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Practical Admonitions for Change: Ephesians 4:28-29

December 15, 2019 Preacher: Bob DeWaay Series: Ephesians

Scripture: Ephesians 4:28-29

Continuing on the theme putting off the old man, Paul calls on former robbers who now have come to Christ to stop their old behavior, work at meaningful labor, and use some of what they earn to become givers to those with needs. This sermon explores the origins and nature of the Biblical work ethic. When Paul tells Christians that they must labor, he carries on a theme that if found first in Genesis chapters 2 and 3. We show from Genesis 2 that God gave Adam the work of tilling the ground before the Fall. After sin entered, the ground grew thorns and thistles and work became burdensome but nevertheless necessary. Working is tied to eating in Genesis and elsewhere in the Bible. We show how hard work benefits both the worker and those around him. Another admonition in these verses is to not allow rotten words to come from our mouths. For this to happen there has to be a change in the heart. We look at OT and NT passages about the heart and how words from one’s mouth proceed from the heart. To have gracious words we need God’s grace to change our hearts.

Sermon handout and slides available under the Downloads tab.