2013-05-26
Ephesians – Put off the old, Put on the new - Conclusion
Steve Lane

A. Review/Introduction/Obedience
Henry Varley , "The world has yet to see what God will do in and through and with a man wholly committed to him."
Be strong and courageous – bold – church in Acts
As soon as you take your eyes off Christ you will get discouraged
Jesus said He came to seek and save the lost…. Our bold purpose
The uncomfortable battle with the flesh
Allow God to prepare you for ministry …
Romans 13:15 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh…
Blind Spots and Honesty

B. Being light
Ephesians 5:12 – 14
We, as believers, have the light of Christ in us Ephesians 5:8, 9, 2 Cor 4:7 - 10
Putting on the old man is hiding the light of Christ
Men may avoid the light because their deeds are evil but if they allow their lives to be exposed for what they are they too can be brought to Christ and become light
Romans 13:11 – 14
1 Thess 5:5 – 6 Is it time to wake up? Are you asleep spiritually? Or are you making the most of your life?

C. Don’t waste your life
Ephesians 5: 15 – 17
The admonishment here is on not missing the opportunities that continually come our way Colossians 4:2 - 5
If we are not alert to this we will end up squandering many opportunities
opportunities we turn away from or perhaps never see because of our own self focus.
The proof of this is our life not our talk. Lives changed because of us being the light Opportunities in any arena involve risk…
John Piper “caught up in the enchantment of security, paralyzed from taking any risk for the cause of God” you will miss opportunities.”
The wisdom of obedience and the foolishness of disobedience

D. Be filled with the Spirit Ephesians 5: 18
The foolishness of being controlled by anything but the Holy Spirit-continually filled.

E. Joyful and thankful expression of Spirit filled fellowship Ephesians 5:19 – 20
Fellowship that encourages godly Spirit filled living

F. Submit to one another Ephesians 5:21
Submitting to one another rather than self assertion and independent spirit