3. Ephesians 4:17-24 Bible Reading

4. Matthew 26:26-28 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

5. Theme for the Month of February 2016!

6. Ephesians 1:3-14

7. Ephesians 2:4-18

8. Ephesians 2:19-22

9. Ephesians 4:17-24

10. Rich There are many Christians that do not understand that if we are in the Lord, we are Rich, We are Wealthy and we have all. reconciled. If we are in the Lord, we are reconciled. fellowship. If we are in the Lord, we have fellowship. MUST be RIGHTEOUSS. If we are in the Lord, we MUST be RIGHTEOUSS. Righteousness in the Christian life is not a choice, but something that God is asking, demanding from all of us… What is RIGHTEOUNESS?  the quality or state of being righteous. righteous conduct. the quality or state of being just or rightful:

11. Ephesians 4:17-24 (NKJV) 17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

12. Lesson #1 from Christ: PUT OFF! (4:22) Lesson #1 from Christ: PUT OFF! (4:22) – A new life requires the removal of the old life! – Our former manner of life is spiritually destitute & continues to grow corrupt (2:1-3) We ONCE walked/lived in harmony with the world (2:2) We ONCE walked/lived in harmony with the world (2:2) We ONCE walked/lived in harmony with the flesh (2:3) We ONCE walked/lived in harmony with the flesh (2:3) We ONCE made ourselves children of wrath (2:1) We ONCE made ourselves children of wrath (2:1) We ONCE lived after “deceitful lusts” (4:22) We ONCE lived after “deceitful lusts” (4:22) – “But God who is rich…” (2:4) 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, Ephesians 2:1-3 (NKJV) 1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. Ephesians 2:4 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,

13. Lesson #1 from Christ: PUT OFF! (4:22) Lesson #1 from Christ: PUT OFF! (4:22) – I GET TO “Put off…” Falsehood (4:25) Falsehood (4:25) Outbursts of wrath & uncontrolled anger (4:26-27) Outbursts of wrath & uncontrolled anger (4:26-27) Stealing & dishonesty (4:28) Stealing & dishonesty (4:28) Unwholesome speech (4:29) Unwholesome speech (4:29) Bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, malice (4:31) Bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, malice (4:31) Immorality, impurity and greed (5:3) Immorality, impurity and greed (5:3) Filthiness, foolish talking, crude joking (5:4) Filthiness, foolish talking, crude joking (5:4) – In my new life, some things don’t fit! – My wardrobe has changed! – Because I’m rich in righteousness & holiness! 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, Ephesians 4:25 (NKJV) 25 Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another. Ephesians 4:26-27 (NKJV) 26 "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. Ephesians 4:28 (NKJV) 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Ephesians 4:29 (NKJV) 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. Ephesians 4:31 (NKJV) 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. Ephesians 5:3 (NKJV) 3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; Ephesians 5:4 (NKJV) 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

14. Lesson #2 from Christ: PUT IN! (4:23) Lesson #2 from Christ: PUT IN! (4:23) – A new life requires a new spirit of mind/new direction – With removal of the old, corrupt, deceitful man, we can see things more clearly! – We are NO LONGER: Futile in thought (4:17) Futile in thought (4:17) Darkened in understanding (4:18) Darkened in understanding (4:18) Ignorant, hard-hearted or callous (4:18-19) Ignorant, hard-hearted or callous (4:18-19) Giving ourselves to sensuality, impurity & greed (4:19) Giving ourselves to sensuality, impurity & greed (4:19) In darkness and we NO LONGER are darkness (5:8) In darkness and we NO LONGER are darkness (5:8) Ephesians 4:23 (NKJV) 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,

15. Lesson #2 from Christ: PUT IN! (4:23) Lesson #2 from Christ: PUT IN! (4:23) – I GET TO “Put in” its place: A new RICH pursuit to “find out what is acceptable/ pleasing to the Lord” (5:10) A new RICH pursuit to “find out what is acceptable/ pleasing to the Lord” (5:10) A life as “light in the Lord” (5:8) A life as “light in the Lord” (5:8) A “walk as children of light” (5:8) A “walk as children of light” (5:8) A fruit-filled life of goodness, righteousness, truth (5:9) A fruit-filled life of goodness, righteousness, truth (5:9) – In my new life, some things don’t look good anymore! – My eyesight has changed! – Because I’m rich in righteousness & holiness! Ephesians 4:23 (NKJV) 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, Ephesians 5:10 (NKJV) 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. Ephesians 5:8 (NKJV) 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light Ephesians 5:9 (NKJV) 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),

16. Lesson #3 from Christ: PUT ON! (4:24) Lesson #3 from Christ: PUT ON! (4:24) – A new life brings a new identity, new passion and new ways of living – Those once-needed works of darkness are now seen as futile & unfruitful (5:11-14) – NEW & resolute focus must be given to our NEW man: NEW identity, in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15) NEW identity, in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15) NEW life, in Christ (Rom. 6:4) NEW life, in Christ (Rom. 6:4) NEW lifestyle (Eph. 4:24b) NEW lifestyle (Eph. 4:24b) Created in the likeness of God (Eph. 4:24; Col. 3:10) Created in the likeness of God (Eph. 4:24; Col. 3:10) Created in the image of true righteousness & holiness (4:24) Created in the image of true righteousness & holiness (4:24) Ephesians 4:24 (NKJV) 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

17. Lesson #3 from Christ: PUT ON! (4:24) Lesson #3 from Christ: PUT ON! (4:24) – I GET TO live and share the riches of righteousness! I GET TO BE honest and truthful (4:25) I GET TO BE honest and truthful (4:25) I GET TO BE anger righteously (4:26-27) I GET TO BE anger righteously (4:26-27) I GET TO BE genuine, hardworking & generous (4:28) I GET TO BE genuine, hardworking & generous (4:28) I GET TO BE encouraging/edifying with my words (4:29) I GET TO BE encouraging/edifying with my words (4:29) I GET TO BE nice, kind and forgiving (4:31-32) I GET TO BE nice, kind and forgiving (4:31-32) I GET TO BE thankful (5:4) I GET TO BE thankful (5:4) – In my new life, some things don’t matter anymore! My affections have changed! – Because I’m rich in righteousness & holiness! Ephesians 4:24 (NKJV) 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

18. I’m Rich in Holiness Because I’m a S AINT ! So What? Now What? Keep the old garments out of the closet & help brethren to do the same Keep the old garments out of the closet & help brethren to do the same Continually renew the spirit of your mind & help brethren to do the same Continually renew the spirit of your mind & help brethren to do the same Live it up in the riches of righteousness & help brethren to do the same Live it up in the riches of righteousness & help brethren to do the same