Ephesians 4:17-24

Ephesians 4:17-24 Do not live as someone who is far from God. Put off the old self and live as someone who has been made new in Christ.
v 17-19 People who are far from God are not thinking correctly, they are darkened in their understanding, ignorant of the truth, and separated from God. They become calloused and give themselves over to sin. What we do best apart from God is sin. All we need to do to see this in action is to watch the news. We must realize that we are all one step away from ending up on the news, and not one of us would want our life decisions shown on the big screen.
v 20-24 We need good Godly teaching to learn about Christ. Our old self is a liar, trying to deceive us and tempt us into sin. We need to put off the old self. Rom 7:21-25, Gal 5:16-17. Which one will win-the old self or new self? It's the one you feed the most. We should put on the new self, created to be like God. 2 Cor 5:17. This is not just a "better" version of ourselves, for there is nothing good in us. It's God's version of us, which is better by far. We are not bad people trying to be good. We are dead people made alive in Christ, who want to be more like Jesus.

Ephesians 4:1-12

Ephesians 4:1-12
v4-6 "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." These are the basics of our faith. Jn 14:6
v7-12 We were all given spiritual gifts to use for God. Descended - came to earth.  Captives - those who had been captive to sin.
v12 Spiritual gifts, Rom 12:6-8. We all need to use our gifts - to serve the church.

Ephesians 4:1-6

Eph 4:1-6: Unity in the church
v1 "urge" to come alongside, a passionate plea. Live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Your practical living should match your spiritual condition.
v2 be humble (attitude that says I'm not more important than you, how can I serve you? Phil 2:1-4), gentle (strength under the control of God, maturity), patient (with respect to each other, having a wide soul so you can deal with those around you, patience is hard), love (bear with each other in love 1 Pet 4:8).
v4 make every effort (do your best, a determined effort)

This Changes Everything: The Death of Death

Rom 6:9-11 Christ defeated death and sin.
1 Cor 15:50-58
1 Cor 15:13-19 - if the resurrection is not true, what we do is in vain.
v50-58 We will be given immortal, imperishable bodies. 1 Thess 4:13-18
Christ is a first fruit - the first to have victory over death forever. We are the harvest. Rev 21:4
v57 Thanks be to God! We have victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
v58 Labor for the Lord is never in vain.

This Changes Everything: Resurrection Power

I am not the main character of God's Word.  It's not all about me, it's about God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus is the only one who lived up to the law.
Phil 3:4-14 When Paul met Jesus, he pretty much threw all of his own accomplishments away because they were worthless. As long as Paul had breath, he would strain toward what is ahead and fulfill his calling.
2 Cor 5:18 God gave us the ministry of reconciliation, to help others know Christ and be reconciled to God. Give everything we have to fulfill our calling.

This Changes Everything: Made Right

Rom 4:25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
Justification: Made right. Declared righteous. Not the same as being forgiven (found guilty). I have been tried and found innocent - Not Guilty.
Rom 3:20-25, Isa 53:4-5, Col 2:13-14 Jesus was our substitute, he took our sin and gave us His righteousness.
1. Our righteousness comes from God, not our own efforts. Gal 2:15-16
2. All sin, guilt, and shame is removed! We need to walk in the victory of that! Rom 5:8-9
3. I have peace with God. Rom 5:1
4. I am free to know, love, and enjoy God as my Father! Room 8:1-2, 15

Insights from God's Word By Clive Gray

Jn 4:4-26, 39-41
God is at work in ways we don't even know. We can trust God and be amazed at what he does.
The Samaritan woman was surprised at the encounter, Jesus asking for a drink from her, what he knows about her, and that he knows about her husbands.
She becomes an accidental missionary, v39.
The disciples were surprised that Jesus was talking to her, Jesus was teaching them to spread the gospel to others.
The woman was surprised to be loved, and others were surprised that she was loved.
We need to lean on God completely and let Him work. Good wants me to be at the well, with Him, spending time with Him, and then be surprised at the results.
v26 "I who speak to you, am he. "