Opening Illustration: The sayings you hear that come true. There are sayings I’ve heard throughout life that I’ve always acknowledged as true, but I never took them as reality to me. For example, I’ve always heard older parents tell me that my kids will grow up before I know it. Well, that’s becoming reality to me now as my oldest kid is about to start high school. I’ve always heard that my metabolism will slow down. Well, that’s becoming reality to me because the scale keeps telling me its true. And I’ve always heard that your mind will think your body can still do things you did 20 years ago, but your body will disagree with you. Well, I learned that one this week. I went for a 5k run, like I  typically do, except about a ½ mile into it, my knee made a noise that it’s never made before. I’ve always heard that loud pops in joints are not a good thing and that became my reality as well. Now, I’m hearing that a torn meniscus can heal quickly. I’m hoping that becomes my reality!

What does it take for something you know to be true – or think to be true – to become reality to you? What about spiritually? What does it take for you to take hold of spiritual truths as reality? Today, there is a biblical truth in front of us today that is paramount to our spiritual lives. The truth is this: With Jesus, you are a new creation. With Jesus, you are not who you used to be. And with Jesus, you will be someone you aren’t today. As I studied this truth this week, it made me excited. With Jesus, the person I am today is not the person I will be. Hopefully that person will have a working knee…That’s what I want for you today: Be excited about the person Jesus is shaping you into. Let’s open our Bibles to the book of Ephesians, chapter 4. As you turn there, let me remind you of our current sermon series, Ephesians: Masterpiece in Progress. God’s Word is powerful and alive – let’s hear from Him with expectancy. Read Ephesians 4:17-32. Pray. 

The overarching theme of our time in the book of Ephesians is about what Jesus has done for us and what Jesus is doing for us. That term “Masterpiece in Progress” explains it well. We are God’s masterpiece, but He isn’t done with us yet. If you remember from last week, we talked about how the first three chapters in Ephesians are about theology and doctrine and explanation about what God has done. The last three chapters are about encouragement and action. Because of what God has done for us, it changes the way we act and live our lives. Last week, we saw the call to unity. There’s no family like the family of God. Unity was the first of two major characteristics for how Christians are supposed to live their lives. Today, and for the remainder of the book, we’ll be looking at the second major characteristic: Purity. We are called to be one people. We are also called to be holy people. In our passage today, Paul reminds the people in Ephesus and today about who we used to be before we met Jesus. Here’s where we start today: A heart far from God doesn’t want anything to do with God.

1) A heart far from God doesn’t want anything to do with God. (vs. 17-19) Paul starts this section of verses by saying not to live as the Gentiles do. Look at verse 17: ¹⁷ With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Paul’s use of the word “Gentile” in this verse is a way to describe anyone who doesn’t follow Jesus. This is not an ethnic reference, but it is a moral reference. The city of Ephesus was a highly sexualized city – some historians say it’s the most sexualized city of Asia Minor at the time. The temple of Artemis – located in the city – created a highly pagan culture. The recipients of the original letter would most likely include people who used to live that life. What Paul does in the next two verses is describe what a life without Jesus looks like. Let’s look at what that life is and then I’ll come back and tell you why he’s doing that. Look at verse 19 and we’ll work backwards to verse 18: ¹⁹ They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity. If you go back and look at the Greek words in this verse, the language communicates a craving. It’s about a type of lust that’s at the soul-level. When we hear the word “lustful,” our minds typically go to something sexual. But they language is about craving anything that will bring some kind of satisfaction. That could be sex, money, power, relationships. A life apart from Jesus craves satisfaction and fulfillment. Each person’s heart is different, but when you boil it down, there’s a common denominator in each of hearts apart from Jesus: There is one thing you feel like you must have to make life good. Apart from Jesus, each one of us is craving something that we feel like we must have to make life good.

Where do these cravings come from? Look at verse 18: ¹⁸ Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. These cravings come from the absence of God. We all begin this life with starving souls. We know that we are missing something. So, we run after something that we think will fulfill us: A husband, a job, a bank account, the next high, a child. But what happens is those things don’t get us closer to God and we end up with hearts becoming ignorant and hardened. This is why two people can look at the same set of evidence for the  existence of God, yet have two different responses. One heart is primed toward God, the other heart is hardened toward God. I heard another pastor put it this way: “The same sun that hardens the clay softens the wax.”[1]. This reality breaks my heart. I see people running after things that will never satisfy them. They are caught in a never-ending pursuit that will never lead to peace. The heart that is far from God is a perpetually restless heart. Why is Paul describing what life looks like without Jesus? He’s doing it for two reasons:

1. To give us the solution to life’s biggest problem
   • The problem of ignorant, hardened hearts that want nothing to do with God
2. To show you that Jesus is not done with you
   • Jesus is shaping you into someone new

And that’s what we see in the next 5 verses: Jesus makes you new. 

2) Jesus makes you new. (vs. 20-24)  What’s the solution to the problem of a hardened, ignorant heart? Look at verses 20 and 21: ²⁰ But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. ²¹ Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him,  The ESV translation words verse 20 really well: ²⁰ But that is not the way you learned Christ! Paul is emphasizing not just knowing about Jesus, but knowing Jesus Himself. The only way to learn Christ is to personally know Christ. The way you overcome your ignorance is by encountering Jesus. Maybe you’re sitting here and listening to me and thinking, “Well, if I’m in the dark, how am I supposed to meet Jesus?” What does verse 23 say? ²³ Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. If you don’t know Jesus, the Holy Spirit is calling to you. In order to know Christ, in order to learn Christ, you have to be given the eyes to see. You have to let your heart be softened. And that happens through the work of the Holy Spirit. Illustration: I break my arm and hear my mom’s voice. When you respond to the voice of the Holy Spirit that is calling you, you learn Christ. When you read the Bible, you hear God speaking, you learn Christ. When you learn Christ, your hardened heart is softened and you are made new again.

That’s the beauty of what Paul is talking about in verses 22 and 24: ²² throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. ²⁴ Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.  Here’s what happens when you let Jesus transform you: You become new. Your old self, your old way of life, your corrupted heart are all transformed into something new. You are transformed from the inside out. The core of who you are is brand new again. In Jesus, your restless soul finds rest. You can see the imagery Paul is using. Your new nature is like putting on new clothes. You recognize a doctor by their coat. You recognize a football player by their uniform. You recognize a fireman by their hat, boots, and jacket. With Jesus, you put on a new self, a nature, a new identity. And once you have this new nature, it’s forever. In Jesus, you are new – for all eternity. Illustration: Youtuber creates elaborate plan to get onto soccer field. There’s a big professional soccer tournament going on in Europe. There was a Youtuber that spent weeks and $3,400 creating a fake mascot costume. He convinced security to let him in. He slowly worked his way on the field. Eventually, security caught on and discovered he was a fake and was banned from the stadium. In Jesus, we never have to worry about our new identity being taken away. There’s nothing that this world can throw at you to change who you are in Jesus.

There’s one truth in verses 17 through 24 that apply to every single person in this room – no matter if you believe in Jesus or not. Jesus is not done with you. If you don’t believe in Jesus – if you don’t know Jesus personally – God is calling you. He’s calling you to Himself so that He can take that tired, weary soul and give it rest. He’s calling you to Himself so that you can finally feel that satisfaction that you have been trying to find. He’s calling you to Himself so that you can finally understand your purpose. If you don’t believe in Jesus, God’s not done with you. He wants to shape you into something beautiful. If that’s you, today needs to the day that you repent of your old way of living, surrender, and ask Jesus to transform you from the inside out. Find me before you walk out of this building today. If you do believe in Jesus, He’s not done with you. God is shaping you into the person He wants you to be. That new nature leads you into living life in a new way. And that’s what the final verses in this passage are about. Here’s what we see last: With Jesus, you need to make seemingly radical decisions. 

3) With Jesus, you need to make seemingly radical decisions. (vs. 25-32) So what does this new nature look like in our lives? Paul gives us five examples. These most likely were issues that the church at Ephesus were facing in some way. This list isn’t exhaustive of how a Christian should live, but rather specific examples. There is also something unique with these examples. They are all relational issues. If you remember our time in God’s Word last week, we saw the call to unity as a church family. Each of these examples are ways to maintain the unity we’ve been given as followers of Christ. One more thing about these examples: Paul provides a positive to every negative. Every time he says to stop doing something, he also says to start doing something. That’s what our new nature in Jesus is about. Holiness isn’t just about stopping sinful behaviors. Holiness is about becoming like Jesus. The byproduct of being in the presence of Jesus is the desire to stop doing the things that take you away from the presence of Jesus. And that means we need to make seemingly radical decision in our lives. Let’s scroll through these examples and we’ll stop on one or two of them.

What do we see in verse 25? ²⁵ So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. God hates lying. Go read Proverbs 6. Why? It goes back to the church family. Quote: “A lie is a stab at the very vitals of the Body of Christ." - John MacKay. If we want fellowship as a church family, then we must build trust. And trust from truth. Paul then moves to anger. I want to stop on this example for a moment. Look at verses 26 and 27: ²⁶ And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ for anger gives a foothold to the devil. Does this verse say that anger is wrong? In fact, if you read other translations, it will say “Be angry and do not sin.” The ESV words it well: ²⁶ Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, ²⁷ and give no opportunity to the devil. It’s not wrong to be angry. In fact, there is almost a command to be angry. God created anger for a reason. God wants us to be angry in a loving way. God wants us to be angry in a holy and righteous way. When you love someone and you see something that is destroying them, you become angry at what’s destroying them. When you see something that is destroying your marriage, you should become angry at what’s destroying your marriage. What would that look like for you? What if you starting praying that God would give you an anger towards whatever is affecting your spouse? What if you starting praying that God would give you an anger towards whatever is affecting YOU? What if you started becoming angry for the influences of Satan in your life? I believe our marriages could be radically changed if we made the radical decisions to be angry at the enemy’s work. That kind of anger is powerful!

When we choose selfish anger over loving anger, it can cause problem. In fact, unrighteous anger can be a foothold for Satan. What does that mean? Illustration: Climbing the iceberg at student camp. When I was hanging out at the lake with the students, there was this inflatable iceberg that you could climb up. Each side had a different difficulty. Well, I could only climb one side. The reason is because at the very bottom of this side, there was a place where I could put my foot inside and boost myself up. The foothold was the only way I could get on the iceberg. Unrighteous anger is the little access Satan needs to wreak havoc on relationships. That’s what a new nature in Jesus looks like. That’s what Jesus wants to shape you into. It’s not an overnight flip, but it’s a process that God wants to do.

Let’s start scrolling again. Look at verse 28: ²⁸ If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.  I’ll just say one thing on verse 28: We aren’t designed to be idle. Do good hard work. Idleness is not being in control of time. Men, I’ve always held to this rule: Idleness leads to regret. Be intentional with your time. Let’s pause for a minute on Verse 29 and 30: ²⁹ Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. ³⁰ And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. God cares a lot about the words that come out of your mouths. Throughout scripture we see that what comes out of our mouths show us what’s in our hearts. We also see that our words impact our relationships. The goal in verse 29 is that people are encouraged by our words. And it’s not just the words you say, but how you say it. Is your speech filled with harshness? Do you maintain a critical nature about what you say? Don’t disguise critique with good words. It’s not exactly clear why Paul introduces the Holy Spirit in verse 30, but we can deduce that when we act outside of new nature, it brings sorrow to the Holy Spirit. Including our words.

Let’s finish with verses 31 and 32: ³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. ³² Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.I think everyone would say that they would love to be a part of a church family that lives out verses 31 and 32! We will never be perfect, but what if we all start striving for this kind of church family? Why not start? And start with you! Don’t wait for the other person to forgive. You forgive first. Don’t wait for the other person to be kind. You be kind first. Application: “Seemingly” With Jesus, you need to make seemingly radical decisions. I put the word “seemingly” in there for a reason. Our new nature in Jesus produces action in us that seem radical. As I get older (and hopefully more like Jesus), here’s another truth that’s becoming reality: What used to seem radical just seems normal now. When you let God shape you into the person He wants you to be, the spiritual decisions you make that seem radical just seem normal. Your decision to trade in your smart phone a flip phone may seem radical, but for the person Jesus is shaping you into, it’s not. Your decision to stop joking around with certain coworkers may seem radical, but for the person Jesus is shaping you into, it’s not. Your decision to get off social media may seem radical, but for the person Jesus is shaping you into, it’s not. Your decision to not buy that boat and instead give that money to mission may seem radical, but for the person Jesus is shaping you into, it’s not. Your decision to go to bed together as a husband and wife because nothing edifying happens alone after 10pm may seem radical, but for the person Jesus is shaping you into, it’s not. 

I’ll close with this question…Are you excited about the person Jesus is shaping you into? I want the truth that you are new creation and God is molding you to become a reality. I want the truth that you are not who you used to be and you are becoming someone that God wants to excite you. Can you imagine what this church family would look like with a bunch of Christ followers that are excited and expectant of a God that making each of us more like Him? What if we were genuinely excited about letting go of our pets sins and embracing the holiness that God wants for us? I can imagine it. I can imagine it because I’m starting to see it. God’s moving. Let’s all make sure we hold on to Him! Let’s pray. 

[1] https://summitchurch.com/GetFile.ashx?Guid=c88554eb-730c-415e-91dc-0f946cf1de6e

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