New Self In Community.

KJ Washington

[0:00] All right, good morning, everyone. [0:01] Welcome to Village Church. [0:03] If I haven’t had a chance to meet with KJ [0:05] and I serve on staff here at Village, [0:07] I’m grateful for our opportunity [0:08] to just be able to dive into God’s word together

[0:11] this morning as a church. [0:12] It’s a great thing just to be able to come together [0:15] with people and worship him throughout the week. [0:18] And so I’m grateful for our time in this word. [0:20] If you have a Bible, turn with me to Ephesians 4, [0:23] verses 25 through 32.

[0:25] We’ll spend the bulk of our time there in that text, [0:28] but while you’re turning to that text, [0:30] I wanna share with you a story.

[0:33] Back when I was in high school, [0:36] I had a moment that really kind of shaped [0:38] and defined my life in a way. [0:40] It was a moment with a teacher from my AP English class, [0:44] and we had a conversation that had a big impact on me. [0:49] Through the gist of that conversation,

[0:51] the teacher said to me, he’s like, [0:53] hey, I really don’t know if you’re gonna be able [0:56] to make it or hack it in college.

[1:00] That conversation kind of took me back a little bit, [1:04] because it was essentially based on [1:07] maybe my work ethic in that class now, [1:09] let me preface this, [1:10] I probably didn’t work as hard as I should have, [1:12] so students don’t fall suit after that,

[1:14] but the sense is that that statement kind of defined [1:18] and shaped me to some extent, [1:19] because as I was making that transition into college, [1:22] I kind of went into college with the mindset [1:24] in the back of my head, it’s like, hey, [1:26] am I gonna be able to make it?

[1:30] Similarly for some of you all, [1:31] you’ve had those moments in your lives [1:33] that maybe made a few statements to you in your life [1:36] that have started to define you and to shape you in ways [1:39] where somebody maybe has said something about you, [1:41] maybe about the old life that you’ve had,

[1:43] and that’s stayed with you for the rest of your life in ways, [1:46] and then maybe has hindered you to actually [1:48] to walk into new seasons of life confidently [1:51] of who you are now. [1:53] So for me, while I was making that transition, [1:55] that was happening for me,

[1:57] but I had to take that step confidently, [1:59] it’s like, hey, I am gonna work hard [2:00] and seek to excel in my education [2:02] so that I can further myself in that. [2:05] But the same thing hinders us at times [2:08] as we step into biblical community.

[2:10] Sometimes you consider your old self [2:12] and you think about all the things you’ve done in your past, [2:14] maybe five years ago, maybe two years ago, [2:16] or two months ago, [2:18] and you’re worried about people being able [2:20] to accept you, appreciate you as you step into community,

[2:24] as you know you’ve been made new through the gospel, [2:27] but you’re coming into a new community [2:30] where you’re wondering if they’re gonna know you [2:32] for how everybody else used to know you. [2:35] That’s an also true reality for all of us [2:37] because we all carry that way into community.

[2:41] But Paul in Ephesians 4, verses 25 through 32 [2:44] calls believers to live out the new self [2:47] that they have in Christ [2:48] so they can confidently step into community [2:50] knowing that the Lord has done a work in them [2:53] so that they can be confident and be real and genuine

[2:57] even in the midst of this community [2:58] and sacrifice and build his church. [3:03] Turn with me to Ephesians 4, verse 25 through 32. [3:08] The text reads as this, [3:09] therefore having put away falsehood, [3:12] let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor,

[3:14] for we are all members one of another. [3:18] Be angry and do not sin, [3:20] do not let the sun go down on your anger [3:22] and give no opportunity to the devil. [3:24] Let the thief no longer steal [3:26] but rather let him labor doing honest work with his hands

[3:29] so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. [3:33] Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths [3:36] but only such as is good for building up [3:39] as fits the occasion that it may give grace [3:42] to those who hear. [3:43] And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God

[3:45] by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. [3:50] Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander [3:53] be put away from you along with all malice. [3:56] Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, [3:58] forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you. [4:02] Let’s dive into this text together this morning.

[4:04] Leads us to our first point, [4:06] the new self causes us to be genuine and true. [4:08] This is stemming from verse 25 here in this text. [4:11] We see that believers are made new through the blood of Christ [4:14] and called to live in the midst of community [4:16] with other believers in a genuine and authentic manner.

[4:20] Paul is calling believers in this passage [4:22] to be honest and real with each other [4:24] as they grow together in the gospel. [4:28] He reaffirms for these believers [4:29] that each one of these individuals [4:31] are growing all at the same time up into Christ.

[4:36] When members of the body of Christ, catch this, [4:38] forget they’re being built up into the church together, [4:42] they become hesitant of being real and honest in community.

[4:47] And so what we start to see is that people [4:48] begin to become afraid to be genuine and truthful [4:51] in biblical community because they forget [4:53] that everyone that’s in the midst of biblical community [4:56] are being renewed and sanctified through Jesus. [5:00] And so remember that you’ve been brought into a community

[5:03] of people that have been redeemed [5:05] from being far off from Christ. [5:08] You’re not the only one with the baggage. [5:10] It’s okay to be yourself as you gather in community [5:14] because you know that Jesus is doing the work [5:16] in you and in your life.

[5:19] Sometimes you just have to take that deep breath [5:20] and relax and know that Jesus is working [5:23] throughout all of his believers’ lives. [5:26] See, everyone in community is fighting off that old self [5:29] and seeking to live out the new self. [5:31] Not only do we all need Jesus in community,

[5:34] but we have to be continuously intentional [5:36] about seeking to worship Jesus with our lives [5:39] throughout our community. [5:41] That means both cognitively and practically, [5:43] we need to be seeking to live out the gospel [5:46] alongside of other believers.

[5:50] See, the reason why people struggle to be genuine [5:52] and truthful in community is because they don’t trust [5:55] the fact that Christ has crucified the old self. [5:59] You struggle to be honest and to step into it [6:01] because you’re so worried about that past life [6:04] or actually what’s happening currently in your life

[6:07] to be open and honest with other people in the community. [6:11] See, the old self didn’t need biblical community, [6:14] but the new self needs and yearns for community [6:17] with other believers. [6:20] See, for someone to genuinely partake in biblical community, [6:24] they need to be open and honest and trust God’s work

[6:26] in the midst of the process to sanctify his church. [6:32] Despite who you are, despite who you think [6:34] that you should be known by, [6:36] trust that God is going to work in the midst of this. [6:39] See, the people who perpetuate these falsehoods and lies [6:42] actually display immaturity in Christ.

[6:45] You see, it’s immature because you feel like you have [6:47] to portray a particular image of yourself to other people. [6:52] These people are afraid to share who they really are [6:55] because they believe they won’t be welcomed [6:57] or accepted in the biblical community, [7:01] which ultimately leads them to projecting a false manner

[7:04] of themselves to other people. [7:07] If we’re all honest, we struggle with that. [7:10] I could be real with you. [7:12] There’s been moments I’ve come into community [7:14] where I’ve struggled to not put on the facade, [7:18] where I’ve sought to gather around other people

[7:22] in the church and maybe this is in a community group setting [7:26] and everybody sharing with you in those moments, [7:28] what’s going on in their lives. [7:29] It might be that moment where you’re sharing prayer requests [7:32] and you know you’ve had that long week, right? [7:35] I’ve had those long weeks and you know that, man,

[7:37] things have been rough at home. [7:39] Things have been rough maybe with the kids [7:40] or with your family, but when the time comes, [7:45] hey man, what could we be praying for you about? [7:47] When that question is asked to you, [7:49] because of your pride, you kind of become more reserved

[7:52] and you refuse to say anything, [7:54] you refuse to be open and honest in that community [7:57] because you’re worried about people knowing that, [8:00] man, you’re struggling, that you’re needing to grow [8:03] in an area, that you’re a center in need of grace.

[8:08] See, community calls us to be open and honest. [8:10] We don’t have to put up these images of ourselves.

[8:16] See, when people perpetuate falsehoods in community, [8:19] they’re ultimately communicating their identity issues [8:21] that they’re having. [8:22] And Colossians chapter three, verse nine through 10 [8:26] helped to describe this reality [8:27] because when someone is disingenuous about their lives,

[8:31] they’re disingenuous about their identity issues. [8:35] They don’t want to be open and honest about this. [8:37] Let me read this text for us. [8:39] Colossians chapter three, verse nine through 10, [8:42] it reads as this, do not lie to one another, [8:44] seeing that you have put off the old self

[8:46] with its practices and have put on the new self, [8:49] which is being renewed in the knowledge [8:52] after the image of the creator. [8:56] See, the difference of us identifying with the old self [8:59] is the truth that we remember that God is doing a work in us [9:02] in this new self.

[9:04] See, we don’t have to lie anymore or project falsehoods [9:07] because we have an identity that’s found even outside of us. [9:12] It’s found in the one that has created us [9:14] before the foundation of the world, [9:16] knew who you were gonna be, [9:17] what’s gonna happen in your life,

[9:18] who knew the plan for your life. [9:20] He created you in his own image. [9:22] And so that truth, that reality alone [9:25] is what defines your life. [9:28] Your identity is rooted in the image of the creator, [9:32] not the creation.

[9:34] Remember that. [9:35] So we don’t have to worry about what people think about you, [9:38] but if you follow Jesus, you can be boastful [9:42] in the fact that you’re created in the image of the Lord, [9:45] that he’s doing a work in your life, [9:47] that he’s making you new,

[9:49] that will allow you to be confident [9:50] as you step in community and not trepidatious. [9:55] Our identities are rooted in the fact [9:57] that we’re sons and daughters of the king, [9:59] and this will allow you to walk in faith [10:01] because you will know who your daddy is.

[10:05] Let me just think about that reality [10:06] because sometimes when you’re living your lives [10:09] and you’re worried about what people think about you, [10:12] you need a source that reaffirms that. [10:15] I don’t know about you and your past, [10:18] but a lot of people in America

[10:20] have been impacted by their fathers. [10:23] Maybe how their fathers raised them, [10:25] how they care for them, love them, [10:26] maybe have shaped your identity in some ways. [10:30] I guarantee it. [10:32] But this is the truth.

[10:33] When you’re made new in Christ, [10:34] when you have faith in Jesus, you know who your father is. [10:38] You know who the one who has created you, [10:41] who has made you new through his son. [10:43] That reality roots your life [10:47] so you can walk in faith into community

[10:50] knowing that, hey, I can be real and honest [10:52] because I know who my father is.

[10:57] Your past isn’t what shapes you, [11:00] but the father is the one that shapes you [11:02] and defines who you are. [11:05] There’s no need to give all falsehoods to other people [11:08] because you remember all that Christ has done for you. [11:12] If there’s someone in here

[11:12] that maybe has struggled with being dishonest [11:15] or you maybe even haven’t been caught for that dishonesty, [11:19] know that Jesus died on the behalf of sinners [11:22] to reconcile them to himself. [11:25] You’re not outside of God’s grace. [11:27] If you’ve been the person that’s been putting on the facade

[11:29] for God’s people or for your community group [11:32] or for people in this church, [11:34] you’re not outside of God’s grace. [11:37] Know that Christ died for sinners, [11:39] that he died for you so that you could walk confidently [11:42] in who he created you to be.

[11:45] There’s grace there, [11:47] but he’s gonna call you to walk it out faithfully [11:50] and respond to him. [11:53] If you’re someone who has been deeply hurt by lies, [11:57] remember who and where your identity is placed in [11:59] because it’s placed in Christ, in Christ alone.

[12:03] For followers of Jesus, I wanna encourage you [12:05] to forgive those who have sinned against you in this way. [12:08] You might be thinking about some of the people [12:09] that are in your community [12:11] and they haven’t been straight up with you. [12:13] They haven’t been straightforward with you about life.

[12:16] Forgive them and call them to the gospel [12:18] to be genuine and truthful.

[12:22] Guys, this is what Jesus is calling us to in community. [12:24] The new self seeks to be honest and open with other people. [12:29] We have to realize that biblical community is messy [12:32] because sinners are involved, [12:34] but it’s a beautiful mess when sinners are truthful [12:37] and honest with each other.

[12:41] See, to be honest in biblical community, [12:44] your weakness and need for Christ must be realized. [12:47] See, Christ died for us to make us into a people [12:50] that have been defined and shaped [12:52] by the new life given to us in Christ [12:54] because we’re all constantly seeking

[12:56] to fight off this old self together. [13:00] So it means that it’s okay to acknowledge your brokenness [13:03] in the midst of community. [13:06] See, when you do life with people [13:07] and you start to actually see their sinfulness [13:09] and their brokenness,

[13:11] this doesn’t allow you to have a clouded judgment of them, [13:15] but allows you to come to them in grace [13:17] knowing that you’re that same sinner [13:19] that needs grace as well. [13:21] See, sinners together collectively, [13:23] we make of this beautiful vase for God’s glory

[13:25] that’s been shattered by sin, [13:27] that only Christ through the cross can put us together, [13:30] and through the broken crevices, [13:32] Christ’s glory shines out through that vase [13:36] as he has put it together in his body, the church.

[13:42] Yes, it might hurt because you’re sharp at times, [13:46] but we’re still a beautiful vase together, [13:48] beautiful body together as the church. [13:51] And so we can trust the church in this process [13:53] because we’re all these broken sinners with sharp edges [13:58] that need Jesus to work in our lives.

[14:02] Friends, that’s good news. [14:03] That’s good news that we can just be open and honest [14:07] despite the messiness. [14:10] It takes the weight off of our shoulders [14:12] because we know that the Father’s already went on our behalf. [14:16] We just have to acknowledge we need to be truthful

[14:19] and genuine. [14:20] And when you’re honest with other people, [14:22] it causes other people to actually be open [14:24] and honest as well. [14:26] See, the work of the gospel in us caused us to be genuine [14:28] in such a way that we’re just gonna be open

[14:31] in ways that are gonna compel other people [14:33] to realize that they can trust in you, [14:35] that they can confide in you, [14:37] knowing that you’re there for them, the good, the bad, [14:40] the ugly, so you can take off the mask. [14:44] You can put away the facade.

[14:47] Be the sinner that’s in need of grace.

[14:51] Embrace God’s work in the midst of community.

[14:55] But for all that to happen, you have to remember [14:58] that the community that God has placed you in [15:01] through the new self is for you and for your good. [15:06] Because if you miss that, as they’re trying to call you [15:09] to truthfulness, calling you to be genuine, [15:12] it’s gonna rub against you in tough ways.

[15:15] Respond in faith, trust God in the work [15:17] of that new creation in you. [15:19] Friends, we’re called to be a part [15:20] of creating biblical community that is open [15:23] and honest about life and its value to us [15:26] to live out this new self.

[15:28] See, too many people come into Christian community [15:30] nervous about being straightforward with other Christians [15:33] because they’re actively just wondering [15:35] if they’re gonna be judged or looked at [15:38] in a bad connotation or a way because of their old self. [15:44] Let’s create environments so people can come in

[15:46] and know they can be real and honest [15:48] as sinners that are in need of the gospel. [15:51] But that’s gonna cause us to be selfless people [15:54] with the gospel motives to see people reached. [15:58] This leads us to point number two this morning, [16:01] the new self causes us to be selfless.

[16:04] The new self causes us to be selfless. [16:05] This is stemming from verses 26 through 28. [16:09] Selfishness is what Paul is urging the church here [16:12] to avoid in this text. [16:14] He’s challenging Ephesus to stop themselves [16:16] from getting in the way of true biblical community.

[16:21] He’s consoling here two different situations. [16:24] One situation where the person has been wronged [16:27] and the other situation when the person is the offender. [16:30] Both are indicative of the selfish response [16:33] instead of a selfless response. [16:37] As we come to biblical community,

[16:39] Jesus is calling us to be selfless with others, [16:42] even in moments when we have been sinned against. [16:45] Selflessness is a mark of maturation [16:48] and faithfulness in the gospel. [16:51] So what we’re gonna see in this text [16:52] is that there’s two components

[16:53] that Paul’s gonna address here. [16:55] He’s gonna address your anger [16:56] and then your ability for greed. [17:00] Your ability to gain advantages over other people. [17:03] Let’s first look at anger. [17:04] See, what we’ll see here in this text

[17:05] is that dwelling on anger leads to sin [17:08] and gives room for selfishness to set in. [17:12] See, righteous anger towards sin is good [17:15] when it’s actually justified anger and righteous anger. [17:19] But if we’re honest, most of the time, [17:21] we’re probably confused about

[17:23] whether our anger is justified or not. [17:25] You think about it. [17:26] It’s harder when you’re trying to toe that line [17:28] of figuring out is this actually justified or not. [17:33] Paul’s sharing here that it’s okay to be angry [17:35] at something that is against the Lord’s decrees,

[17:39] but you have to make sure that your anger [17:41] is actually against what the Lord decrees [17:43] and what dissatisfies him [17:45] and not what dissatisfies yourself.

[17:49] See, regardless if it is justified or unjustified anger, [17:52] all anger can still lead you to personally sin [17:56] or cause others to sin. [17:59] That’s why he says be angry and do not sin. [18:02] See, when you allow anger to linger, [18:04] bitterness is right around the corner.

[18:06] See, our problem is when we get angry, [18:09] we get so upset because we cannot even fathom [18:11] how somebody could dare do such a thing to us. [18:15] Like, how could you do that to me? [18:17] How dare you? [18:18] We’ve all had those thoughts.

[18:20] Because that’s our selfishness. [18:22] It’s centered around us because we can’t believe [18:25] that somebody could ever sin against us, [18:29] even though we first sinned against the Lord.

[18:32] See, that’s why Paul is like be angry, but do not sin. [18:37] See, he understands the temptation here for sinners [18:40] to harbor on things that are happening [18:43] and for it to take our mind captive [18:45] and for it to influence our actions.

[18:49] See, friends, it’s a very thin line [18:51] between us having righteous anger [18:53] and being on the verge of sin. [18:56] This is why we need biblical community. [18:58] We need the church to walk alongside of us [19:01] to help us not to allow our anger to turn into sin.

[19:05] That means we have to avoid stewing on sin. [19:08] We have to allow the scriptures and the church [19:10] to be the litmus test for our anger [19:13] and not ourselves to be that litmus test. [19:16] Because when it’s only you, it’s gonna be dangerous. [19:19] See, when we consider life from a man-centered perspective,

[19:22] it’s really hard for us to get over ourselves. [19:25] When we see ourselves at the center of the world, [19:27] it’s really easy for us to become a very selfish person.

[19:33] But we’re called to consider life [19:35] from a God-centered perspective [19:37] instead of a self-centered perspective. [19:40] See, after regeneration in Christ, [19:42] our response to life situations is not centered on us, [19:45] but it’s centered on God.

[19:47] And the best way for us to consider a God-centered outlook [19:50] on life is by practicing self-forgetfulness. [19:54] This is extremely hard for us as people [19:56] because we can never imagine ourselves [19:58] being of less significance in our lives.

[20:02] We’re always the most important thing to ourselves. [20:07] But the gospel is calling us to be a humble people [20:09] that have been humbled first and foremost by God himself [20:12] so that we can take the perspective off of ourselves [20:16] and onto God and reflect it onto God. [20:20] See, that’s the gospel right there.

[20:22] Christ came to die for sinners. [20:24] Christ is at the center of our worldview. [20:26] It’s not ourselves. [20:28] So it changes the way that we look [20:30] at different situations in our lives, [20:32] even when we’re tempted to be angry.

[20:35] But we have to remember, we can’t count ourselves [20:38] as so significant in our lives [20:40] because we’ll miss out on this. [20:42] This is why I wanna encourage you [20:44] to practice self-forgetfulness. [20:47] Forget yourself.

[20:48] Tim Keller, a former pastor of Redeemer Church [20:51] in New York City, wrote a great short book on this subject. [20:54] I think we have it out there in the foyer. [20:56] It’s a great read. [20:57] I recommend anybody to read it. [20:59] It probably can take you like two hours to read it,

[21:00] but it is a great read. [21:02] Here’s a quote from this book. [21:04] The truly gospel humble person is a self-forgetful person, [21:09] check this out, whose ego is just like his or her toes.

[21:14] It just works.

[21:18] It doesn’t draw attention to itself. [21:20] The toes just work. [21:24] The ego just works and neither draws attention to itself. [21:28] Think about how you walk down the street. [21:29] You’re not considering how your toes work. [21:33] You just walk, right?

[21:36] Ourselves, we should seek to remove ourselves [21:38] from the situation and stop putting ourselves [21:40] at the forefront of the conversation. [21:43] We gotta move the conversations away from ourselves [21:45] and centered on God.

[21:49] This is why I think Keller’s offering a great resource here [21:52] to think about our lives in a self-forgetful way.

[21:58] But for this to be the case, [21:59] you have to be a gospel humble person [22:02] because you realize what Christ has done on your behalf [22:04] and you realize that it’s not about you. [22:08] Friends, we need to desire as a church [22:10] to be a self-forgetful people.

[22:13] If we understand this concept, [22:15] it’s gonna change everything about the way that we perceive [22:18] and live in the midst of community. [22:21] And when we grasp this concept, [22:23] the way that we handle our anger is gonna be changed [22:26] because we won’t be looking at what the person did to us,

[22:29] but we’re gonna be thinking about, [22:30] man, they sinned against God first, then us. [22:33] God’s the one that should be offended by this. [22:36] God’s the one that should be bothered by this.

[22:40] See, the old self and the new self conversation [22:44] changes this because our outlook on anger and sin [22:49] changes and shifts in a big way. [22:51] It’s not about us, but it’s about Jesus and his mission. [22:55] See, prior to Christ, your anger led you to sin, [22:58] but after Christ, your anger leads you to worship.

[23:03] Because when you take yourself out of the situation, [23:08] it’s all about Jesus, it’s all about him being known, [23:11] it’s all about other people coming to know him [23:13] and us maturing in the gospel together. [23:17] And if we don’t have this mindset, [23:18] we’ll give room for sin to just build upon sin

[23:24] and for Satan to work in the midst of that, [23:27] and it’ll lead you to isolation, [23:30] pushing yourself away from other believers in the church, [23:33] harboring things in your heart.

[23:37] But Paul here is calling us to be selfless. [23:39] The second way in this text that he’s calling out [23:41] the selfishness is that he’s showing that we like [23:45] to gain advantages over other people. [23:48] See, Paul here is actually addressing a prevailing issue [23:51] in his culture of people like to steal.

[23:53] They were stealing everything from people. [23:54] So people that were coming to know Jesus, [23:55] they’re actually starting to steal things [23:56] from other people, so it’s like, hey, can’t be doing that. [23:59] But at the heart of that is you’re trying [24:00] to actually gain advantages over other people.

[24:03] You wanna take something away from them [24:05] instead of seeking to give to other people. [24:09] That’s centered in selfishness. [24:12] See, our old self is constantly trying to seek [24:14] about what we can gain, but the new self [24:17] is constantly seeking what can we give

[24:19] to further Jesus’ mission. [24:21] See, when God’s at the center and ourselves [24:23] are in the back of the closet, Jesus and his mission [24:27] are gonna be at the forefront of the conversation. [24:31] So my prayer for us as a church is that we’ll [24:34] continuously move forward and be mission-focused,

[24:38] and that we’ll trust God to work in the midst [24:40] of the body of Christ, and that we’ll all become [24:43] less self-centered, and that we’ll look and think [24:47] about his mission first and foremost, [24:50] and seek to actually build his church [24:51] because we want her to flourish.

[24:54] This leads us to point number three, [24:55] the new self builds the church. [24:58] The new self builds the church. [24:59] The primary responsibility of Christians [25:02] is to build the church. [25:04] One can build the church through sharing the gospel

[25:06] and making disciples, or they can build the church [25:08] through having conversations with other believers [25:11] within the body, with the anticipation [25:13] of directing them towards worshiping Jesus. [25:17] But the reality is common and average conversations [25:20] go a long way in making disciples in the church,

[25:24] and believers should seriously consider the content [25:26] of the conversations that we do have with believers, [25:31] because we’re seeking to lead them towards [25:33] sanctification and growth in the gospel. [25:36] The premises and the content of our conversations [25:39] should edify the body.

[25:43] See, the conversations someone has, [25:45] or the languages that they use, should build the church. [25:50] Believers should be known for uplifting conversations [25:53] and not destructive conversations. [25:56] See, it’s common for us to want to be known [25:58] by the gospel as a person,

[26:02] but it’s actually really common too [26:03] for us to not want to elevate the gospel through our words.

[26:08] So we’re like, hey, we want to be these people [26:09] that are set apart for Jesus, [26:11] but our words aren’t matching the life that we hope to live. [26:15] As Christians, we should have some of the most [26:17] encouraging conversations. [26:19] Why, because we’re a hopeful people.

[26:21] We know what Christ has done for us on our behalf. [26:24] I’m not alluding that all of your conversations [26:26] should be all about Jesus all the time, [26:29] but what I’m saying is that they should be infused [26:30] and saturated by the gospel [26:32] and what Christ has done already on your behalf.

[26:37] So we are a people that should be known [26:39] for these uplifting conversations, [26:41] not only on Sunday mornings, [26:43] not only throughout the week [26:44] as we gather in our community groups, [26:46] but 24-7.

[26:48] Like your friends, the people close to you in the church [26:50] should know you as a person [26:52] that encourages them to follow Jesus more faithfully [26:56] every day. [26:58] Our words should honor Jesus [27:00] and lead others to worship him.

[27:04] That should be our intentional purpose [27:07] throughout all of our conversations. [27:09] So as we are built up together in the body of Christ [27:11] and we’re building up one another, [27:14] we should seek to care about the content [27:16] that we’re sharing with those other people.

[27:19] When we converse with people, [27:20] they should be met with edifying and grace-filled words [27:23] that remind them of the cross. [27:26] We shouldn’t be known for harsh or brash words. [27:31] If our words aren’t shaped by our need for the Savior, [27:35] they’re gonna be hollow words.

[27:39] See, when we come to conversations [27:41] in a very self-righteous way, [27:44] we’re gonna miss out on the opportunity [27:45] to share the gospel of people [27:47] and we’ll ultimately become unapproachable [27:49] for those other people to be genuine

[27:51] and honest with you in community. [27:54] If they think you’re just a self-righteous person [27:56] that only talks about yourself, [27:58] talks about other people, [28:00] and not the mission of Jesus.

[28:03] See, when we remove ourselves [28:04] from the center of the conversations, [28:07] we will be more inclined to worship Jesus [28:09] through those conversations. [28:12] See, conversations aren’t about building ourself up, [28:15] but they’re about building Jesus up

[28:16] and building his church up. [28:19] See, I have some personal gospel relationships [28:21] within our church that have been truly edifying for me. [28:25] These types of relationships and conversations [28:27] I have with these people, [28:28] they encourage me to consider the conversations

[28:31] I’m having with them personally [28:32] and steer them in a way that honors Jesus. [28:34] And so even if there’s a moment [28:36] where we might be kind of lingering off a little bit, [28:38] they’re like, hey man, does this honor the Lord? [28:40] Is this like wholesome talk to have?

[28:44] Like, is this actually helping us to make disciples here? [28:47] Or are you tearing down through these conversations? [28:51] Like, we need those people in our lives. [28:52] We need to be a church, a people together [28:55] that has that mentality of building the church together.

[29:01] Here’s a few questions for you to consider for yourself [29:03] in light of those conversations. [29:05] Are you someone who disguises your words as edifying [29:09] when you intend to deprecate or to tear down? [29:13] And the second question is, [29:15] are you known for building up yourself

[29:17] at the dispense of others?

[29:20] As you’re having conversations with God’s people, [29:23] as you’re seeking to engage other people [29:26] and push Jesus’ mission forward, consider those things. [29:30] Like, what do you bring into those conversations? [29:33] Are you bringing yourself to it? [29:34] Trying to build yourself up?

[29:36] Or are you trying to build up Jesus’ church?

[29:40] And this really matters because not only are people [29:43] around us hindered by this, [29:44] but the Lord is actually grieved by this himself. [29:47] Not only can our actions hurt us, but it impacts the Lord. [29:53] That’s why I say the Holy Spirit is grieved [29:54] by these actions, by the way that we respond

[29:58] and talk to people within God’s church. [30:00] Remember, this is Christ’s church whom He died for. [30:04] He poured out His blood for these people, [30:08] but we tear them down. [30:10] We don’t seek to see them grow in the gospel. [30:14] Like, that’s convicting to me.

[30:17] Is it that I share to other people, [30:20] have an impact on the way other people see people [30:23] or the way that they grow in the gospel? [30:26] Like, that’s a big deal.

[30:30] The old self is content with that, [30:33] with tearing down, fighting for my own agenda, [30:38] but the new self is restless with that. [30:41] The new self is like, man, how do I help [30:44] to build Jesus’ church and put my own personal preferences [30:48] and desires to the side for the sake of Jesus’ mission?

[30:55] So consider that. [30:57] We should be grieved that this bothers the Lord, [31:00] but we should really be grieved [31:01] because it’s actually indicative of our own heart. [31:05] It shows what’s actually really there in your heart, [31:08] and as Paul goes forward in this text,

[31:10] he starts to really lay out what’s really built up [31:12] in the heart, that slander, that clamor, [31:15] all those things in your heart that’s just flowing out. [31:19] See, the symphonic of humanity flows out of our hearts [31:21] and into our conversations. [31:23] As people say, when you get to the heart of the issue,

[31:27] that happens all the time in your conversations [31:29] because rather, if you know it or not, [31:31] your heart really does come out in those conversations. [31:33] You might be trying to disguise it, hide it, [31:36] but it really comes out by the types of conversations [31:39] you have with other people.

[31:42] So your words do matter in how you do converse [31:45] with other believers, but this matters [31:48] because we need to be a church that is being built up [31:50] together through the grace of the Lord, [31:53] all of us walking in this new self together, [31:55] seeking to grow, fighting off this old self,

[31:57] and we’re trying just to build Jesus’ church. [32:02] And when we have that mentality, [32:04] we’ll be able to actually live out this last portion [32:06] of the text where we’re called to be kind to one another, [32:09] to forgive one another as Christ has forgiven us [32:13] because we’ll have a perspective that is not about us,

[32:17] that we’ll remember that God’s wrath was coming for us, [32:22] but that Jesus came and died in our place, [32:25] that he bore that wrath for us, [32:28] that we’re all sinners in need of God’s grace. [32:32] And so you won’t look at somebody and think, [32:34] oh, how dare you do that?

[32:36] Oh man, they’re such a dirty and wretched person. [32:39] You’ll think about it in a way that, [32:41] man, that’s somebody that Christ died for. [32:45] They’re struggling, but there’s grace there for them to grow. [32:48] And so even through your conversations, [32:50] you’re gonna seek to build them up so that they grow.

[32:54] Man, it would be a shame for us as a community [32:57] if we were known more for being people [32:59] that tear down than to build up, [33:03] that we’re not encouraging people to grow in the gospel [33:06] if we’re not reminding them of grace [33:07] and forgiveness in the cross.

[33:12] Friends, let’s pursue that together as a church [33:15] and actually seek to live out the new self [33:19] because the old self is content. [33:21] If not forgiving people, [33:24] the old self is content with holding grudges.

[33:28] The old self is content with just me, myself, and I, [33:32] just me and my family, [33:33] we’re gonna live it out for the gospel. [33:36] The old self is content with that. [33:38] The new self realizes, I need God’s church. [33:41] I need to be in community with other people.

[33:43] I need to grow alongside other people. [33:46] But as this text is really laid out for us, [33:50] man, Paul’s calling us to uproot a lot of sin [33:52] in our own lives so that we can live out this new self [33:55] in the midst of community.

[33:58] So that’s the vision that we need to have for our lives. [34:01] So as the band comes forward, [34:03] I pray that we will be a people [34:04] that are just daily encouraging just one another [34:07] to actually to live out the gospel together. [34:10] I’m not saying that it’s gonna be simple.

[34:13] I’m not saying that it’s gonna be easy. [34:16] But the call is for us is to live out this new self [34:19] in the midst of community.

[34:22] I know that people in here have many stories [34:24] where you might be similar to me earlier on, [34:27] where you have some baggage that you feel like [34:29] is kinda holding you down. [34:31] I wanna encourage you to remember [34:32] that there’s grace in the cross

[34:34] and that that’s not your identity anymore. [34:37] Walk in faith, step into biblical community, [34:40] trust in the people that God has placed for you [34:42] to do life alongside of in community. [34:45] Trust that the Lord is gonna sanctify you [34:47] together with each other as a people

[34:50] for his glory and for his possession. [34:52] He loves us, he cares for us. [34:54] That’s why he sent his son to die for us. [34:58] So every Sunday at Village Church, [34:59] we have an opportunity to take communion together [35:02] corporately as a body.

[35:04] And as we take communion, we come to the table [35:08] partaking of the bread that represents Jesus’ body [35:10] that was broken on our behalf [35:12] so that we could have this new life in him [35:15] and his blood that was poured out for us on our behalf [35:18] to cleanse us of our sin.

[35:21] And so as we come to the table together today [35:24] as the body of Christ, come confidently [35:26] knowing that Christ has already accomplished everything [35:29] on your behalf.

[35:31] And for any of my friends in here [35:33] that might not be followers of Jesus, [35:35] I wanna encourage you to come [35:37] and to trust Jesus as your savior, [35:39] that he is the one that can make you new, [35:43] that you don’t have to be known

[35:44] from the old self anymore, [35:47] that who you were five years ago [35:48] doesn’t have to be who you are today, [35:50] that who you were yesterday [35:51] doesn’t have to be who you are today, [35:53] but there’s grace and there’s hope in the cross.

[35:56] And there’s people outside in the foyer [35:58] who would love to talk to you about that. [36:01] So my encouragement for you is to go in faith [36:03] and have that conversation and trust Jesus with your life. [36:08] For our church and friends, if you’re a follower of Jesus, [36:12] come to the table today together.