Called to Purity (Ephesians Pt. 17) | Francis Chan

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message emphasizes the importance of living a life of purity and unity, as believers in Christ. The main teaching highlights that our individual sinfulness and impurities can hinder our Christian witness on earth. We are called to put off our old selves, which are corrupt through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of our minds. This process involves putting on the new self created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

The passage also underscores the need for believers to focus on their own personal sin and impurities rather than trying to solve larger church problems. By doing so, we can become more like Christ and demonstrate a closer relationship with Him. This is essential for our Christian witness, as the world looks at us and judges Christianity based on our behavior.

The main message encourages believers to strive for purity in their thoughts, actions, and relationships with others. We are called to be holy, just as God is holy (Leviticus 11:44-45). This requires a deep commitment to living according to God's standards, rather than conforming to the world's expectations.

Key Scripture References

• Ephesians 4:17-24 - This passage emphasizes the importance of putting off our old selves and being renewed in the spirit of our minds. It highlights that we must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, but rather learn Christ and put on the new self created after the likeness of God.
• Ephesians 4:25-32 - This section discusses how believers should treat one another with kindness, humility, and gentleness. It emphasizes that we are to speak truth in love and avoid lying to one another.
• Deuteronomy 29:29 - This verse reminds us that there are certain things that belong to the Lord, which we will not understand. However, God has revealed many truths to us through His Word, and it is our responsibility to obey them.
• Luke 13:1-5 - This passage illustrates how Jesus responded to questions about why certain people suffered or were afflicted. He redirected their attention to their own spiritual condition and the need for repentance.

Key Takeaways

• We must prioritize living a life of purity, putting off our old selves and being renewed in the spirit of our minds.
• Our individual sinfulness and impurities can hinder our Christian witness on earth, making it essential to focus on our own personal growth rather than trying to solve larger church problems.
• We are called to be holy, just as God is holy (Leviticus 11:44-45), requiring a deep commitment to living according to God's standards.
• God has revealed many truths to us through His Word, and it is our responsibility to obey them.

Personal Application

As we reflect on this message, we are encouraged to:

* Examine our own lives for areas where we may be walking in sin or impurity.

* Seek God's help in putting off our old selves and being renewed in the spirit of our minds.

* Focus on building strong relationships with others, characterized by kindness, humility, and gentleness.

* Commit to living according to God's standards, rather than conforming to the world's expectations.

By doing so, we can become more like Christ and demonstrate a closer relationship with Him, ultimately becoming a stronger witness for Christianity in our communities.