We have seen theologial truths: 1) the believers position in christ; 2) truths that show the believer soaring in the heavenlies! But now coming down to earth and dealing with where we are, how are we tolive day-by-day? How does our position in Christ work itself out in our lives?
I owe God more than I can ever pay. God has taken His own son and
1. Provided the Ideal and Perfect righteousness for me.
2. Porvided a substitute to die for me.
3. Provided deliverance form death for me.
4. Provided a new life for me, love, joy,peace, power
5. Provided assurance of living eternally with God.
When a person clothes himself he wants to make sure to put on the right clothes.
1. Proper dress - everyone wants to be around you
2. Improper dress - odd, clothes clash, embarassing, most people avoide you
Sot it is with God. there are things that we are to "put off" and things wthat we are not to "put on". In our scriptures, we are told the things that we are to strip ourslevs of. Belivers are to put off the garments of the old man!
I. THE GARMENT OF LYING: verse 25
Lying: that which is false; untruthfulness, deception, exaggeration.
A. A lie does three things:
1. Misrepresents the truth
2. Decieves a person
3. Buids a wrong relationship
II. THE GARMENT OF ANGER: verses 26-27
Note the scriptures recognizes that man becomes angry
A. there is wrong anger: unjustified or wrong
1. Anger that broods or is selfish
2. Anger that holds in contempt - despises
3. Anger that curses - destroy reputation
B. There is right anger: justified anger
1. Angry with sin
2. Angry with those who do wrong
NOTE: Justified anger is always disciplined and controlled
III. THE GARMENT OF STEALING: Verse 28
Means to cheat, take wrongfully
A. Person steals by taking which is possessed by others
B. Person steals by hording and banking more than he needs
c. Person steals by living beyond means or needs
IV. THE GARMENT OF WORTHLESS TALK: Verse 29
The word "corrupt" means rotten foul, putrid and polluting
A. Includes cursing and unholy talk
B. Scripture says in Romans 3:13, mouth is like an open sepulchre
C. Obscene moutn, off color jokes or just dirty jokes
NOTE: Beleivers are to speak only that which is good and edifies or builds up people
V. THE GARMENT OF GRIEVING THE HOLY SPIRIT: verse 30
Means being contrary to the leading of the Holy Spirit
A. Grieving means to "pain, to offend, to sadden"
Ill: When a child acts contrary to the counsel of his parents, he hurts and grieves them, makes them sad. So when a person acts contrary to the counsel of the Holy Spirit, he hurts and grives God
B. Ways to grieve the Holy Spirit
1. Resist the Holy Spirit
2. Lie to the Holy Spirit
3. Quench the Holy Spirit
VI. THE GARMENTS OF UNKINDNESS: Verse 31
A. Bitterness - resentment, harshness
B. Wrath
C. Anger
D. Clamor - arguing, fussing, quarreling, brawling
E. Malice - slander, hurtful, injurious speech
VII. PUT ON THE GARMENTS OF THE NEW MAN Verse 32
A. Kind - gentle, caring, helpful, courteous, good
B. Tenderhearted - show compassion, mercy, love
C. Forgiving - gracious to a person, pardon
CONCLUSION: Are you walking worthy of the believer? Worth of the vocation to which He has called you? Are you stripped of the deeds of the old man?