Eph 5:1-21 = Imitation Faith
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Intro
Intro
Monkey see monkey do
Simon says
shadow game
copy cat
imitation = sincere flattery
1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
What is the difference between counterfeit and imitation?
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them;
God’s Commands Are Not To Be Undermined
God’s Commands Are Not To Be Undermined
Walk in Love!
And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray.
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—
If you love me you will keep my commandments…
Test everything by the Word of God.
Message
Message
8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
A Permanent Division
A Permanent Division
Walk as children of light!
Where Light Resides Eph 5.8-10 “8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.”
It brings a change of character - 8
It brings change of conduct - 9
It brings change of criteria - 10
21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.
12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.
14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
Light Will Reveal Eph 5.11-12 “11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.”
If we are in the light we can not compromise - 11
If we are in the light we can not converse - 12
20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
Light Will Restore Eph 5.13-14 “13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.””
By the power of the Spirit - 13
Through the work of the Son - 14
20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.
19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer — 'Only he who believes is obedient, and only he who is obedient believes.'
Recognize and pursue the flesh / spirit division.
14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
A Personal Determination
A Personal Determination
Walk in Wisdom!
Concerning Our Time Eph 5.15-16 “15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”
Wisdom in the practice of our ways - 15
Wisdom in the spending of our days - 16
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Concerning The Truth Eph 5.17 “17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
life is short
the days are evil
God has given us a mind
God has a plan for your life
21 Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.
21 but test everything; hold fast what is good.
Jonathan Edwards - “Resolved, never to lose one moment of time, but to improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can.”
Resolved, Never to do anything which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.
Conduct a spiritual inventory regularly.
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
A Pleasant Directive
A Pleasant Directive
Walk by the Spirit!
How to be Filled with the Spirit
Fellowship
Worship
Gratitude
Submission
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
How to be Thrilled by the Spirit - v20
Are you reading the same letter as I am???
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 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, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
John Chrysostom - “The cross destroyed the enmity of God toward man, brought about the reconciliation, made the earth heaven, associated men with angels, pulled down the citadel of death, unstrung the force of the devil, extinguished the power of sin, delivered the world from error, brought back the truth, expelled the demons, destroyed temples, overturned altars, suppressed the sacrificial offering, implanted virtue, founded the churches.”
Richard Hooker - Concerning the blessings of God, whether they tend unto this life or the life to come, there is great cause why we should delight more in giving thanks than in making requests for them; ... those who pray do but yet sow, those who give thanks declare they have reaped.
Seek out ways to be Spirit filled.
Close
Close
Walk in Love
Walk in Light
Walk in Wisdom
Walk in Spirit
Group Questions
Who in your life has been someone you desire to model your life after? Tell us about this person and the influence they have had on you.
Do you know of any aspects of their life you do not wish to imitate? What are they and why?
What are some messages that this world is sending that seem to deceive people? What is it about these messages that are attractive?
What deceptive messages have you fallen victim to in the past? How did these affect you? How would you seek to protect someone else from them today?
V7 says “do not become partners with them” what do you think "partnership” means?
What do you think about the idea of a spiritual inventory? Have you heard of something like this before? Have you ever done one? If so what did it reveal?
Let’s be honest with each other, where are we most tempted to “fall asleep” in our christian walk? How can we help keep each other “awake”?
Have you ever had a “Spirit filling” experience? Share this with the group. How did this change you?
How would your life have to change to fulfill V19-21?