LIVING A HOLY LIFE

Sermon Notes, July 8, 2012

Pastor Jan Sinozich

Pastor Jan’s sermon was titled “Living a Holy Life,” and the scripture was Ephesians 4:22-24, where Paul gives the Ephesians three principles of holy transformation: put off the old self, be renewed in mind, and put on the new self.

Put off the old.  Paul begins by reviewing the past.  “Your old self” is a metaphor: he’s telling us to take off the ragged, shabby clothes of our old life, to get rid of the debris.  The tense of “put off the old” refers to a specific time: I don’t do what I used to do.  I’ve made a conscious decision to turn from the old. From then on, the pleasures of sin are outweighed by a guilty conscience. Sin prevents fellowship with the Lord. Living on the fence makes us miserable.  Jesus loves you to much to let you stay on the fence. This turning is the first step into holiness.

Be renewed in mind.  This is a continuing action, in the present.  We’ve deleted the old; the new default is to continually renew our mind, reprogram our thought process.  Colossians 3:17 tells us that everything we do is to be done for the Lord—Bible study, prayer, fellowship, work, parenting—everything.  Every command Paul gives in Ephesians 4 is in the second person plural—you all.  We’re walking with others.  Arrange and prioritize your life around becoming more like Jesus.  Spend time with people moving in the same direction you are.

Put on the new self.  Make a willful decision to make your focus, your goal and your future toward becoming a man or woman of God.  Live with a new orientation that makes your relationship with Christ the central aspect of all that you are and all that you do. God chips away at our rough edges until we’re more and more like Him.  It is a decision, and it is a process.

The objective?  To be men and women of God.  How do we do this?  We need a plan.  “I’m going to. . .” get into God’s Word, rely on God, make new friends. . .  Once you’ve figured out your plan, you’ve got to work it into your schedule.  When are you going to read the Word, fellowship with other believers, minister to others, spend time with your spouse, your family?  The last step is discipline, or self-control.  Make it work.  Ask God to help you.  Allow God to chip away at the old so the new can be revealed.