2013-04-28

******* Notes only - Audio missing ******

Ephesians – Put off the old, Put on the new - Part 2
Steve Lane

A. Review/Introduction
Ephesians 4:22 – 5:21
The zone plate… Don’t get lost in the details
Put off the old and put on the new Eph 4:22 – 24 Rom 6, 12:1 – 2; Gal 2:20, 5: 22 – 25

Let’s keep this in context… The context is ministry
If you do not progress in these things – you will not fulfill your full purpose
B. Put off your old self
Adam nature, old nature, old man, sin nature, the flesh
Condensed theology of spiritual growth… of being conformed to the image of Christ

The ferocious battle James calls it “the desires that battle within you”

Most Opportunities for growth are when things are not like you want them to be
Romans 13:15 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh…

Repetitive complaining internally or externally (Israelites)
Repentance and perseverance required 1 John 1:5 - 10

OK, by faith you surrender, die to self, by faith put on Christ – it’s done, right?
Consider first a specific temptation you are powerless against…

C. Deep Obedience
Eph 5:15 – “Be very careful then how you live… therefore do not be foolish”
Plowing up… [OT tearing down the high places]

What does the character of Christ look like in a believer and not look like ON – OFF
There is always a heart issue behind the sin or
Ephesians 4: 25 – 26 “Therefore each of you must”

D. Blind Spots and Honesty
Blinders – Blind spots in the mirror
So notice one of the first things that needs to happen in this process is self-honesty
James 1: 22 “Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves…”
A list here and in Colossians, Galatians and James directly associated with the old nature.
Ephesians 5:15 – 17 Not being unwise and foolish in dealing with this issue
Prime the pump with Proverbs [Hebrews 12, Duet 8]
Proverbs 1:2, 7, 23, 25, 30; 3:11; 5:12; 6:23; 10:17; 12:1; 13:18, 24; 15:5, 10, 12, 31, 32; 17:10; 19:25; 22:15; 23:13 25:12; 27:5; 29:15; 30:6

E. Conclusion
One area of refusal to grow and it prevents us from consistently walking in the Spirit –Example of Matt Redman – Rebuked - Heart of worship song

You get to the end of your life defending yourself or refusing to see and you never lived a powerful life and you didn’t do the things prepared in advance for you to do…

Prepare your heart this week to hear… NT lists next week.