The Chosen One's: Transformation Walk
Sermon Title: The Chosen One’s: Transformation Walk
Sermon Text: Ephesians 4:25-5:2
Sermon Purpose: To call the hearer to aim at fostering behavior appropriate to the likeness of Jesus Christ.
Sermon Proposition: Paul gives us 3 exhortations for a transformed life.
I. The negative behavior of a transformed life to avoid. V.25-31
John 8:44 "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
Revelation 21:8 "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
Romans 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. 20 Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Psalm 69:9 Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up, And the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.
Matthew 5:21 " You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' 22 "But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire.
1. Negative V.28a
2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.
Luke 14:13 "But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. 14 "And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just."
1. Negative V.29a
James 3:1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.
Psalm 141:3 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.
Matthew 12:34 "Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver.
Proverbs 15:23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!
E. The command to not grieve the Holy Spirit. V.30
James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
a. 6 vices of the old walk related to speech.
2. Wrath – indignant outburst of rage. V.31b
3. Anger – steady festering or seething of anger. V.31c
4. Clamor – loud, scream, or shout or shouting of people. V.31d
5. Evil speaking – blasphemy, profane or abusive speech. V.31e
b. 1 action of the new walk related to speech. V.31g
II. The positive behavior of a transformed life to apply. V.32
A. The transformed are exhorted to practice mutual generosity. V.32a
B. The transformed are exhorted to practice mutual mercy. V.32b
C. The transformed are exhorted to practice mutual forgiveness. V.32c
III. The rational behavior of a transformed life to appropriate. V.5:1-2
A The transformed are exhorted to emanate God as children. V.1
B. The transformed are exhorted to live a life of love. V.2a
C. The transformed are exhorted to live a well pleasing life. V.2b