1. Because We Are Members of One Another (1) Ephesians 4:25-32

2. Ephesians 4 ■ What unity looks like ( 4:1-6 ) ■ Teachers given ( 4:11 ) to equip and build up the body ( 4:12- 16 ) ■ We must put off the old man and put on the new man ( 4:17- 24 ) ■ Practical conduct of the new man ( 4:25-32 )

3. Putting away lying ( 25 ) ■ Lying, ψε ῦ δος, pseudos, falsehood ■ We must be absolutely truthful, honesty and integrity ■ Personally – Colossians 3:9, Rev. 21:8, all liars – untruthful excuses, deception, exaggeration, failing to tell the whole story Let us be straight forward in our demeanor Putting away lying ( 25 )

4. ■ Put away Lying, falsehood ■ Doctrinally – 2 Peter 3:16, 2:1-2, His word can be manipulated and cause division ■Many today do not want to address falsehood – Prov. 12:17 Putting away lying ( 25 )

5. ■We speak truth with your neighbor! ■ 1 John 2:21, Ephesians 4:15 ■ We need to speak up! There are times we MUST speak up! Acts 4:20, cf. Galatians 4:16 Putting away lying ( 25 )

6. ■How does this promote unity? ■ Speaking truth with proper motives will promote agreement! A manifestation of integrity Declares, “we are members of one another” ( 25 )

7. Be angry and do not sin ( 26-27 ) ■Anger is a prime emotion ■ A strong feeling of being upset or annoyed. From agitated to enraged. ■Many as a result of anger do and say things they later (sometimes very soon) regret. Often much damage is done Be angry and do not sin ( 26-27 )

8. ■Anger in our text ■ Anger ( 26 ), ὀ ργίζω, orgizō, being angry. One who is upset ■Wrath ( 26 ), παροργισμός, parorgismos, one burning with anger. A tendency to bad temper, constantly irritated or exasperated. Quick-tempered ■ Wrath ( 31 ), θυμός, thymos, feelings boiling up and suddenly erupting. Intense anger, outbursts Be angry and do not sin ( 26-27 )

9. ■“Be angry and do not sin” ■ Psalm 4:4 ■ One who becomes agitated. ■ There can be righteous anger Mark 3:5 – our Lord John 3:36 – God against the ungodly Be angry and do not sin ( 26-27 )

10. ■“Be angry and do not sin” ■ Perhaps a reference to something that upsets or grieves the godly ■ BUT, it must be directed properly ■ It must be under control ■ James 1:19, Eph. 4:31 Be angry and do not sin ( 26-27 )

11. ■“Do not let the sun go down one your wrath” ■ One in a circumstance that could easily lead to sin if not brought under control immediately ■ Take care of it soon – sit down and talk, etc. Be angry and do not sin ( 26-27 )

12. ■“Not give place to the devil” ■ To give place is to give opportunity or occasion ■ Satan is a slanderer. We must be aware of what he can do – Ephesians 6:11, 2 Cor. 2:11 ■IF, we do not address our anger, emotions can build up and the devil WILL exploit that and lead you to sin – bitterness, complaining, etc. Be angry and do not sin ( 26-27 )

13. ■ How does this promote unity? ■ By dealing with anger, we control what we say and day and thereby avoid the damage that can divide us. Words can be very hurtful! ■ Proverbs 15:1

14. Working with our hands ( 28 ) ■ Don’t steal! ■ Steal is κλέπτω, kleptō ■ Christians are to be honest. ■ Stealing is condemned – Exodus 20:15, 1 Corinthians 6:10 ■Stealing can include: untruthful trade, pilfering, dishonest scales, shortchanging the boss, false benefits, etc. Working with our hands ( 28 )

15. ■ Labor with your hands doing good ■ Labor means to toil ■We should be hard working. Not lazy or idle ■ Proverbs 13:11, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 2 Thessalonians 3:10-11 Working with our hands ( 28 )

16. ■ Labor with your hands doing good ■ Proverbs 13:11, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 2 Thessalonians 3:10-11 ■Some may have been converted from stealing in their former life ■ Busyness can keep one out of trouble, Ecclesiastes 5:12 Working with our hands ( 28 )

17. ■ So that he may have something to give ■We have emphasized the need to share with others! ■ 1 Timothy 6:18 Romans 12:13

18. Working with our hands ( 28 ) ■ How does this promote unity? ■ Business keeps us out of trouble! ■ It gives us opportunity to more fully support the work of the body (rather than having the body support us taking from other needs cf. 1 Tim. 5:16 )

19. Am I striving to be all that God would have me to be?