Walk Worthy: Put Off, Put On

In one paragraph

The pastor opened by reading Ephesians 1 through 3 in full before moving into chapter 4, making the case that the practical instructions in the second half of the letter only make sense if you have let the first half settle in. The sermon traced how believers are called to walk differently from the life they lived before Christ, and why that walk is possible at all. The reading of Ephesians 1...

Read together

1. Ephesians 1:1-2 read aloud as part of a continuous reading of Ephesians 1-3
2. Ephesians 1:3-4 read aloud, noting God blessed believers with every spiritual blessing and chose them before the foundation of the world
3. Ephesians 1:5-6 read aloud, predestination to adoption as sons and daughters through Christ
4. Ephesians 1:7-10 read aloud, redemption through his blood and the mystery of his will to bring all things together in Christ
5. Ephesians 1:11-12 read aloud, obtaining an inheritance having been predestined according to his purpose
6. Ephesians 1:13-14 read aloud, sealed with the Holy Spirit as first installment of the inheritance
7. Ephesians 1:15-19 read aloud, Paul's prayer for wisdom, revelation, and knowledge of the hope of his calling
8. Ephesians 1:20-23 read aloud, Christ raised and seated above all rule and authority, head over all things to the church
9. Ephesians 2:1-3 read aloud, formerly dead in offenses and sins, walking according to the prince of the power of the air
10. Ephesians 2:4-7 read aloud, but God, rich in mercy, made us alive together with Christ by grace
11. Ephesians 2:8-9 read aloud, saved by grace through faith, not of works so no one can boast
12. Ephesians 2:10 read aloud, we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works prepared beforehand
13. Ephesians 2:11-13 read aloud, Gentiles formerly separate from Christ and without hope, now brought near by the blood of Christ
14. Ephesians 2:14-18 read aloud, Christ is our peace, broke down the dividing wall, reconciling both into one body
15. Ephesians 2:19-22 read aloud, no longer strangers but fellow citizens, built on the foundation of apostles and prophets with Christ as cornerstone
16. Ephesians 3:1-6 read aloud, Paul prisoner of Christ, the mystery revealed that Gentiles are fellow heirs and members of the body
17. Ephesians 3:7-11 read aloud, Paul made minister to preach unfathomable riches of Christ, multifaceted wisdom of God made known through the church
18. Ephesians 3:12-13 read aloud, boldness and confident access through faith in Christ, not to be discouraged over tribulations
19. Ephesians 3:14-19 read aloud, Paul's prayer to be strengthened, rooted in love, to know the love of Christ surpassing knowledge, filled to all the fullness of God
20. Ephesians 3:20-21 read aloud, doxology to him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all we ask or think
21. Ephesians 4:1 referenced as the call to walk in a manner worthy of the calling
22. Ephesians 4:17-19 read aloud, no longer walk as Gentiles in futility of their minds, darkened understanding, hardness of heart, given to sensuality
23. Ephesians 4:20-24 read aloud, not the way you learned Christ, put off the old self, be renewed in spirit of your minds, put on the new self in true righteousness and holiness
24. Romans 12:1-2 cited as a parallel to Ephesians 4, present bodies as living sacrifice, be transformed by renewal of your mind
25. Colossians 3:12-15 cited as a parallel to putting on the new self, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, love binding everything together, peace of Christ ruling in hearts

Talk about it

1. Pastor Mark recommended Ephesians as a starting point for someone who already knows Jesus and wants to grow spiritually. What is it about the first three chapters of Ephesians that he said needs to be understood before you get to chapters four through six, and why do you think that order matters?
2. Pastor Mark described the 'sequence of futility' as moving from hardness of heart to darkness to ignorance to licentiousness to uncleanness. Have you seen that progression play out, either in your own life or in what you have observed around you? Where does it tend to start?
3. Pastor Mark used a black-to-white gradient to describe the sanctification process, saying it will not be fully bright white until it is over, and that sometimes we stumble and go backwards. How does that picture either challenge or encourage the way you think about your own growth as a believer?
4. Pastor Mark said that some people present Christ in a way that amounts to 'do whatever you want' after coming to faith, and he called that a distortion. What does he say the truth actually is in Jesus, based on the way Jesus himself lived, and how does that shape what 'putting on the new self' looks like in practice?
5. Pastor Mark said he would rather God work his will through his obedience than in spite of his disobedience. What is one area of your life right now where you sense the Spirit pressing you toward a step of obedience, and what is making it difficult to take that step?