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Hello, welcome again to the Takeaway. I'm your host, pastor Harry Behrens, and in today's episode we're going to be covering Ephesians, chapter 4, verses 17 to 32, discussing the topic how do we live in this world while being separated from it? Now, before we dive in, I want to invite you to share any questions or feedback you may have by using the text us link in the episode description, as your input is invaluable in shaping future episodes. Here at the Takeaway, we are committed to creating content that supports your spiritual growth, and we can only do that with your feedback, so please let us know your thoughts, as we would love to hear from you. So now, starting in this section of chapter four, it is all about what the new life in Christ Jesus should look like when we submit to the will of God and live in the power and gifting of the Holy Spirit.

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When we accepted Jesus into our lives, we took on the role of ambassadors for Christ. Similar to how ambassadors represent their home country when they visit other nations, we are tasked with representing the kingdom of God wherever we go. Our responsibility goes beyond simply speaking about Jesus. We are called to embody his teachings and values through our actions, just as a political ambassador would not be taken seriously if their behavior contradicted their country's principles. Our conduct should align with the message we carry. It's like a representative from Russia coming to the US and behaving like a local citizen or a representative from China. It wouldn't make any sense. Yet often believers fail to remember their role as representatives of Christ in their daily interactions with non-believers. This was evident in the case of Peter who, as mentioned in the letter to the Galatians, demonstrated behavior that did not reflect Christ's character and had to be addressed by Paul.

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Galatians 2 2, verses 11-14. But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he stood condemned, for before certain men came from James. He was eating with the Gentiles, but when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party, and the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all if you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force Gentiles to live like Jews, like a Gentile and not like a Jew? How can you force Gentiles to live like Jews? Here we see Cephas, also known as Peter, a prominent apostle who demonstrated behavior inconsistent with his beliefs.

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The passage acknowledges that even those who are saved or experienced in their faith can still act foolishly, especially when influenced by fear or conflict with others. It underscores the fact that, despite being a revered apostle, peter, like any believer, was susceptible to moments of weakness. The text highlights the natural human tendency to act out of fear or to confirm to the behavior of others in order to avoid conflict. Now this behavior is labeled as hypocritical, contrasting with the expected conduct of a faithful believer. It emphasizes the importance of mutual encouragement and support within the church, while also sounding a warning to both leaders and congregations to remain steadfast in their faith. It suggests the need for boldness in addressing and guiding fellow believers back to the righteous path when they stray. Ultimately, the text conveys the message that those representing God's kingdom should uphold the values and ideals they were called to embody. If they falter, it is the collective responsibility of the church to offer correction and facilitate the return, with the assurance that God is faithful to forgive and restore those who have erred.

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Galatians, chapter 6, verses 1 to 5. When he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor, for each will have to bear his own load. Now let's get started in Ephesians, chapter 4, verses 17 to 19. Now this I say and testify in the Lord that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life. Paul is urging us to remember his words in chapter 2 and not to live as the Gentiles do. He emphasizes that we are no longer to live in the same way as we did before, when we were lost. Chapter 2 illustrates the nature of our past lives, while chapter 4 highlights that we are now called to live differently.

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A clear distinction exists between believers and unbelievers. Whether we pursue worldly desires or strive for righteousness in Jesus, it is essential to comprehend God's plan and to be filled with the Spirit enabling us to lead a life that honors God. The world constantly entices us to return to our old ways, and when that fails, it seeks to instill fear to lead us astray. Jesus forewarned that we would face trials and tribulations in this world, and fear is a powerful tool of the enemy, but through it God refines our faith. Romans, chapter 5, verses 1 to 5. Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him, we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit whom he has, whom has been given to us.

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The unbeliever does not think rationally, and Paul says in verse 17 that they walk in the futility of their minds. That's what it means to be enslaved to sin in Ephesians, chapter 2. We see a picture of this in Romans, chapter 1, verses 18 to 32, but to save time, I'm just going to read verses 28 to 32. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, god gave them up to the debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanders, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless and ruthless. Ruthless, though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die. They not only do them, but give approval to those who practice them. Now these individuals are without excuse and God gives them over to the lust of their hearts, even though they know God's righteous decrees. It again shows that knowing God's word does not save you. You must be transformed and empowered by the Spirit to live according to his word. Unbelievers, on the other hand, are intellectually unproductive. Their rational processes are distorted. Second, they are separated from God and ignorant about his truth. Third, they're morally insensitive. The more they sin, the more insensitive they become. And fourth, they're behaviorally depraved. They lose moral restraint, especially in sexual sin.

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Now Paul says in verses 20 to 23 of Ephesians, chapter 4, but that is not the way you learned Christ, assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds and to put on the new self created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Verses 20 and 21 clarify that we need to be taught how to live the Christian life. God empowers us to live it, but we must learn how to first, as we learn what we must do. God is faithful. To empower us to walk in the truth, it requires us to take the step of faith as we are taught what that step is. What makes us different from this lost world is that we have been set free in Christ and can now make life-changing decisions that were impossible before we were saved. That's what it means to be set free in Christ. He is not a cruel master, but a loving and kind one who doesn't force his will upon us. He shows his tender love and kindness and allows us to come and go as we please, so that we can learn of his love and our sin.

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John 10, verse 9,. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. As we mature, we learn to separate these two natures and live more for him and less for us due to his long suffering, patience, mercy, grace and forgiveness towards us. That's why we see believers fall into sin all the time.

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It's not a matter of being saved or not saved. It's a matter of learning to walk Like toddlers, taking their first steps. You would never expect them to run and not fall on their first try, or even the first few dozen times. As loving parents, we let them fall so they can learn how to get up and trust us, as we encourage them. God is our loving Father doing exactly that for us. So, knowing this, it's time to stop crawling around like a toddler and start walking as a mature believer. You will fall, but your Father in heaven is faithful and just to forgive.

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1 John 1.9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Now verses 25 to 27 of Ephesians 4. Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Being angry and do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your anger and give no opportunity to the devil. Paul is now moving forward in his thought with the assumption that you and I have understood everything up to this point, and is now saying since you have put away falsehood. Let each one of you speak the truth Now.

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At this point, we should be convinced that we are children of God, having been adopted out of sin and into righteousness by God's choice, and that he gave us everything we need for life and godliness. Through a spirit that dwells in us, we should now be taking the steps to enact this new life by living in faith, and a faith that is pleasing to him. Hebrews, chapter 11, verse 6,. And without faith, it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Verse 27 says we should give no opportunity to the devil. What is it that the devil wants to do? Well, let's look at 1 Peter 5, verses 8 to 9.

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Be sober-minded, be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. He is determined to consume you. It's not just about losing salvation. It's about making you feel powerless or, even worse, convincing you that you are. Satan isn't targeting the sinners of this world to destroy them. He's after you. He's known as the prince of the power of the air and the God of this world, because he's providing sinners with everything they desire to keep them trapped. Yet he's actively seeking opportunities to drag you down and make you question your place in the kingdom of God.

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Imagine if you were faced with an adversary who held absolute power to bring about your downfall. Your only options would be to either align yourself with them or to convince them that they have no power. If you could achieve the latter, you would render them harmless to you. The last thing your adversary, the devil, desires for you to realize the power that you possess and, furthermore, how to wield that power. The indwelling power of the Holy Spirit within you surpasses even the power of angels. Can you grasp the magnitude of that? It is the power of the living God, and when we live according to his will and through his power, nothing can obstruct our path.

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1 Corinthians, chapter 15, verses 57 to 58, says 1 Corinthians 15, verses 57-58 says Ephesians 4. 28,. Moving on here, let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. In these verses, paul is emphasizing that Christians are known for their diligent work and their generous giving nature. When he admonishes thieves to no longer steal, he is conveying a dual message. Firstly, he emphasizes the importance of not exploiting others or seeking wealth through dishonest means. Secondly, he stresses the significance of not withholding from God the resources that he has bestowed upon you. The essence of a Christian is to be a generous benefactor, mirroring the characteristics of our Heavenly Father. Now, refraining from giving suggests a disbelief in God's benevolence and implies that our possessions are primarily for our benefit rather than for advancing God's kingdom.

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Giving is a sore subject with most people, as it reveals a person's true heart and what master they truly serve. Matthew 6, verse 24,. No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other. Matthew 6, verse 24. And Matthew 6, verse 21. Now, someone once said this reflects the idea that through our giving, we can reflect the abundant grace and generosity that we receive from God. 2 Corinthians 9, verse 6-7, says the point is this whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. The reason why God favors those who give with joy is because he is a cheerful giver himself. Joy is because he is a cheerful giver himself.

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It is important to recognize that our Heavenly Father has boundless resources at his disposal, and he has granted us unrestricted access to those resources. All that's needed from us is to give, and he will replenish what we have shared. It undoubtedly requires faith, but once you take that step, you'll never regret it. From my own experience, I discovered that it's impossible for me to surpass God in his giving. This revelation brings me immense pleasure in giving. Every time I extend my generosity with a joyful heart, I have witnessed God returning even more to me. Malachi 3.10,. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse and there may be food in my house and thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

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Now some may argue that the Bible doesn't teach tithing in the New Testament, or that the concept was intended for Israel and not applicable to us. However, I don't subscribe to either of those beliefs. I believe that God's nature remains consistent from beginning to end and his attributes do not change. If we serve this unchanging God, we should expect certain things. Disputing this point may stem from a desire to hold on to your possessions. Furthermore, while the New Testament doesn't explicitly command tithing, I agree that we shouldn't give out of a sense of duty. Instead, we are called to surrender everything and acknowledge that everything we have comes from God and is meant for God. It's important not to allow a selfish heart to obstruct this truth. 1 Timothy 6, verse 17.

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As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. In Acts 4, verse 32-35, now, the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own. But they had everything in common and with great power, the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses, sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet and it was distributed to each and another one. Luke, chapter 12, verse 16 to 21. And he told them a parable saying the land of a rich man produced plentifully. And he thought to himself what shall I do? For I have nowhere to store my crops. And he said, I'll do this. I'll tear down my barns and build larger ones and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years. Relax, eat, drink, be merry. But God said to him fool, this night, your soul is required of you and the things you have prepared whose will they be. So is the one who lays up treasures for himself and is not rich toward God.

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The act of giving is closely tied to doing honest work. The true purpose of working is not just to fulfill our own desires, but also to be able to contribute to others. There's no way to avoid this truth, and any attempt to rationalize why we don't give reflects the true intentions of our heart. When you become overly attached to your money, it can lead to a sense of spiritual decay, creating an unfulfilled existence. This behavior does not align with the values of a Christian, but rather mirrors the attitudes of those who are solely focused on worldly pursuits.

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What inspired the believers in Acts 4 to part with their possessions and generously give to others? Furthermore, why do many of us fall short of this level of generosity? The key lies in examining our own hearts and questioning our motivations. Are our desires driven by self-interest or by genuine passion for serving God? Ultimately, it all comes down to this fundamental truth If we do not truly value Jesus, we will struggle to be generous. However, if we recognize the immense sacrifice he made for us, we're going to be compelled to give sacrificially in return. So now looking at Ephesians, chapter 4, verse, verse 29. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up as fits the occasion that it may give grace to those who hear.

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Now I believe it's crucial to remember that we should never tear people down, whether it's through sarcasm, jokes at someone else's expense or other means. It's challenging to resist this behavior, especially when we're surrounded by others who engage in it. It's natural to want to fit in and mimic the actions of the crowd, but we must strive to be part of a different kind of community, one that uplifts and supports each other rather than tearing down. You know, in my years working in the trades, I witnessed a culture of tearing each other rather than tearing down. You know, in my years working in the trades, I witnessed a culture of tearing each other down to the point where I became desensitized to its impact on others. It wasn't until I brought this attitude home and saw its effect on my wife that I truly understood its toxicity. It took being around supportive Christians to recognize the detrimental impact of this behavior and to build the strength to resist its influence.

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Over time, I learned to rely on my faith and the Holy Spirit to navigate this challenging environment and become a positive influence. While it was initially a lonely path, staying steadfast in my faith attracted others who desired to change. This led to the development of a circle of Christian friends within my workplace who encouraged and uplifted each other. This experience ultimately transformed my leadership and I found great fulfillment in leading a team of mostly believers. Now, as we connected and supported each other, we evolved from mere colleagues to close-knit community doing life together. For years, I prayed to be sent into the mission field and to become a full-time paid minister, but little did I know that my job was the fulfillment of that prayer. God allowed me to establish a meaningful and impactful ministry within my workplace, all while being well compensated for a job that I love.

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It's amazing how often we already possess what we ask for but fail to recognize it. So be patient and wait on God, trusting that he is working all things for your good, and in time you will see the fruit of your labor. James, chapter one, verses 19 to 25. Know this, my beloved brothers let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. Moving on to Ephesians, chapter 4, verse 30. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. That verse emphasizes the actions and attitudes of Christians and that we can either grieve or honor the Spirit. Those who cling tightly to their lies will ultimately lose them and grieve the Spirit, while those who relinquish their lies will find them and bring glory to their father in heaven.

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Matthew 10, verse 39,. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. In Ephesians, chapter 4, verse 31 to 32, we're moving on. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another. The destructive force of bitterness can harm relationships and communities, leading to judgment and disdain for others. However, as believers, we are called to show kindness and emulate Christ. The previous chapters have been leading up to this point, and now we are encouraged to put into practice all that we have learned by imitating Christ. We will delve into this further, starting in our next episode in chapter 5.

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Now, based on what we've learned so far, it's time to put our faith into action. Regardless of the amount of faith we have, we need to do something with it. It's important to remember that an active Christian is a living Christian, while a passive one is not really living. This week, take some time to read chapter 11 of Hebrews, which is known as the Hall of Fame of Faith. This chapter is filled with the names of people from the Bible who are recognized for their faith because they trusted in God. They were not perfect by any means, but they believed in God and His promises. They demonstrated their faith by taking action based on what they knew and understood. God then worked in their lives to make up the difference. They were truly God's handiwork, just as we are. So I encourage you to present yourself to God as a living sacrifice and allow him to work in and through you.

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Romans, chapter 12, verses 1 to 2. I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind that, by testing, you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Let's pray, father. Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who helps us in our walk to overcome this world. Your grace is indeed sufficient. As Paul said, we can trust that you will always make up the difference where we fall short. My ask is that you help us to understand the path that we're on and that you would give us the faith to step out and trust you as we walk in this dark and lost world. Father, we love you and we thank you in Jesus name, amen. Now I want to thank you for joining us today and I hope I really do hope this message helped you take a step closer in your relationship with Jesus and that you have a better understanding of just how much God loves you and wants you to know him.

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And on our upcoming episode, we're going to delve into chapter five of Ephesians, where Paul encourages us to emulate Christ Jesus, our Lord. Our ultimate aim in life is to imitate Christ, and the only way to achieve this is to understand his life as revealed in the scriptures and guided by his spirit within us. Jesus has not abandoned us in this world. In fact, he has equipped us with everything we need to mirror him and live a life that brings glory to our heavenly father. Now, before we go, I want to encourage you to visit us at thetakeawayfaith. On our website, you can sign up to receive email notifications and send us a text message from the link provided in the description of this episode. Now, we hope that you would use this podcast as a resource to help others and that you would send us a message, a word of encouragement or any questions or comments, as we would love to hear from you. God bless, and we'll see you next time on the Takeaway. Thank you.