How Good Is Your Imitation?

How Good is your Imitation?

Pastor Glenn Newton

Oct. 31, 2004

Some of the best comedy that I have ever seen is when the comedian is imitating some other person, and they have it down just right. I think we have some young imitators up here right now, lets see if we can figure out who they are imitating?

Dillon……… Dad

Karinda … Mom or Dad

Niki Brent

Did you know that we have been called to Imitate someone else? This morning my sermon title is…. How Good is your Imitation?

First, we better answer the question, Who am I supposed to be imitating?

Turn in your Bibles with me to Eph. 4:29-5:7

EPH 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

EPH 5:1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

EPH 5:3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person--such a man is an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.

Have you noticed that Fall has arrived? With Fall comes that cooler weather, leaves on the ground, the shorts get put up and the jackets get pulled out of the closet. Not everything is good during this season, with the colder weather comes flu season…. When you get sick, and you can’t seem to get over your sickness, what do you normally do?

You go see the doctor, and before you leave, on that little piece of paper, he scribbles something beyond recognition for you to get filled at the pharmacy, what is that called?

Your right, it’s a prescription for health, and don’t forget to finish the whole bottle.

Well, this morning in our Scripture what we have read is a prescription for health, your spiritual health. Let’s look at what God’s Word says to us today.

Read 4:29-30

This passage follows the passage that I used last week as we learned about keeping the Mud out of our lives, instead we want to live as God’s people, people of the light.

The First thing I want you to understand this morning is that God Expects Us To Live Our Lives a Certain Way - His Way.

This morning during SS in our Basic Training we went over some of the Special Rules that the Church of the Nazarene has for our Members, Rules to direct us towards Holy Living. The truth is God’s Word has rules for us to follow, God has commanded us, His people to be obedient to His rules.

This morning, how many of you like rules? Rules are put in place for our protection, did you know that?

* Traffic rules… how many of you drove to church?

* Safety rules at work….. Do you like having all your fingers?

* Rules in your home? Parents, you don’t allow your children to do what ever they please do you? Why not? Chaos would rule.

God expects us to live our lives by His rules…. We need to be students of His Word so we can know and understand what His Word teaches us. As a Christian one of the basic disciplines that you must make part of your everyday life is getting into His Word… reading it daily. I want you to think back over your week…. How long everyday did you spend reading God’s Word?

EPH 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.