Your life speaks with a kingdom accent. In Put Off, Put On from the In Christ series, Mark Medley opens Ephesians 4:25–32 and gets specific about how a new life in Jesus shows up in ordinary choices—truth-telling, anger, work, words, and forgiveness. But he refuses to treat Paul’s commands like a cold checklist. Grace comes first. Before a single “do this,” God has made us alive, adopted us, forgiven us, and sealed us by the Holy Spirit. That order matters, because you can’t bully your heart into holiness. Real transformation begins when a heart is softened by mercy and rebuilt from the inside out.

From there, Mark shows how Christian ethics are love-in-action within community. We speak truth “for we are members of one another,” because trust is the foundation of healthy relationships. We deal with anger quickly—be angry and do not sin—so resentment doesn’t take root and the devil gets no foothold. We move from taking to giving, repurposing our effort into honest work so we have something to share with anyone in need. And we treat words as gifts. No corrupting talk, but speech that fits the moment and gives grace to those who hear. Our tongues carry death and life, and careless, bitter, profane, or backbiting talk can even grieve the Holy Spirit who has sealed us for the day of redemption.

Mark underscores that in the kingdom of God, relationships—not mere rule-keeping—are the point. Truth protects trust. Quick reconciliation shuts the door on bitterness. Generosity frees us from a life of taking. Life-giving words build up people and strengthen church unity. He offers the THINK filter for everyday conversations—Is it True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, Kind?—and calls us to speak with a mind toward eternity.

With a vivid picture of “kingdom clothing,” Mark reminds us that habits are like garments we put on daily. What we consistently “wear” reveals our devotion and shapes our destination. The passage ends where it began: with grace. Be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Forgiven people become forgiving people; loved people become loving people.

What do you need to put off, and what do you need to put on as a new habit of love this week? If this message helps you rebuild healthy patterns In Christ, share it with someone who’s ready to start fresh.

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Continuing In Christ, Derrick Overholt opens Ephesians 4:17–24 with a striking picture: the story of Hetty Green, a woman of immense wealth who chose to live like she had nothing. It becomes a mirror for the soul—why live like you’re spiritually poor when Christ has given you everything? New Clothes calls us to stop dragging yesterday’s mindset into today’s faith and to walk out of what Paul calls “the futility of the mind”—a life that looks busy but stays empty.

Derrick slows down in the text and makes it practical. He shows how Paul diagnoses the inner life: darkened understanding, alienation from God, and a calloused heart that keeps circling back to the same habits. He cautions against chasing “purpose” in Ephesians 4–6 without first embracing the identity of Ephesians 1–3. Purpose flows out of who we are In Christ, not out of self-improvement or moral striving.

A key turning point is the difference between learning about Jesus and learning Jesus. Drawing from the Greek idea of manthano, Derrick explains that biblical learning reshapes the student. This isn’t trivia for the brain; it’s transformation by the Spirit. He shares clear, real-life “consequence learning” moments—like finally grasping how debt works or coming to see the weight of life-and-death issues—that mark true repentance and a new direction. The Holy Spirit brings conviction, opens our eyes, and empowers change so that truth moves from theory to obedience.

From there, Derrick unpacks Paul’s clothing metaphor: put off the old self and put on the new. In the ancient world clothing was precious and only discarded when it was beyond repair. So it is with the old life—we don’t scrub it cleaner with moralism; we discard it. In Christ, we receive a new self “created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness,” like the prodigal clothed with a robe and welcomed home by grace.

With a vivid light-and-darkness illustration, Derrick challenges the idea of keeping a “small” hidden corner while claiming to walk in the light. He confronts the modern false gospel that makes peace with compromise and reminds us that real life in the Spirit bears real fruit—repentance, kindness, love, and generosity—rooted in good soil. If you’re fasting, praying, or simply hungry for renewal, let this message help you name the old clothes and throw them away for good. Watch and invite a friend who’s ready to stop living like they have nothing and start living fully In Christ.

We are Trinity Community Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.
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In “Why Prayer And Fasting,” Pastors Tyler Lynde and Ebenezer Asiamah go straight to Jesus’ words in Matthew 6 to answer a question many of us feel but rarely voice: why build prayer and fasting into everyday life? Tyler begins with the purpose behind it all—God created us for fellowship, not mere belief—and names one of our deepest challenges: distraction. A calendar can be full and a soul still be empty. From Jesus’ repeated “when you pray” and “when you fast,” Tyler underscores that these aren’t occasional religious stunts but normal rhythms for people who want real intimacy with the Father in the secret place. Prayer is not performance; it’s a two-way, ongoing conversation with a Father who already knows our needs.

Ebenezer offers a clear definition of biblical fasting—voluntarily abstaining from food for a set time for spiritual purposes—and shows why it must be joined to prayer or it’s just dieting. He captures the heart with a simple line: we do not fast to get God’s attention; we fast to get our attention on God. From there he lays out the spiritual benefits found across Scripture: fasting helps set our attention on God (Psalm 42; Matthew 5:6), resets disordered affections (Job 23:12), cultivates humility that fuels revival (2 Chronicles 7:14; Joel 2), and brings clarity and direction in weighty decisions (Acts 9; Proverbs 19:14). You’ll hear biblical and personal stories about guidance, protection on difficult journeys (Ezra 8), and circumstances God has shifted as His people sought Him, all while emphasizing that fasting aligns us to God’s will rather than manipulating outcomes.

The message also highlights spiritual freedom. Tyler and Ebenezer revisit Jesus’ teaching that some resistance only breaks through prayer and fasting (Mark 9:29), offering hope for those facing anxiety, oppression, addiction, and persistent battles. They look to Jesus as our example in the wilderness (Matthew 4), reminding us that we live not by bread alone but by every word from God’s mouth.

Practical help runs throughout: choose a sacrificial fast that costs something, schedule time with God during normal meal windows, consider laying down media and noise, approach food wisely (avoid turning “one meal a day” into indulgence), taper in rather than binge beforehand, and consult a medical professional when needed. Tyler closes with an invitation into a focused 21-day season with intentional prayer gatherings and a simple planning framework so the fast is purposeful, not vague.

If you’re longing for renewed intimacy, clearer direction, a reset of what you love most, and real spiritual power, lean in and begin.

We are Trinity Community Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Subscribe to our Podcast & YouTube channel to find past sermons, classes, interviews, and more!
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