March 26, 2023
Sermon Series: Spirit-Filled Living Is Essential for Christians
Book of Ephesians
Sermon # 7: BELIEVERS ARE TO STRIP OFF THE OLD GARMENTS
Part 2
Ephesians 4:25-32
Introduction: When we become Christians, we receive Christ not only as Savior, but also as Lord, which means He is the Lord of our lives. As we let Christ be the Lord of our lives, our old values, attitudes, and habits are replaced by new ones. As we allow Christ to take control of our lives, we change and become more and more like Him.
Have you heard the phrase: “Clothes make the man”? A lot of money is spent on clothes throughout the world. The right combination of clothes can enhance a person’s appearance. The right color and style go a long way toward the process of dressing up properly.
Of course, the reverse is true as well. The wrong combinations, colors, and styles will be offensive to many who have different tastes.
Therefore, when a person clothes himself, he wants to be sure to put on the right clothes. If he dresses improperly, putting on clothes that clash or are unsuitable, he is frequently unacceptable and shunned. Most people avoid the person who is improperly dressed, for he or she embarrasses them. So, it is with God. There are things that we are to put on and things that we are not to put on, things that are to clothe our lives and things that are not to clothe our lives. The believer’s duty is to discover those things that are to be stripped off, allowing the Lord to cleanse Him through and through. The believer is to put off the garments of the old man.
This passage builds on what Paul has been saying about the new life we have been given in Jesus. The word “wherefore” calls our attention back to verses 17-24, which are a basic overview of the new life we have in Jesus. Since the old man of sin has been “put off,” v. 22, since the mind has been “renewed,” v. 23, and since the “new man,” has been put on, v. 24, the child of God is expected to take off the old garments and put on the new garments.
BELIEVERS ARE TO STRIP OFF THE OLD GARMENTS, WHICH IS THE OLD MAN!
PUT ON THE NEW GARMENTS, WHICH IS THE NEW MAN!
The believer is to strip off the garments of the old man.
Part 1: We have three requirements; for the believer to strip off the garments
of the old man.
1. The garment of lying v. 25
2. The garment of anger v. 26-27
3. The garment of stealing v. 28
Part 2: Today, I will preach on the next four requirements; for the believer to strip off the garments of the old man.
IV. THE GARMENT OF WORTHLESS TALK v. 29
A. The charge: Do use foul, or unclean language. The believer is to strip away foul talk. The word “corrupt” means rotten, foul, putrid and polluting. Corrupt talk, of course, would include cursing and unholy talk and even the worthless conversation that is so often carried on by people. Some people need to decontaminate their speech. Being like Christ means we don’t use foul, dirty language. For some reason, many people thing it is macho to use vulgar humor, dirty jokes, foul language. But no matter, a person with a foul mouth stinks just like an open grave. A foul mouth kills a person character.
B. The reason: To build up others. The believer is to speak only that which is good and which will edify or build up people. This means we must be sensitive to the needs of the people to whom we speak.
“It is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time.” (NLT, Prov. 15:23b)
V. THE GARMENT OF DISOBEDIENCE v. 30
A. The charge: Do not grieve the Spirit. The believer is to strip away the garment of being contrary or of grieving the Holy Spirit. “Grieving” means to pain; to offend; to vex; to sadden the Holy Spirit. When a child acts contrary to the counsel of his parents, he hurts and grieves them. So, when a person acts contrary to the counsel of the Holy Spirit, he hurts and grieves Him.
There are at least four ways the Holy Spirit can be grieved.
1. He is grieved when believers allow impure things to penetrate their life or thoughts. (Rom. 8:5-7)
2. He is grieved when believers behave immorally. (Rom. 8:12-13)
3. He is grieved when believers act unjustly. (Acts 5:3-4)
4. He is grieved when believers participate in anything contrary to the nature of the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 8:8-10)
B. The reason: He seals us. The reason we should not grieve the Spirit of God is because of His great ministry to us. He has sealed us until the day of redemption.
In Paul’s day an official document was sealed with wax, and while the wax was still soft, an impression was made with an official ring, or seal, of a king. The unbroken seal identified the document as genuine and guaranteed it would not be opened until it reached its destination. The Holy Spirit is the seal that identifies us as God’s children and secures us until we reach our final destination.
VI. THE GARMENTS OF UNKINDNESS v. 31
A. The charge: Get rid of bitterness, anger, evil speaking. The believer is to strip off the garment of unkindness.
B. The reason: Such expression is sin.
1. There is “bitterness”: resentment, harshness, unpleasant.
2. There is “anger”: passion, fury, hostility.
3. There is “clamor”: arguing, fussing, quarreling, brawling.
4. There is “malice”: slander, hurtful, injurious speech.
You have stripped off the garments of the old man.
1. The garment of lying.
2. The garment of anger.
3. The garment of stealing.
4. The garment of worthless talk.
5. The garment of disobedience.
6. The garments of unkindness.
Now you must put on some new garments!
VII. THE GARMENTS OF THE NEW MAN v. 32
A. The charge: Be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving. The believer is to put on the garments of the new man.
1. The word “kind” means to be gentle, caring, helpful, courteous, good, useful, giving, and showering favors upon people.
2. The word “tenderhearted” means to show compassion, mercy, understanding, and tenderness.
3. The word “forgiving” means to be gracious to a person, to pardon him or her for some wrong done.
B. The reason: God forgave you. The reason we should forgive each other is because God has forgiven us. The point is this: because of what Christ has done for us, we should forgive others no matter what they have done.
Responsive Reading: Ephesians 4:25-32
