Lesson Six

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Title Page
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Lesson Six
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Ephesians 422-24
Ephesians 422-24 22 That ye put off concerning
the former conversation the old man, which is
corrupt according to the deceitful lusts 23 And
be renewed in the spirit of your mind 24 And
that ye put on the new man, which after God is
created in righteousness and true holiness.
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Colossians 38-11
Colossians 38-11 8 But now ye also put off all
these anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy
communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to
another, seeing that ye have put off the old man
with his deeds 10 And have put on the new man,
which is renewed in knowledge after the image of
him that created him 11 Where there is neither
Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision,
Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free but Christ is
all, and in all.
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Colossians 312-15
Colossians 312-15 12 Put on therefore, as the
elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of
mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness,
longsuffering 13 Forbearing one another, and
forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel
against any even as Christ forgave you, so also
do ye. 14 And above all these things put on
charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And
let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the
which also ye are called in one body and be ye
thankful.
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Focus Verse
II Corinthians 517 Therefore if any man be in
Christ, he is a new creature old things are
passed away behold, all things are become new.
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Focus Thought
When we are born again, our lives will change. We
must come out from the world, lay aside the old
sinful ways of living, and adopt a whole new
lifestyle.
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Introduction
Introduction
Individuals often restart a project in order to
properly complete it. Sometimes they may wish
that they could turn back the clock and start
afresh with a clean slate or change negative
behaviors. Thankfully, fresh starts are possible
with the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Introduction
Gods amazing love allows us to experience a
fresh beginning in our lives. To be in Christ
is to experience the new birth through His name
and His Spirit, and the blood of Jesus cleanses
us and gives us a new beginning. Through His
power, we are able to leave behind the old life,
lay aside sinful actions, and learn to live for
the Lord. The Bible declares that God loved us
and gave His life for us, providing us the
opportunity to live for Him in a victorious,
overcoming lifestyle.
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Introduction
The devil desires to destroy individuals, but
Jesus came to provide the means for mankind to
achieve abundant life. The thief cometh not, but
for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy I am
come that they might have life, and that they
might have it more abundantly (John 1010).
These two outcomes stand in stark contrast to
each other and make living for God the only wise
choice.
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Introduction
When we choose to live for Jesus Christ, a number
of changes take place in our lives. Spiritual
growth produces change, but it is only possible
to experience ongoing spiritual growth through
obedience to biblical commands, putting off
sinful behaviors, and seeking to become more like
Jesus Christ.
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I. Beginning Your New Life (A)
Beginning Your New Life

1. Looking

Looking requires an intentional act of giving
attention to something. Sometimes a casual glance
is sufficient. However, when salvation is the
incentive for looking, it is important for one to
give the matter his intense attention and
interest. The Lord invited, Look unto me, and be
ye saved, all the ends of the earth for I am
God, and there is none else (Isaiah 4522).
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I. Beginning Your New Life (A)
Once we have experienced salvation, the new birth
implements a realm of new living. New life is
what Jesus can impart in abundance through His
death, burial, and resurrectionrepentance,
baptism in Jesus name, and receiving the Holy
Spirit.
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I. Beginning Your New Life (A)
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into
death that like as Christ was raised up from the
dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also
should walk in newness of life (Romans 64).
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I. Beginning Your New Life (A)
The power of the Resurrection frees us to seek
the spiritual matters of Gods kingdom. The
elements of the world are weak, and they are no
substitute for Gods blessings. No longer do they
hold us captive. Instead, our rapt attention on
things above directs us toward heavenly
provisions.
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I. Beginning Your New Life (A)
Forsaking and forgetting those things that are
temporal, we focus our faith on things above,
which the Lord promised in abundance. Moreover,
we look for the return of the Lord, which the
Bible describes as a blessed hope (Titus 213).
Assuredly, Jesus will appear to those who are
looking for His return (Hebrews 928).
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I. Beginning Your New Life (A)
While we remain watchful and ready for the Lords
return, we also should look for opportunities to
share our witness for Christ Jesus. Jesus
instructed His disciples to look on the fields
that were ready for harvest, but His real
interest was in the spiritual harvest that was
ready and awaiting the harvesters. And the
spiritual harvest still is ready to be reaped
today. Certainly, we achieve true perspective by
looking up, and we live with purpose by
participating in the harvest of souls.
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I. Beginning Your New Life (B)

1. Changing

The demoniac from Gadara provides a great example
of the fantastic change that Jesus power brings
to an individual. Following his deliverance, the
Bible described the man as changeda sharp
contrast to what he had been. He was now clothed,
sitting at the feet of Jesus, and in his right
mind. Indeed, the Lord brought a life change to
him and to his circumstances.
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I. Beginning Your New Life (B)
The Bible declares that the blood of Jesus is
able to cleanse from all sin and unrighteousness.
(See I John 17-9.) Absolutely nothing is beyond
the power of the Lord to cleanse and forgive.
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I. Beginning Your New Life (B)
The imposing list of sins that Paul included in
his letter to the Corinthians reminded them of
what they had been before coming to know Christ
Jesus.
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I Corinthians 69-10
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not
inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived
neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor
adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of
themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor
covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor
extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God
(I Corinthians 69-10).
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I. Beginning Your New Life (B)
The sins Paul mentioned in I Corinthians 69-10
would have excluded them from inheriting the
kingdom of God. However, Paul proclaimed that the
name of Jesus and the Spirit of God had washed,
sanctified, and justified these former sinners.
Certainly, the straightforward plan of salvation
presented in Acts 238 can produce great change
within a personnew life in the Lord as a
born-again believer rather than an aimless
spiritual existence.
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I. Beginning Your New Life (B)
Repentance brings about a change in a persons
direction, priority, values, and thinking. A
change of 180 degrees, whether in geographical
direction or in temperature, helps to illustrate
this point. Opposite ends of a runway for
aircraft are marked with a 180 degree difference.
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I. Beginning Your New Life (B)
If one end of the runway has a heading of 70
degrees, the opposing end will have a heading of
250 degrees. At sea level, water boils at 212
degrees Fahrenheit and freezes at 32 degrees
Fahrenheit. Subtract the freezing point from the
boiling point, and the difference is 180 degrees.
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I. Beginning Your New Life (B)
These two examples serve to demonstrate
opposites, much like that which results in a
persons life following repentance. The new birth
causes one to forsake the old lifestyle and focus
on his new life.
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II. Putting Off the Old (A)
Putting Off the Old

1. Dying Out to the Old World

The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus
Christ are basic components that comprise the
gospel message. We identify with Him in each
phase as we crucify our old life in repentance,
are buried through water baptism in His name, and
resurrect to walk in new life through the power
of His Spirit.
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II. Putting Off the Old (A)
Repentance comes from the Greek word metanoeo,
which Strongs Exhaustive Concordance defines as
to think differently, reconsider. However,
Vines Word Studies expands the meaning with this
phrase to change ones mind or purpose. Thus,
repentance always involves a change for the
better.
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II. Putting Off the Old (A)
In his letter to the Colossians, the apostle Paul
advised us to mortify our members. This means to
put away the actions of sin, or to put them to
death. The ensuing list of moral wrongs shows
that the verse does not mean for us to destroy
physical members of the body but to destroy evil
attitudes and actions of the body (David
Bernard, The Message of Colossians and Philemon,
114).
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II. Putting Off the Old (A)
Comparing living in the flesh to living in the
Spirit, Paul contrasted life and death in his
letter to the Romans For if ye live after the
flesh, ye shall die but if ye through the Spirit
do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live
(Romans 813).
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II. Putting Off the Old (A)
In his commentary on the Book of Romans, David
Bernard offered insights on the word mortify
The underlying Greek word is in the present
tense, indicating we must continually put to
death or extirpate the practices of the sinful
nature. We can only do this by the power of the
Spirit. In doing so and only in doing so, we will
live spiritually (The Message of Romans, 181).
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II. Putting Off the Old (A)
Spiritual life will result only when we end
sinful acts through the power of the Spirit. Paul
used the word mortify in these passages to
emphasize the need to stop sinful activity with
the finality of death. To do otherwise is to
invite accusations of hypocrisy.
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II. Putting Off the Old (A)
Chuck Swindoll quoted a skeptic named Thomas
Ybarra who wrote A Christian is a man who feels
repentance on a Sunday for what he did on
Saturday and is going to do on Monday (Getting
Through the Tough Stuff, 155). Certainly, that
kind of attitude and action on the part of a
Christian does not reflect biblical repentance.
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II. Putting Off the Old (B)

1. Putting Off Sin

Paul made an extensive list of sins that
eliminate people from the kingdom of God. (See I
Corinthians 69-10.) However, the words and such
were some of you pointed out that a believer
should no longer live a sinful lifestyle (I
Corinthians 611). Both Ephesians 4 and
Colossians 3 contain lists of sins that the
writer advised the new Christian to put off.
While by no means exhaustive, the lists
emphatically suggest that we should put off, or
eliminate, sin from our lives.
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II. Putting Off the Old (B)
In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul mentioned
sensuality, impurity, lust, deceitful desires,
lying, anger, stealing, corrupt words,
bitterness, wrath, slander, and malice. (See
Ephesians 422-32.) These sinful actions have
negative effects not only on the perpetrator but
also on those around him. Paul wrote the
Colossians regarding some of the same elements of
sin with different names. The New International
Version translates that list as sexual
immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed,
anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language,
and lies. (See Colossians 35-10, NIV.)
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II. Putting Off the Old (B)
It is important to remember the outcome of a
sinful lifestyle. Paul declared, For the wages
of sin is death (Romans 623). Death is the
ultimate outcome, not just a bad day or a
short-term setback. That is why the Scripture is
so emphatic about repentance and leaving sin
behind while focusing on a new life. Furthermore,
Paul observed that deceitful lusts had corrupted
our former conversation, or conduct. However, we
are able to escape this corruption of the world
and its lusts through the precious promise of
being a partaker of the divine nature (II Peter
14).
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III. Putting on the New (A)
Putting on the New

1. Renewing the Mind

The promise of being a new creation in Christ is
a powerful prospect that begins with the thought
process. Paul proclaimed, And be renewed in the
spirit of your mind (Ephesians 423). Certainly,
renewing the mind is a transforming experience by
which one refuses to be conformed to the world
and reaches for the will of God.
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III. Putting on the New (A)
Attempting to serve God in the mind or spirit
alone is not enough our service to God must
produce an actual transformation of our physical
behavior (The Message of Romans, 263). Our
service to the Lord as a living sacrifice reaps
heavenly benefits and produces powerful results.
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III. Putting on the New (A)
A new way of thinking will make a new way of
life. A daily diet of the Word through reading,
preaching, and teaching will effect this renewal
process, which in turn will bring about a new
form of living, higher than that of
self-indulgent lusts of the old nature (Brian
Kinsey, The Brides Pearl, 217).
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III. Putting on the New (A)
To facilitate a new way of thinking, the apostle
gave direction for determined thinking in
Philippians 48
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Philippians 48, NKJV
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true,
whatever things are noble, whatever things are
just, whatever things are pure, whatever things
are lovely, whatever things are of a good report,
if there is any virtue and if there is anything
praiseworthymeditate on these things
(Philippians 48, NKJV).
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III. Putting on the New (A)
Positive thoughts are possible through the
renewal that is brought about by the Holy Spirit
in the life of a believer. This renewal is
ongoing so that transformation continues in the
life of the believer.
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III. Putting on the New (A)
The Resurrection is a powerful topic about which
the anointed writers of the New Testament
repeatedly wrote. Paul even indicated that we are
included in the Resurrection both spiritually and
physically. He then reassured the Corinthians
that although we age and approach death
outwardly, inwardly we are renewed on a daily
basis (II Corinthians 414-16).
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III. Putting on the New (B)

1. Adding Godly Characteristics

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul advised
them three different times to put on godly
characteristics (Colossians 310-14). He was not
encouraging theatrical performance or a fake
appearance by saying put on rather, he was
giving them a strong admonition for change. The
same chapters from Ephesians and Colossians that
contain lists of sins to put off also contain
lists of godly qualities to add, or put on.
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III. Putting on the New (B)
Paul instructed the Ephesians to extend kindness
and forgiveness to one another with a tender
heart. His instructions to the Colossians
included putting on compassion, kindness,
humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance,
forgiveness, and love. (See Colossians 312-14.)
Just as he did in I Corinthians 13, Paul
recognized the great importance of love. The love
of God never fails. Moreover, Peter declared that
love should have prominence And above all
things have fervent love for one another, for
love will cover a multitude of sins (I Peter
48, NKJV).
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III. Putting on the New (B)
Living for the Lord involves an ongoing battle
between the tendencies of ones flesh and his
desire to seek after the Spirit. Paul instructed
the Romans, But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ
(Romans 1314). This is like wearing the presence
of the Lord consistently as a garment. Certainly,
when we take off the old garment of sin and self,
we should put on the garment of godliness and
holiness. Both actions are necessary to live for
the Lord.
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III. Putting on the New (B)
In his book Walking with Christ in the Details of
Life, author Patrick Morley mentioned a Gallup
survey reporting that one-third of American
adults claim to be born-again Christians. In view
of this revival of Christianity in America, he
pointed out a disappointing lack of change in
society The American gospel has evolved into a
gospel of addition without subtraction. It is the
belief that we can add Christ to our lives, but
not subtract sin.
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III. Putting on the New (B)
It is change in belief without a change in
behavior. It is a spiritual experience without
any cultural impact. It is revival without
reformation, without repentance. Obviously, when
a Christian adds the teachings of Jesus to his
life, there also should be a corresponding
subtracting of sinful actions from his lifestyle.
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IV. Wearing the Armor (A)
Wearing the Armor

1. Engaging in Spiritual Warfare

The first three words of Ephesians 612, for we
wrestle, should make us aware of the
ever-present spiritual conflict in life. Satan
will attempt to entice us away from moral choices
and bind us from doing what is right. But using
the spiritual weapons of prayer, Bible study,
worship, fasting, and godly fellowship will
result in a victorious Christian life.
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II Corinthians 104
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,
but mighty through God to the pulling down of
strong holds (II Corinthians 104).
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IV. Wearing the Armor (A)
Witnessing and intercession for souls are vital
means of wrestling with darkness in order to
bring people into light and liberty in the Lord.
We dare not allow the gospel to be hidden to the
lost or to those who are spiritually blinded (II
Corinthians 43-4). The glorious light of the
gospel of Christ should shine through the
Christians life to reveal truth to a dark world.
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IV. Wearing the Armor (A)
No matter where or what spiritual forces of evil
the Christian encounters, these evil spirits fear
and tremble in the presence of the God we serve
(James 219). All the lies and deceit of the
devil will never defeat or break down the blood
of Jesus. Certainly, Satan has no way to combat
the blood of the Lamb and its provision of
victory!
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IV. Wearing the Armor (A)
Satan seeks to lull the church into a false sense
of security, giving way to comfort and
complacency. However, that is not the life to
which God has called us. Adopting a Laodicean
lifestyle with a self-satisfying assessment of
needing nothing will cause us to lose our fervent
love for Christ and to lose His divine approval.
Instead, the Lord advised that we should obtain
faith, righteousness, and anointing. Moreover,
prayer and patience will make possible the
victory in the Lord that we desire in the battle
of life.
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IV. Wearing the Armor (A)
The church should continue to fight the good
fight of faitha battle that will end in ultimate
victory. Unmistakably, the mission of the church
is to carry the whole gospel, to the whole
world, by the whole church. Let the
twenty-first-century church affirm with Paul I
am debtor. . . . I am ready. . . . I am not
ashamed (Romans 114-16). The gospel is the
power of God unto salvation to those who believe.
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IV. Wearing the Armor (B)

1. Standing Firm

Martin Luther, a Reformation leader, acted on
strong convictions. Though his choice of action
proved costly, he declared, Here I stand, I can
do no other. His choice and his stand caused
great spiritual enlightenment to come upon the
world. Likewise, taking a stand for our calling,
commitment, and convictions is necessary in this
age in which many individuals resort to
compromising their convictions. However, Paul
assured us that God is able to impart the ability
for every believer to stand. (See Romans 144.)
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IV. Wearing the Armor (B)
In King Hezekiahs day, the Temple needed to be
cleansed. Repentance and reformation had to
replace the idolatry that led to neglect, and the
king challenged the priests
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II Chronicles 2911
My sons, be not now negligent for the Lord hath
chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and
that ye should minister unto him, and burn
incense (II Chronicles 2911).
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IV. Wearing the Armor (B)
The priests obediently repaired and cleansed the
Temple, setting its service and worship in order.
They took a stand as the king commanded, which
caused great rejoicing and resulted in revival.
Today, the indwelling Spirit makes our bodies the
temples of God. Because of that special
relationship, we take a stand against the sin
that defiles our temples and the hypocrisy that
hinders the work of God in our lives.
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IV. Wearing the Armor (B)
It is vital that the church let the world know
what it stands for as well as what it stands
against. We not only stand against sin, but we
stand for the powerful changes that result from
the new birth. After the high priest had the
apostles arrested and imprisoned, the angel
opened the prison door for them with a specific
command Go, stand and speak in the temple to
the people all the words of this life (Acts
520).
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IV. Wearing the Armor (B)
An aggressive evangelistic stand for the Lord is
important for the church to achieve the growth
that God wants to give. Certainly, the church can
present the words of life to a dying world.
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IV. Wearing the Armor (C)

1. Praying Always

Paul advised believers to put on the whole armor
of God so that they could stand victoriously.
(See Ephesians 613-17.) God provides the whole
armor as a complete resource of both defensive
and offensive weapons, and He gives us the
strength to stand. He makes available the power
of His might for our spiritual victory.
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IV. Wearing the Armor (C)
The whole armor of God includes the helmet of
salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the
belt of truth, the sword of the Spirit, the
shield of faith, and sandals of readiness to
impart the gospel. Further, He gives us the
weapon of prayer. Prayer and supplication in the
Spirit are effective weapons of spiritual
warfare. (See Ephesians 618.)
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IV. Wearing the Armor (C)
Paul used a word picture of a Roman soldier to
illustrate the aspects of spiritual armor.
Because the soldiers were ubiquitous and
powerful, the common people immediately
recognized their presence as a military force.
One could not mistake the identity of the soldier
in his bright red uniform. Likewise, proponents
of the gospel are readily recognizable with no
room for mistaken identity, especially in the
arena of prayer and spiritual warfare.
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IV. Wearing the Armor (C)
Paul prioritized prayer for his young protégé,
Timothy Therefore I exhort first of all that
supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving
of thanks be made for all men (I Timothy 21,
NKJV). Paul mentioned prayer in some form in his
epistles to Timothy at least nine times. This
focus on prayer is important not only for leaders
in ministry, but also for all who devote their
lives to living for the Lord.
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Reflections
Living for God results in a dual responsibility
for the believer to put off the old man and
put on the new. Behaviors of sin should cease,
and actions of godly living should replace them.
The Word of God lists sins that are damaging and
destructive to spiritual life. Pleasures of sin
are enjoyed for only a season, so the Bible says
to crucify the flesh with its accompanying evil
affections and desires. Sinful actions will
eliminate one from the promise of the heavenly
realm and rewards.
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Reflections
On the other hand, what one adds to his new life
from the Lordchiefly Gods loveprovides
abundant, positive results. A renewed mind is the
result of spiritual resurrection, which yields
new life for a believer and a readiness for the
rapture of the church. Everlasting life will be
the ultimate reward of those who have remained
faithful to death, and they will join those who
are living for the Lord when He returns.