Ephesians 4:25-32

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to

share with those in need share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of

malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Praise Prestige Pleasure Perks Possessions Promotions Power

Praise Prestige Pleasure Perks Possessions Promotions Power

Question: What is success? How will I know if I am successful? Biblical success has nothing to do with: - How much ______________ stuff we possess - How much ______________ money we have

Joshua 1:8 “Do not let this book of the Law depart from your mouth, meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it, Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

Question: What is success? How will I know if I am successful? Biblical success has nothing to do with: - How much ______________ stuff we possess - How much ______________ money we have Biblical success has to do with _________. wholeness

7 Steps to Spiritual Success

#1. Be graciously _______ and do not ___! truthful lie Ephesians 4:25 “Therefore each of you must put of falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.”

#1. Be graciously _______ and do not ___! truthful lie A lie is – anything meant to _______________. deceive someone John 8:31-32 "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

#1. Be graciously _______ and do not ___! truthful lie A lie is – anything meant to _______________. deceive someone Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.”

#1. Be graciously _______ and do not ___! truthful lie A lie is – anything meant to _______________. deceive someone Ephesians 4:32 “…speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.”

Luke 10:25-37

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life? " "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and,

'Love your neighbor as yourself.' " "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat

him and went away, leaving him half dead him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his

wounds, pouring on oil and wine wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'   "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into

the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

How do we speak the truth graciously and lovingly? 1. Speaking the truth in love is being ________________________. sensitive in timing and spirit 2. Speaking the truth does not mean we _______________ but we need to increase our ________________. compromise truth sensitivity to others 3. We are to allow people to speak the truth to us to the __________ ______________. degree that grace will allow

#1. Be graciously _______ and do not ___! truthful lie #2. Tame your ______ and refuse to ___________. temper hold grudges Ephesians 4:26 “In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.”

#1. Be graciously _______ and do not ___! truthful lie #2. Tame your ______ and refuse to ___________. temper hold grudges Romans 5:8 “God commended His love toward us that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

#1. Be graciously _______ and do not ___! truthful lie #2. Tame your ______ and refuse to ___________. temper hold grudges Anger is - a response to __________; __________ toward things that seem out of order. indignation displeasure Anger becomes sin when ________ _____________. expressed in a wrong way

Ephesians 6:4 “Fathers do not exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” James 1:19-20 “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. For man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”

#1. Be graciously _______ and do not ___! truthful lie #2. Tame your ______ and refuse to ___________. temper hold grudges #3. Don’t give the ___________. devil an inch Ephesians 4:27 “And do not give the devil a foothold.”

James 1:13-15 “When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. ”

1 John 4:4 “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” John 8:32 “Then you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.”

#1. Be graciously _______ and do not ___! truthful lie #2. Tame your ______ and refuse to ___________. temper hold grudges #3. Don’t give the ___________. devil an inch #4. Prevent _______ and make work ____________. stealing your ministry

Ephesians 4:28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

Integrity is compromised by: 1. Indifference toward responsible ___________________________ ________ behavior 2. Lack of accountability ___________________ 3. _________________________ __________________ Infidelity to principles of love, honesty and morality

Matthew 5:13-16

"You are the salt of the earth "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.  "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

#1. Be graciously _______ and do not ___! truthful lie #2. Tame your ______ and refuse to ___________. temper hold grudges #3. Don’t give the ___________. devil an inch #4. Prevent _______ and make work ____________. stealing your ministry #5. Stop _______ talk and make your words _________. garbage life giving

Ephesians 4:29 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Psalm 19:14 “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight.”

Proverbs 12:18 “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 25:11 “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Matthew 12:34 “…for out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.”

Remember these principles: 1. Look for words that _____________. build people up 2. Speak words of _____________. encouragement 3. Give _____ to people through your words grace 4. Get rid of all ___________. garbage talk

#1. Be graciously _______ and do not ___! truthful lie #2. Tame your ______ and refuse to ___________. temper hold grudges #3. Don’t give the ___________. devil an inch #4. Prevent _______ and make work ____________. stealing your ministry #5. Stop _______ talk and make your words _________. garbage life giving #6. Honor God’s dealing with your ____. soul

Ephesians 4:30 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” What grieves the Holy Spirit? _________ bitterness wrath anger brawling slander

#2. Tame your ______ and refuse to ___________. temper hold grudges #3. Don’t give the ___________. devil an inch #4. Prevent _______ and make work ____________. stealing your ministry #5. Stop _______ talk and make your words _________. garbage life giving #6. Honor God’s dealing with your ____. soul #7. Let God ________________________ __________________________. prune your life and develop His characteristics in your life

Ephesians 4:31-32 “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

God Wants YOU to Be a Spiritual Success!