How can believers imitate God in their daily lives?

Opening Prayer

Let’s pray, Father God, thank you for another opportunity for us to come together as believers and be taught by you, we believe that when we hear you and learn from you, we come to Jesus and we thank you in advanced for all that you are doing and will do in our lives as a result of us hearing and doing your word. In Jesus Christ, your son’s name we pray. Amen.

Introduction

The title—of this teaching, is:—How—can believers—imitate God—in—their daily lives?[x2] Ephesians,—chapter five,—verses one through 21,—is the foundational text—for today’s teaching.—Please—turn there with me. Again,—that’s—Ephesians,—chapter five,—verses one through 21. (Ephesians 5:1-21).

Transition Statement: Lets start—by reading verses one and two.

English Standard Version Chapter 5

5:1

Transition Statement | The first way—that we imitate God—is is through:

I. Walking In Love

A. The believer’s life—should be lived—through—the lens of love.

B. When others observe the life of a believer—and they are asked to describe—what they have observed—they should be able—to describe it—by one distinct characteristic—and that characteristic is Love.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus says: (John 13:35).

English Standard Version Chapter 13

35

C. As a disciple of Jesus Christ—Love—is the sphere—in which we must live our lives.

Transition Statement | The second way—that we imitate God—is through:

II. Sacrifice

A. Along with love—the believer’s life—is a life—of sacrifice. God so love the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ for us. That—is Sacrifice. Jesus suffered, died, and rose for us. That—is Sacrifice. Through God and Jesus we have true examples of what sacrifice looks like. Therefore, we must choose daily: (Romans 12:1-2).

English Standard Version Chapter 12

12:1

Transition Statement | The third way—that we imitate God—is through:

III. Living Holy Lives

A. Holy living means—that the believer—no longer does things—that are not proper—for a believer to do.

Transition Statement | Let’s keep reading in Ephesians, chapter five, starting at verse three.

1. The believer must do away with sexual sin, impurity and covetousness Ephesians 5:3.

English Standard Version Chapter 5

3

2. The believer must do away with filthiness, foolish talk and crude joking (Ephesians 5:4).

English Standard Version Chapter 5

4

Transition Statement | The fourth way—that we imitate God—is through being:

IV. Children of Light

A. The believer—is to walk as children of Light—rather than darkness (Ephesians 5:7-14).

English Standard Version Chapter 5

7

Transition Statement | The fifth way—that we imitate God—is through being:

V. Children of Wisdom, Filled with the Spirit

A. The believer—is to walk in accordance with wisdom—instead of according to foolishness (Ephesians 5:15-21).

English Standard Version Chapter 5

15

Conclusion

As we close out today’s teaching . . ..