Imitating God

Ephesians 5:1-7

My coach in High School would often say, “Do what I do.” This comment would come as he was teaching us some specific basketball technique. He would demonstrate it, than have all of us do it together, trying to copy him. The idea was with enough understanding of how to do it and enough repetition of doing it, the skill would become second nature. So that we would do it well in the heat of a game.

Paul tells us in Ephesians, chapter five, verse one, “Be imitators of God.” Do what God does, so to speak. So if you were to tell me in what ways you are successfully imitating God, what would you say? In what ways do you know you are not imitating God?

Pastor Charlie

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“Be imitators of God…” (v.1).
“imitate” – to mimic, to copy, to follow

• You imitate God when you live a life full of love.
• You live a life of love best when you experience God’s love deeply. Ephesians 3:17-19; Romans 8:35-39
• You live a life of love best when you commit yourself to loving others. Matthew 22:34-40
• You live a life of love best when Jesus is your example. John 15:13; Romans 5:7-8
• You live a life of love best when you define love as self-sacrifice. Luke 9:23; Romans 12:1
• You imitate God when you live a life of holiness. (v. 3)
• Pursue holiness in the way you act. Matthew 5:28; Philippians 4:12-13
• “sexual immorality” - any form of illicit sexual activity
• “impurity” – any actions tainted by sin, often referring to sexual activity
• “greed” – the lust to have which is never satisfied
• Pursue holiness in the way you talk, expressing thankfulness. James 3:6
• “Obscenity” means filthiness, filthy language.
• “Foolish talk” means idle chit chat that is of no value to anyone.
• “Coarse joking” – means indecent, off-color, vulgar humor.
• Do not give attention to empty chatter. (v. 6); Colossians 2:8; Acts 17:11
• “empty” words: words that are “vain” by nature – boasting; speech that is self-promoting or the promoting of others in a way that overshadows Christ
• Refuse to partner with empty talkers. (v. 7)