Not of This World – Part 3

Review

Earlier this month, we started a series titled “Not of This World.”

It addresses the fact that when we commit our lives to Jesus, our base of operations changes.

While we continue to live in this world, our new life in Christ invites us to think and act from the reality of a different world, a kingdom from another dimension that is ruled by Jesus.

The kingdom of God is this physical world’s hope because its challenges cannot be overcome based merely on what this planet has to offer.

Because we are citizens of a kingdom that transcends this physical world, we have access to supernatural capacities.

• Abilities given by God that not only help us overcome this world’s chaos but that put us in a position to help other people overcome this world’s chaos.
• The attributes of the Christian life make us real life superheroes.

Ephesians as a Road Map

We’re reminded of this in an ancient letter written by a Christian revolutionary named Paul.

He’s writing to a church he planted on the coast of modern-day Turkey, called Ephesus.

His letter explains how our entire Christian lives—its promises, practices, and powers are based on supernatural capacities.

But he also explains that though we have superpowers, we still face challenges.

So, the second half of his letter shows us how to be super while facing the difficulties of the natural world.

Earlier this month, we divided the second half of the letter into seven segments, each titled with themes from the superhero and sci-fi fantasy world:

• Learning How to Sky Walk:
  • We covered the First Segment two weeks ago. It was titled “Learning How to Skywalk,” which explained the biblical concept of how we can be seated in heaven while walking on earth.
• Avengers Assemble
  • Last week we covered the Second Segment, titled, “Avengers Assemble”
• Close Encounters
  • This week, we’re going to cover the third segment, titled “Close Encounters”

First Who, Then What

• Ephesians 4:17–19 (ESV): ¹⁷ Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. ¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. ¹⁹ They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.
• Ephesians 4:17 (ESV): ¹⁷ Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.
• Ephesians 2:11–12 (ESV): ¹¹ Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh. . .
• Ephesians 4:17 (ESV): ¹⁷ Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.

Addressing Sins and Weights Together

• Hebrews 12:1 (ESV): ¹ . . . let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely. . .
• Ephesians 1:5 (ESV): ⁵ he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

The Power of Invisible Spiritual Influences

• Ephesians 4:18 (ESV): ¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.

Combatting Toxic Humanity

• Ephesians 4:19 (ESV): ¹⁹ They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.
• Genesis 3:6 (ESV): ⁶ So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.
• 1 John 2:15 (ESV): ¹⁵ Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

• 1 John 2:16 (ESV): ¹⁶ For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

Supernatural Protection

• Honey, Where’s My Super Suit?
• Ephesians 4:19–21 (ESV): ¹⁹ They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. ²⁰ But that is not the way you learned Christ!— ²¹ assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus,
• Ephesians 4:22–24 (ESV): ²² to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, ²³ and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

The Power of Imitation

More Than Do’s and Don’ts

• Ephesians 4:25-32 (ESV): ²⁵ Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 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. 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. 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.
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