WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.759 It won't surprise you to hear that this preacher is no fashion expert, 00:00:05.759 --> 00:00:14.339 but I do know enough to know that certain things, certain shapes, certain colours don't go together. 00:00:15.099 --> 00:00:20.679 That is, unless you're Lady Gaga at a presidential inauguration. 00:00:21.480 --> 00:00:25.260 And I must confess that I'm very grateful to Kath, my wife, 00:00:25.260 --> 00:00:30.120 for taking a look at what I'm wearing before I go out of the house, 00:00:30.340 --> 00:00:35.880 to make sure that I don't offend sensitive eyes by the things I'm wearing. 00:00:36.140 --> 00:00:38.960 And at times I've been greeted with that phrase, 00:00:39.620 --> 00:00:43.600 and there's a number of us listening to this who will have heard it. 00:00:44.160 --> 00:00:52.380 You couldn't possibly wear that, as she points out one particular clash or another. 00:00:52.380 --> 00:00:58.980 Now, I know that speaking like this smacks of sort of Western arrogance and affluence, 00:00:59.100 --> 00:01:05.520 because we have to face up to the fact that many in our world just don't have enough to eat. 00:01:06.280 --> 00:01:14.560 And in all honesty, they wouldn't give a moment's thought to whether their tattered T-shirt went with their ripped jeans. 00:01:14.560 --> 00:01:26.799 But the idea of uncoordinated clothing is one that Paul alludes to in his letter to the Ephesian church. 00:01:26.960 --> 00:01:31.359 And from it, let me say this, we can learn lessons that are far more vital 00:01:31.359 --> 00:01:35.480 than any lessons that you'll learn from the fashion police. 00:01:36.420 --> 00:01:42.460 You see, he's writing to young Christians who live in or around Ephesus. 00:01:42.459 --> 00:01:47.780 Ephesus was an area that was well known for a cultic religion. 00:01:48.019 --> 00:01:50.979 It was well known for its sexual immorality. 00:01:51.579 --> 00:01:55.359 And these young believers, these new Christians, 00:01:56.259 --> 00:02:01.379 they're not only facing pressure from living in such a setting as that, 00:02:01.519 --> 00:02:06.379 but they've also got people in their church, we would call them Jewish legalists, 00:02:06.379 --> 00:02:10.719 who were telling them, look, you've got to follow the rules that we're going to give you 00:02:10.719 --> 00:02:14.659 if you want to enjoy closeness to God. 00:02:15.680 --> 00:02:23.780 But Paul has been clear, magnificently clear in the letter that we've been looking at. 00:02:23.939 --> 00:02:28.379 Jesus Christ has broken down all these dividing barriers. 00:02:28.379 --> 00:02:36.699 Jesus Christ is making for himself one new people who've been saved by grace alone, 00:02:36.819 --> 00:02:39.900 through faith alone, in Christ alone. 00:02:40.079 --> 00:02:44.159 And that's the whole theme of this letter. 00:02:44.620 --> 00:02:50.419 This has come up time and time again, as you will have seen from previous studies. 00:02:50.419 --> 00:02:57.919 There are no longer any distinctions between Jewish and Gentile believers. 00:02:58.280 --> 00:03:03.560 They have become one new people in Christ. 00:03:04.560 --> 00:03:10.879 But if there's now no distinction between the Jewish believers and the Gentile believers 00:03:10.879 --> 00:03:15.199 in that church at Ephesus, Paul goes on to point out, 00:03:15.199 --> 00:03:23.359 actually there should be massive differences between those who follow Jesus Christ and those who don't. 00:03:23.419 --> 00:03:26.280 And the difference between believers and unbelievers. 00:03:26.379 --> 00:03:31.799 And his shorthand for unbelievers is that word pagans or Gentiles. 00:03:33.060 --> 00:03:35.979 And at the start of the section we're looking at this morning, 00:03:36.099 --> 00:03:39.579 he's passionate that the contrast should be seen. 00:03:39.679 --> 00:03:44.039 And by the way, could I really encourage you to have your Bible open in front of you, 00:03:44.039 --> 00:03:46.219 because we're going to be working through this passage. 00:03:46.439 --> 00:03:48.979 I want you to check out the things that I'm saying. 00:03:49.079 --> 00:03:52.859 I want you to see how Paul lays them out for us. 00:03:53.280 --> 00:03:58.199 Because this new section is introduced there in verse 17, where Paul says this, 00:03:58.259 --> 00:04:06.159 So I tell you this and insist on it in the Lord that you no longer live as the Gentiles do. 00:04:06.159 --> 00:04:15.919 And Paul then proceeds with a blistering diagnosis of what it is that characterizes pagan behavior. 00:04:16.139 --> 00:04:17.980 He describes their condition. 00:04:18.860 --> 00:04:24.019 He wants believers to be aware that behavior like theirs, 00:04:24.219 --> 00:04:31.680 pagan behavior, clashes with what we are now in Christ as believers. 00:04:31.680 --> 00:04:34.920 So let's have a look at verses 17 to 19. 00:04:35.139 --> 00:04:39.400 I've called it this, the condition of unbelievers exposed. 00:04:39.540 --> 00:04:42.680 The condition of unbelievers exposed. 00:04:43.379 --> 00:04:45.100 They're in verses 17 to 19. 00:04:45.360 --> 00:04:48.840 And Paul highlights three areas. 00:04:49.720 --> 00:04:54.920 First of all, as he is describing how pagans operate, how unbelievers operate, 00:04:55.000 --> 00:04:58.879 he says they are darkened in understanding. 00:04:59.120 --> 00:05:00.360 Darkened in understanding. 00:05:00.360 --> 00:05:09.160 Do you see how Paul emphasizes this point there in chapter 4, second part of verse 17 through to verse 18? 00:05:09.280 --> 00:05:15.780 He says in the futility of their thinking, they are darkened in their understanding 00:05:15.780 --> 00:05:21.939 and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them. 00:05:22.220 --> 00:05:23.520 Darkened in understanding. 00:05:23.519 --> 00:05:36.139 You see, however high might be someone's IQ or however many GCSEs or A-levels or hires or degrees or doctorates one has, 00:05:37.359 --> 00:05:43.500 if one rejects the maker, the sustainer who is at the center of all things, 00:05:43.500 --> 00:05:52.720 then the Bible describes this as rank foolishness, as the ultimate ignorance, as the greatest blindness possible. 00:05:53.879 --> 00:06:03.000 It's as if there's a bug in the CPU of our lives, as if there's a major flaw in how all information is processed. 00:06:03.000 --> 00:06:10.240 You see, it doesn't matter how powerful the computer is, what speed it runs at, what capacity it has. 00:06:10.300 --> 00:06:19.040 If there's a fault at the heart of the system, then everything else is flawed and defective. 00:06:19.040 --> 00:06:27.800 You see, if you get it wrong about God, if you have false ideas of who he is and what he's done, 00:06:27.980 --> 00:06:31.040 then you get everything else wrong. 00:06:31.920 --> 00:06:34.140 You don't see things clearly. 00:06:34.280 --> 00:06:35.620 You don't understand life. 00:06:35.720 --> 00:06:39.740 You don't grasp why you were made and how you should live. 00:06:40.780 --> 00:06:45.680 There's nothing more important, you see, than we think correctly about God. 00:06:45.680 --> 00:06:49.459 The pagans, they were darkened in their understanding. 00:06:49.720 --> 00:06:55.699 But secondly, these pagans, these unbelievers, Paul says they are separated from God. 00:06:55.800 --> 00:06:58.220 They're separated from God. 00:06:59.300 --> 00:07:07.180 Now, Paul's already emphasized twice in chapter 2 that the natural state of those in sin is spiritual death. 00:07:08.259 --> 00:07:13.180 You'll remember he writes this back in chapter 2, there in verse 1, 3 and verse 5. 00:07:13.180 --> 00:07:17.939 He says, as for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins. 00:07:18.400 --> 00:07:21.600 We were by nature objects of wrath. 00:07:22.379 --> 00:07:25.900 We were dead in transgressions. 00:07:27.040 --> 00:07:35.319 In other words, because of sin, all pagans, however decent and nice and moral they are, 00:07:35.439 --> 00:07:38.680 they have no relationship with God. 00:07:39.340 --> 00:07:40.660 They're separated from him. 00:07:40.740 --> 00:07:42.100 They're alienated from him. 00:07:42.100 --> 00:07:44.960 They have no life in him. 00:07:46.060 --> 00:07:52.879 But the follower of Jesus, the one who's been born again by his spirit, is not like that. 00:07:52.980 --> 00:07:54.180 There is life. 00:07:54.280 --> 00:08:00.100 There's a fresh understanding, opened eyes, a realization of the wonder of the living God 00:08:00.100 --> 00:08:01.900 who's adopted us into his family. 00:08:02.000 --> 00:08:08.060 There is a sense of joy and wonder and delight, for we have come to be joined to him. 00:08:08.060 --> 00:08:10.439 The pagans, the unbelievers, they are separated. 00:08:10.439 --> 00:08:15.000 But we, by God's grace, have been united to him. 00:08:16.259 --> 00:08:18.879 And then thirdly, Paul describes them in this way. 00:08:19.519 --> 00:08:22.060 They are hardened in conscience. 00:08:23.079 --> 00:08:25.199 They're hardened in conscience. 00:08:25.360 --> 00:08:27.379 Paul puts it like this in verse 18. 00:08:27.379 --> 00:08:38.259 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. 00:08:38.259 --> 00:08:48.919 You see, if you have wrong thoughts about God, if you are separated from him, then it will inevitably affect your conscience. 00:08:50.360 --> 00:08:52.740 Your understanding of what is right and wrong. 00:08:52.819 --> 00:08:56.580 You'll have no absolute reference point to understand. 00:08:56.580 --> 00:09:06.980 You'll ultimately be shaped by what you feel is right, rather than by what you know is right. 00:09:07.020 --> 00:09:10.120 You'll be shaped more by the prevailing views of the time. 00:09:10.259 --> 00:09:11.300 What do others think? 00:09:11.840 --> 00:09:13.460 What's going over on Twitter? 00:09:13.980 --> 00:09:20.820 What is the woke culture telling us, rather than being shaped by the unchanging character of the creator? 00:09:20.820 --> 00:09:26.680 And this hardening means stubbornness. 00:09:26.760 --> 00:09:27.820 It means being obstinate. 00:09:27.980 --> 00:09:32.140 It means willfully rejecting what you know is right. 00:09:32.379 --> 00:09:45.260 It means you try to reprogram your conscience to fit in with what you want, rather than with what God himself reveals. 00:09:45.259 --> 00:09:54.539 And in verse 19, Paul goes on to make the connection between a hardened conscience and shameless behavior. 00:09:54.639 --> 00:10:05.399 He says this, having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality, so to indulge in every kind of impurity with a continual lust for more. 00:10:07.240 --> 00:10:09.080 In fact, doesn't this make frightening reading? 00:10:10.120 --> 00:10:13.679 It's such an accurate description of today's society. 00:10:13.679 --> 00:10:22.679 It's precisely what we come across daily on the news or on Twitter or on our social media feeds. 00:10:22.819 --> 00:10:25.219 We live in an age of no shame. 00:10:26.239 --> 00:10:30.000 We live in an age where anything goes. 00:10:32.299 --> 00:10:36.079 But go on to notice what Paul then says in verse 20. 00:10:36.079 --> 00:10:41.740 That massive contrast between the pagans and the believers. 00:10:41.740 --> 00:10:44.700 Between how they think and what their lifestyle is. 00:10:44.759 --> 00:10:50.659 He says, you, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 00:10:51.680 --> 00:10:56.560 You see, just as the pagans' problem was their ignorance, was their futile thinking. 00:10:56.779 --> 00:11:02.340 So the answer for the believers was the fact that they were well taught concerning Christ. 00:11:02.340 --> 00:11:12.639 And Paul here underlines how their minds, how their mindsets had been radically changed through encountering Christ. 00:11:12.639 --> 00:11:17.860 But let's move on to the second paragraph that we have before us. 00:11:17.860 --> 00:11:20.559 Verses 20 through to verse 24. 00:11:20.740 --> 00:11:24.720 I've called this the contrast with believers explained. 00:11:24.879 --> 00:11:28.299 The contrast with believers explained. 00:11:28.399 --> 00:11:29.840 As Paul says in verse 20, 00:11:30.100 --> 00:11:35.179 You, that, however, is not the way of life you learned. 00:11:35.179 --> 00:11:42.539 And Paul is probably referring here to the time when they first heard the wonderful news about God's grace. 00:11:42.959 --> 00:11:49.759 When they first heard that invitation to all sinners to find forgiveness through the finished work of Jesus. 00:11:50.419 --> 00:11:53.399 You see, they were taught about Jesus. 00:11:53.620 --> 00:11:57.399 They learned the truths embodied in the life of Jesus. 00:11:57.399 --> 00:12:06.879 Actually, I think that's why Paul uses the name Jesus here on its own rather than the more usual title he would use of Christ. 00:12:07.879 --> 00:12:14.379 You see, he wants to emphasize that the human Jesus was the perfect embodiment of all they were taught. 00:12:15.699 --> 00:12:21.899 And in applying these truths, Paul uses that fashion imagery to help them. 00:12:21.899 --> 00:12:29.379 They were to put off the old self and to put on the new self. 00:12:29.539 --> 00:12:30.519 Let's look at those verses. 00:12:30.620 --> 00:12:31.659 Let me read them to you again. 00:12:31.740 --> 00:12:33.179 Verses 22 to 24. 00:12:33.600 --> 00:12:38.500 You were taught with regard to your former way of life to put off your old self, 00:12:38.559 --> 00:12:41.319 which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires, 00:12:41.679 --> 00:12:46.480 to be made new in the attitude of your minds and to put on the new self, 00:12:46.579 --> 00:12:50.980 created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 00:12:50.980 --> 00:12:55.320 Do you see how this fashion imagery is kicking in? 00:12:56.560 --> 00:12:59.680 Paul is saying that they need to coordinate. 00:13:00.840 --> 00:13:06.820 Paul is saying that their new clothes, as it were, shouldn't clash with who they are. 00:13:07.100 --> 00:13:14.860 You can't wear the old clothes of sinful indulgence alongside the new clothes of Christ's righteousness. 00:13:15.039 --> 00:13:16.759 They just don't go. 00:13:16.759 --> 00:13:18.860 They're completely out of place. 00:13:20.980 --> 00:13:26.300 So what the Ephesian believers were taught was that at the time of their salvation, 00:13:26.560 --> 00:13:30.100 they were made new in Jesus. 00:13:30.659 --> 00:13:35.100 That old nature that had been dominated by sin and ignorance, 00:13:35.200 --> 00:13:37.080 that old nature had been done away with. 00:13:37.460 --> 00:13:41.940 And there was given to them a new nature of righteousness and holiness. 00:13:41.940 --> 00:13:45.640 And how did they know? 00:13:45.720 --> 00:13:48.300 How were they to know if there was a clash? 00:13:48.740 --> 00:13:49.480 How could they tell? 00:13:49.680 --> 00:13:51.900 Well, the answer is given in verse 23. 00:13:53.220 --> 00:13:57.500 Be made new in the attitude of your minds. 00:13:58.600 --> 00:14:03.360 In fact, the translation again doesn't quite capture the sense of the Greek that's being used here. 00:14:03.360 --> 00:14:12.259 Better, though clumsier translation would be, go on being made new in the attitude of your minds. 00:14:12.259 --> 00:14:26.419 Now, maybe there may be some of you who are listening to this online and you enjoy reading fashion magazines or you enjoy following online fashion influencers. 00:14:26.980 --> 00:14:30.019 You know, you want to keep in touch with the fashion scene. 00:14:30.120 --> 00:14:32.259 You want to know what colors are in. 00:14:32.480 --> 00:14:35.559 You want to know what styles are emerging. 00:14:35.559 --> 00:14:42.599 So month by month, you keep reading these articles to keep you up to date with what you should wear. 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:45.559 Now, I make no comments about that. 00:14:46.459 --> 00:14:54.459 Except to say, you know, I do have one niece who works for a fashion and lifestyle magazine and I have another niece who works for Prada. 00:14:54.619 --> 00:14:57.039 So I have to be careful in what I say. 00:14:57.259 --> 00:15:02.519 Except to say this is a useful illustration of how the Christian should operate. 00:15:02.879 --> 00:15:04.799 You see, we need to keep in touch. 00:15:04.799 --> 00:15:10.779 We need to be aware of what's appropriate to Christ-like character. 00:15:11.519 --> 00:15:15.179 And we need to be aware of what might clash with it. 00:15:16.039 --> 00:15:18.740 Like the horrible old rags of the old nature. 00:15:20.139 --> 00:15:23.539 And to keep in touch, we need to keep reading. 00:15:23.740 --> 00:15:26.240 Not fashion magazines, but God's Word. 00:15:27.179 --> 00:15:29.639 We keep studying what it says. 00:15:29.639 --> 00:15:35.299 We keep working out what's appropriate as believers and what isn't. 00:15:35.860 --> 00:15:38.639 What clashes and what fits. 00:15:40.139 --> 00:15:46.659 And actually, that's precisely what Paul goes on to do in considerable detail in the coming verses. 00:15:46.759 --> 00:15:51.620 So we'll come to the final section of this chapter in verses 25 to 32. 00:15:51.620 --> 00:15:55.940 And I've called it this, the conduct God expects. 00:15:56.440 --> 00:15:59.940 The conduct God expects. 00:15:59.940 --> 00:16:10.620 Now, we don't have time to go into each area of conduct or time to examine each, as it were, spiritual fashion accessory that's being taught about here. 00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:15.180 But we can quickly flick through the pages of this biblical fashion magazine. 00:16:15.300 --> 00:16:15.920 What it is? 00:16:16.360 --> 00:16:17.420 What should we be wearing? 00:16:18.420 --> 00:16:20.800 What's it going to look like to be a follower of Jesus? 00:16:20.799 --> 00:16:25.240 Well, we're given a number of guides. 00:16:25.379 --> 00:16:27.839 Verse 25, plain communication. 00:16:28.539 --> 00:16:30.179 Plain communication. 00:16:30.740 --> 00:16:35.719 He writes, therefore, each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor. 00:16:36.779 --> 00:16:38.879 For we are all members of one body. 00:16:40.479 --> 00:16:41.459 Plain communication. 00:16:41.599 --> 00:16:42.479 You see, we don't manipulate. 00:16:42.679 --> 00:16:43.519 We don't falsify. 00:16:43.819 --> 00:16:46.939 We honor one another by telling the truth in love. 00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:47.679 We don't con. 00:16:47.679 --> 00:16:51.259 No fake news here. 00:16:53.439 --> 00:16:54.839 Plain communication. 00:16:55.019 --> 00:16:55.719 Verse 25. 00:16:56.079 --> 00:16:57.959 Secondly, pure emotion. 00:16:58.219 --> 00:17:01.059 We find that in verses 26 to 27. 00:17:01.259 --> 00:17:02.639 Pure emotion. 00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:06.740 Paul writes, in your anger, do not sin. 00:17:07.799 --> 00:17:10.659 Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. 00:17:10.879 --> 00:17:13.419 And do not give the devil a foothold. 00:17:13.420 --> 00:17:21.300 You see, our emotional responses shouldn't be out of a sense of injured personal pride. 00:17:21.360 --> 00:17:24.700 But they should be driven by the honor and glory of God. 00:17:24.940 --> 00:17:31.700 That's why at times righteous anger is entirely appropriate. 00:17:33.220 --> 00:17:34.500 You see, it's not about us. 00:17:35.779 --> 00:17:37.400 It's about him. 00:17:37.400 --> 00:17:39.240 There should be pure emotion. 00:17:39.380 --> 00:17:48.000 Emotion driven, prompted by our longing for the glory and the honor of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:54.880 Thirdly, then, in verse 28, I notice that Paul talks about purposeful activity. 00:17:55.140 --> 00:17:56.119 Purposeful activity. 00:17:56.660 --> 00:18:03.740 He writes, anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work doing something useful with their own hands, 00:18:04.119 --> 00:18:08.000 that they may have something to share with those in need. 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:13.660 You see, what we do should be with an eye on others. 00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:15.839 How can we bless others? 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:22.980 How can we dignify the time and the gifts that God gives us? 00:18:23.759 --> 00:18:28.660 We do it by purposeful activity, with an eye to others. 00:18:29.799 --> 00:18:33.880 And then, fourthly, verse 29, Paul talks about profitable speech. 00:18:33.880 --> 00:18:39.140 He says, do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, 00:18:39.860 --> 00:18:44.080 but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, 00:18:44.140 --> 00:18:47.260 that it may benefit those who listen. 00:18:48.600 --> 00:18:53.080 See, just as what we do must be beneficial to others, 00:18:53.340 --> 00:18:58.660 so must our speech in the same way build others up. 00:18:59.420 --> 00:19:02.800 We're not going to be people who are full of criticism. 00:19:02.799 --> 00:19:04.339 And gossip. 00:19:05.839 --> 00:19:11.119 Neither will our talk be impure or suggestive. 00:19:11.980 --> 00:19:18.960 No, rather, whatever comes out of our mouths will bless, will help, will encourage our hearers. 00:19:19.200 --> 00:19:21.139 Profitable speech. 00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:26.379 Fifthly, in verse 30, we notice that there are perceptive responses. 00:19:26.380 --> 00:19:28.380 Perceptive responses. 00:19:28.380 --> 00:19:28.940 Perceptive responses. 00:19:29.180 --> 00:19:34.420 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you are sealed for the day of redemption. 00:19:34.640 --> 00:19:39.080 You see, we're going to be sensitive to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, 00:19:39.180 --> 00:19:41.700 and we're going to respond appropriately. 00:19:41.700 --> 00:19:49.460 We're not going to willfully go against what God has said through his word and by his spirit. 00:19:50.819 --> 00:19:53.019 Or how that is required in our lives. 00:19:53.160 --> 00:19:57.539 That prompting, that leading that God gives us through the word and by the spirit. 00:19:57.660 --> 00:20:00.080 And we want to be responsive to that. 00:20:00.079 --> 00:20:07.379 We don't want to be those who grieve the Holy Spirit, but rather those who do what he is saying and encouraging us to do. 00:20:07.799 --> 00:20:08.819 Perceptive responses. 00:20:08.819 --> 00:20:14.799 And then finally, verses 31 to 32, Paul talks about peaceable behavior. 00:20:15.379 --> 00:20:16.240 Peaceable behavior. 00:20:17.019 --> 00:20:24.119 He writes, get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 00:20:24.279 --> 00:20:32.159 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 00:20:32.160 --> 00:20:47.840 I think one of the emerging tragedies in the church today is the level of hostility and criticism that's arisen between church members 00:20:47.840 --> 00:20:54.860 who hold different viewpoints on the application of COVID regulations. 00:20:54.859 --> 00:21:02.779 I've seen the most awful things posted on Twitter and Facebook by so-called believers. 00:21:03.500 --> 00:21:07.419 Suddenly this becomes so much more important to them than the gospel itself. 00:21:07.579 --> 00:21:12.079 So much more important than reflecting the love and the grace of Jesus Christ. 00:21:12.079 --> 00:21:23.039 And words are used to address other people who hold different views in ways which are so ungracious and ungodly. 00:21:23.119 --> 00:21:23.719 It clashes. 00:21:24.859 --> 00:21:31.939 Look, my friends, at this key time in our nation's life, that's not what we need. 00:21:32.059 --> 00:21:35.259 That won't commend Jesus to a watching world. 00:21:36.459 --> 00:21:42.279 Look, we may have legitimate differences or opinions over many issues. 00:21:42.279 --> 00:21:49.339 But the wonder of saving grace is the way Christians show that grace to others. 00:21:50.679 --> 00:21:54.639 Especially those who are within the family of faith. 00:21:54.859 --> 00:22:01.939 So what does this all mean for us here and now? 00:22:01.939 --> 00:22:05.399 Let me just give you three very brief applications. 00:22:05.619 --> 00:22:06.759 We've been trying to apply this. 00:22:06.959 --> 00:22:09.339 We've been working our way through this passage. 00:22:09.339 --> 00:22:14.619 But let me give you three broad brushstroke applications. 00:22:14.619 --> 00:22:18.579 Number one, being a Christian is not a lifestyle choice. 00:22:18.739 --> 00:22:20.799 It is a radical recreation. 00:22:21.259 --> 00:22:24.939 You see, as Paul is speaking here, he's saying there's a difference. 00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:25.979 There's a massive difference. 00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:28.939 Once you were dead in your sins, now you're alive. 00:22:28.959 --> 00:22:31.179 Once you were blind in your sins, now you can see. 00:22:31.539 --> 00:22:34.419 My friends, being a Christian is not a lifestyle choice. 00:22:34.860 --> 00:22:37.600 Maybe you're here and you're listening and saying, yeah, I'm a Christian. 00:22:37.920 --> 00:22:40.860 And why you say that is because you sort of do Christian things. 00:22:41.640 --> 00:22:43.060 That's not what makes you a Christian. 00:22:43.180 --> 00:22:46.060 Being a Christian is someone who's been born again by the Spirit of God. 00:22:46.140 --> 00:22:49.279 Your life has been radically made new. 00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:57.819 And my friends, listening to this, I want you to understand this is a radical work of God. 00:22:57.879 --> 00:23:00.740 And I want you to have known that work of God in your own life. 00:23:00.839 --> 00:23:03.240 This isn't just about, oh, I like religion. 00:23:03.339 --> 00:23:03.779 It's helpful. 00:23:03.899 --> 00:23:09.700 No, it's about loving Jesus with everything that you've got as the song that we were listening to 00:23:09.700 --> 00:23:12.220 before we came to this message. 00:23:12.279 --> 00:23:14.779 Speaking about the fact that when you're a follower of Jesus Christ, 00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:16.000 you just want to give him everything. 00:23:16.119 --> 00:23:16.740 It controls. 00:23:16.920 --> 00:23:17.500 It consumes. 00:23:17.619 --> 00:23:18.460 It's your passion. 00:23:19.279 --> 00:23:21.960 This isn't lifestyle that we preach. 00:23:22.500 --> 00:23:25.000 This is Christ as Lord. 00:23:25.379 --> 00:23:27.180 Christ as King. 00:23:28.839 --> 00:23:36.000 The second general area here is how and what you think about God is of the greatest importance. 00:23:37.039 --> 00:23:39.559 It affects every area of life. 00:23:39.619 --> 00:23:40.359 That's what we've seen. 00:23:40.700 --> 00:23:42.960 Paul keeps coming back to the way that you think. 00:23:45.139 --> 00:23:48.879 And when God is at the center of our lives and when we were using our minds 00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:52.160 to understand what God has said, what God has revealed through his word, 00:23:52.160 --> 00:23:53.300 then it will change us. 00:23:53.380 --> 00:23:54.320 It will alter us. 00:23:56.000 --> 00:24:02.880 It's not just enough to be lazy and go along with bland cliches that the world pumps out, 00:24:03.100 --> 00:24:07.180 so many of which are well past their sell-by dates. 00:24:07.180 --> 00:24:10.460 No, it is as we engage our minds. 00:24:10.460 --> 00:24:12.900 It's how we think about God. 00:24:12.900 --> 00:24:17.900 And if you're listening to this and you're a follower of God, you're a follower of Jesus Christ, 00:24:18.060 --> 00:24:23.920 then please use your mind with everything you have so that you may prove what his will is, 00:24:24.080 --> 00:24:29.920 prove as it were, understand that the clothing that is right and appropriate and commending him in every way. 00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:33.280 There is no excuse for mental laziness in the Christian walk. 00:24:33.279 --> 00:24:37.059 And the third thing I want to say is this. 00:24:37.119 --> 00:24:40.039 If you are a believer, the difference must be seen. 00:24:40.720 --> 00:24:42.079 That's Paul's point here. 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:47.599 It is the gospel of Jesus Christ that unites us as a church family. 00:24:48.279 --> 00:24:51.799 All the barriers that the world would erect, they've been broken down, 00:24:51.879 --> 00:24:54.259 but in Jesus we've been made one. 00:24:55.619 --> 00:24:57.220 And my brothers and sisters, 00:24:57.220 --> 00:25:03.420 the difference must be seen between you as a follower of Jesus Christ and the one who isn't. 00:25:05.579 --> 00:25:07.480 That is what Paul is saying. 00:25:07.620 --> 00:25:14.860 There is this strange clash between the way that we live and act and think and behave. 00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:18.420 My brother, my sister, is it seen in you? 00:25:18.519 --> 00:25:21.740 Or if I was to go along to your workplace or to your college 00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:26.920 or to where you interact with others in your social groups 00:25:26.920 --> 00:25:29.920 and I said, you know, that person's a Christian. 00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:33.600 And what if the answer would be we saw no difference in that? 00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:37.039 No, Paul, if we're to take God's word seriously, 00:25:37.200 --> 00:25:39.300 Paul is saying there is a difference. 00:25:39.880 --> 00:25:42.940 When we've been captured by his spirit and we've been captured by his truth, 00:25:43.000 --> 00:25:45.300 then we're going to walk in such a way that commends him. 00:25:45.300 --> 00:25:52.019 There is going to be something which is deliciously, positively, gloriously different. 00:25:53.080 --> 00:25:56.300 And we pray that God by his spirit will then have people asking you, 00:25:56.920 --> 00:25:57.940 what makes you tick? 00:25:58.200 --> 00:25:59.759 And maybe it's at that point you say, 00:25:59.880 --> 00:26:02.340 hey, our church is running a life explored course. 00:26:02.560 --> 00:26:03.800 Why don't you sign up with us? 00:26:04.300 --> 00:26:04.940 Let's have a look. 00:26:05.019 --> 00:26:09.200 Let's be able to explain more the wonders of the gospel. 00:26:10.680 --> 00:26:11.300 Let's pray. 00:26:12.300 --> 00:26:14.380 Father, we thank you for your word. 00:26:14.460 --> 00:26:16.120 We thank you that it's such a relevant word. 00:26:16.259 --> 00:26:17.560 Thank you for its wisdom. 00:26:17.700 --> 00:26:18.860 Thank you for its power. 00:26:19.500 --> 00:26:22.440 And would you please apply it to our hearts? 00:26:22.440 --> 00:26:29.120 Would you please make us to be those who passionately long to be more and more like Jesus Christ, 00:26:29.299 --> 00:26:33.360 united to one another but different from those who do not follow him? 00:26:34.860 --> 00:26:38.580 And Lord, may our behavior commend Christ. 00:26:38.720 --> 00:26:43.100 Lord, we realize this is not a way that we can get to heaven by doing these things. 00:26:43.160 --> 00:26:44.299 It's only by faith in you. 00:26:44.299 --> 00:26:47.159 But it's a way that we show that we're on the journey. 00:26:48.659 --> 00:26:50.119 So have mercy, we pray. 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:51.759 In Jesus' name. 00:26:52.059 --> 00:26:52.359 Amen.