Ephesians 5:1-21
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Why does this bug us? It’s just not quite like it should be.
This can happen if someone’s Christian talk and walk don’t line up
They act one way on Sunday, but a totally different way in school
When I was in my church youth program, I would always go to church on Sunday, but the rest of my week would not look very Christian.
Maybe this applies to you (it did to me at your age)
Unfortunately, we are where we are.
Paul’s going to challenge us with this.
Does your talk match your walk?
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
What is therefore there for?
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
The Story of the Talents
“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.
Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew Jesus Tells the Parable of the Unforgiving Debtor / 18:21–35 / 120
In today’s currency, the servant owed his master about 20 million dollars.
Life Application Bible Commentary, Matthew Jesus Tells the Parable of the Unforgiving Debtor / 18:21–35 / 120
In today’s currency, the servant owed his master about 20 million dollars.
the talent was the highest unit of currency, and ten thousand the highest Greek numeral—‘a billion pounds’ would convey the impression) is picked up in the emphatic all that debt
Matthew: An Introduction and Commentary v. Forgiving Personal Offences (18:21–35)
The unimaginable size of the original debt (the talent was the highest unit of currency, and ten thousand the highest Greek numeral—‘a billion pounds’ would convey the impression) is picked up in the emphatic all that debt of v. 32. If that is the measure of the forgiveness the disciple has received, any limitation on the forgiveness he shows to his brother is unthinkable. The fact that the second servant’s debt is one six-hundred-thousandth of the first emphasizes the ludicrous impropriety of the forgiven sinner’s standing on his own ‘rights’
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
Why should we do this?
Why should we do this?
Walk in Love
5 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. should we do this?
Why should we do this?
When we become Christians, we are accepting Jesus as what...
Savior - We could not possibly pay the debt (from our sins) - ie Fire insurance
Lord - Not because He makes us, but out of an overwhelming since of gratitude - Think Jar Jar Binks - life debt
Just as children imitate their parents
Imprinting
Baby Animals with first thing they see
Jesus
Church Dude / Lady - Strong
Gangsta
Super Saint - Usain Boldt of Church
Average Joe / Joette - Not a believer
Baby Animals with first thing they see
Maybe your life feels like a good country music album
Blake Shelton’s “If I’m Honest”
Savior’s Shadow
Straight Outta Cold Beer
Doing It to Country Songs
Will it be easy?
Will it be easy?
Justin Bieber
Christian Song in concert
We won’t try to cover the non-Christian stuff
Casting Crowns concert
Video: https://www.wimp.com/extreme-wingsuit-flying/
For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.
Audience: Are you able to focus on the scripture
Reader: How did you feel? How do you think God feels when we’re distracted?
Paul could not do it.
We can feel sort of like we have dual personalities. (ie Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde)
When your at church, we’re doing good, feeling spiritually strong
Then the regular week comes and maybe you feel yourself transforming into Mr. Hyde
Beth GPS story
Beth GPS story
Baby Animals with first thing they see
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Blake Shelton’s “If I’m Honest”
Paul’s message to Timothy
In the NFL, only one team will win the Superbowl
(and some will lose after being ahead 28-3 in the 3rd quarter)
There are many teams that realistically don’t have a chance.
If we’re going to fail, why should Christians do it?
Answer is one of the main things that separates Christianity from other religions
Grace
Savior’s Shadow
Straight Outta Cold Beer
Doing It to Country Songs
Doing It to Country Songs
Justin Bieber
Christian Song in concert
We won’t try to cover the non-Christian stuff
Casting Crowns concert
Beth GPS story
Now let’s look at some advice on how we can imitate God
But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.
Sexual Immorality
Greek = porneia
Part of this was covered recently by local churches with the “Let’s talk about porn” program
This was a big problem in Roman culture. Still is today!
I found out she had inappropriate relationship with the pastors son. This honestly rocked my world a bit.
Covetousness
Greek = pleonexia - The excessive desire of acquiring more and more wealth
Is this a problem in The Woodlands? You bet!
Zettle son example
Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.
My big joke book
My Sister’s gift
Maybe some here are still feeling like your doing pretty good with these examples.
Remember, there are just examples
Jesus and the Rich Ruler:
And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’ ” And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
Example: Indonesia test takers
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Be like wolfs
Paul is summarizing how we can walk the talk (literally)
“best use of the time” - Summer = free time
Old quip - “Idle hands are the devils workshop”
Note rest doesn’t equal idle
Create a plan for the summer to equip yourself for the fall
Our goal is to be imatators of God
To imatate someone, you must know someone
Get into the Word (bible study, find a podcast)
Improve your communication with God
Christian fellowship
Camp, summer activities, mission trips, etc.
Practice christian service
Home
At church
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,
Music is sometimes an underrated way to strengthen your christian walk.
Casting Crowns
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
Paul covered in his letter earlier that we won’t be doing this under our own power, but God’s power.
We are not on this journey to imitate God on our own.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Paul’s talk matched his walk
This is our goal
Summary
Summary
We are to be imitators of God. ()
Because He is our Saviour
And because He is our Lord!
It will not be easy (and we will fail) ()
The Bible gives us excellent advice ( & )
However the bible gives us excellent instruction on how to
And we are not doing this under our own power ()
Backup
His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
When we become Christians, we are accepting Jesus as what...
Savior
Lord
What makes Christianity different than other religions… Grace
“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.
Matthew: An Introduction and Commentary v. Forgiving Personal Offences (18:21–35)
The unimaginable size of the original debt (the talent was the highest unit of currency, and ten thousand the highest Greek numeral—‘a billion pounds’ would convey the impression) is picked up in the emphatic all that debt of v. 32. If that is the measure of the forgiveness the disciple has received, any limitation on the forgiveness he shows to his brother is unthinkable. The fact that the second servant’s debt is one six-hundred-thousandth of the first emphasizes the ludicrous impropriety of the forgiven sinner’s standing on his own ‘rights’
This really gets to the heart of the matter.
When we become Christians, we are accepting Jesus as what...
Savior
Lord
What makes Christianity different than other religions… Grace
Salvation is a free gift
He is your savior
Is He your Lord?
Normandy example () (Good example for armor of God)
Christian life is not really a day at the beach
We are in spiritual warefare
Perhaps read with video playing behind
Video: https://www.wimp.com/extreme-wingsuit-flying/
Audience: Are you able to focus on the scripture
Reader: How did you feel? How do you think God feels when we’re distracted?
Example, the Race
Jesus
Gangsta
Super Saint - Usain Boldt of Church
Average Joe / Joette - Not a believer
Maybe your life feels like a good country music album
Blake Shelton’s “If I’m Honest”
Savior’s Shadow
Straight Outta Cold Beer
Doing It to Country Songs
Justin Bieber
Christian Song in concert
We won’t try to cover the non-Christian stuff
Casting Crowns concert
Be like wolfs (see video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa5OBhXz-Q