus, they're cut off from life. 00:08:24.699 --> 00:08:26.420 They're separated from God. 00:08:26.980 --> 00:08:28.379 So people who don't know Jesus, 00:08:28.379 --> 00:08:30.319 this is the reality of their life. 00:08:30.420 --> 00:08:32.879 They are driven by their sensual desires. 00:08:33.019 --> 00:08:34.220 They're cut off from life. 00:08:34.559 --> 00:08:36.720 And they are just building up impurity. 00:08:37.539 --> 00:08:40.000 And they are on a path of futility. 00:08:42.120 --> 00:08:44.299 But Paul says in verse 17, 00:08:44.700 --> 00:08:48.080 This is not okay anymore if you're following Jesus. 00:08:48.559 --> 00:08:50.299 This is what it used to be. 00:08:50.840 --> 00:08:52.000 This was your life. 00:08:52.100 --> 00:08:54.860 This is your evangelist story, if you like. 00:08:54.860 --> 00:08:58.340 This is the path that you can't continue on anymore. 00:08:59.700 --> 00:09:02.539 You can't just live the same life with church attendance. 00:09:03.240 --> 00:09:07.620 The gospel, Jesus, as has been explained all through chapters 1 to 3, 00:09:08.080 --> 00:09:09.840 brings a new life. 00:09:10.759 --> 00:09:12.300 It brings a transformation. 00:09:12.720 --> 00:09:14.440 It brings something different. 00:09:14.560 --> 00:09:15.419 Look at verse 20. 00:09:15.419 --> 00:09:17.860 You, however, this is the contrast, 00:09:18.019 --> 00:09:20.139 did not come to know Christ that way. 00:09:20.839 --> 00:09:23.299 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him 00:09:23.299 --> 00:09:26.059 in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 00:09:26.299 --> 00:09:28.939 You were taught with regard to your former way of life 00:09:28.939 --> 00:09:30.919 to put off your old self, 00:09:31.139 --> 00:09:33.860 which has been corrupted by its deceitful desires. 00:09:34.379 --> 00:09:36.240 Paul says you now know Jesus. 00:09:37.259 --> 00:09:38.779 You now know what is true. 00:09:38.879 --> 00:09:41.279 There's no hopelessness in your thinking anymore. 00:09:41.279 --> 00:09:45.139 You can't claim ignorance as an excuse for the sin in your life. 00:09:45.539 --> 00:09:47.220 You have been shown the truth. 00:09:47.959 --> 00:09:50.439 The mystery has been revealed in chapter 3. 00:09:50.839 --> 00:09:53.939 And so for us, we're not ignorantly wallowing in the mud 00:09:53.939 --> 00:09:55.319 because we don't know any better. 00:09:56.220 --> 00:09:58.899 To continue in our old lifestyle 00:09:58.899 --> 00:10:02.759 is to willingly reject the gospel. 00:10:03.799 --> 00:10:08.159 It's to willingly deny the headship and lordship of Jesus 00:10:08.159 --> 00:10:09.459 that was won on the cross. 00:10:09.460 --> 00:10:14.139 To continue in your life the same way as it was before Jesus 00:10:14.139 --> 00:10:17.840 is to reject the blood of Jesus which was shed for you 00:10:17.840 --> 00:10:19.820 so you might be forgiven. 00:10:22.660 --> 00:10:27.560 A life worthy of the gospel must be different. 00:10:29.700 --> 00:10:32.220 A life worthy of what Jesus has done 00:10:32.220 --> 00:10:34.860 can't even be just a changed life. 00:10:35.580 --> 00:10:37.180 It's got to be a new life. 00:10:37.379 --> 00:10:38.860 Death is where we were before. 00:10:38.860 --> 00:10:40.240 Cut off from God. 00:10:40.379 --> 00:10:42.360 Cut off from life is our starting point. 00:10:43.159 --> 00:10:45.860 And so the life in Christ is so radically transformed 00:10:46.419 --> 00:10:47.360 that it is new. 00:10:48.080 --> 00:10:48.860 It is unrecognizable. 00:10:49.680 --> 00:10:50.240 It is different. 00:10:50.419 --> 00:10:52.820 And so Paul calls the Ephesians in this passage 00:10:52.820 --> 00:10:55.100 and God is calling us today 00:10:55.100 --> 00:10:58.220 to put off the old life. 00:10:59.220 --> 00:11:01.019 To leave the habits. 00:11:01.759 --> 00:11:03.379 To leave the sinful patterns. 00:11:03.379 --> 00:11:06.120 And to put off the old life. 00:11:06.120 --> 00:11:08.019 Because it is being corrupted. 00:11:08.559 --> 00:11:10.200 But there's something really interesting there. 00:11:10.259 --> 00:11:12.279 What is it that's corrupting that old life? 00:11:13.200 --> 00:11:14.720 Have a look there in verse 22. 00:11:16.600 --> 00:11:19.220 Put off your old life, your old self, 00:11:19.639 --> 00:11:24.259 which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires. 00:11:24.259 --> 00:11:29.120 It's your deceitful desires that have corrupted your old life. 00:11:29.419 --> 00:11:30.100 Before you say, 00:11:30.220 --> 00:11:30.679 I was ignorant. 00:11:30.779 --> 00:11:31.759 I didn't know what I was doing. 00:11:32.179 --> 00:11:34.700 Human sinfulness is so ingrained 00:11:34.700 --> 00:11:38.639 that it is us that corrupts our life. 00:11:39.299 --> 00:11:41.819 It is us that cuts ourselves off from God. 00:11:41.819 --> 00:11:44.019 And to continue in that path, 00:11:44.200 --> 00:11:47.000 it is your desires that will try and drag you there. 00:11:47.000 --> 00:11:50.759 Your desires will wage war with this new life 00:11:50.759 --> 00:11:52.379 that the Spirit is working in you. 00:11:52.539 --> 00:11:54.820 Your own sinful human nature 00:11:54.820 --> 00:11:56.620 will do everything 00:11:56.620 --> 00:12:00.039 to keep you rooted in that old life 00:12:00.039 --> 00:12:01.720 that you once existed in. 00:12:02.639 --> 00:12:04.860 That is unless you fight 00:12:04.860 --> 00:12:07.580 to put off the old self. 00:12:08.740 --> 00:12:10.460 We significantly underestimate 00:12:10.460 --> 00:12:11.899 just how sinful we are. 00:12:13.320 --> 00:12:15.299 We think that sin is an issue, sure, 00:12:15.379 --> 00:12:16.379 but it's a small issue. 00:12:17.919 --> 00:12:19.179 In fact, we're so good 00:12:19.179 --> 00:12:21.419 at distorting the truth of sin 00:12:21.419 --> 00:12:24.500 that we can convince ourselves 00:12:24.500 --> 00:12:25.500 that when we're sinning, 00:12:25.580 --> 00:12:27.220 not only are we not doing the wrong thing, 00:12:27.740 --> 00:12:29.740 but we can even make it noble sometimes. 00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:32.840 I was listening to a sermon recently 00:12:32.840 --> 00:12:34.940 and the preacher told a story about a man 00:12:34.940 --> 00:12:36.580 that he met at a conference 00:12:36.580 --> 00:12:37.779 and this man approached him 00:12:37.779 --> 00:12:39.279 and started speaking proudly 00:12:39.279 --> 00:12:40.879 of his wife and his girlfriend. 00:12:42.259 --> 00:12:43.919 And the preacher pushed back going, 00:12:44.019 --> 00:12:44.500 hang on a sec, 00:12:44.580 --> 00:12:46.639 what do you mean your wife and your girlfriend? 00:12:46.639 --> 00:12:47.539 And so the man, 00:12:47.699 --> 00:12:48.679 without missing a beat, 00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:49.379 started explaining, 00:12:49.559 --> 00:12:51.419 well, my wife is quite cold 00:12:51.419 --> 00:12:52.100 and disconnected 00:12:52.100 --> 00:12:53.679 and our marriage wasn't really working, 00:12:53.819 --> 00:12:55.519 but now I have this woman 00:12:55.519 --> 00:12:57.159 who cares for my emotional needs 00:12:57.159 --> 00:12:58.220 and my physical needs 00:12:58.220 --> 00:13:00.059 and so it's saved my marriage. 00:13:00.059 --> 00:13:04.279 That's a true story. 00:13:05.379 --> 00:13:07.039 He had so twisted the truth 00:13:07.039 --> 00:13:08.219 that he convinced himself 00:13:08.219 --> 00:13:09.879 not only is adultery not wrong, 00:13:10.339 --> 00:13:11.399 it's a good idea. 00:13:12.779 --> 00:13:14.479 It's the way to fix the problems 00:13:14.479 --> 00:13:15.239 in his marriage. 00:13:15.359 --> 00:13:16.839 He's convinced himself that it's wise 00:13:16.839 --> 00:13:18.359 and it sounds ridiculous 00:13:18.359 --> 00:13:19.759 because that's not our sin. 00:13:19.759 --> 00:13:22.840 But think of the ways 00:13:22.840 --> 00:13:25.019 that we daily convince ourselves 00:13:25.019 --> 00:13:26.939 that dishonesty is a good idea. 00:13:28.179 --> 00:13:30.360 We can always find a noble outcome 00:13:30.360 --> 00:13:31.100 for dishonesty 00:13:31.100 --> 00:13:32.439 so that it's the right thing to do. 00:13:33.799 --> 00:13:35.460 Think of the way you convince yourself 00:13:35.460 --> 00:13:37.059 that speeding is a good idea 00:13:37.059 --> 00:13:38.519 so that you get to church on time 00:13:38.519 --> 00:13:40.179 because church is an important place to be. 00:13:40.179 --> 00:13:46.279 So complete and so disgusting 00:13:46.279 --> 00:13:47.500 is our sinful nature 00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:49.419 that we can convince ourselves, 00:13:50.219 --> 00:13:51.699 we can justify ourselves 00:13:51.699 --> 00:13:54.579 to the point where sin is not a vice 00:13:54.579 --> 00:13:56.019 but a virtue. 00:13:59.099 --> 00:14:01.899 So complete is the rebellion in our old life 00:14:01.899 --> 00:14:05.539 that if we continue to walk in it, 00:14:06.719 --> 00:14:09.359 we reject the grace offered 00:14:09.360 --> 00:14:10.399 in the gospel. 00:14:12.480 --> 00:14:14.779 Paul is calling the Ephesians here 00:14:14.779 --> 00:14:16.519 having reminded them 00:14:16.519 --> 00:14:17.600 in those first three chapters 00:14:17.600 --> 00:14:19.919 of the incredible grace and love 00:14:19.919 --> 00:14:21.320 that God has shown them in Jesus. 00:14:21.639 --> 00:14:22.539 He calls them here 00:14:22.539 --> 00:14:24.740 to an active life change. 00:14:26.120 --> 00:14:27.440 There is no possibility 00:14:27.440 --> 00:14:29.279 of being passive in this activity. 00:14:29.680 --> 00:14:31.360 In Christ they've been given knowledge, 00:14:31.700 --> 00:14:32.800 they've been given the freedom 00:14:32.800 --> 00:14:34.440 from the ignorance and the darkness 00:14:34.440 --> 00:14:35.700 and the hard-heartedness 00:14:35.700 --> 00:14:36.659 and the hopelessness 00:14:36.659 --> 00:14:38.680 and now they can choose 00:14:38.679 --> 00:14:40.399 to put off that old life 00:14:40.399 --> 00:14:41.000 that is dead. 00:14:42.179 --> 00:14:43.819 Now we are actually released 00:14:43.819 --> 00:14:46.079 to choose what God has shown us 00:14:46.079 --> 00:14:47.039 is right 00:14:47.039 --> 00:14:50.059 but understand that this putting off 00:14:50.059 --> 00:14:51.819 will be a daily struggle 00:14:51.819 --> 00:14:53.139 until Jesus comes back. 00:14:53.139 --> 00:14:57.360 It will be a daily struggle. 00:14:57.360 --> 00:15:00.240 The life worthy of the gospel of Jesus 00:15:00.240 --> 00:15:02.699 demands that there is an ongoing 00:15:02.699 --> 00:15:05.159 every minute of every day 00:15:05.159 --> 00:15:08.319 putting off of old habits that deny God 00:15:08.319 --> 00:15:14.600 and putting on holiness, righteousness 00:15:14.600 --> 00:15:16.480 and God-likeness. 00:15:18.139 --> 00:15:19.980 That's what it says there in the passage. 00:15:20.639 --> 00:15:22.940 Verse 22 finishes, 00:15:23.560 --> 00:15:24.659 put off your old self 00:15:24.659 --> 00:15:25.440 which has been corrupted 00:15:25.440 --> 00:15:26.840 by its deceitful desires 00:15:26.840 --> 00:15:28.180 to be made new 00:15:28.180 --> 00:15:29.440 in the attitude of your minds 00:15:29.440 --> 00:15:31.340 and to put on the new self 00:15:31.340 --> 00:15:33.340 created to be like God 00:15:33.340 --> 00:15:34.540 in true righteousness 00:15:34.540 --> 00:15:35.840 and holiness. 00:15:38.460 --> 00:15:40.399 What Paul is demanding here 00:15:40.399 --> 00:15:42.079 is that the Ephesians 00:15:42.079 --> 00:15:43.740 be recreated. 00:15:44.980 --> 00:15:46.579 That's what he's asking them to do. 00:15:46.639 --> 00:15:47.899 He's saying an old life 00:15:47.899 --> 00:15:48.639 goes 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:49.980 and a new life begins 00:15:49.980 --> 00:15:50.679 and the only way 00:15:50.679 --> 00:15:51.579 a new life begins 00:15:51.579 --> 00:15:52.299 is creation 00:15:52.299 --> 00:15:53.480 and the only one who creates 00:15:53.480 --> 00:15:54.439 is God. 00:15:54.519 --> 00:15:55.059 He is saying 00:15:55.059 --> 00:15:56.120 you need to swap death 00:15:56.120 --> 00:15:57.059 for life, 00:15:57.399 --> 00:15:58.340 darkness for light, 00:15:58.539 --> 00:15:59.720 unwise for wise 00:15:59.720 --> 00:16:03.860 and as a young kid 00:16:03.860 --> 00:16:04.980 I just couldn't understand 00:16:04.980 --> 00:16:06.320 that my old life was dead. 00:16:07.500 --> 00:16:08.680 I couldn't see it as dead. 00:16:08.740 --> 00:16:10.120 I could see those evangelist lives 00:16:10.120 --> 00:16:10.500 as dead 00:16:10.500 --> 00:16:11.139 with the drugs 00:16:11.139 --> 00:16:11.759 and the guns 00:16:11.759 --> 00:16:12.720 and the whatever else. 00:16:13.879 --> 00:16:15.740 All I saw was good people 00:16:15.740 --> 00:16:17.259 and bad people. 00:16:18.080 --> 00:16:19.600 Bad people who met Jesus 00:16:19.600 --> 00:16:20.540 needed to change 00:16:20.540 --> 00:16:21.940 and good people like me 00:16:21.940 --> 00:16:22.600 who met Jesus 00:16:22.600 --> 00:16:24.000 needed to start going to church. 00:16:25.620 --> 00:16:27.139 I couldn't grasp that 00:16:27.139 --> 00:16:29.300 to God my life was disgusting. 00:16:29.720 --> 00:16:31.000 That it was dead 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:31.740 and rotting 00:16:31.740 --> 00:16:33.200 and decaying 00:16:33.200 --> 00:16:34.519 and even more so 00:16:34.519 --> 00:16:35.320 I didn't grasp 00:16:35.320 --> 00:16:36.500 the blinding light 00:16:36.500 --> 00:16:37.180 of the life 00:16:37.180 --> 00:16:38.440 that God was calling me to. 00:16:39.460 --> 00:16:40.560 I didn't understand 00:16:40.560 --> 00:16:41.600 that following Jesus 00:16:41.600 --> 00:16:43.580 meant a recreation. 00:16:44.399 --> 00:16:46.120 It meant a whole new existence. 00:16:46.720 --> 00:16:48.040 It meant that there is nothing 00:16:48.040 --> 00:16:50.279 similar about my old life 00:16:50.279 --> 00:16:51.379 and my new life. 00:16:51.480 --> 00:16:52.220 God is calling us 00:16:52.220 --> 00:16:53.360 from one extreme 00:16:53.360 --> 00:16:55.080 of willful rebellion 00:16:55.080 --> 00:16:57.519 to wholehearted 00:16:57.519 --> 00:16:59.399 absolute 00:16:59.399 --> 00:17:00.919 unquestioned 00:17:00.919 --> 00:17:01.819 devotion. 00:17:03.899 --> 00:17:05.200 Jesus is demanding 00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:06.460 change. 00:17:08.039 --> 00:17:09.440 Verse 23 again 00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:09.740 says, 00:17:09.740 --> 00:17:10.700 Be made new 00:17:10.700 --> 00:17:11.379 in the attitude 00:17:11.379 --> 00:17:12.180 of your minds 00:17:12.180 --> 00:17:12.940 and put on 00:17:12.940 --> 00:17:13.740 the new self 00:17:13.740 --> 00:17:15.480 created to be like God 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:16.660 in true righteousness 00:17:16.660 --> 00:17:18.059 and holiness 00:17:18.059 --> 00:17:20.000 exchanging impurity 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:20.859 for righteousness 00:17:20.859 --> 00:17:21.700 futility 00:17:21.700 --> 00:17:22.440 for renewal 00:17:22.440 --> 00:17:23.420 sensuality 00:17:23.420 --> 00:17:24.079 for holiness 00:17:24.079 --> 00:17:25.460 the ultimate 00:17:25.460 --> 00:17:26.460 and complete 00:17:26.460 --> 00:17:27.259 transformation. 00:17:27.259 --> 00:17:30.500 Now, 00:17:30.619 --> 00:17:31.460 I don't know about you 00:17:31.460 --> 00:17:32.599 but I often get 00:17:32.599 --> 00:17:33.220 uncomfortable 00:17:33.220 --> 00:17:34.960 when people, 00:17:35.119 --> 00:17:36.200 particularly non-Christians, 00:17:36.279 --> 00:17:36.879 make comments 00:17:36.879 --> 00:17:38.019 about how Christians 00:17:38.019 --> 00:17:39.279 are supposed to be 00:17:39.279 --> 00:17:39.900 the good people. 00:17:40.660 --> 00:17:41.559 It usually comes 00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:42.160 in the context 00:17:42.160 --> 00:17:42.740 of a Christian 00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:43.559 who's stuffed up 00:17:43.559 --> 00:17:44.180 and they're letting us 00:17:44.180 --> 00:17:44.720 know that we've 00:17:44.720 --> 00:17:45.240 stuffed up 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:47.019 but my response 00:17:47.019 --> 00:17:47.980 has always been, 00:17:48.160 --> 00:17:48.240 no, 00:17:48.319 --> 00:17:48.839 we're not supposed 00:17:48.839 --> 00:17:49.400 to be good, 00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:50.220 we're just forgiven. 00:17:50.220 --> 00:17:52.180 I usually walk away 00:17:52.180 --> 00:17:53.160 feeling kind of smug 00:17:53.160 --> 00:17:54.839 and look, 00:17:54.900 --> 00:17:55.700 that's kind of true 00:17:55.700 --> 00:17:58.700 but in this passage 00:17:58.700 --> 00:17:59.400 in Ephesians 00:17:59.400 --> 00:18:00.299 Paul is saying 00:18:00.299 --> 00:18:01.019 that a life 00:18:01.019 --> 00:18:02.200 worthy of the gospel 00:18:02.200 --> 00:18:04.640 does involve change, 00:18:05.140 --> 00:18:06.620 that there is 00:18:06.620 --> 00:18:07.299 a goodness, 00:18:07.819 --> 00:18:08.319 that there is 00:18:08.319 --> 00:18:08.980 a morality 00:18:08.980 --> 00:18:10.000 that should mark 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:11.039 the people of God. 00:18:11.559 --> 00:18:12.019 There should be 00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:13.019 a visible difference 00:18:13.019 --> 00:18:13.779 between those 00:18:13.779 --> 00:18:14.960 who are darkened 00:18:14.960 --> 00:18:15.740 in their understanding 00:18:15.740 --> 00:18:16.240 and hardened 00:18:16.240 --> 00:18:16.819 in their hearts 00:18:16.819 --> 00:18:17.600 and those who have 00:18:17.600 --> 00:18:18.680 been brought 00:18:18.680 --> 00:18:19.860 to know Jesus. 00:18:20.880 --> 00:18:21.579 Those who have 00:18:21.579 --> 00:18:22.180 been forgiven 00:18:22.180 --> 00:18:22.980 and cleansed 00:18:22.980 --> 00:18:23.839 and set free. 00:18:24.860 --> 00:18:25.799 And the scary part 00:18:25.799 --> 00:18:26.380 in this passage 00:18:26.380 --> 00:18:27.160 for me is that 00:18:27.160 --> 00:18:28.279 it feels like 00:18:28.279 --> 00:18:29.420 some of the responsibility 00:18:29.420 --> 00:18:31.140 sits with us. 00:18:34.539 --> 00:18:35.900 In verse 22, 00:18:36.700 --> 00:18:37.600 we were taught 00:18:37.600 --> 00:18:38.920 to put off 00:18:38.920 --> 00:18:39.680 the old self. 00:18:40.539 --> 00:18:41.400 You put off 00:18:41.400 --> 00:18:42.120 the old self. 00:18:43.759 --> 00:18:44.980 In verse 24, 00:18:45.220 --> 00:18:46.600 you put on 00:18:46.600 --> 00:18:47.640 the new self. 00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:49.400 It's we 00:18:49.400 --> 00:18:49.860 who are to 00:18:49.860 --> 00:18:50.480 consciously 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:51.320 and actively 00:18:51.320 --> 00:18:52.340 wrestle with sin 00:18:52.340 --> 00:18:53.120 in our lives. 00:18:53.840 --> 00:18:54.440 We are to 00:18:54.440 --> 00:18:54.920 actively 00:18:54.920 --> 00:18:55.840 and consciously 00:18:55.840 --> 00:18:56.920 and desperately 00:18:56.920 --> 00:18:59.740 seek God-likeness, 00:19:00.100 --> 00:19:00.860 seek righteousness, 00:19:01.120 --> 00:19:01.800 seek holiness. 00:19:02.680 --> 00:19:03.240 There's this 00:19:03.240 --> 00:19:03.940 incredible list 00:19:03.940 --> 00:19:04.500 of examples 00:19:04.500 --> 00:19:05.100 in the verses 00:19:05.100 --> 00:19:05.800 that follow. 00:19:06.340 --> 00:19:06.880 We're to stop 00:19:06.880 --> 00:19:07.380 stealing 00:19:07.380 --> 00:19:07.900 and instead 00:19:07.900 --> 00:19:08.480 be generous. 00:19:08.640 --> 00:19:09.380 We're to stop 00:19:09.380 --> 00:19:10.220 lying and instead 00:19:10.220 --> 00:19:11.160 speak truthfully. 00:19:11.259 --> 00:19:11.800 We're to avoid 00:19:11.800 --> 00:19:12.640 sinning and anger 00:19:12.640 --> 00:19:13.259 and instead 00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:14.540 be forgiving 00:19:14.540 --> 00:19:15.480 and compassionate 00:19:15.480 --> 00:19:16.220 and gracious. 00:19:16.420 --> 00:19:16.940 We are to use 00:19:16.940 --> 00:19:17.480 our words 00:19:17.480 --> 00:19:18.200 to build others 00:19:18.200 --> 00:19:19.160 up and not tear 00:19:19.160 --> 00:19:19.500 down. 00:19:19.599 --> 00:19:20.200 We're to forgive 00:19:20.200 --> 00:19:21.140 like Jesus did. 00:19:21.360 --> 00:19:22.039 We're to avoid 00:19:22.039 --> 00:19:23.059 sexual immorality. 00:19:23.180 --> 00:19:23.839 There's a list 00:19:23.839 --> 00:19:24.960 of what we 00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:25.940 must do. 00:19:27.680 --> 00:19:28.480 There's a sense 00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:29.299 of responsibility 00:19:29.299 --> 00:19:30.460 there and we're 00:19:30.460 --> 00:19:31.380 called to take 00:19:31.380 --> 00:19:32.120 responsibility 00:19:32.120 --> 00:19:33.420 for our lives 00:19:33.420 --> 00:19:34.200 and for the 00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:34.799 transformation 00:19:34.799 --> 00:19:36.200 that is demanded 00:19:36.200 --> 00:19:37.339 by the gospel. 00:19:38.500 --> 00:19:39.460 So the question 00:19:39.460 --> 00:19:39.799 is, 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:40.839 how seriously 00:19:40.839 --> 00:19:41.939 do you take 00:19:41.939 --> 00:19:42.459 sin in your 00:19:42.459 --> 00:19:42.819 life? 00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:49.240 How regularly 00:19:49.240 --> 00:19:49.899 do you pray 00:19:49.899 --> 00:19:50.459 for things 00:19:50.459 --> 00:19:51.220 that you know 00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:51.959 don't honour 00:19:51.959 --> 00:19:52.519 God in your 00:19:52.519 --> 00:19:52.899 life? 00:19:54.119 --> 00:19:54.839 How hard 00:19:54.839 --> 00:19:55.240 are you trying 00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:55.799 to grow 00:19:55.799 --> 00:19:56.359 in areas 00:19:56.359 --> 00:19:56.919 of godliness? 00:20:00.299 --> 00:20:01.019 Because the 00:20:01.019 --> 00:20:01.839 call is clear. 00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:03.919 Live a life 00:20:03.919 --> 00:20:04.839 worthy of 00:20:04.839 --> 00:20:05.339 the gospel. 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:06.579 The call 00:20:06.579 --> 00:20:07.359 is forceful 00:20:07.359 --> 00:20:08.299 in verse 17. 00:20:08.399 --> 00:20:09.079 I insist 00:20:09.079 --> 00:20:09.480 on it 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:10.299 in the Lord. 00:20:10.839 --> 00:20:13.359 But I guess 00:20:13.359 --> 00:20:13.839 the question 00:20:13.839 --> 00:20:14.279 remains, 00:20:14.399 --> 00:20:14.759 what does it 00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:15.299 look like 00:20:15.299 --> 00:20:15.919 practically 00:20:15.919 --> 00:20:16.679 for you 00:20:16.679 --> 00:20:17.379 to put off 00:20:17.379 --> 00:20:18.659 and put on 00:20:18.659 --> 00:20:19.339 this week? 00:20:20.839 --> 00:20:21.579 What will it 00:20:21.579 --> 00:20:21.939 look like 00:20:21.939 --> 00:20:22.199 for you 00:20:22.199 --> 00:20:22.699 to live this 00:20:22.699 --> 00:20:22.879 out? 00:20:22.959 --> 00:20:23.399 Look again 00:20:23.399 --> 00:20:24.139 at verse 20 00:20:24.139 --> 00:20:24.839 and 21. 00:20:25.919 --> 00:20:26.240 You, 00:20:26.399 --> 00:20:26.740 however, 00:20:27.339 --> 00:20:28.199 did not come 00:20:28.199 --> 00:20:28.659 to know 00:20:28.659 --> 00:20:29.279 Christ that 00:20:29.279 --> 00:20:29.519 way. 00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:30.599 Surely 00:20:30.599 --> 00:20:31.159 you heard 00:20:31.159 --> 00:20:31.539 of him 00:20:31.539 --> 00:20:31.839 and were 00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:32.500 taught in 00:20:32.500 --> 00:20:32.939 him in 00:20:32.939 --> 00:20:33.339 accordance 00:20:33.339 --> 00:20:33.720 with the 00:20:33.720 --> 00:20:34.559 truth that 00:20:34.559 --> 00:20:34.959 is in 00:20:34.959 --> 00:20:35.299 Jesus. 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:35.959 You did 00:20:35.959 --> 00:20:36.439 not come 00:20:36.439 --> 00:20:36.839 to know 00:20:36.839 --> 00:20:37.359 Christ 00:20:37.359 --> 00:20:38.279 that way. 00:20:38.519 --> 00:20:38.839 There's 00:20:38.839 --> 00:20:39.359 this hint 00:20:39.359 --> 00:20:39.859 of looking 00:20:39.859 --> 00:20:40.519 back to 00:20:40.519 --> 00:20:40.980 what Paul's 00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:41.519 been talking 00:20:41.519 --> 00:20:41.940 about for 00:20:41.940 --> 00:20:42.400 the first 00:20:42.400 --> 00:20:43.039 three chapters 00:20:43.039 --> 00:20:43.440 of this 00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:43.779 book. 00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:45.039 We're 00:20:45.039 --> 00:20:45.539 looking back 00:20:45.539 --> 00:20:45.879 to what's 00:20:45.879 --> 00:20:46.460 gone before 00:20:46.460 --> 00:20:46.920 to chapter 00:20:46.920 --> 00:20:47.240 one. 00:20:47.400 --> 00:20:47.799 How did 00:20:47.799 --> 00:20:48.400 the Ephesians 00:20:48.400 --> 00:20:48.819 come to 00:20:48.819 --> 00:20:49.319 know Jesus? 00:20:50.019 --> 00:20:50.500 How do 00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:51.059 we come 00:20:51.059 --> 00:20:51.379 to know 00:20:51.379 --> 00:20:51.980 Jesus as 00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:52.379 Christians? 00:20:53.740 --> 00:20:54.700 By hearing 00:20:54.700 --> 00:20:55.279 and learning 00:20:55.279 --> 00:20:55.900 the truth 00:20:55.900 --> 00:20:56.440 that is in 00:20:56.440 --> 00:20:56.799 Jesus. 00:20:57.920 --> 00:20:58.539 The truth 00:20:58.539 --> 00:20:58.940 of chapter 00:20:58.940 --> 00:20:59.420 one that 00:20:59.420 --> 00:20:59.859 tells us 00:20:59.859 --> 00:21:00.139 that we 00:21:00.139 --> 00:21:00.799 were chosen 00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:01.359 before the 00:21:01.359 --> 00:21:01.920 creation of 00:21:01.920 --> 00:21:02.400 the world, 00:21:02.599 --> 00:21:02.980 that we 00:21:02.980 --> 00:21:03.839 were predestined 00:21:03.839 --> 00:21:04.460 and adopted 00:21:04.460 --> 00:21:05.160 and forgiven 00:21:05.160 --> 00:21:06.059 and all 00:21:06.059 --> 00:21:06.480 that when 00:21:06.480 --> 00:21:07.079 we're included 00:21:07.079 --> 00:21:07.940 by Christ 00:21:07.940 --> 00:21:09.500 by faith. 00:21:11.799 --> 00:21:12.380 That's what 00:21:12.380 --> 00:21:12.700 it looked 00:21:12.700 --> 00:21:12.900 like. 00:21:12.980 --> 00:21:13.380 That's how 00:21:13.380 --> 00:21:13.860 we came 00:21:13.860 --> 00:21:14.299 to know 00:21:14.299 --> 00:21:14.700 Christ, 00:21:14.779 --> 00:21:15.100 is by 00:21:15.100 --> 00:21:15.660 faith. 00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:16.559 In chapter 00:21:16.559 --> 00:21:17.059 two it's 00:21:17.059 --> 00:21:17.640 explicit, 00:21:17.840 --> 00:21:18.200 it's by 00:21:18.200 --> 00:21:18.799 grace. 00:21:19.220 --> 00:21:19.320 Our 00:21:19.320 --> 00:21:19.539 knowing 00:21:19.539 --> 00:21:20.120 Christ has 00:21:20.120 --> 00:21:20.880 nothing to 00:21:20.880 --> 00:21:21.299 do with 00:21:21.299 --> 00:21:21.500 you, 00:21:21.779 --> 00:21:22.220 it's by 00:21:22.220 --> 00:21:22.980 his grace 00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:23.720 and through 00:21:23.720 --> 00:21:24.320 faith and 00:21:24.320 --> 00:21:24.920 this is from 00:21:24.920 --> 00:21:25.299 God. 00:21:25.900 --> 00:21:26.279 Paul makes 00:21:26.279 --> 00:21:26.559 it really 00:21:26.559 --> 00:21:26.779 clear, 00:21:26.860 --> 00:21:27.259 just to be 00:21:27.259 --> 00:21:27.759 sure you 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:28.380 can't boast 00:21:28.380 --> 00:21:29.019 about this 00:21:29.019 --> 00:21:30.080 because God 00:21:30.080 --> 00:21:30.519 does it 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:31.279 in Christ 00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:32.160 and you 00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:32.740 participate 00:21:32.740 --> 00:21:33.399 in it 00:21:33.399 --> 00:21:34.579 by grace 00:21:34.579 --> 00:21:35.319 and through 00:21:35.319 --> 00:21:35.799 faith. 00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:38.039 It's God's 00:21:38.039 --> 00:21:38.619 work in 00:21:38.619 --> 00:21:39.119 you by 00:21:39.119 --> 00:21:39.559 the Holy 00:21:39.559 --> 00:21:40.759 Spirit that 00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:41.339 opened your 00:21:41.339 --> 00:21:42.119 eyes to be 00:21:42.119 --> 00:21:42.359 able to 00:21:42.359 --> 00:21:42.839 choose what 00:21:42.839 --> 00:21:43.200 is right. 00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:44.839 It's God's 00:21:44.839 --> 00:21:45.319 work that 00:21:45.319 --> 00:21:46.039 freed you 00:21:46.039 --> 00:21:46.440 from the 00:21:46.440 --> 00:21:47.039 ignorance and 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:47.660 the futility 00:21:47.660 --> 00:21:48.039 and the 00:21:48.039 --> 00:21:49.379 hopelessness. 00:21:50.399 --> 00:21:50.599 And in 00:21:50.599 --> 00:21:51.319 verse 23, 00:21:51.480 --> 00:21:51.879 in amongst 00:21:51.879 --> 00:21:52.559 us putting 00:21:52.559 --> 00:21:52.940 off and 00:21:52.940 --> 00:21:53.379 us putting 00:21:53.379 --> 00:21:53.680 on, 00:21:54.500 --> 00:21:54.920 we are 00:21:54.920 --> 00:21:55.460 to be 00:21:55.460 --> 00:21:56.279 made new. 00:21:57.480 --> 00:21:58.160 That doesn't 00:21:58.160 --> 00:21:58.859 say go make 00:21:58.859 --> 00:21:59.660 yourself new, 00:22:00.119 --> 00:22:00.779 it means be 00:22:00.779 --> 00:22:01.579 made new, 00:22:01.879 --> 00:22:02.399 it's something 00:22:02.399 --> 00:22:03.019 that God 00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:03.399 is doing, 00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:03.960 it's his 00:22:03.960 --> 00:22:04.759 work and 00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:05.099 the only 00:22:05.099 --> 00:22:05.399 one who 00:22:05.399 --> 00:22:05.720 has the 00:22:05.720 --> 00:22:06.339 power to 00:22:06.339 --> 00:22:07.980 create is 00:22:07.980 --> 00:22:08.720 God through 00:22:08.720 --> 00:22:09.160 Jesus. 00:22:10.160 --> 00:22:10.519 This 00:22:10.519 --> 00:22:11.160 transformation 00:22:11.160 --> 00:22:11.700 that is 00:22:11.700 --> 00:22:12.399 demanded and 00:22:12.399 --> 00:22:12.639 that is 00:22:12.639 --> 00:22:13.500 insisted on 00:22:13.500 --> 00:22:14.539 is only 00:22:14.539 --> 00:22:15.680 possible in 00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:16.099 the power 00:22:16.099 --> 00:22:16.460 of the 00:22:16.460 --> 00:22:16.819 gospel. 00:22:17.099 --> 00:22:17.440 It's only 00:22:17.440 --> 00:22:18.119 possible in 00:22:18.119 --> 00:22:18.460 the power 00:22:18.460 --> 00:22:18.700 of the 00:22:18.700 --> 00:22:19.299 Holy Spirit 00:22:19.299 --> 00:22:19.879 and it's 00:22:19.879 --> 00:22:20.399 something that 00:22:20.399 --> 00:22:21.399 God alone 00:22:21.399 --> 00:22:22.220 can do. 00:22:23.859 --> 00:22:24.160 Now you 00:22:24.160 --> 00:22:24.440 might be 00:22:24.440 --> 00:22:24.819 feeling like 00:22:24.819 --> 00:22:25.279 I'm arguing 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:25.639 in two 00:22:25.639 --> 00:22:26.420 directions here 00:22:26.420 --> 00:22:27.359 but let me 00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:27.819 show you. 00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:28.660 God in 00:22:28.660 --> 00:22:29.339 his infinite 00:22:29.339 --> 00:22:30.039 wisdom and 00:22:30.039 --> 00:22:30.700 power has 00:22:30.700 --> 00:22:31.640 so worked 00:22:31.640 --> 00:22:32.519 that he 00:22:32.519 --> 00:22:32.960 can say 00:22:32.960 --> 00:22:33.220 in the 00:22:33.220 --> 00:22:33.620 space of 00:22:33.620 --> 00:22:34.000 a couple 00:22:34.000 --> 00:22:34.600 of verses 00:22:34.600 --> 00:22:35.720 put off 00:22:35.720 --> 00:22:36.480 you do 00:22:36.480 --> 00:22:36.720 it. 00:22:37.620 --> 00:22:38.400 Be made 00:22:38.400 --> 00:22:38.779 new, 00:22:39.100 --> 00:22:39.620 I'm doing 00:22:39.620 --> 00:22:40.500 it and 00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:41.100 put on 00:22:41.100 --> 00:22:41.880 you do 00:22:41.880 --> 00:22:42.160 it. 00:22:43.519 --> 00:22:43.779 His 00:22:43.779 --> 00:22:44.539 spirit works 00:22:44.539 --> 00:22:45.000 in such 00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:45.279 a way 00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:45.720 that it 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:46.380 empowers 00:22:46.380 --> 00:22:46.960 you and 00:22:46.960 --> 00:22:47.559 it demands 00:22:47.559 --> 00:22:47.819 of you 00:22:47.819 --> 00:22:48.180 that you 00:22:48.180 --> 00:22:48.460 take 00:22:48.460 --> 00:22:49.240 responsibility. 00:22:51.580 --> 00:22:52.039 God 00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:52.539 says your 00:22:52.539 --> 00:22:53.140 life must 00:22:53.140 --> 00:22:54.000 be transformed, 00:22:54.200 --> 00:22:54.559 must be 00:22:54.559 --> 00:22:54.940 different, 00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:55.380 must be 00:22:55.380 --> 00:22:56.120 recreated and 00:22:56.120 --> 00:22:56.480 he gives 00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:56.700 you the 00:22:56.700 --> 00:22:57.160 power to 00:22:57.160 --> 00:22:57.779 do it and 00:22:57.779 --> 00:22:58.120 in his 00:22:58.120 --> 00:22:58.580 power he 00:22:58.580 --> 00:22:58.880 gives you 00:22:58.880 --> 00:22:59.000 the 00:22:59.000 --> 00:22:59.539 responsibility 00:22:59.539 --> 00:23:00.259 to say 00:23:00.259 --> 00:23:00.859 I will 00:23:00.859 --> 00:23:01.399 wrestle with 00:23:01.399 --> 00:23:01.639 sin, 00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:02.579 I will 00:23:02.579 --> 00:23:02.960 put it 00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:03.240 off, 00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:03.819 I will 00:23:03.819 --> 00:23:04.200 seek 00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:04.680 godliness, 00:23:04.859 --> 00:23:05.079 I will 00:23:05.079 --> 00:23:05.500 put it 00:23:05.500 --> 00:23:05.759 on. 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:07.619 The 00:23:07.619 --> 00:23:07.940 Christian 00:23:07.940 --> 00:23:08.480 life is 00:23:08.480 --> 00:23:09.099 this journey 00:23:09.099 --> 00:23:09.579 from being 00:23:09.579 --> 00:23:10.259 redeemed in 00:23:10.259 --> 00:23:10.819 Christ to 00:23:10.819 --> 00:23:11.299 the final 00:23:11.299 --> 00:23:12.059 redemption when 00:23:12.059 --> 00:23:12.700 Christ comes 00:23:12.700 --> 00:23:13.680 back and 00:23:13.680 --> 00:23:14.440 because of the 00:23:14.440 --> 00:23:15.099 cross we are 00:23:15.099 --> 00:23:16.879 irreversibly rescued 00:23:16.879 --> 00:23:17.480 and forgiven. 00:23:18.539 --> 00:23:19.480 We have been 00:23:19.480 --> 00:23:20.180 given the new 00:23:20.180 --> 00:23:21.480 nature that is 00:23:21.480 --> 00:23:21.980 talked about 00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:22.259 here. 00:23:22.420 --> 00:23:23.099 We now know 00:23:23.099 --> 00:23:23.500 Christ, 00:23:23.599 --> 00:23:24.000 we are no 00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:24.899 longer that 00:23:24.900 --> 00:23:25.740 verse 17 00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:26.320 to 19 00:23:26.320 --> 00:23:26.720 bit, 00:23:27.900 --> 00:23:29.900 but you 00:23:29.900 --> 00:23:30.180 and I 00:23:30.180 --> 00:23:30.800 both know 00:23:30.800 --> 00:23:31.320 that so 00:23:31.320 --> 00:23:31.780 often we 00:23:31.780 --> 00:23:32.259 wander back 00:23:32.259 --> 00:23:32.700 into it. 00:23:34.960 --> 00:23:35.700 We know 00:23:35.700 --> 00:23:36.000 what is 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:36.340 right, 00:23:36.420 --> 00:23:36.660 we know 00:23:36.660 --> 00:23:36.960 what God 00:23:36.960 --> 00:23:37.560 wants but 00:23:37.560 --> 00:23:38.300 still we 00:23:38.300 --> 00:23:38.860 wander back 00:23:38.860 --> 00:23:39.320 into old 00:23:39.320 --> 00:23:39.700 habits. 00:23:41.280 --> 00:23:41.960 Still we 00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:42.720 continue in 00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:43.240 patterns of 00:23:43.240 --> 00:23:43.800 sin that we 00:23:43.800 --> 00:23:44.340 know to be 00:23:44.340 --> 00:23:44.620 wrong. 00:23:47.120 --> 00:23:47.800 We often 00:23:47.800 --> 00:23:48.519 pretend that 00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:48.880 we don't 00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:49.340 know what's 00:23:49.340 --> 00:23:49.600 right, 00:23:50.440 --> 00:23:50.940 let alone 00:23:50.940 --> 00:23:51.280 have the 00:23:51.280 --> 00:23:51.780 willpower to 00:23:51.780 --> 00:23:52.480 actually choose 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:52.700 it. 00:23:52.700 --> 00:23:54.980 But Paul 00:23:54.980 --> 00:23:55.580 says here, 00:23:55.680 --> 00:23:56.519 I insist 00:23:56.519 --> 00:23:57.580 in the 00:23:57.580 --> 00:23:57.920 Lord, 00:23:58.580 --> 00:23:59.920 don't settle 00:23:59.920 --> 00:24:00.519 for sin. 00:24:02.840 --> 00:24:03.700 Don't settle 00:24:03.700 --> 00:24:04.160 for not 00:24:04.160 --> 00:24:04.600 okay. 00:24:05.920 --> 00:24:06.680 Don't become 00:24:06.680 --> 00:24:08.019 desensitized but 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:09.380 daily put off 00:24:09.380 --> 00:24:09.720 your old 00:24:09.720 --> 00:24:10.180 life. 00:24:11.920 --> 00:24:12.580 Daily put 00:24:12.580 --> 00:24:13.559 on this new 00:24:13.559 --> 00:24:14.460 man, this 00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:15.160 new self that 00:24:15.160 --> 00:24:15.580 has been 00:24:15.580 --> 00:24:16.080 created. 00:24:16.559 --> 00:24:17.100 Confess 00:24:17.100 --> 00:24:17.440 sin. 00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:19.299 Pray for 00:24:19.299 --> 00:24:19.940 strength to 00:24:19.940 --> 00:24:20.380 resist. 00:24:20.600 --> 00:24:20.980 Practice 00:24:20.980 --> 00:24:21.580 godliness. 00:24:22.100 --> 00:24:22.580 Encourage 00:24:22.579 --> 00:24:23.079 instead of 00:24:23.079 --> 00:24:23.539 tear down. 00:24:23.699 --> 00:24:24.000 Share 00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:24.539 rather than 00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:24.839 steal. 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:25.379 Forgive 00:24:25.379 --> 00:24:26.339 rather than 00:24:26.339 --> 00:24:26.819 revenge. 00:24:27.500 --> 00:24:28.000 Are you 00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:28.759 growing to 00:24:28.759 --> 00:24:29.199 be more 00:24:29.199 --> 00:24:29.759 like Jesus? 00:24:31.039 --> 00:24:31.579 Because that 00:24:31.579 --> 00:24:32.199 is the new 00:24:32.199 --> 00:24:33.199 self that 00:24:33.199 --> 00:24:33.740 God has 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:34.419 created in 00:24:34.419 --> 00:24:34.559 you. 00:24:35.639 --> 00:24:36.179 He is 00:24:36.179 --> 00:24:36.839 transforming 00:24:36.839 --> 00:24:37.299 you to 00:24:37.299 --> 00:24:38.379 be like 00:24:38.379 --> 00:24:38.779 Jesus. 00:24:39.259 --> 00:24:39.599 What are 00:24:39.599 --> 00:24:40.079 you doing 00:24:40.079 --> 00:24:40.679 to actually 00:24:40.679 --> 00:24:41.339 make that 00:24:41.339 --> 00:24:41.759 part of 00:24:41.759 --> 00:24:42.319 your agenda? 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.379 Do you 00:24:44.379 --> 00:24:44.819 have someone 00:24:44.819 --> 00:24:45.139 in your 00:24:45.139 --> 00:24:45.899 life who 00:24:45.899 --> 00:24:46.500 will regularly 00:24:46.500 --> 00:24:47.159 challenge you 00:24:47.159 --> 00:24:47.659 on areas 00:24:47.659 --> 00:24:47.980 that you're 00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:48.579 struggling in? 00:24:48.579 --> 00:24:51.199 do you 00:24:51.199 --> 00:24:51.679 have someone 00:24:51.679 --> 00:24:52.139 holding you 00:24:52.139 --> 00:24:53.199 accountable in 00:24:53.199 --> 00:24:53.740 an area that 00:24:53.740 --> 00:24:54.220 you're seeking 00:24:54.220 --> 00:24:54.939 to grow in? 00:24:56.439 --> 00:24:56.960 Are you 00:24:56.960 --> 00:24:57.259 trying to 00:24:57.259 --> 00:24:57.539 memorize 00:24:57.539 --> 00:24:58.379 scripture that 00:24:58.379 --> 00:24:59.019 might shape 00:24:59.019 --> 00:24:59.659 your desires 00:24:59.659 --> 00:24:59.960 and your 00:24:59.960 --> 00:25:00.319 heart? 00:25:03.319 --> 00:25:03.899 How 00:25:03.899 --> 00:25:04.599 regularly do 00:25:04.599 --> 00:25:05.240 you confess 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:05.699 sin in your 00:25:05.699 --> 00:25:06.059 life? 00:25:08.859 --> 00:25:09.579 Because it 00:25:09.579 --> 00:25:10.220 is a daily 00:25:10.220 --> 00:25:10.919 struggle to 00:25:10.919 --> 00:25:12.139 put off and 00:25:12.139 --> 00:25:12.839 to put on. 00:25:13.859 --> 00:25:14.579 How we live 00:25:14.579 --> 00:25:15.679 can't unsave 00:25:15.679 --> 00:25:17.099 us but that 00:25:17.099 --> 00:25:17.579 doesn't mean 00:25:17.579 --> 00:25:17.819 that it's 00:25:17.819 --> 00:25:18.439 not important. 00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:20.500 It still 00:25:20.500 --> 00:25:20.899 matters. 00:25:21.079 --> 00:25:21.559 This is what 00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:22.299 it looks like 00:25:22.299 --> 00:25:22.759 to be a 00:25:22.759 --> 00:25:23.079 Christian. 00:25:23.559 --> 00:25:23.939 There is a 00:25:23.939 --> 00:25:24.579 transformation 00:25:24.579 --> 00:25:25.899 to be more 00:25:25.899 --> 00:25:26.299 and more 00:25:26.299 --> 00:25:26.899 like Jesus. 00:25:27.679 --> 00:25:28.159 That's what 00:25:28.159 --> 00:25:28.579 the gospel 00:25:28.579 --> 00:25:29.139 looks like 00:25:29.139 --> 00:25:29.379 when it 00:25:29.379 --> 00:25:29.899 takes root 00:25:29.899 --> 00:25:30.179 in our 00:25:30.179 --> 00:25:30.679 life and 00:25:30.679 --> 00:25:31.579 shapes us. 00:25:34.199 --> 00:25:34.799 But the 00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:35.480 last question 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:36.099 I have for 00:25:36.099 --> 00:25:36.619 this passage 00:25:36.619 --> 00:25:37.139 is why 00:25:37.139 --> 00:25:37.419 is it 00:25:37.419 --> 00:25:37.720 here? 00:25:39.039 --> 00:25:39.439 I mean 00:25:39.439 --> 00:25:39.939 I get it 00:25:39.939 --> 00:25:40.240 that the 00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:40.779 second half 00:25:40.779 --> 00:25:41.319 of Ephesians 00:25:41.319 --> 00:25:41.939 is practical 00:25:41.939 --> 00:25:42.839 but this 00:25:42.839 --> 00:25:43.179 book is 00:25:43.179 --> 00:25:43.579 about the 00:25:43.579 --> 00:25:44.019 church. 00:25:45.500 --> 00:25:46.039 This book 00:25:46.039 --> 00:25:46.519 is about the 00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:47.259 community of 00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:47.539 God's 00:25:47.539 --> 00:25:47.799 people. 00:25:47.920 --> 00:25:48.200 We just 00:25:48.200 --> 00:25:48.940 learnt in 00:25:48.940 --> 00:25:49.720 the section 00:25:49.720 --> 00:25:50.460 immediately 00:25:50.460 --> 00:25:52.559 before about 00:25:52.559 --> 00:25:53.220 gifts for 00:25:53.220 --> 00:25:53.759 building one 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:54.299 another up. 00:25:54.420 --> 00:25:54.960 So why does 00:25:54.960 --> 00:25:55.480 he take this 00:25:55.480 --> 00:25:56.240 apparent left 00:25:56.240 --> 00:25:57.680 turn and 00:25:57.680 --> 00:25:58.319 start talking 00:25:58.319 --> 00:25:58.799 about the 00:25:58.799 --> 00:25:59.400 life of the 00:25:59.400 --> 00:25:59.839 individuals? 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.440 Why does 00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:01.819 he suddenly 00:26:01.819 --> 00:26:02.460 slap people 00:26:02.460 --> 00:26:03.099 around about 00:26:03.099 --> 00:26:03.819 their sinfulness 00:26:03.819 --> 00:26:04.759 and their 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:05.440 failure to 00:26:05.440 --> 00:26:05.980 pursue 00:26:05.980 --> 00:26:07.379 godliness? 00:26:11.900 --> 00:26:12.660 Something that 00:26:12.660 --> 00:26:13.240 I like to do 00:26:13.240 --> 00:26:13.579 and that has 00:26:13.579 --> 00:26:14.259 been significant 00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:14.599 in my 00:26:14.599 --> 00:26:15.259 Christian life 00:26:15.259 --> 00:26:15.980 is having 00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:16.900 older godly 00:26:16.900 --> 00:26:17.299 men as 00:26:17.299 --> 00:26:17.740 mentors. 00:26:19.119 --> 00:26:19.779 And one 00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:20.440 particular guy 00:26:20.440 --> 00:26:20.920 who I won't 00:26:20.920 --> 00:26:21.680 name because 00:26:21.680 --> 00:26:22.039 that would 00:26:22.039 --> 00:26:22.400 make him 00:26:22.400 --> 00:26:22.799 particularly 00:26:22.799 --> 00:26:23.319 uncomfortable, 00:26:24.119 --> 00:26:24.720 I spent 00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:25.180 time with 00:26:25.180 --> 00:26:25.819 regularly over 00:26:25.819 --> 00:26:26.240 the course 00:26:26.240 --> 00:26:26.579 of about 00:26:26.579 --> 00:26:27.379 18 months 00:26:27.379 --> 00:26:29.160 and this 00:26:29.160 --> 00:26:29.799 man for 00:26:29.799 --> 00:26:31.099 me was 00:26:31.099 --> 00:26:31.619 the godliest 00:26:31.619 --> 00:26:32.039 man I've 00:26:32.039 --> 00:26:32.400 ever met. 00:26:33.299 --> 00:26:33.900 I have 00:26:33.900 --> 00:26:34.599 often referred 00:26:34.599 --> 00:26:35.000 to him 00:26:35.000 --> 00:26:35.599 slightly in 00:26:35.599 --> 00:26:36.839 jest as 00:26:36.839 --> 00:26:38.539 Jesus because 00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:38.940 he's the 00:26:38.940 --> 00:26:39.500 closest thing 00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:39.940 I've seen 00:26:39.940 --> 00:26:40.259 in my 00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:40.680 lifetime. 00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:42.360 he loves 00:26:42.360 --> 00:26:42.900 the scriptures 00:26:42.900 --> 00:26:43.500 in a way 00:26:43.500 --> 00:26:43.940 that I can 00:26:43.940 --> 00:26:44.759 only hope 00:26:44.759 --> 00:26:45.080 to get 00:26:45.080 --> 00:26:45.299 to. 00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:46.680 He has 00:26:46.680 --> 00:26:47.799 boxes and 00:26:47.799 --> 00:26:48.840 boxes and 00:26:48.840 --> 00:26:50.160 boxes of 00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:50.779 memory verse 00:26:50.779 --> 00:26:51.299 cards and 00:26:51.299 --> 00:26:51.799 he knows 00:26:51.799 --> 00:26:52.000 them. 00:26:52.940 --> 00:26:53.380 We would 00:26:53.380 --> 00:26:53.900 meet together 00:26:53.900 --> 00:26:54.380 and he'd be 00:26:54.380 --> 00:26:54.799 carrying around 00:26:54.799 --> 00:26:55.180 this little 00:26:55.180 --> 00:26:55.560 wallet in 00:26:55.560 --> 00:26:55.920 his back 00:26:55.920 --> 00:26:56.799 pocket with 00:26:56.799 --> 00:26:57.660 sort of 10 00:26:57.660 --> 00:26:58.480 15 memory 00:26:58.480 --> 00:26:59.140 verses that 00:26:59.140 --> 00:26:59.420 he had 00:26:59.420 --> 00:26:59.640 learnt, 00:26:59.720 --> 00:27:00.120 some new 00:27:00.120 --> 00:27:00.440 ones he 00:27:00.440 --> 00:27:00.880 was learning 00:27:00.880 --> 00:27:01.480 and some 00:27:01.480 --> 00:27:01.680 that he 00:27:01.680 --> 00:27:02.299 was revising 00:27:02.299 --> 00:27:02.640 from as 00:27:02.640 --> 00:27:02.920 long as 00:27:02.920 --> 00:27:03.660 25 years 00:27:03.660 --> 00:27:04.380 ago and 00:27:04.380 --> 00:27:04.640 he'd go 00:27:04.640 --> 00:27:04.900 can you 00:27:04.900 --> 00:27:05.299 test me 00:27:05.299 --> 00:27:05.460 on them? 00:27:05.500 --> 00:27:05.820 He'd hand 00:27:05.820 --> 00:27:06.140 them over 00:27:06.140 --> 00:27:06.340 and he'd 00:27:06.340 --> 00:27:06.680 get every 00:27:06.680 --> 00:27:06.940 one of 00:27:06.940 --> 00:27:07.200 them word 00:27:07.200 --> 00:27:07.580 perfect. 00:27:08.600 --> 00:27:08.880 He'd 00:27:08.880 --> 00:27:09.560 even progressed 00:27:09.559 --> 00:27:09.980 with his 00:27:09.980 --> 00:27:10.440 church through 00:27:10.440 --> 00:27:10.839 the various 00:27:10.839 --> 00:27:11.720 translations of 00:27:11.720 --> 00:27:12.099 the Bible. 00:27:12.839 --> 00:27:13.179 He had 00:27:13.179 --> 00:27:13.500 some of 00:27:13.500 --> 00:27:13.859 his verses 00:27:13.859 --> 00:27:14.279 in King 00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:14.720 James, 00:27:15.059 --> 00:27:15.480 some in 00:27:15.480 --> 00:27:16.139 RSV, 00:27:16.599 --> 00:27:17.000 some in 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:17.740 NIV and 00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:18.059 he knew 00:27:18.059 --> 00:27:18.480 which ones 00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:18.759 were in 00:27:18.759 --> 00:27:19.379 which because 00:27:19.379 --> 00:27:20.119 they were 00:27:20.119 --> 00:27:21.179 so imprinted 00:27:21.179 --> 00:27:21.500 on his 00:27:21.500 --> 00:27:22.119 mind and 00:27:22.119 --> 00:27:22.759 his life 00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:25.079 that he 00:27:25.079 --> 00:27:25.419 couldn't 00:27:25.419 --> 00:27:25.940 forget them. 00:27:28.099 --> 00:27:28.339 And 00:27:28.339 --> 00:27:29.039 spending time 00:27:29.039 --> 00:27:29.379 with this 00:27:29.379 --> 00:27:30.079 man was a 00:27:30.079 --> 00:27:30.700 significant 00:27:30.700 --> 00:27:31.319 encouragement 00:27:31.319 --> 00:27:31.779 to me. 00:27:32.480 --> 00:27:33.159 We wrestled 00:27:33.159 --> 00:27:33.519 with some 00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:34.399 specific issues, 00:27:34.539 --> 00:27:35.139 we occasionally 00:27:35.139 --> 00:27:36.159 talked about 00:27:36.159 --> 00:27:37.099 specific things 00:27:37.099 --> 00:27:38.240 but the most 00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:39.620 significant 00:27:39.620 --> 00:27:40.200 encouragement 00:27:40.200 --> 00:27:41.099 was just 00:27:41.099 --> 00:27:41.880 watching him 00:27:41.880 --> 00:27:43.380 follow Jesus. 00:27:44.480 --> 00:27:45.259 Watching him 00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:45.880 love his 00:27:45.880 --> 00:27:46.539 wife through 00:27:46.539 --> 00:27:47.099 sickness. 00:27:47.839 --> 00:27:48.279 Watching him 00:27:48.279 --> 00:27:48.680 love his 00:27:48.680 --> 00:27:49.279 kids even 00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:49.599 as some 00:27:49.599 --> 00:27:49.839 of them 00:27:49.839 --> 00:27:50.440 strayed. 00:27:54.279 --> 00:27:54.819 His 00:27:54.819 --> 00:27:55.700 transformed 00:27:55.700 --> 00:27:56.380 life 00:27:56.380 --> 00:27:58.259 spurred me 00:27:58.259 --> 00:27:58.779 on to be 00:27:58.779 --> 00:27:59.539 transformed as 00:27:59.539 --> 00:27:59.759 well. 00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:01.259 His living 00:28:01.259 --> 00:28:01.920 out of the 00:28:01.920 --> 00:28:02.259 gospel, 00:28:02.420 --> 00:28:03.099 his living a 00:28:03.099 --> 00:28:03.779 life worthy 00:28:03.779 --> 00:28:04.140 of the 00:28:04.140 --> 00:28:05.980 gospel pushed 00:28:05.980 --> 00:28:06.500 me to 00:28:06.500 --> 00:28:06.960 maturity, 00:28:07.400 --> 00:28:07.960 pushed me 00:28:07.960 --> 00:28:08.660 to growth. 00:28:10.259 --> 00:28:11.119 This sits 00:28:11.119 --> 00:28:12.039 perfectly in 00:28:12.039 --> 00:28:12.519 this chapter. 00:28:13.720 --> 00:28:14.099 This is 00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:14.880 exactly the 00:28:14.880 --> 00:28:15.359 right place 00:28:15.359 --> 00:28:15.980 because yes 00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:16.460 the church 00:28:16.460 --> 00:28:17.039 is a unit 00:28:17.039 --> 00:28:17.839 but it's a 00:28:17.839 --> 00:28:18.420 unit made 00:28:18.420 --> 00:28:18.779 up of 00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:19.279 people, 00:28:20.480 --> 00:28:20.900 made up 00:28:20.900 --> 00:28:21.619 of individuals 00:28:21.619 --> 00:28:22.019 who are 00:28:22.019 --> 00:28:22.640 living lives, 00:28:22.759 --> 00:28:23.119 made up of 00:28:23.119 --> 00:28:24.720 relationships and 00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:25.460 a life worthy 00:28:25.460 --> 00:28:26.039 of the gospel 00:28:26.039 --> 00:28:26.819 is a life in 00:28:26.819 --> 00:28:27.599 relationship to 00:28:27.599 --> 00:28:29.259 God but it's 00:28:29.259 --> 00:28:29.740 a life in 00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:30.559 relationship to 00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:31.400 those who 00:28:31.400 --> 00:28:31.880 belong to 00:28:31.880 --> 00:28:32.240 God as 00:28:32.240 --> 00:28:32.480 well. 00:28:33.799 --> 00:28:34.400 What we 00:28:34.400 --> 00:28:34.720 need to 00:28:34.720 --> 00:28:35.599 understand is 00:28:35.599 --> 00:28:36.339 your life 00:28:36.339 --> 00:28:37.359 and the 00:28:37.359 --> 00:28:37.740 way you 00:28:37.740 --> 00:28:40.019 live impacts 00:28:40.019 --> 00:28:40.859 me directly 00:28:40.859 --> 00:28:42.899 and indirectly. 00:28:43.899 --> 00:28:44.779 My life 00:28:44.779 --> 00:28:45.079 and the 00:28:45.079 --> 00:28:45.539 way I 00:28:45.539 --> 00:28:46.519 live impacts 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:47.299 you directly 00:28:47.299 --> 00:28:48.139 and indirectly. 00:28:50.299 --> 00:28:50.859 The 00:28:50.859 --> 00:28:51.419 transformation 00:28:51.419 --> 00:28:52.159 or lack 00:28:52.159 --> 00:28:53.059 of transformation 00:28:53.059 --> 00:28:53.819 has an 00:28:53.819 --> 00:28:54.699 impact on 00:28:54.699 --> 00:28:55.199 you as my 00:28:55.199 --> 00:28:55.679 brothers and 00:28:55.679 --> 00:28:56.199 sisters that 00:28:56.199 --> 00:28:56.459 I'm in 00:28:56.459 --> 00:28:56.939 relationship 00:28:56.939 --> 00:28:57.319 with. 00:28:58.819 --> 00:28:59.599 Look back 00:28:59.599 --> 00:28:59.959 to verse 00:28:59.959 --> 00:29:00.679 16 just 00:29:00.679 --> 00:29:01.240 before our 00:29:01.240 --> 00:29:01.679 passage. 00:29:03.199 --> 00:29:04.019 Talking about 00:29:04.019 --> 00:29:04.559 the building up 00:29:04.559 --> 00:29:04.919 of the body 00:29:04.919 --> 00:29:05.240 it says, 00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:05.900 from him 00:29:05.900 --> 00:29:06.359 the whole 00:29:06.359 --> 00:29:07.440 body joined 00:29:07.440 --> 00:29:07.779 and held 00:29:07.779 --> 00:29:08.339 together by 00:29:08.339 --> 00:29:09.120 every supporting 00:29:09.120 --> 00:29:10.019 ligament grows 00:29:10.019 --> 00:29:10.599 and builds 00:29:10.599 --> 00:29:11.400 itself up in 00:29:11.400 --> 00:29:12.140 love as 00:29:12.140 --> 00:29:12.720 each part 00:29:12.720 --> 00:29:13.160 does its 00:29:13.160 --> 00:29:13.500 work. 00:29:15.440 --> 00:29:16.180 Part of 00:29:16.180 --> 00:29:16.819 the work 00:29:16.819 --> 00:29:17.720 that each 00:29:17.720 --> 00:29:18.319 part must 00:29:18.319 --> 00:29:19.500 do is what 00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:20.000 follows in 00:29:20.000 --> 00:29:20.620 this passage. 00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:24.680 To be 00:29:24.680 --> 00:29:25.759 equipped to 00:29:25.759 --> 00:29:26.140 do the 00:29:26.140 --> 00:29:27.319 work you 00:29:27.319 --> 00:29:27.799 must be 00:29:27.799 --> 00:29:28.099 being 00:29:28.099 --> 00:29:28.740 transformed. 00:29:29.859 --> 00:29:30.400 You must 00:29:30.400 --> 00:29:31.299 be growing to 00:29:31.299 --> 00:29:31.900 be more like 00:29:31.900 --> 00:29:32.500 Jesus because 00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:33.080 that is what 00:29:33.080 --> 00:29:33.519 the gospel 00:29:33.519 --> 00:29:34.019 does. 00:29:35.019 --> 00:29:35.860 It changes 00:29:35.860 --> 00:29:36.320 us. 00:29:37.100 --> 00:29:37.560 We need to 00:29:37.560 --> 00:29:38.420 take seriously 00:29:38.420 --> 00:29:39.140 the call to 00:29:39.140 --> 00:29:40.120 put off and 00:29:40.120 --> 00:29:40.759 wrestle with 00:29:40.759 --> 00:29:41.440 sin in our 00:29:41.440 --> 00:29:44.000 life and we 00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:44.380 need to take 00:29:44.380 --> 00:29:45.140 seriously the 00:29:45.140 --> 00:29:45.840 call to grow 00:29:45.840 --> 00:29:46.480 in godliness. 00:29:47.280 --> 00:29:47.820 It's not 00:29:47.820 --> 00:29:48.320 enough to 00:29:48.320 --> 00:29:49.480 just put off 00:29:49.480 --> 00:29:51.120 but as we 00:29:51.120 --> 00:29:51.980 are recreated 00:29:51.980 --> 00:29:53.360 our desires, 00:29:53.720 --> 00:29:54.440 our goals, 00:29:54.560 --> 00:29:55.280 our aspirations 00:29:55.280 --> 00:29:56.460 are shaped to 00:29:56.460 --> 00:29:57.040 line up with 00:29:57.040 --> 00:29:59.000 Christ that we 00:29:59.000 --> 00:30:00.160 might be created 00:30:00.160 --> 00:30:00.759 to be like 00:30:00.759 --> 00:30:01.300 God in 00:30:01.300 --> 00:30:02.019 true righteousness 00:30:02.019 --> 00:30:03.220 and holiness. 00:30:04.480 --> 00:30:05.100 As you 00:30:05.100 --> 00:30:05.660 change and 00:30:05.660 --> 00:30:07.340 grow, that 00:30:07.340 --> 00:30:07.960 spurs and 00:30:07.960 --> 00:30:08.600 encourages the 00:30:08.600 --> 00:30:09.100 people around 00:30:09.100 --> 00:30:09.420 you to do 00:30:09.420 --> 00:30:09.820 the same. 00:30:10.940 --> 00:30:11.380 We're not 00:30:11.380 --> 00:30:11.900 all wrestling 00:30:11.900 --> 00:30:12.440 with the same 00:30:12.440 --> 00:30:13.140 sins but 00:30:13.140 --> 00:30:14.019 seeing you 00:30:14.019 --> 00:30:14.860 wrestle with 00:30:14.860 --> 00:30:15.300 sin in your 00:30:15.300 --> 00:30:15.880 life, seeing 00:30:15.880 --> 00:30:16.340 you make the 00:30:16.340 --> 00:30:16.980 decision to 00:30:16.980 --> 00:30:17.440 say that 00:30:17.440 --> 00:30:18.460 God's being 00:30:18.460 --> 00:30:19.100 obedient to 00:30:19.100 --> 00:30:19.460 God and 00:30:19.460 --> 00:30:20.100 his call on 00:30:20.100 --> 00:30:20.580 your life is 00:30:20.580 --> 00:30:21.279 more important 00:30:21.279 --> 00:30:22.000 than your 00:30:22.000 --> 00:30:23.160 sensual desires 00:30:23.160 --> 00:30:26.100 makes me want 00:30:26.100 --> 00:30:26.420 to do the 00:30:26.420 --> 00:30:26.640 same. 00:30:26.640 --> 00:30:29.660 God's grace 00:30:29.660 --> 00:30:30.320 in your life 00:30:30.320 --> 00:30:31.140 gives me joy. 00:30:32.660 --> 00:30:33.400 God's work 00:30:33.400 --> 00:30:34.020 in your life 00:30:34.020 --> 00:30:34.580 gives me a 00:30:34.580 --> 00:30:35.040 vision for 00:30:35.040 --> 00:30:35.600 what he wants 00:30:35.600 --> 00:30:36.440 to do in 00:30:36.440 --> 00:30:37.240 my life and 00:30:37.240 --> 00:30:37.820 the life that 00:30:37.820 --> 00:30:38.300 you are living 00:30:38.300 --> 00:30:38.880 even in 00:30:38.880 --> 00:30:41.400 secret matters 00:30:41.400 --> 00:30:42.280 for the rest 00:30:42.280 --> 00:30:42.720 of us. 00:30:45.340 --> 00:30:46.120 This passage 00:30:46.120 --> 00:30:46.640 is kind of 00:30:46.640 --> 00:30:47.759 heavy but 00:30:47.759 --> 00:30:48.180 it's kind of 00:30:48.180 --> 00:30:48.720 light at the 00:30:48.720 --> 00:30:49.280 same time. 00:30:50.400 --> 00:30:51.120 There are so 00:30:51.120 --> 00:30:51.759 many examples 00:30:51.759 --> 00:30:52.320 of stuff that 00:30:52.320 --> 00:30:52.900 we are all 00:30:52.900 --> 00:30:53.400 bad at. 00:30:54.460 --> 00:30:54.900 Speech, 00:30:55.480 --> 00:30:56.360 sexual impurity, 00:30:56.359 --> 00:30:58.079 anger but 00:30:58.079 --> 00:30:58.539 it's all 00:30:58.539 --> 00:30:59.039 driven by 00:30:59.039 --> 00:30:59.539 the gospel. 00:31:00.859 --> 00:31:01.679 Verse 20 00:31:01.679 --> 00:31:02.479 to 24 00:31:02.479 --> 00:31:02.879 it just 00:31:02.879 --> 00:31:03.539 unpacks the 00:31:03.539 --> 00:31:03.859 gospel. 00:31:04.019 --> 00:31:04.339 You did not 00:31:04.339 --> 00:31:04.939 come to know 00:31:04.939 --> 00:31:05.639 Christ that 00:31:05.639 --> 00:31:05.879 way. 00:31:06.379 --> 00:31:06.939 You heard of 00:31:06.939 --> 00:31:07.379 him and were 00:31:07.379 --> 00:31:07.839 taught in 00:31:07.839 --> 00:31:08.079 him in 00:31:08.079 --> 00:31:08.639 accordance with 00:31:08.639 --> 00:31:09.139 the truth 00:31:09.139 --> 00:31:09.979 that is in 00:31:09.979 --> 00:31:10.299 Jesus. 00:31:11.099 --> 00:31:11.479 You're being 00:31:11.479 --> 00:31:12.259 made new in 00:31:12.259 --> 00:31:12.639 the attitude 00:31:12.639 --> 00:31:13.279 of your mind. 00:31:13.379 --> 00:31:13.639 It's the 00:31:13.639 --> 00:31:14.119 coming to 00:31:14.119 --> 00:31:14.619 know Jesus 00:31:14.619 --> 00:31:15.419 by grace 00:31:15.419 --> 00:31:16.179 and through 00:31:16.179 --> 00:31:17.159 faith that 00:31:17.159 --> 00:31:18.579 frees us to 00:31:18.579 --> 00:31:18.899 live a 00:31:18.899 --> 00:31:19.899 transformed life. 00:31:20.579 --> 00:31:21.099 Frees us 00:31:21.099 --> 00:31:21.939 from futile 00:31:21.939 --> 00:31:23.859 ignorance and 00:31:23.859 --> 00:31:24.579 empowers us to 00:31:24.579 --> 00:31:25.399 choose Jesus. 00:31:26.359 --> 00:31:27.719 So what's it 00:31:27.719 --> 00:31:28.059 going to look 00:31:28.059 --> 00:31:28.500 like for you 00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:29.059 to put on 00:31:29.059 --> 00:31:29.699 and put off 00:31:29.699 --> 00:31:30.240 this week? 00:31:32.259 --> 00:31:32.839 It's going to 00:31:32.839 --> 00:31:33.399 look exactly 00:31:33.399 --> 00:31:34.299 the same as 00:31:34.299 --> 00:31:35.479 it looked the 00:31:35.479 --> 00:31:36.979 first time you 00:31:36.979 --> 00:31:37.879 put off and 00:31:37.879 --> 00:31:38.240 put on. 00:31:39.639 --> 00:31:40.259 That's what you 00:31:40.259 --> 00:31:40.759 did when you 00:31:40.759 --> 00:31:41.219 became a 00:31:41.219 --> 00:31:41.539 Christian. 00:31:41.779 --> 00:31:42.459 You left your 00:31:42.459 --> 00:31:43.319 old life behind 00:31:43.319 --> 00:31:43.819 and you took 00:31:43.819 --> 00:31:44.219 on a new 00:31:44.219 --> 00:31:44.439 one. 00:31:44.719 --> 00:31:45.039 And what did 00:31:45.039 --> 00:31:45.479 it look like 00:31:45.479 --> 00:31:45.699 then? 00:31:46.439 --> 00:31:47.139 It looked like 00:31:47.139 --> 00:31:47.500 you saying, 00:31:47.619 --> 00:31:48.339 God, please 00:31:48.339 --> 00:31:48.859 do this in 00:31:48.859 --> 00:31:49.059 me. 00:31:50.199 --> 00:31:50.799 God, I don't 00:31:50.799 --> 00:31:51.359 deserve it. 00:31:51.399 --> 00:31:51.839 I'm not good 00:31:51.839 --> 00:31:52.059 enough. 00:31:52.119 --> 00:31:52.639 I'm not worthy. 00:31:52.799 --> 00:31:53.859 Please do this 00:31:53.859 --> 00:31:54.219 in me. 00:31:54.220 --> 00:31:56.420 It looks 00:31:56.420 --> 00:31:56.980 like prayer. 00:31:58.920 --> 00:31:59.440 Humble, 00:32:00.120 --> 00:32:00.640 dependent, 00:32:01.259 --> 00:32:02.059 and desperate 00:32:02.059 --> 00:32:02.600 prayer. 00:32:04.039 --> 00:32:04.980 Saying, God, 00:32:05.220 --> 00:32:05.779 change me. 00:32:07.960 --> 00:32:08.700 Pray for your 00:32:08.700 --> 00:32:09.079 holiness. 00:32:10.100 --> 00:32:10.680 Pray for my 00:32:10.680 --> 00:32:11.079 holiness. 00:32:12.079 --> 00:32:12.660 Pray for one 00:32:12.660 --> 00:32:13.500 another so that 00:32:13.500 --> 00:32:14.880 together we can 00:32:14.880 --> 00:32:15.460 live a life 00:32:15.460 --> 00:32:16.079 worthy of the 00:32:16.079 --> 00:32:16.400 gospel. 00:32:16.400 --> 00:32:17.920 so that 00:32:17.920 --> 00:32:18.480 together we 00:32:18.480 --> 00:32:19.240 can be the 00:32:19.240 --> 00:32:19.820 church that 00:32:19.820 --> 00:32:20.440 is pictured 00:32:20.440 --> 00:32:20.840 in these 00:32:20.840 --> 00:32:21.300 passages. 00:32:22.640 --> 00:32:23.280 So that 00:32:23.280 --> 00:32:23.940 together we 00:32:23.940 --> 00:32:24.600 might grow 00:32:24.600 --> 00:32:25.019 up and 00:32:25.019 --> 00:32:25.860 mature into 00:32:25.860 --> 00:32:26.360 the head 00:32:26.360 --> 00:32:27.100 that is 00:32:27.100 --> 00:32:27.880 Christ Jesus. 00:32:31.400 --> 00:32:31.880 Humble, 00:32:32.380 --> 00:32:32.920 dependent, 00:32:33.800 --> 00:32:34.120 desperate 00:32:34.120 --> 00:32:34.519 prayer. 00:32:36.680 --> 00:32:37.380 That's what it 00:32:37.380 --> 00:32:37.980 looks like to 00:32:37.980 --> 00:32:38.940 put off and 00:32:38.940 --> 00:32:39.320 put on. 00:32:41.700 --> 00:32:42.380 Let's pray. 00:32:42.380 --> 00:32:42.440 Pray. 00:32:42.440 --> 00:32:46.380 Pray for 00:32:46.380 --> 00:32:47.080 God. 00:32:47.080 --> 00:32:47.260 Father, we 00:32:47.260 --> 00:32:47.520 want to 00:32:47.520 --> 00:32:48.120 acknowledge that 00:32:48.120 --> 00:32:48.780 there is so 00:32:48.780 --> 00:32:49.420 much in our 00:32:49.420 --> 00:32:50.140 lives that is 00:32:50.140 --> 00:32:50.700 not okay. 00:32:51.860 --> 00:32:52.700 That there is so 00:32:52.700 --> 00:32:53.260 much about the 00:32:53.260 --> 00:32:53.700 way we are 00:32:53.700 --> 00:32:55.500 living that we 00:32:55.500 --> 00:32:55.980 have become 00:32:55.980 --> 00:32:57.140 desensitized to. 00:32:57.980 --> 00:32:58.660 We have become 00:32:58.660 --> 00:32:59.540 comfortable with 00:32:59.540 --> 00:33:00.380 things that are 00:33:00.380 --> 00:33:01.660 disgusting to 00:33:01.660 --> 00:33:01.900 you. 00:33:05.020 --> 00:33:05.640 Father, we 00:33:05.640 --> 00:33:06.480 remember the 00:33:06.480 --> 00:33:07.220 forgiveness and 00:33:07.220 --> 00:33:07.880 the freedom that 00:33:07.880 --> 00:33:08.500 you have won for 00:33:08.500 --> 00:33:09.100 us in Jesus. 00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:12.200 Please remind us 00:33:12.200 --> 00:33:12.800 of the work you 00:33:12.800 --> 00:33:13.200 have done. 00:33:14.100 --> 00:33:15.020 Lift our eyes to 00:33:15.019 --> 00:33:15.639 see the good 00:33:15.639 --> 00:33:16.019 that you would 00:33:16.019 --> 00:33:16.700 have us do in 00:33:16.700 --> 00:33:17.279 our lives. 00:33:17.879 --> 00:33:18.420 Show us the 00:33:18.420 --> 00:33:19.019 sins that you 00:33:19.019 --> 00:33:19.480 would have us 00:33:19.480 --> 00:33:20.139 deal with and 00:33:20.139 --> 00:33:20.779 wrestle with. 00:33:21.139 --> 00:33:21.599 Give us the 00:33:21.599 --> 00:33:22.220 strength to 00:33:22.220 --> 00:33:22.879 overcome them. 00:33:23.819 --> 00:33:24.619 Lord, keep us 00:33:24.619 --> 00:33:25.639 from settling with 00:33:25.639 --> 00:33:26.180 where we are 00:33:26.180 --> 00:33:26.500 now. 00:33:27.019 --> 00:33:27.859 Give us eyes to 00:33:27.859 --> 00:33:28.900 look to Jesus, 00:33:29.599 --> 00:33:30.559 to understand that 00:33:30.559 --> 00:33:31.579 you are transforming 00:33:31.579 --> 00:33:32.759 us from one degree 00:33:32.759 --> 00:33:33.420 of glory to 00:33:33.420 --> 00:33:33.759 another. 00:33:34.660 --> 00:33:35.180 That you are 00:33:35.180 --> 00:33:36.059 constantly by the 00:33:36.059 --> 00:33:36.579 power of your 00:33:36.579 --> 00:33:37.480 spirit cleansing 00:33:37.480 --> 00:33:38.420 us and shaping 00:33:38.420 --> 00:33:38.819 us. 00:33:39.319 --> 00:33:39.900 That we might 00:33:39.900 --> 00:33:40.539 love what you 00:33:40.539 --> 00:33:41.240 love and hate 00:33:41.240 --> 00:33:41.819 what you hate. 00:33:41.819 --> 00:33:44.779 God, use each 00:33:44.779 --> 00:33:45.319 of our lives 00:33:45.319 --> 00:33:46.200 individually to 00:33:46.200 --> 00:33:46.500 be an 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:47.679 encouragement and 00:33:47.679 --> 00:33:49.240 a joy to one 00:33:49.240 --> 00:33:49.539 another. 00:33:51.819 --> 00:33:52.980 God, please 00:33:52.980 --> 00:33:54.159 transform us 00:33:54.159 --> 00:33:55.939 that our lives 00:33:55.939 --> 00:33:56.799 might reflect your 00:33:56.799 --> 00:33:58.500 gospel, might 00:33:58.500 --> 00:33:59.399 point to Jesus. 00:34:00.679 --> 00:34:01.220 Amen.