Introduction

As we draw this series to a close, we’re going to be talking about one of the most powerful forces, if not the most powerful force in the universe; Love.

As believers and followers of Christ we are called to imitate Christ...and this includes learning to love like Christ loved.

Oscar Wilde said, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.” Which you have probably heard before when someone says something like, imitation is the highest form of admiration.

In any event, who better to imitate than Christ? Who better to model your life around, pattern your day after, and conform your image into? Christ is our most precious example of righteous living. And the truth is, standing out for Christ MUST INCLUDE the most important aspect of His ministry: LOVE!

Love is the reason Jesus came (John 3:16) and, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13...Love was the reason Jesus traded His life for ours.

The only imitation we should be striving for in our life is to imitate Jesus.

Main Teaching/Body

Read Ephesians 5:1-2

If you have a Bible with you, please turn with me to Ephesians chapter 5. We are going to look at two simple verses tonight, the first two in fact. This is once again the Apostle Paul writing, and here is what he has to say:

“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.”

Paul calls us to “imitate God” by the way that we love. This sounds simple, and it is. But the reality is, we tend to get in our own way sometimes in this process, because we seem to distort what God’s love actually looks like in action. We tend to mold it into what the world defines as love (which is a far cry from God’s working definition).

So today, as we close out this fantastic series about standing out for Christ, let’s look at three key aspects of God’s love that cannot be missed, and must be implemented and imitated in our lives.

God’s Love is Unconditional.

John 3:16 is arguably the most well-known and oft-quoted verse in the bible. And for good reason. It’s an amazingly concise explanation of the gospel:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

There wasn’t anything we did to earn the love and favor of God. In fact, based upon the previous centuries of human history it would seem likely God would know better than to send His most precious gift. However, that’s exactly what He did and His motivation was love.

Not just any love, but agape - the highest form of love referenced in the New Testament. “Agape is one of several Greek words for love. When the word agape is used in the Bible, it refers to a pure, willful, sacrificial love that intentionally desires another’s highest good.”

God’s love is intentional, sacrificial, and powerful.

The topic of love reminds me of this short illustration: ... View this full sermon with PRO Premium