Ephesians Lesson 8

Ephesians 4:17-24 “Walk no longer just as the Gentiles” They had a changed life They COULD no longer live like they had before Former life: Futility of mind 4:17 Understanding darkened 4:18 Ignorance which excluded/alienates them from life Hard heart Callousness leading to sensuality 4:19 Practicing impurity and greed 4:19

Ephesians 4:20-24 But you DID NOT LEARN CHRIST IN THIS WAY If one is STILL in ignorance, not understanding, having a futile mind, then that one is NOT saved Warning in 4:14 Be careful about the teaching you listen to. Some of it is trickery/cunning of men leading to deception Learn Christ: Truth is in Him 4:21 Truth is in His Word

Old Self New Self Old Self: being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit 4:22 Eph. 2:1-3 The sons of disobedience. They live according to the lusts of their flesh LAY THAT OLD SELF ASIDE 4:22 Put ON the New Self 4:24 Created in righteousness and holiness of truth Col. 3:9-10 We don’t lie to one another We lay aside the old self WITH its evil practices New Self: according to the image of the Creator

Old Self New Self Romans 6:1-11 Christians are raised with Christ to walk in newness of life: not continue in the former lifestyle We are no longer slaves to sin Consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God Eph. 4:25-32 Therefore: because you lay aside the old and put on the new….. Eph. 4:15 and 25 Speak Truth in love. Why? It grows up the body Eph. 4:26 Be angry, and yet do not sin Doesn’t say, “Don’t be angry” Do not give the devil an opportunity

Old Self New Self Don’t Steal 4:28 Work, so you have something to share Eph. 4:29 talks about words Nothing unwholesome/corrupting Unwholesome: rotten, worthless ONLY words of edification (building up) Words of grace to those that hear Eph. 4:30 How believers are to live and speak Disobedience to these instructions grieves the Holy Spirit

Contrasts Vs. 30 Put away: Bitterness Wrath Anger Clamor – an outcry….of tumult or controversy Slander Malice – wickedness as an evil habit of the mind Vs. 31 Be: Kind Tender-hearted Forgiving..just as God in Christ has forgiven you

Forgive Charizomenoi – to show favor, give freely. Used of God giving His grace to pardon. This is freely done and therefore not based on any merit of the one receiving forgiveness. Luke 23:33-35 “Father forgive them for they know not what they do” Aphes: to send away, leave alone, permit to depart, release. To let go from obligation toward oneself, to remit a debt or offense Matt. 6:12-15; 18:21-35 If we forgive others for their transgressions, our heavenly Father will forgive us.

Ephesians 5:1-14 Therefore: be imitators of God, as beloved children Walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us Contrast: BUT: Immorality, impurity and greed Must not be named among true believers These do not belong to a believer and his inheritance (1:11-18) Eph. 2:1-3 This is what we WERE

I Cor. 6:9-11 Fornicators, adulterers Idolaters Effeminate, homosexuals Thieves Covetous Drunkards Revilers Swindlers They are not saved and therefore have no inheritance Therefore: don’t partake/associate with them

Ephesians 5:7-14 Worthy Walk Described: Walk in the Light – you ARE Light in the Lord Goodness Righteousness Truth Pleasing to the Lord Exposing deeds of darkness Former Walk: Darkness Unfruitful Disgraceful/shameful

Cross References John 1:1-8 Jesus brought light into the world of darkness John 3:19-21 Unbelievers hate the Light, believers come to the Light Col. 1:12-14 God the Father rescued believers from the domain of darkness and gave them an inheritance I John 1:5-7 God is light and in Him is no darkness at all 2 Cor. 6:14 Believers and unbelievers have no fellowship I Thess. 5:4-11 Be alert and sober as those who walk in light when darkness is all around