Next Steps - From Old To New
Ephesians 4:17–24 — This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you PUT OFF, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the Spirit of your mind, and that you PUT ON the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
I. YOU Must Shed the Old Man
Ephesians 4:22 — that “YOU PUT OFF,” concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts (apotithēmi)
If YOU don’t, it won’t.
YOU put off: To take off like a piece of clothing.
Romans 6:6 — Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
The Liberating Truth – “It’s not YOU.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 — Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, HE IS A NEW CREATION; old things have passed away; behold, ALL THINGS HAVE BECOME NEW.
Philippians 3:3–9 — For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.
1 Timothy 1:12–15 — And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
II. You Must ALLOW Yourself to Be Renewed
Ephesians 4:23 — and “BE RENEWED” in “THE SPIRIT” of your mind.
Be Renewed – ananeō: To make new again.
You must allow renewal at the source: “In the SPIRIT of your mind.”
The Spirit of Your Mind – the underlying attitude, disposition, or posture that GOVERNS how you process life, truth, relationships, and even God, created from the life of the OLD MAN.
Acts 17:32–34 — And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, “We will hear you again on this matter.” So Paul departed from among them. However, some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
III. YOU Must Embrace the Real You
Ephesians 4:24 — and that you PUT ON the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness (enduō).
Put On – Put on like new clothing.
Galatians 3:27 — For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have Put On Christ.
Luke 5:36 — “No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old one; otherwise the new makes a tear.”