“Living A Christ-Centered Life”
Ephesians 4:17-24
Sermon Series: “New”
Introduction: We began this series last week by seeing that Jesus makes us new through salvation. In other words, we are changed from the inside out by grace instead of the outside in by self effort. Those of us who have been made new by Jesus are called to live like new people though. How do we do this? That is what we are going to look at over the next three weeks. Our focus today is seeing that we can live like a new person through living a Christ-centered life. We do this by:
1. Personally knowing Jesus (v. 20). The emphasis here is on knowing Jesus-not just knowing about Him. This happens at salvation, but it is to be the ongoing purpose of our lives (John 17:3, Philippians 3:1-14). Hebrews 12:2 tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus. Jesus told us to abide in Him (John 15:5). He changes and grows us as we do this.
2. Listening to Jesus (v. 21). This is spending time with Jesus through the ministry of the Holy Spirit and the ministry of the Word of God (Luke 10:38-42). We can talk to Him and worship Him, and He will speak to us. We are talking about hearing from Him more than hearing about Him. As we listen, trust, and obey; our lives are changed (Matthew 7:24-27).
3. Defining our identity through Jesus (v. 21). The key phrase here is “in Jesus.” Our position is in Him so we are called to define our identity in Him. This defines who we are, and the more we see and define ourselves this way, the more we will change and become like Him. Here is who we are in Jesus:
A. We are guilt-free because He has redeemed and forgiven us (Ephesians 1:7).
B. We are free from condemnation so we don’t have to fear judgment (Romans 8:1).
C. We don’t have to fear death because His resurrection guarantees our resurrection and eternal life (1 Cor. 15:22).
D. We are permanently, completely, and unconditionally loved (Romans 8:39).
E. We are new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17).
F. We are chosen and adopted as children of God (Ephesians 1:5-6).
G. We are accepted (Ephesians 1:6).
H. We are near to God (Ephesians 2:13).
I. We have our needs met through Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
J. We are complete in Him (Colossians 2:10).
Conclusion: Colossians 2:6-7 says, “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.”
