Imitators of God

Introduction:

Many men in this assembly remember as small boys watching their fathers shave. Maybe they even pretended to be shaving themselves. We learned how to shave by watching our fathers shave. We’re imitators.

In our text, Paul stresses how Christians, as children of God, were to be imitators of God, their heavenly Father, in order to become more like Jehovah.

Text: Ephesians 5:1-7

Body:

I. “Walking in Love” (Verses 1-2)

Verse 1 The thought of imitating God was introduced in Ephesians 4:32. Children who love their father will imitate his ways. Imitators in the original language mean mimics. Note: Matthew 5:43-48. Verse 2 Christ’s love was manifested for fallen mankind by leaving the glories of heaven and coming to earth and offering himself as a sacrifice. (I Peter 2:21-24) Just as Jesus lived a life characterized by love, so should His people. “Sacrifice” will reach to heaven as sweet-smelling aroma.

II. “Being Pure in Body and Speech” (Verses 3-4)  

Verse 3 Christians are not to live with these sins: fornication, all sexual immorality, uncleanness, impurity, covetousness, idolatry, putting material prosperity ahead of the spiritual, and an unlawful desire for more. (I John 3:3, Luke 12:15) Saints are not to be involved to any extent in these things. It is not fitting. We can’t overlook these things for God doesn’t. Neither can we excuse them by saying, “Well, none of us is perfect.” Verse 4 Christians must avoid “filthiness” including obscenity and vile words; “foolish talking,” which is included here in the New Testament, meaning senseless, stupid talk which is not profitable in any way to anyone; and “coarse jesting” defined as lewd, degrading speech or jokes. Also include Titus 3:9. “But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentious, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.” NKJV Note: Matthew 12:34-37. Instead of spending time in this kind of talk, we should be giving thanks. 

III. “Not Being Deceived” (Verses 5-7)  

Verse 5 A truth that is beyond dispute: Those who practice such will not be in heaven. . . (Revelation 21:8, 27, 22:15) Verse 6 There have always been those who tried to deceive others by saying that you can live as you please and God will save you anyway. Paul addressed this in Romans 6:1. Much of the Protestant world today believes this [Once saved; always saved.] God’s wrath will come upon them. (II Peter 2:1-3, 12) Verse 7 Paul tells them to abstain from participating in their evils. Instead of imitating them, they needed to imitate God.

Invitation:

God’s word is filled with good news and hope. Read I Corinthians 6:9-11. “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, not adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” NKJV 

Bobby Stafford

 July 27, 2014