Identity Crisis
Ephesians • Sermon • Submitted
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· 5 viewsChristian life is a total change such that not even a hint of the former life remains
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Introduction: Who are you?
Introduction: Who are you?
This passage of Ephesians gets to our identity in Christ.
No Extreme Makeovers
No Extreme Makeovers
Paul shows the extent to which we are to “put off” our old self
Again, we’re in a section on Christian maturity (4:11-13, 15-16)
Paul wants the Ephesians to put off their old way of life; their Gentile-ness, and have a new relationship with the world
After discussing truth, anger, and work, he moves on to some more awkward topics
Three “unmentionables”
The Ephesians lived in a cosmopolitan area
Trade city, emblematic of the values of the empire
Most of the predominant philosophies of the day encouraged worldly pleasures, especially sexual ones, which is likely why Paul deals directly with some issues here
As mature Christians, they and we should have not even a hint of it
“I can’t live up to that”
Identity Crisis
Identity Crisis
To guard against legalism, we need to back up to the first half of Ephesians
In Christ, we have a remarkable, impressive identity
Cf. printed notes
The question Paul is posing is more about our identity than our behavior
Are we God’s people, in Christ, who mess up and do sinful things, or are we sinful people who occasionally put on some religion to touch things up?
Paul wants these things to be entirely outside of our identity, because they are entirely outside of the identity of Christ
In v. Of
In v. Of
So how are we to relate to the world?
Paul commands us not to be “partners” with them
What does that mean? Does it mean that we can’t work with others?
Partnership to achieve a goal
Machiavelli
While we live in a sinful world, we do not have to use sinful means or produce sinful results
That does’t mean we’re going to be perfect every time in this endeavour
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