PF - Ephesians 5:1-2

Alex was telling us last week something about the way those who trust in Jesus live. Do you remember the big thing Alex told us from Ephesians 4?

That’s right - that those who trust in Jesus must live different lives. Paul says we must be kind to one another and forgive one another.

Why? Because, as Paul says, God has forgiven us because of Jesus! God has forgiven us. Therefore, we must forgive others.

But forgiving others is not the only way for us to imitate God!

Have a look at verses 1-2 of chapter 5. Few seconds - I want you to circle three things.

Who are we supposed to imitate?

Why are we supposed to imitate them?

How are we supposed to imitate them?

Who. Why. How. Few seconds. Go!

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So, this is what you need to remember: Paul is telling the Ephesians how they must live differently. But here’s what Paul is NOT saying.

He’s not saying “Do the right things and THEN you’ll become God’s children.” What is the logic Paul uses?

Bingo! You are God’s children. Therefore, imitate God, your Father!

And here’s the thing - that’s what we grow up doing. For example, Ester starting tapping her belly because I was playing with her by tapping my own belly! Like father, like daughter I guess!

We all tend to imitate our parents. So Paul says “You are God’s children. Imitate God then!”

How? Chapter 4 - by forgiving one another just as God forgave us. Here in chapter 5 - by loving one another just as God loved us.

But how would you show people that God loves you? Talk to the person next to you for a few seconds.

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Look at verse 2. What is the greatest sign that God loves us?

That’s right - it’s Jesus. And what did Jesus do to prove that He loves us?

He gave His life for us. But maybe you’re thinking “Heard that a million times. Been there, done that.”

Well, here’s what we need to understand: Jesus DIDN’T have to die for us. He DIDN’T have to save us.

He WANTED to save us. Why? Because He loves us.

But remember what we looked at in Ephesians 2.

What was our relationship with God like before Jesus died for us? Maybe look at chapter 2 verse 3 or verse 12.

We were God’s ENEMIES! That’s when Jesus died for us to save us - when we were His ENEMIES.

Do you understand guys? If we are to imitate God by loving one another as Jesus loved us, then we’re not talking about a casual, easy type of love.

For us leaders to love you like Jesus loves us, it’s not enough to ask how school was. It’s not enough to say hello when we meet at church.

For us to love you as Jesus loves us, we have to literally put aside what we want and care more about what you want.

We have to be willing to sacrifice ourselves for you. For many of us, it means that we have to leave our families at home on a Friday evening and come here to spend time with you.

And trust me - we do it not because we HAVE TO but because we LOVE you.

And so, here’s a question to ask yourselves as members of Pathfinders: what would it look like for you to love each other like Jesus does?

If loving like Jesus means we have to put aside what we want and focus on what others want, what will that look like for you?

See, it might mean that you choose to play a game you don’t like but that you know other people like. Without complaining or being mad.

It might be as simple as letting someone have the last KitKat, even though it’s your favourite chocolate.

It might mean, in a few years, that you literally give up your time or even your money to help another Christian.

Guys, if loving other people is always easy and never comes with a cost, then are we really loving like Jesus?

If you’re at school and you only do nice things for your friends or the people you like but not for the kid that’s sitting by himself - maybe even the kid NO ONE likes! - if loving others never costs us anything, then I’m not sure we’re loving like Jesus.

As those who trust in Jesus, those who are God’s children, Paul says “Imitate your Father God!”

That means, among other things, “Love like Jesus!”

Which means “Love others even when it’s costly. And even the people you don’t get along with.”

Jesus loves us more than we can imagine. We must love each other too. Particularly when it’s costly.

But doing this without God’s help is impossible. So let me pray for God our Father to help us love each other.

PRAY