Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

Put Off the Old, Put On the New! (Ephesians 4:17-24)

Bryan Schneider · July 4, 2020

Ephesians 4:17-24

sharonrpc.org/sermons/put-off-the-old-put-on-the

Summary

Paul commands Christians to stop walking in the Gentiles' former pattern and compares sanctification to removing filthy clothing and putting on clean garments.
The old humanity is marked by futile thinking, darkened understanding, alienation from God's life, spiritual callousness, and surrender to deceitful desires.
Sin promises fulfillment but delivers corruption, bondage, brokenness, and death; believers must remember what the old way truly was rather than romanticize it.
The gospel does not stop with rejecting sin: those who have learned Christ are renewed in the spirit of their minds and put on the new humanity created in righteousness and holiness.
Jesus is both the object and pattern of faith—the sinless Savior who overcame temptation, supplies righteousness, and helps his people in their struggle.
Renewal involves Scripture, preaching, prayer, meditation, and the Holy Spirit's work of reshaping thought rather than an emotional experience alone.
Christians will continue to struggle with sin in this life, but they are no longer its slaves and must persevere rather than surrender to besetting sins.

What features of the old humanity does Paul identify in Ephesians 4:17-19?
How does sin deceive people about the fulfillment it promises?
What signs might reveal that a heart is becoming callous toward God and his Word?
Why is Christian change more than simply stopping bad behavior?
What does it mean to learn Christ and put on his likeness?
How do Scripture and the Holy Spirit renew patterns of thought?
Why should continuing struggle with sin not be confused with helpless slavery to it?
Which old pattern needs to be put off and which righteous practice needs to replace it?

Old man: Humanity's former, fallen pattern of thought and conduct, corrupted by deceitful desires and alienated from God.
Futility of mind: Thinking cut off from the fear of God and therefore unable to supply a true and lasting purpose for life.
Callousness: Spiritual insensitivity formed through persistent sin until the heart no longer responds rightly to God.
Deceitful desires: Sinful longings that promise life or satisfaction but instead lead to corruption and bondage.
Renewal of the mind: The Holy Spirit's reshaping of a believer's understanding through God's truth.
New man: The new humanity God creates in Christ, characterized by true righteousness and holiness.