What 's Up

Well its spring and I have wanted to get back into this blogging thing again. So we are going to give it one more try...........

THis is the latest study we have been doing on Wed. Nights. I have begain the study with a basic outline, the following you will find my notes on the text.


Keys to Putting away the Lies
Ephesians 4.25-32
I. Speech Control (vs25&29)
a. Truth
b. Encourage
c. Grace
II. Self Control (vs26-28)
a. Anger
b. Habits
c. Example
III. Spirit Controlled (vs30-32)
a. Follow
b. True
c. fruit
I. Speech Control (vs25&29)
Eph 4:25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another………………………………………(29) Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
In this section of scripture we find the first key to putting off the lies we live, Its speech control. Our Speech is usually the first sign of who we truly are in Christ. We must understand that what comes out of our mouths is most of the time a good picture of what is in our hearts. Paul tell his readers that we must speak truth. Lies kill. We also must seek to speak encouraging words to one another. Our speech should be purposed TO build each other up instead of knocking each other down.
(why do you think that our speech is a good picture of who we truly are? What are some ways our words can hurt people? How can we build each other up?)
II. Self Control (vs26-28)
Eph 4:26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, (27) and give no opportunity to the devil. (28) Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
In this section of scripture we see the key of self control. Its amazing to see how many of us have no self control. Man is addicted to so many things that are sins and those that have become sin. Paul warns that without self control the devil has an opportunity to destroy our lives. Paul mentions anger first. Then he gets specific in his descriptions, talking about thieves. (Why is it important to have self control? What are some ways anger hurts the Christian? How can we be an example to believers and non believers around us?)
III. Spirit Controlled (vs30-32)
Eph 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (31) Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. (32) Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
The last part of chapter 4 deals with the key of being spirit controlled. Paul says that we should not grieve the Holy Spirit. He is referring to not following the Spirit. Now its important to remember that the Holy Spirit is God and when we grieve Him we grieve God. So we must follow the Spirit. The question is how do you know it’s the Holy Spirit? To know the Spirit, is to know truth. God is going to lead you in the Truth, and he does this though the Holy Spirit. A life that is Spirit controlled is a life that will have fruit. When we are being lead by God will we refrain from the bad and cling to the good. Our lives will produce fruit like, kindness, forgiveness, and fellowship. ( How can we be Spirit Controlled? Why is it important to be Spirit Controlled? What are some fruits you have seen in other’s lives?)