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Lesson Six

Ephesians 4:22-24

Ephesians 4:22-2422 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Colossians 3:8-11

Colossians 3:8-118 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

Colossians 3:12-15

Colossians 3:12-1512 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Focus Verse

II Corinthians 5:17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new

creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Focus Thought

When we are born again, our lives will change. We must come out from the

world, lay aside the old sinful ways of living, and adopt a whole new lifestyle.

IntroductionIntroductionIndividuals often restart a project in order to properly complete it. Sometimes they may wish that they could turn back the clock and start afresh with a clean slate or change negative behaviors. Thankfully, fresh starts are possible with the Lord Jesus Christ.

IntroductionGod’s amazing love allows us to experience a fresh beginning in our lives. To be “in Christ” is to experience the new birth through His name and His Spirit, and the blood of Jesus cleanses us and gives us a new beginning. Through His power, we are able to leave behind the old life, lay aside sinful actions, and learn to live for the Lord. The Bible declares that God loved us and gave His life for us, providing us the opportunity to live for Him in a victorious, overcoming lifestyle.

IntroductionThe devil desires to destroy individuals, but Jesus came to provide the means for mankind to achieve abundant life. “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). These two outcomes stand in stark contrast to each other and make living for God the only wise choice.

IntroductionWhen we choose to live for Jesus Christ, a number of changes take place in our lives. Spiritual growth produces change, but it is only possible to experience ongoing spiritual growth through obedience to biblical commands, putting off sinful behaviors, and seeking to become more like Jesus Christ.

I. Beginning Your New Life (A)

Beginning Your New Life

A. Looking

Looking requires an intentional act of giving attention to something. Sometimes a casual glance is sufficient. However, when salvation is the incentive for looking, it is important for one to give the matter his intense attention and interest. The Lord invited, “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else” (Isaiah 45:22).

I. Beginning Your New Life (A)

Once we have experienced salvation, the new birth implements a realm of new living. New life is what Jesus can impart in abundance through His death, burial, and resurrection—repentance, baptism in Jesus’ name, and receiving the Holy Spirit.

I. Beginning Your New Life (A)

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that

like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the

Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life”

(Romans 6:4).

I. Beginning Your New Life (A)

The power of the Resurrection frees us to seek the spiritual matters of God’s kingdom. The elements of the world are weak, and they are no substitute for God’s blessings. No longer do they hold us captive. Instead, our rapt attention on things above directs us toward heavenly provisions.

I. Beginning Your New Life (A)

Forsaking and forgetting those things that are temporal, we focus our faith on things above, which the Lord promised in abundance. Moreover, we look for the return of the Lord, which the Bible describes as a “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13). Assuredly, Jesus will appear to those who are looking for His return (Hebrews 9:28).

I. Beginning Your New Life (A)

While we remain watchful and ready for the Lord’s return, we also should look for opportunities to share our witness for Christ Jesus. Jesus instructed His disciples to look on the fields that were ready for harvest, but His real interest was in the spiritual harvest that was ready and awaiting the harvesters. And the spiritual harvest still is ready to be reaped today. Certainly, we achieve true perspective by looking up, and we live with purpose by participating in the harvest of souls.

I. Beginning Your New Life (B)

B. Changing

The demoniac from Gadara provides a great example of the fantastic change that Jesus’ power brings to an individual. Following his deliverance, the Bible described the man as changed—a sharp contrast to what he had been. He was now clothed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, and in his right mind. Indeed, the Lord brought a life change to him and to his circumstances.

I. Beginning Your New Life (B)The Bible declares that the blood of Jesus is able

to cleanse from all sin and unrighteousness. (See I John 1:7-9.) Absolutely nothing is beyond the power of the Lord to cleanse and forgive.

I. Beginning Your New Life (B)The imposing list of sins that Paul included in his

letter to the Corinthians reminded them of what they had been before coming to know Christ Jesus.

I Corinthians 6:9-10“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators,

nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves

with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers,

nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God”

(I Corinthians 6:9-10).

I. Beginning Your New Life (B)

The sins Paul mentioned in I Corinthians 6:9-10 would have excluded them from inheriting the kingdom of God. However, Paul proclaimed that the name of Jesus and the Spirit of God had washed, sanctified, and justified these former sinners. Certainly, the straightforward plan of salvation presented in Acts 2:38 can produce great change within a person—new life in the Lord as a born-again believer rather than an aimless spiritual existence.

I. Beginning Your New Life (B)

Repentance brings about a change in a person’s direction, priority, values, and thinking. A change of 180 degrees, whether in geographical direction or in temperature, helps to illustrate this point. Opposite ends of a runway for aircraft are marked with a 180 degree difference.

I. Beginning Your New Life (B)

If one end of the runway has a heading of 70 degrees, the opposing end will have a heading of 250 degrees. At sea level, water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit and freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Subtract the freezing point from the boiling point, and the difference is 180 degrees.

I. Beginning Your New Life (B)

These two examples serve to demonstrate opposites, much like that which results in a person’s life following repentance. The new birth causes one to forsake the old lifestyle and focus on his new life.

II. Putting Off the Old (A)Putting Off the Old

A. Dying Out to the Old World

The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are basic components that comprise the gospel message. We identify with Him in each phase as we crucify our old life in repentance, are buried through water baptism in His name, and resurrect to walk in new life through the power of His Spirit.

II. Putting Off the Old (A)Repentance comes from the Greek word metanoeo, which Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance defines as “to think differently, reconsider.” However, Vine’s Word Studies expands the meaning with this phrase: “to change one’s mind or purpose.” Thus, repentance always involves a change for the better.

II. Putting Off the Old (A)In his letter to the Colossians, the apostle Paul advised us to mortify our members. This means to put away the actions of sin, or to put them to death. “The ensuing list of moral wrongs shows that the verse does not mean for us to destroy physical members of the body but to destroy evil attitudes and actions of the body” (David Bernard, The Message of Colossians and Philemon, 114).

II. Putting Off the Old (A)Comparing living in the flesh to living in the Spirit, Paul contrasted life and death in his letter to the Romans: “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live” (Romans 8:13).

II. Putting Off the Old (A)In his commentary on the Book of Romans, David Bernard offered insights on the word mortify: “The underlying Greek word is in the present tense, indicating we must continually put to death or extirpate the practices of the sinful nature. We can only do this by the power of the Spirit. In doing so and only in doing so, we will live spiritually” (The Message of Romans, 181).

II. Putting Off the Old (A)Spiritual life will result only when we end sinful acts through the power of the Spirit. Paul used the word mortify in these passages to emphasize the need to stop sinful activity with the finality of death. To do otherwise is to invite accusations of hypocrisy.

II. Putting Off the Old (A)Chuck Swindoll quoted a skeptic named Thomas Ybarra who wrote: “A Christian is a man who feels repentance on a Sunday for what he did on Saturday and is going to do on Monday” (Getting Through the Tough Stuff, 155). Certainly, that kind of attitude and action on the part of a Christian does not reflect biblical repentance.

II. Putting Off the Old (B)B. Putting Off Sin

Paul made an extensive list of sins that eliminate people from the kingdom of God. (See I Corinthians 6:9-10.) However, the words “and such were some of you” pointed out that a believer should no longer live a sinful lifestyle (I Corinthians 6:11). Both Ephesians 4 and Colossians 3 contain lists of sins that the writer advised the new Christian to put off. While by no means exhaustive, the lists emphatically suggest that we should put off, or eliminate, sin from our lives.

II. Putting Off the Old (B)In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul mentioned sensuality, impurity, lust, deceitful desires, lying, anger, stealing, corrupt words, bitterness, wrath, slander, and malice. (See Ephesians 4:22-32.) These sinful actions have negative effects not only on the perpetrator but also on those around him. Paul wrote the Colossians regarding some of the same elements of sin with different names. The New International Version translates that list as sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed, anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language, and lies. (See Colossians 3:5-10, NIV.)

II. Putting Off the Old (B)It is important to remember the outcome of a sinful lifestyle. Paul declared, “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Death is the ultimate outcome, not just a bad day or a short-term setback. That is why the Scripture is so emphatic about repentance and leaving sin behind while focusing on a new life. Furthermore, Paul observed that deceitful lusts had corrupted our former conversation, or conduct. However, we are able to escape this corruption of the world and its lusts through the precious promise of being a partaker of the divine nature (II Peter 1:4).

III. Putting on the New (A)Putting on the New

A. Renewing the Mind

The promise of being a new creation in Christ is a powerful prospect that begins with the thought process. Paul proclaimed, “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind” (Ephesians 4:23). Certainly, renewing the mind is a transforming experience by which one refuses to be conformed to the world and reaches for the will of God.

III. Putting on the New (A)“Attempting to serve God in the mind or spirit alone is not enough; our service to God must produce an actual transformation of our physical behavior” (The Message of Romans, 263). Our service to the Lord as a living sacrifice reaps heavenly benefits and produces powerful results.

III. Putting on the New (A)“A new way of thinking will make a new way of life. A daily diet of the Word through reading, preaching, and teaching will effect this renewal process, which in turn will bring about a new form of living, higher than that of self-indulgent lusts of the old nature” (Brian Kinsey, The Bride’s Pearl, 217).

III. Putting on the New (A)To facilitate a new way of thinking, the apostle gave direction for determined thinking in Philippians 4:8:

Philippians 4:8, NKJV“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever

things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of a good

report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—

meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8, NKJV).

III. Putting on the New (A)Positive thoughts are possible through the renewal that is brought about by the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. This renewal is ongoing so that transformation continues in the life of the believer.

III. Putting on the New (A)The Resurrection is a powerful topic about which the anointed writers of the New Testament repeatedly wrote. Paul even indicated that we are included in the Resurrection both spiritually and physically. He then reassured the Corinthians that although we age and approach death outwardly, inwardly we are renewed on a daily basis (II Corinthians 4:14-16).

III. Putting on the New (B)B. Adding Godly

CharacteristicsIn his letter to the Colossians, Paul advised them three different times to “put on” godly characteristics (Colossians 3:10-14). He was not encouraging theatrical performance or a fake appearance by saying “put on”; rather, he was giving them a strong admonition for change. The same chapters from Ephesians and Colossians that contain lists of sins to “put off” also contain lists of godly qualities to add, or “put on.”

III. Putting on the New (B)Paul instructed the Ephesians to extend kindness and forgiveness to one another with a tender heart. His instructions to the Colossians included putting on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance, forgiveness, and love. (See Colossians 3:12-14.) Just as he did in I Corinthians 13, Paul recognized the great importance of love. The love of God never fails. Moreover, Peter declared that love should have prominence: “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins’” (I Peter 4:8, NKJV).

III. Putting on the New (B)Living for the Lord involves an ongoing battle between the tendencies of one’s flesh and his desire to seek after the Spirit. Paul instructed the Romans, “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14). This is like wearing the presence of the Lord consistently as a garment. Certainly, when we take off the old garment of sin and self, we should put on the garment of godliness and holiness. Both actions are necessary to live for the Lord.

III. Putting on the New (B)In his book Walking with Christ in the Details of Life, author Patrick Morley mentioned a Gallup survey reporting that one-third of American adults claim to be born-again Christians. In view of this revival of Christianity in America, he pointed out a disappointing lack of change in society: “The American gospel has evolved into a gospel of addition without subtraction. It is the belief that we can add Christ to our lives, but not subtract sin.

III. Putting on the New (B)It is change in belief without a change in behavior. It is a spiritual experience without any cultural impact. It is revival without reformation, without repentance.” Obviously, when a Christian adds the teachings of Jesus to his life, there also should be a corresponding subtracting of sinful actions from his lifestyle.

IV. Wearing the Armor (A)Wearing the Armor

A. Engaging in Spiritual Warfare

The first three words of Ephesians 6:12, “for we wrestle,” should make us aware of the ever-present spiritual conflict in life. Satan will attempt to entice us away from moral choices and bind us from doing what is right. But using the spiritual weapons of prayer, Bible study, worship, fasting, and godly fellowship will result in a victorious Christian life.

II Corinthians 10:4

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to

the pulling down of strong holds” (II Corinthians 10:4).

IV. Wearing the Armor (A)Witnessing and intercession for souls are vital means of wrestling with darkness in order to bring people into light and liberty in the Lord. We dare not allow the gospel to be hidden to the lost or to those who are spiritually blinded (II Corinthians 4:3-4). The glorious light of the gospel of Christ should shine through the Christian’s life to reveal truth to a dark world.

IV. Wearing the Armor (A)No matter where or what spiritual forces of evil the Christian encounters, these evil spirits fear and tremble in the presence of the God we serve (James 2:19). All the lies and deceit of the devil will never defeat or break down the blood of Jesus. Certainly, Satan has no way to combat the blood of the Lamb and its provision of victory!

IV. Wearing the Armor (A)Satan seeks to lull the church into a false sense of security, giving way to comfort and complacency. However, that is not the life to which God has called us. Adopting a Laodicean lifestyle with a self-satisfying assessment of needing nothing will cause us to lose our fervent love for Christ and to lose His divine approval. Instead, the Lord advised that we should obtain faith, righteousness, and anointing. Moreover, prayer and patience will make possible the victory in the Lord that we desire in the battle of life.

IV. Wearing the Armor (A)The church should continue to fight the good fight of faith—a battle that will end in ultimate victory. Unmistakably, the mission of the church is to carry “the whole gospel, to the whole world, by the whole church.” Let the twenty-first-century church affirm with Paul: “I am debtor. . . . I am ready. . . . I am not ashamed” (Romans 1:14-16). The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to those who believe.

IV. Wearing the Armor (B)B. Standing Firm

Martin Luther, a Reformation leader, acted on strong convictions. Though his choice of action proved costly, he declared, “Here I stand, I can do no other.” His choice and his stand caused great spiritual enlightenment to come upon the world. Likewise, taking a stand for our calling, commitment, and convictions is necessary in this age in which many individuals resort to compromising their convictions. However, Paul assured us that God is able to impart the ability for every believer to stand. (See Romans 14:4.)

IV. Wearing the Armor (B)In King Hezekiah’s day, the Temple needed to be cleansed. Repentance and reformation had to replace the idolatry that led to neglect, and the king challenged the priests:

II Chronicles 29:11

“My sons, be not now negligent: for the Lord hath chosen you to stand

before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn

incense” (II Chronicles 29:11).

IV. Wearing the Armor (B)The priests obediently repaired and cleansed the Temple, setting its service and worship in order. They took a stand as the king commanded, which caused great rejoicing and resulted in revival. Today, the indwelling Spirit makes our bodies the temples of God. Because of that special relationship, we take a stand against the sin that defiles our temples and the hypocrisy that hinders the work of God in our lives.

IV. Wearing the Armor (B)It is vital that the church let the world know what it stands for as well as what it stands against. We not only stand against sin, but we stand for the powerful changes that result from the new birth. After the high priest had the apostles arrested and imprisoned, the angel opened the prison door for them with a specific command: “Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life” (Acts 5:20).

IV. Wearing the Armor (B)An aggressive evangelistic stand for the Lord is important for the church to achieve the growth that God wants to give. Certainly, the church can present the words of life to a dying world.

IV. Wearing the Armor (C)C. Praying Always

Paul advised believers to put on the whole armor of God so that they could stand victoriously. (See Ephesians 6:13-17.) God provides the whole armor as a complete resource of both defensive and offensive weapons, and He gives us the strength to stand. He makes available the power of His might for our spiritual victory.

IV. Wearing the Armor (C)The whole armor of God includes the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, the sword of the Spirit, the shield of faith, and sandals of readiness to impart the gospel. Further, He gives us the weapon of prayer. Prayer and supplication in the Spirit are effective weapons of spiritual warfare. (See Ephesians 6:18.)

IV. Wearing the Armor (C)Paul used a word picture of a Roman soldier to illustrate the aspects of spiritual armor. Because the soldiers were ubiquitous and powerful, the common people immediately recognized their presence as a military force. One could not mistake the identity of the soldier in his bright red uniform. Likewise, proponents of the gospel are readily recognizable with no room for mistaken identity, especially in the arena of prayer and spiritual warfare.

IV. Wearing the Armor (C)Paul prioritized prayer for his young protégé, Timothy: “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men” (I Timothy 2:1, NKJV). Paul mentioned prayer in some form in his epistles to Timothy at least nine times. This focus on prayer is important not only for leaders in ministry, but also for all who devote their lives to living for the Lord.

ReflectionsLiving for God results in a dual responsibility for the believer to “put off the old man” and “put on the new.” Behaviors of sin should cease, and actions of godly living should replace them. The Word of God lists sins that are damaging and destructive to spiritual life. Pleasures of sin are enjoyed for only a season, so the Bible says to crucify the flesh with its accompanying evil affections and desires. Sinful actions will eliminate one from the promise of the heavenly realm and rewards.

ReflectionsOn the other hand, what one adds to his new life from the Lord—chiefly God’s love—provides abundant, positive results. A renewed mind is the result of spiritual resurrection, which yields new life for a believer and a readiness for the rapture of the church. Everlasting life will be the ultimate reward of those who have remained faithful to death, and they will join those who are living for the Lord when He returns.