Ephesians
“Learned Christ”
Ephesians 4:17-32

“… walk in a manner worthy …” –Ephesians 4:1

3 characteristics that should mark followers of Jesus:
Unity — underlying attitudes between followers in a local church — (4:1-6)
Maturity — nature of gradually becoming like Jesus — (4:7-16)
Morality  — internal transformation that leads to behavior modification — (4:17-32)

Ephesians 4:17-32

Your primary identity is found in Jesus. 

It’s strange that Paul needs to urge followers not to live this way.
When you are free, why retrogress?
Forgot the seriousness or implications?
Within less than 50 years - lost their first love! (Rev. 2:4-5)

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write …You have forsaken the love you had at first …” –Revelation 2:1, 4

How we live matters!

Gentile Morality (4:17-18; Romans 1:21-25)
• Futility = lack of accomplishment, meaningful purpose or fulfillment 
• Darkened = bad thinking 
• Alienated = lack of intimacy with God 
• Ignorance = moral blindness 
• Hardness of heart = stubbornness or obduracy  

"If it feels good, do it.”

Seen by: (4:19)
• Callousness = unbridled desires 
• Sensuality = impure morality
• Greed = Excess in actions
• Every kind of impurity = Lust 

Not you! (4:20)

Learned Christ
• Not liturgy - form / repeated statements 
• Not orthodox - religious conventions / “normal” way of doing things 
• Not a list of actions / behaviors 

“Put off … put on” = Replace (Colossians 3:5-10; Galatians 3:26, 27)
Intentional process

Behavior modification rarely brings internal transformation
Internal transformation leads to behavior modification

Replace: put off + put on - (4:25-32)
1. falsehood with Truth - 4:25
2. anger with Forgiveness - 4:26-27
3. stealing with Giving - 4:28
4. corrupt speech with Sincere Edifying Speech - 4:29-30
5. bitterness with Kindness - 4:31-32

How we live matters!

What do you need to replace?
“Put off …”
“Put on …”