Church of Christ Sermons and Lessons for 2014 |
Speaker |
Sermon/Lesson Title |
Audio
Video
Text
MS
Word
|
Category |
Date Added |
Lesson |
Bobby Stafford |
The Ways of the New Man (Ephesians 4:25-32) |
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Ephesians |
July 20, 2014 |
Sunday AM Sermon |
The Ways of the New Man
Introduction:
The ways of the new man include both positive and negative
aspects. This reminds us of Jesus’ teaching in
Matthew 12:43-45.
We must first be cleansed of evil [negative] and then be
filled with good [positive]. Our text provides us with
several practical ways that this is to be done.
Text:
Ephesians 4:25-32
Body:
I.
Honesty
(Verse
25)
Lying is not characteristic of the new man. (Colossians
3:9)
“Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old
man with his deeds.” NKJV
God considers lying to be very serious. (Revelation
21:8)
We should instead be truth-speakers. Lying would harm the
body of Christ of which we are members
II.
Anger Must Be Controlled
(Verses
26-27)
Anger is not necessarily sinful. There is such a thing as
righteous indignation, anger directed at sin and error. (Mark
3:1-5)
But anger is to be controlled. It must be limited so as not
to abide within us, to simmer in our hearts and cause us to
sin. We may say or do something wrong out of anger.
Examples:
1.
If I have been living unfaithfully and someone tries to
bring me back. (James
5:19-20)
Getting angry on my part would be wrong. That person was
only doing what God told him to do.
2.
Those who perform abortions for any reason should cause us
to be angry; but killing that person would be sinful. That
would be uncontrolled anger. Verse 27 Anger that is
not controlled and handled properly is an invitation for the
devil to enter our heart.
III.
Honest Laborer
(Verse
28)
Stealing must be stopped. It is outright robbing and
cheating to not give what you promised. Hiding defects is
dishonest. The new man must labor (II
Thessalonians 3:10-12)
and labor honestly. Sinful occupations or ungodly businesses
are prohibited. One purpose of working is to be able to help
others who are in need. (I
Timothy 6:17-19)
All of us here are considered rich.
IV.
Pure Speech
(Verse
29)
“Corrupt” means rotten, decayed, worthless; including things
like slander, gossip, and backbiting. (James
3:6)
But the tongue can be used for great good. (Proverbs
12:18, 25:11)
A word fitly spoken can build up and help others. (Colossians
4:6)
“Let your speech always be with grace. . .”
V.
Does Not Grieve the Holy Spirit
(Verse
30)
Grieve can cause pain. Examples in the Old Testament show us
how the Holy Spirit [part of the Godhead] can be grieved. (Genesis
6:5-6)
Man’s sin and rebellion grieves the Holy Spirit.
VI.
Is Kind Toward One Another
(Verses
31-32)
“Bitterness” is to be cynical, with an outlook of having a
resentful spirit. “Wrath, anger” cause outbursts of rage;
while anger can lead to revenge. “Clamor” is the outward
manifestation of angry people. Behaviors could include loud
quarreling, shouting, or even a shouting match. “Evil
speaking” is translated blasphemy when directed toward God.
This would include remarks made to ruin someone’s
reputation. “Motive” with wickedness may have the desire
that another person is hurt or one may be glad when someone
is injured in some way. There is no room for any of these
behaviors in the Christian life. Verse 32 “Kind”
means pleasant, gracious, being sweet instead of bitter.
“Tenderhearted” is to be compassionate, willing to help
those who are hurting or in need. “Forgiving” means
possessing a forgiving spirit. Be ever willing to forgive
those who have sinned against us who desire our forgiveness.
(Luke
17:3-4)
Then treat one as though he were “not guilty;” as though he
had never offended.
Invitation:
The basis for forgiveness is Christ and His death on
Calvary. Without that sacrifice, there could be no
forgiveness and no salvation. (Romans
8:32)
“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for
us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all
things?”
Notice that forgiveness is found only “in Christ.”
Everything good is found “in Christ.”
Bobby Stafford
July
20, 2014
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