From Grave Clothes to Grace Clothes: A New Identity

Today’s passage from Ephesians 4:17-24 calls us to examine the contrast between our old life apart from Christ and the new life we have in Him. The world’s way of living is marked by futility, darkness, and a hardening of the heart—a progression that leads to being alienated from God and enslaved to sin. Paul reminds us that before Christ, we were all dead in our sins, living for things that ultimately have no meaning. But in Christ, everything changes. We are made new, given a new identity, and called to live in a way that reflects that transformation.

The call is clear: put off the “grave clothes” of our former life—those patterns, desires, and habits that belong to a life without Christ. Instead, we are to put on “grace clothes,” living out the new self that has been created in the likeness of God, marked by true righteousness and holiness. This is not a call to mere moral improvement or self-effort, but to a Spirit-empowered transformation. The Holy Spirit renews our minds, breaks the power of sin, and enables us to live in obedience to Christ.

Sanctification—the process of becoming more like Christ—is a daily battle. Even the Apostle Paul confessed to struggling with sin, but the difference for the believer is that we are no longer at peace with sin; we are at war with it. The Spirit gives us both the desire and the power to put off the old and put on the new. This means actively starving the sin in our lives, immersing ourselves in God’s Word, and walking in obedience. Our practices must begin to match our position in Christ.

We are not saved by our works, but our salvation will produce fruit—good works that God has prepared for us. Our lives should look different from the world, not because we are better, but because we have been made new. The call is to examine ourselves: Are we living out our new identity? Are there areas where we’ve slipped back into old patterns? God’s grace is sufficient, and His Spirit is at work to bring our practice in line with our position. Let’s put off the grave clothes and put on the grace clothes, living as those who have been set free.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. The Futility of Life Without Christ Life apart from Christ is ultimately empty, no matter how much we achieve or possess. The world’s pursuits—status, wealth, pleasure—are all vanity when disconnected from the source of true meaning. Paul’s reminder is that before Christ, our lives were marked by darkness and alienation from God, and we must never forget the depth from which we’ve been rescued. [44:18]
• 2. The Progression and Power of Sin Sin is not static; it hardens the heart, sears the conscience, and leads to deeper bondage. The more we give ourselves over to sinful desires, the more calloused we become, until we are enslaved to passions that can never satisfy. Recognizing this progression is crucial, not only to understand the world around us but to guard our own hearts from drifting back into old patterns. [45:35]
• 3. Transformation Is Rooted in Christ, Not Self-Effort The new life is not about self-improvement or religious performance. It is about being recreated in Christ—regenerated by the Spirit, sealed by the gospel, and empowered to live differently. The truth is not just something we learn; it is a Person we encounter, and that encounter changes everything about us from the inside out. [53:51]
• 4. Sanctification Is a Daily, Spirit-Empowered Battle Even after coming to Christ, we still wrestle with the desires of the flesh. The difference is that, as believers, we are no longer at peace with sin but are called to fight it. The Holy Spirit renews our minds, gives us the power to say no, and leads us into greater obedience—not by our strength, but by His. [64:08]
• 5. Our Practices Must Match Our Position in Christ We have been given a new identity—righteous and holy in Christ. Now, we are called to live out that identity, putting off the old ways and putting on the new. This means intentional obedience, immersing ourselves in God’s Word, and allowing the Spirit to shape our daily lives so that we reflect Christ to the world.
  
  ** [70:20]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [02:31] - Introduction and Family Update
• [34:54] - Clothing and Identity: A Personal Story
• [36:56] - Our Position in Christ and the Call to Holiness
• [41:49] - What Does It Mean to Walk as Gentiles?
• [44:18] - The Futility and Progression of Sin
• [45:35] - Hardening of the Heart and Cultural Examples
• [49:05] - Alienation from God and the Dead Man
• [50:03] - Remembering Our State Before Christ
• [52:05] - The Good News: Our New State in Christ
• [53:51] - Transformation and New Creation
• [56:08] - The Gospel Invitation
• [57:57] - Repentance and Faith Explained
• [60:15] - Sanctification: The Already and Not Yet
• [61:44] - The Christian’s Battle with Sin
• [64:08] - Justification and Sanctification
• [65:19] - The Holy Spirit’s Role in Renewal
• [67:14] - Freedom from Sin’s Dominion
• [70:20] - Renewal Through the Word and Obedience
• [71:41] - Replacing Old Habits with New Life
• [73:01] - Good Works as Fruit of Salvation
• [76:14] - Personal Relationship and Final Challenge

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Ephesians 4:17-24 – “Grave Clothes and Grace Clothes”

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Bible Reading

Ephesians 4:17-24 (ESV)
> 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. 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. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!—assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

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Observation Questions

1. According to Paul in Ephesians 4:17-19, what are some characteristics of the way the Gentiles (unbelievers) live?
2. What does Paul say is different about the way believers have “learned Christ” compared to the world?
3. In verses 22-24, what are the two main actions Paul calls believers to take regarding their old and new selves?
4. The sermon described the “progression of sin” in a person’s life. What are the steps in that progression, and how does it affect someone’s heart and mind? [[44:18]]

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Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul use the imagery of “putting off” and “putting on” when talking about the Christian life? What does this say about the nature of change in a believer’s life? [[36:56]]
2. The sermon said, “The difference between a believer and an unbeliever’s attitude and relationship with sin is this: An unbeliever is at peace in their sin. A believer is at war with it.” What does it mean to be “at war” with sin, and why is this important? [[01:00:15]]
3. How does the Holy Spirit help believers in the process of sanctification, according to the sermon? [[01:05:19]]
4. The sermon mentioned that transformation is not about self-effort but about being “recreated in Christ.” How does this truth affect the way we approach personal growth and change? [[53:51]]

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Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to “put off the grave clothes” of our former life. Are there specific patterns, habits, or desires from your old life that you find yourself slipping back into? What would it look like to “starve” those sins this week? [[01:05:19]]
2. The world’s way of living is described as “futility” and “darkness.” In what areas of your life do you feel tempted to chase after things that ultimately don’t matter? How can you remind yourself of what is truly meaningful in Christ? [[44:18]]
3. The process of sanctification is described as a daily battle. What are some practical ways you can “renew your mind” each day? Is there a specific time or method that helps you stay focused on God’s truth? [[01:10:20]]
4. The sermon said, “Our practices must begin to match our position in Christ.” Is there an area where your actions don’t line up with your identity as a follower of Jesus? What is one step you can take this week to bring your practice in line with your position? [[01:11:41]]
5. The Holy Spirit gives us both the desire and the power to say no to sin. Can you think of a recent time when you sensed the Spirit prompting you to turn away from something wrong? How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [[01:07:14]]
6. The sermon encouraged us to immerse ourselves in God’s Word. What is one way you can increase your time in Scripture this week? Is there a specific passage or practice you want to try? [[01:10:20]]
7. The call is to examine ourselves honestly. Take a moment to reflect: Are you living out your new identity in Christ, or are there “grave clothes” you need to leave behind? What is one thing you want to ask God to help you change? [[01:16:14]]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help you see any “grave clothes” you need to put off, to renew your mind by His Spirit, and to give you the strength to walk in your new identity in Christ this week.