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VISION DECLARATION: “We seek to GO DEEPER in the knowledge of God, GROW STRONGER in our journey with Christ, and humbly serve for His Kingdom purposes EMPOWERED by the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
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SERMON SERIES: DEATH TO LIFE
MESSAGE: Living a New Kind of Life – Rev. T. Crowe
KEY VERSES: Ephesians 4:17-24
I. INTRODUCTION
-As a Christian, have you ever had the desire to go back to the old ways of living? What pressures or pulls do you feel today that makes being a Christian challenging?
II. WORD OF THE LORD – Read the Key Verses
Before you read these verses, pray for the Holy Spirit to help bring wisdom, understanding, and application into your life situation. How is God’s Word in these verses speaking to you (teaching, application, etc)
III. BIBLICAL CONTEXT
- The Ephesian Christians are new believers learning how to live for Jesus against a strong pagan-temple-worship culture.
- Old Self (sin-nature) – futility of mind, darkening of understanding, hardened heart for God, given to all sensualities/immoralities, depravity
- New Self in Christ (Christ-nature) – new creation born of God, mind of Christ, divine power with the indwelling Spirit, transformation, divine purposes serving God as ambassadors of Christ
IV. APPLICATION – Listening Prayer
a. How are you being influenced or pulled back into the old ways of life?
b. What old garments need to be placed at the foot of cross?
c. Where would you like to be spiritually strengthened in your NEW LIFE for Christ as His holy ambassador for this lost-world?
God Bless!