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

2. Stop It!

3. Ephesians 4:25-31
V When is a deceiver not a deceiver? When he or she develops the habit of telling the truth.
Vv 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.

4. Vv 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 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.

5. 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 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.)

8. 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.)

9. 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.)

10. 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.)

11. 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.)

12. Acts 4:32-35

13. One rotten apple can spoil the whole barrel.
sophros

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

15. 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

16. Take off your dirty clothes
bitterness
rage
anger
brawling
slander
malice

17. Put on your clean clothes
forgiveness
compassion
kindness

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

20. 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

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