TRANSFORMED THIEVES
Switching From Stealing to Sharing
Ephesians 4:17-28 – “So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. 20 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 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 nee
The Internet contains articles:
1. How to steal clothes
2. How to shoplift
3. How to steal money
4. Best way to steal a car
5. Stealing from a vending machine
Transformed Thieves…
1. STOP STEALING
Verse 28 – “He who has been stealing must steal no longer”
Ex 20:15 – “You shall not steal”
Mark 10:17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commi adultery, do not steal’…
John 10:10 – “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
1 Cor 6:10 – “…thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
Scripture implies that it is possible for a Christian to have a problem stealing
Why People Steal (Laura Fleenor)
1. They Feel They Have Been Cheated
Individuals become thieves for many different reasons, and some may even believe that they are justified by doing so, for the simple fact that they feel they have also been cheated in some way, however minuscule it may be.
2. They Feel They Have To Feed Their Families
Some people feel that they have to steal to feed themselves or their families. They feel justified in their actions. Many could find a job if they really wanted to, but do not attempt it.
3. They Feel A Thrill When They Steal
Just as an addict gets their thrill or high from a drug, a thief often gets a high off of stealing. The higher the value of the object, the higher the thrill level.
Transformed Thieves Stop Stealing
CHRIST SAVED A THIEF WHILE DYING ON THE CROSS – Luke 23:43
Transformed Thieves…
2. START WORKING
Verse 28 – ”He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands.”
Rabbis said, “If you do not teach your son a trade, you teach him to be a thief.”
Stealing is to be replaced by hard work.
WHERE THE THIEF ONCE USED HIS HANDS FOR EVIL!
NOW THE PERSON USES HIS HANDS FOR GOOD!
1 Thes 4:11 – “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”
2 Thes 3:6 – “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”
Transformed Thieves…
3. START SHARING
Verse 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.”
YOU MOVE FROM STEALING, TO HARD WORK, TO SHARING!
HARD WORK HAS A SATISFACTION ABOUT IT!
To be able to take care of yourself is satisfying! But, there is something more satisfying!
TO BE ABLE TO HELP OTHERS IN NEED WITHIN THE CHRISTIAN BODY!
Acts 20:35 – “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Transformed Thieves Start Sharing
1. Their Lives
2. Their Resources
