I love Jesus but I Cuss a little
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Introduction:
Introduction:
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. 3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; 4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
-Discuss Cultural Christianity and it’s ramification in the society.
-They came up with a term to describe folks who like parts of Christianity but deny the substance.
-Cultural Christians are deists, pantheists, agnostics, atheists, and antitheists who adhere to Christian values and appreciate Christian culture. This kind of identification may be due to various factors, such as family background, personal experiences, and the social and cultural environment in which they grew up. These are people who see the value of some Christian principles and even church itself. They agree wholeheartedly with the Golden Rule “Do unto others how you have them do unto you” But as soon as the Christianity begins to make demands on their personal life that is when they abandon it. This T-Shirt is an example of Cultural Christianity. It says “I can love Jesus while engaging in behavior I know is sinful” The Bible says “You can’t love two masters” this T-Shirt says “You can”
-Pastor Hood said something very Powerful in his last sermon “He said when you read the Bible your flesh is also exegeting the text as well”(Exegete;Disect-Expound or interpret) Let me interpret what I think he means while you read the bible you are making decision on the fly whether you will obey what you have read. If your flesh instead of your Spirit is the final arbiter on what you will obey and what you will not obey then you are what the world calls “Cultural Christianity” which is a Christian in name alone.
Review:
Review:
Review:
Review:
Eph 4:
30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
-Go over the Imperative verbs of (v.30-32) Paul is applying the teaching that he has laid down in previous chapters. These are the bullet points and conclusion.
-In Chapter 5 he is not done with his imperative verb usage. He comes right out in (v.1) using them again.
Always: To imitate Christ is to walk in the same love that he displayed when he sacrificially died on the cross for our sins.
I. There is only one Simon
I. There is only one Simon
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;
(v.1) “Therefore” in our NT there is a Chapter break but in the greek NT there is no break. Therefore tell us that the next several verses are built on top of the truths that where found in Chapter 4.
-Let is reach back into the previous chapter and focus on the central idea of Chapter 4 and that is found in :
30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
(v.30) The main ideas from Chapter can be summed up in this Command/Warning “Do not grieve the HS of God” Do not cause grief by your disobedience to come to the HS of God. This scripture tells us that our lives should be characterize by a passion to please/not grieve the HS of God sent to indwell us and makes us Holy.
Transistion: Then Paul introduces a very practical way of keeping ourselves from deceiving God in Chapter 5:
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;
(v.1) “Therefore be imitators of God” we need to look at the phrase at the syntactical level
a. “Be”ginomai- present(tense), passive(voice), imperative(mood), second person, plural.....you continually/daily “be”
analogy-Clean your room-One-time finished act----Clean your room, and keep it clean(daily)…This language had a way of communicating this second idea with less words than we use.
-Define imitators---mimetai----mimic---a follower or joint follower of another.
What or who is the object of our Imitations?
(v.1) “Therefore be imitators of God” This is a critical statement it implies at least one absolute fact. We are all imitating something there are no originals in this room:
a. Imitating the Flesh: This are folks that are lead by there own flesh. Self Idolatry
b. Imitating the World: These are folks found in
17 So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,
c. Imitating Satan: These are the folks that are direct agents of Satan. They get their marching orders from him :
(Help)
(Help)
44 “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
(v.44) Jesus remarks when he speaks of the False Teacher that they are mouthpieces for “Their Father” the Devil.
-You need to realize that imitating any one of these will all lead the same place and to the same result. Meaning you are either Following Satan directly or indirectly
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;
(v.1) Paul is saying rather than imitate the fake, false, and deceptive follow the one who is real, true, and honest.
(v.1) “as beloved children” Now this statement could be read “as his children” but Paul made sure to use the adjective “beloved” remember adjective describe nouns. In this case “beloved” describes God position or opinion of us. He calls us “beloved” that word is: Agapatos. Children loved unconditionally. Children loved like the Only Son, like the Son of promise. This text also sets up an incredible picture of fatherly leadership. Children by nature follow the father, even if he is a jerk children will normally follow the lead of the father. In the case of God he is a good Father. “As beloved children” it is God way of telling us that I have set a great example for you to follow. Like Ducks who
Now that we have established there is only one Simon let’s play
II. Simon says “Walk in Love”
II. Simon says “Walk in Love”
2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
(v.2) “And” we use “and” to connect to like clauses: We are making chicken, macaroni, and greens. (Ladies) Honey I am going to an event I need a new dress, and some shoes to go along with it. The And is a listing conjunction. Now let me translate the previous verse in Western vernacular:
Therefore since God has been so good to you and has told you not to Grieve his Spirit. Daily follow him don’t look to the left or the right. You are his beloved Baby he has left you a set of footprints. Keep your eyes fix on him. Then Paul gives us some principles of what it means to “Mimic Christ”
(v.2) “and walk in love”
a. Walk- peripateo- metaphorically for daily living
-Uses of the word “Walk” in the book of Ephesians: , , , , , , in these scriptures “Walk” is used 7X Interpretively and Hermeneutically when we see a term use this extensively in one book what does that tells us?? It is said that Bill Belicheck the coach of the Patriots who have won 6 super bowls always says “One game at a time” this quote is embedded into the minds of his players. Well Paul is doing the same thing with this word. It tells us that Paul is concern both about Theology and about how our Theology bears out in our lifestyle. For Paul knowledge of the God is essential but it is not enough. Paul is concern about the “Daily” My Dad used to call it the “Daily Grind” he used to talked about being a Father. Ask my wife I always talk about the “Daily Grind” Explain the Daily Grind.
(v.2) “and walk in love” Used the Soup analogy to help folks understand this conjunction. We should be doing two things:
a. Lovingly giving grace to the humble and broken
b. Lovingly giving rebuke and correction to the proud and arrogant.
-In either case love is the underlying motivator.
(v.2) “just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us”
a. “Just as”-Kathos-This is a contrast or comparison conjunction. Ex: You need to dress up for work just as your father did when he went to work. Ex. The older you get your mannerism are just as/like your mother’s. (Sister Stephens)
-Paul uses this extensively in this book: , , , , , , , Paul has use this conjunction “Just as” to compare our former life to our present or he has used it to set Our Lord as an example for us to follow. In the case of he has set up the conjunction as an example to follow.
-In Paul says we are to forgive like the God, and then in he tells us that we need to “Walk in love” like Christ. Sandwich in between these two “Just as” uses is the imperative(command) to Be an imitator of Christ. Paul is saying before “Forgive like him” then he says imitate him and then he says “Walk like him”
Application: If you are going to imitate someone you have got to keep your eyes on them and study them.
-(v.2) “Just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us” The Greeks had at least four ways to describe love.
A. Phileo-Friend love-
B. Storge-Family Love
C. Eros-Husband and Wife love
D. Agape-Unconditional Love that expects no return.
The Three greeks loves: Phileo, Storge, Eros are all reciprocal loves. Give and Take. There is nothing sinful about these loves or in relationship expecting your love to be return to you. These are loves but they are lesser love when compared to Agape.
The One greek love: Agape it is a give love. This is love is not looking for a future payoff from the person receiving the Love.
(v.2) Christ also agape’d us measured or manifested by his willingness to “give Himself” for us. Not after we cleaned up and start to live right, but in the midst of our sins and indiscretion he gave. It’s most clearly scene at the cross because this blessing was so broad. This blessing was a blessing not just to one family, or a village. But it was a blessing for humanity. What Paul is describing her is a sacrificial love. This love is always giving. It devotes total commitment to seek your highest best no matter how anyone may respond. This form of Love is totally selfless and does not change whether the Love is given is returned or not. This the highest form of love you could bestow on someone.
But let’s take a look at Christ love through a coupe of short stories:
Help-Love for Children
Help-Love for Children
13 Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 15 After laying His hands on them, He departed from there.
Help-Love for the Unworthy
Help-Love for the Unworthy
36 Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to dine with him, and He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume, 38 and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he replied, “Say it, Teacher.” 41 “A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 “When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.” 44 Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 “You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. 46 “You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. 47 “For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.”
luke
Help-Love for the Unclean
Help-Love for the Unclean
12 While He was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” 13 And He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately the leprosy left him. 14 And He ordered him to tell no one, “But go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for your cleansing, just as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
Help-Love for the Unbeliever
Help-Love for the Unbeliever
17 As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 “You know the commandments, ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’ ” 20 And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.” 21 Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22 But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property. 23 And Jesus, looking around, said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 The disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 They were even more astonished and said to Him, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Looking at them, Jesus said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”
Mark 10:
-Using Jesus as our example: He love the children, He love the Sinful(Repentant), He loved the Unclean, and He loved even the unbeliever. Then he went to the cross and proved his love even more magnanimously by dying for the sins of the Children, the sinners, the unclean, the unbelievers. When Jesus died it was a give love without any expectation of return.
How did Jesus loving and gracious gift smell to his Father?
(v.2b) “an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma” This is greatest “Love Offering Given” Jesus sacrifice is reminiscent of the OT free will offering. This was an offering that was totally voluntary and generally motivate by the person love for God. It was over and above the tithe.
-This offering Jesus gave was not money(animal), but it was his own body. In the OT when someone acted a fool or when a person just wanted to show their gratefulness to God, they would slaughter an animal in either case the smell of that animal would stay God’s hand in the case of judgement, or God would bask in the pleasure of being worshipped by a gracious “Love offering”
- “Just as” Jesus gave his own body was fragrant odor to God, when we give ourself to our neighbor it is also a fragrant aroma to God. Our acts of love given without expectation of return are like a fragrant aroma rising up to the nostrils of God.
-Everyday you walk in God’s footsteps Receiving his Love then taking that Love given to you and letting flow freely through you to: The annoying church member, to the Sinful, to the Unclean, and to the Unbeliever you are sending up a fragrant aroma to God.
What does your love smell like to the nostrils of God? When People are around you do they feel agape love, or do they feel one of the lesser loves? I do for you when you do for me....No one was every truly changed by this kind of love. Even the unbeliever can show these kinds of love, but Agape Love changes things!!! Let’s remember it was agape love that changed you....
Walking behind my Father to mimic or imitate his footsteps
Open the Doors of the Church