Text: Ephesians 4:17-24 (NIV)

17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

20 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

I.        Introduction:

II.      Reject The Walk Of Ignorance

A.      Leave: Respect The Command

1.       The Source Of The Command

a)       The Identity: Apostolic

b)       The Authority: Absolute

2.       The Substance Of The Command

a)       Depart from an Old Life

b)       Depart from Empty Thinking

B.      Lost: Realize The Condition

1.       The Mind: Enveloped by Darkness

2.       The Life: Isolated from God

3.       The Heart: Hardened to Truth

C.      Lust: Recognize The Corruption

1.       In Conscience: Insensitive

2.       In Control: Indulgent

3.       In Character: Impure

III.   Embrace The Way Of Understanding

A.      Experience Truth: Christ Apprehended

1.       Through Him Speaking

2.       Through Him Teaching

B.      Experience Change: Life Altered

1.       Off With The Old

a)       The Old Life is Past

b)       The Old Self is Purged

2.       On With The New

a)       A New Attitude

b)       A New Creation

(1)     In True Rightness

(2)     In True Holiness

IV.    Conclusion: