Member Manners
August 12, 2007
Contact the Web Team for an audio recording of this sermon.
Text: Ephesians 4:25-28
See food? Manners – taught - bad manners, good manners - Christian manners? We are as we are perceived -Kingdom congregations are members with manners! Behaviors and actions that line up with God
Members have manners! What are they?
1) Truth
V25 - bear the truth! Honesty is the best policy! Christians are truth tellers! Body life - each part influences the other - A lie hurts you! Like a virus in a computer – Mike - lost credibility because was caught in a lie! Lose credibility! My other brother - ”I don’t know!” “The truth hurts, but a lie kills!” Train yourself to be a person of truth - when asked, tell the truth
2) Zeal
V26 - In anger, Christians stay righteous – Jesus - John 2:13-17 - Psalm 69:9 - Zealous - “eaten up with righteousness and glory for God!” What’s eating you?
Angry people are hurting people - anger is lingering - Past hurts - The Devil stirs this anger at the drop of a hat!
Vengeful people are angry people - getting even - The devil consumes their thinking!
Anger consumes if it is not dealt with! Stay righteous in anger - Deal with it, or the Devil will let it deal with you
- Resolve daily! Guy who used Lord’s name in vain – Righteousness
- Give to God
- Let the sun set on it and rest good!
3) Work
V28 - thieves take - klepto - Christians share - blessing!! Living easy or working? Manner? Work to share!
Instead of taking, you are sharing! Instead of a me mentality it’s a we!
The joy of a job done - Idle hands are the devil’s workshop - If you are not laboring, you are not blessing! Find your gift and give it! Wednesday night children - share time – talent - story of counterfeiter - Using ability to steal! Yet all the while gift was useful for so much more!
Conclusion
We are perceived by how we behave! In a world of lies we are the truth! In a angry age, we are eaten up with God and His righteousness, in a world of thievery we are working to give! The manner of a member is to be seen in a kingdom congregation. What will happen? People will see you as dependable! Sincere, and caring! True Christlikness! Have you made membership?