Led by Love

Walking in Love: The Heart of Christian Living

Bible Passage: Ephesians 5:1–21

Application: This passage teaches Christians to embrace a lifestyle of love that reflects God's character, fostering unity and holiness in their relationships. It invites everyone to assess their lives against the call to live not according to the world but to pursue a deeper relationship with God and others.

Teaching: The sermon will convey that true love is sacrificial and reflects the nature of Christ, encouraging believers to live according to God's standards rather than societal norms, promoting holiness and light in a dark world.

How this passage could point to Christ: This theme reflects Christ's ultimate act of love in His sacrificial death and our call to imitate Him in our lives. Christ embodies the love that followers are to live out daily, bridging the connection between the Old Testament's call for holiness and the New Testament's fulfillment in Christ's life.

Big Idea: Embracing a lifestyle of love leads us to reflect God's character, transforming our relationships and helping us to shine brightly in a dark world.

Main point: A life that has tasted the love of God cannot help but be transformed by it.

Living resurrection lives, however, requires us to go a step further. We are called to imitate Jesus but we are called even more to be transformed by him, to find our old self transformed into a new Christ-like self.

Paula Gooder

1. Imitate Intentionally Through Love

Ephesians 5:1-7

You could begin by challenging the congregation to understand the significance of imitating God through a life of love and contrast this with behaviors that are discordant with a Christian calling, such as immorality and greed.

Our preconception of God is often reflected in the way we love God and others

Highlight Christ's sacrificial love as the model to follow in our relationships and community interactions. This sets the groundwork for living as God's children, reflecting light through genuine, selfless acts of love.

2. Illuminate In Christ's Light

Ephesians 5:8-14

Perhaps, delve into the call for believers to walk as children of light, differentiating themselves from darkness through acts of goodness, righteousness, and truth. Encourage the audience to reflect on how Christ's light reveals and transforms the hidden areas of their lives. This light, stemming from living a Christ-like love, serves as a beacon for others, illuminating the path to God's truth and expanding the kingdom's reach.

3. Intensify Spirit-led Living

Ephesians 5:15-21

conclude with an exhortation to walk wisely, utilizing time purposefully and being filled with the Spirit. Paul emphasizes the necessity of communal worship, gratitude, and mutual submission as ways to live out God’s will. The focus here is on how a Spirit-led life grounded in love and wisdom sharpens attentiveness to God's voice, enabling believers not only to thrive individually but also to flourish in their calling together.

When faced with the overwhelming pressures of school, whether as a student or an adult learner, you may feel tempted to cut corners or sacrifice integrity. To walk wisely, create a disciplined study schedule that prioritizes your tasks and includes short breaks for reflection and prayer. Incorporate Proverbs 1:5 into your routines – seek advice from mentors or peers who can offer insights and support. This will not only help you manage your workload more effectively but will also keep you grounded in your faith while pursuing knowledge.

Questions:

In what ways can you intentionally imitate Christ's love in your daily interactions?

Can you identify any areas in your life where you are currently walking in darkness, and how can you bring God's light into those areas?

What practical steps can you take to ensure you are living a Spirit-led life as outlined in Ephesians 5:15-21?