christian communication ephesians 4:25-5:2
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Christian Communication
Ephesians 4:25-5:2
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The Imitation of God
• Eph 5:1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children.
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The Imitation of Christ
• Eph 5:2 Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.
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The Resulting Behavior
• These are the practical results of being a Christian.
• If being a Christian does not affect our behavior, we are not much of a Christian.
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Topicsa. Communication.
b. Interpersonal Communication.
c. Conflict Resolution.
d. Happy Relationships.
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Analysis of the Passage: Statement Form
• Prohibition
• Positive
• Rationale
Rationale
Positive
Prohibition
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Statement One: Truth
• 4:25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood
• and speak truthfully to his neighbor,
• for we are all members of one body.
Prohibition
Positive
Rationale
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Statement Two: Anger• Prohibition: “In your anger do not
sin”:
• Positive: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
• Rationale: 4:27 and do not give the devil a foothold.
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Dealing With Anger
• Eat a third and drink a third and leave Eat a third and drink a third and leave the remaining third of your stomach the remaining third of your stomach empty. Then, when you get angry, there empty. Then, when you get angry, there will be sufficient room for your rage.will be sufficient room for your rage. ----Babylonian Talmud tractate gittin. ----Babylonian Talmud tractate gittin.
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Anger in the World Today
• Road Rage
• Sports Rage
• Communication Rage– This is particularly in focus in this passage.
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Anger is a Reasonable Emotion; Sometimes Helpful.
• Be angry, but do not sin!
• We must stay in control of our emotions.
• But they made me do it!
• We cannot blame others–we must control ourselves.
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Signs of Anger in Communication
• Stomping out of meetings.
• Firing off angry letters.
• Yelling, screaming and shouting.
• Refusing to speak or communicate.
• Name calling.
• Refusing to listen.
• Belittling, put downs and sarcasm.
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A man’s wisdom gives him patience;
it is to his glory to overlook an offense.
Proverbs 19:11
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An Untrue Proverb• Sticks and stones may break my
bones, but words will never hurt me.
• "Careful with fire" is good advice we know. "Careful with words" is ten times doubly so. ---William Carleton
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The Power of Words• Words can be like baseball bats
when used maliciously. ------Sidney Madwed
• Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind. -----Rudyard Kipling
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Statement Three: Stealing
• Prohibition: 4:28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer,
• Positive: but must work, doing something useful with his own hands,
• Rationale: that he may have something to share with those in need.
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Statement Four: Unwholesome Talk
• Prohibition: 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,
• Positive: but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs,
• Rationale: that it may benefit those who listen.
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Summary Statement
• 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,
• with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
• The Holy Spirit is grieved by our evil words!
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Statement Five: Bitterness
• 4:31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
• 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other,
• just as in Christ God forgave you.
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Statement Six: Love• Positive: 5:1 Be imitators of God,
therefore, as dearly loved children
• Positive: 5:2 and live a life of love, (Literally: Walk in love)
• Rationale: just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
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Statement Seven: Purity• Prohibition: 5:3 But among you there
must not be even a hint of
– sexual immorality,
– or of any kind of impurity,
– or of greed,
• Rationale: because these are improper for God’s holy people.
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Statement Eight: Evil Talk
• Prohibition: 5:4 Nor should there be – obscenity, – foolish talk – or coarse joking,
• Rationale: which are out of place, • Positive: but rather thanksgiving.
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Statement Nine• 5:5 For of this you can be sure: • Prohibition:
– No immoral, – impure – or greedy person—– such a man is an idolater—
• Rationale: has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
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Summary• 5:8 For you were once darkness,
(Past, negative)
• but now you are light in the Lord. (Rationale)
• Live as children of light (Exhortation)
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