Thursday, June 20, 2024

Ephesians 4:18-19

 

Ephesians 4:18-19

The Path of the Unsaved

Eph 4:18  Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 

Eph 4:19  Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 

           1.     What Does the Empty Pursuits of the World Look Like?

a.      Because the World rejects God, God in turn, gives them over to a reprobate mind. Paul lists 5 traits of the unsaved:

b.     Romans 1:28 

                                               i.     Their minds are darkened – vs. 18a*

1.     An unsaved people may seem well educated yet cannot grasp the simple truths of the gospel

a.      2 Timothy 3:7 

2.     The unsaved are described by God, as fools

a.      Psalm 14:1 

b.     Romans 1:22 

3.     The unsaved are immobilized by the darkness that they are in

a.      Matthew 4:16 

                                             ii.     They are alienated from God – vs. 18b*

1.     Because of ignorance the unsaved cower in the loving presence of God

a.      John 1:5 

                                            iii.     Their hearts are blinded – vs. 18c*

1.     Satan also blinds the unsaved from the Truth

a.      2 Corinthians 4:4 

                                            iv.     They have become apathetic – vs. 19a*

1.     Because of their apathy, unsaved people yield to a life of sexual impurity

a.      Their consciences are seared - 1 Timothy 4:2 

b.     Their consciences are tainted - Titus 1:15-16 

                                              v.     They have become purposeless – vs. 19b*

1.     The path of the unsaved leads to the pursuit of two unprofitable things:

a.      Moral impurity - James 1:14-15 

b.     Greed - Luke 12:15 

             2.     How Do I Avoid This Path?

a.      Repent and turn to Jesus - Acts 2:38 

b.     Set your affections on things above - Colossians 3:2 

c.      Murder the earthly tendencies within you - Colossians 3:5 

d.     Cling to the faith - 1 Timothy 1:19 

e.      Stay Salty - Matthew 5:13 

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