Quality of Church Life Issues Ephesians 4:28-31 Part 2

Stop It!

Ephesians 4:25-31 V. 25 - When is a deceiver not a deceiver? When he or she develops the habit of telling the truth. Vv.26-27 - When is a hothead not a hot head? When he or she develops the habit of expressing their anger in a controlled and constructive way. V.28 - When is a thief no longer a thief? When he or she develops the habit of giving to people in need instead of taking from others that which is rightfully theirs.

Vv.29-30 - When is a person with destructive speech no longer a person who is destructive? When he or she develops the habit of only speaking that which is beneficial and helpful to others. Vv.31-32 - When is a person filled with animosity no longer filled with animosity? When they develop the habit of being kind and forgiving toward those who hurt them.

Our Calling: Unity & Purity YOU CAN’T HAVE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE BODY OF CHRIST IF PEOPLE ARE . . . V.25- lying to one another. Vv. 26-27- expressing their anger in sinful ways. V. 28- cheating one another. V.29 - speaking in ways that hurt one another. V.31 - holding animosity toward a fellow member.

Diverse Ways to Steal shop lifting buy, use, return helping yourself to supplies from work without permission embezzling forging checks dishonest salesmanship not reporting income to the IRS insurance fraud slothfulness at work sponging off of others etc. etc. etc.

Why do Christians work? 1. We work to provide our own needs (2 Thess. 3:6-15). 2. We work to provide for the needs of our family (1 Timothy 5:3-9). 3. We work to provide for the needs of others (Ephesians 4:28). 4. We work to provide the needs of the Lord’s work (1 Corinthians 9:3-18; Philippians 4:10-19; 1 Timothy 5:17, etc.)

Why do Christians work? 1. We work to provide our own needs (2 Thess. 3:6-15). 2. We work to provide for the needs of our family (1 Timothy 5:3-9). 3. We work to provide for the needs of others (Ephesians 4:28). 4. We work to provide the needs of the Lord’s work (1 Corinthians 9:3-18; Philippians 4:10-19; 1 Timothy 5:17, etc.)

Why do Christians work? 1. We work to provide our own needs (2 Thess. 3:6-15). 2. We work to provide for the needs of our family (1 Timothy 5:3-9). 3. We work to provide for the needs of others (Ephesians 4:28). 4. We work to provide the needs of the Lord’s work (1 Corinthians 9:3-18; Philippians 4:10-19; 1 Timothy 5:17, etc.)

Why do Christians work? 1. We work to provide our own needs (2 Thess. 3:6-15). 2. We work to provide for the needs of our family (1 Timothy 5:3-9). 3. We work to provide for the needs of others (Ephesians 4:28). 4. We work to provide the needs of the Lord’s work (1 Corinthians 9:3-18; Philippians 4:10-19; 1 Timothy 5:17, etc.)

Why do Christians work? 1. We work to provide our own needs (2 Thess. 3:6-15). 2. We work to provide for the needs of our family (1 Timothy 5:3-9). 3. We work to provide for the needs of others (Ephesians 4:28). 4. We work to provide the needs of the Lord’s work (1 Corinthians 9:3-18; Philippians 4:10-19; 1 Timothy 5:17, etc.)

Acts 4:32-35

One rotten apple can spoil the whole barrel. sophros

Destructive Speech lying insulting being overly sarcastic being unnecessarily critical loving to argue gossiping slandering flattering betraying confidences bluntness nagging etc. etc. etc.

Constructive Speech greetings & common courtesies appreciation or thankfulness asking questions to get to know someone telling others about yourself expressing love and affection sincere compliments a words of comfort or encouragement a apology advise instruction a witness a sincere promise

Take off your dirty clothes bitterness rage anger brawling slander malice

Put on your clean clothes forgiveness compassion kindness

Be as full of grace toward others who hurt your feelings as God is full of grace toward those who grieve Him.

Constructive Habits / Behaviors Always telling the truth Always expressing your anger in a controlled and constructive way Giving to the others when needs arise Only speaking words that will be helpful and beneficial Always being kind and forgiving to those who hurt you

What’s it take to form a new habit? Relying on the Holy Spirit’s assistance. practice, practice, practice.