Holiday Ready
(Finding Joy During the Holidays)
Sermon: The New You
Scripture(s): Ephesians 4:25-32
1. We Have To Be Truth Tellers
4:25 Therefore, after you have gotten rid of lying, Each of you must tell the truth to your neighbor (Always About the Community/Body) because we are parts of each other in the same body.
2. Don’t Give The Devil His Due
V26 Be angry without sinning. Don’t let the sun set on your anger. 27 Don’t provide an opportunity for the devil.
The ROTTEN FRUIT of EVIL is to kill, steal, & destroy
Do You Sow Rotten Fruit?
1.You Stir Up Trouble or intentionally offend others
“Angry people stir up conflict; hotheads cause much offense.”
Proverbs 29:22
2. Bitterness—Psalm 30:5 says: God’s “anger is but for a moment,” and
Ephesians 4:26 warns us against staying angry overnight.
God says, “31 Put aside all bitterness, losing your temper, anger, shouting, and slander, along with every other evil.” (Eph. 4:31).
3. Isolation—Nursing anger leads people to avoid each other & eventually to cut off
their relationship altogether.
Proverbs 18:1 warns, “Unfriendly people look out for themselves; they bicker with sensible people.”
4. Retaliation—Romans 12:19 addresses this directly:
“Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
Remember, “This is because an angry person doesn’t produce God’s righteousness.”
(James 1:20).
When you find yourself crossing the line, submit yourself to God and “do not give the devil an opportunity” (Eph. 4:27).
3. Do Good & Speak What’s Helpful
28 Thieves should no longer steal. Instead, they should go to work, using their hands to do good so that they will have something to share with whoever is in need.
29 Don’t let any foul words come out of your mouth.
Only say what is helpful when it is needed for building up the community so that it benefits those who hear what you say. “31 …bitterness, losing your temper, anger, shouting, and slander, along with every other evil. 32 kind, compassionate, and forgiving to each other, in the same way God forgave you in Christ.”