Encourage us to willingly follow Jesus, imitate His actions and mindset, and apply these principles in our daily lives as a form of voluntary worship.
Good morning, family! Today, we're diving deep into a powerful passage from Ephesians 5:1, which reads,
"Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children." This Scripture is a call to action, a call to live as imitators of Christ Jesus, to seek to have His mind, and to redeem the time because, as Paul puts it, the days are evil.
So, you might ask, what does it mean to have the mind of Christ? Well, according to C.S. Lewis, "Putting on Christ... is not one among many jobs a Christian has to do; and it is not a sort of special exercise for the top class. It is the whole of Christianity. Christianity offers nothing else at all." We need to strive to willingly follow Jesus, to walk in His footsteps not because we have to, but because we want to.
Let's bow our heads in prayer as we ask God to guide us through this message today.
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day, this gathering, and Your Word that is a light unto our path. As we delve into Ephesians 5:1, we ask for Your Spirit to illuminate our hearts and minds, to help us understand what it means to imitate Christ, to have His mind, and to redeem the time. Give us the courage to live out these truths in our daily lives. In Jesus' mighty name, we pray. Amen.
Now, let's dive in.
Living as imitators of Christ Jesus is a profound and transformative call to action. It is not a mere suggestion or an optional lifestyle choice for those who profess to follow Christ. It is a divine mandate, a holy calling, and a sacred duty that we are expected to fulfill as dearly loved children of God. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, underscores this point by urging us to follow God's example, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us.
Understand who Christ is and what He represents: Jesus Christ is the embodiment of God's love, grace, mercy, and truth. He is the perfect reflection of God's character and the ultimate model of righteousness. His life on earth was marked by selfless love, humble service, sacrificial giving, and unwavering obedience to God's will. Therefore, to imitate Christ means to reflect these attributes in our lives.
What it entails: Imitating Christ is more than just copying His actions or mimicking His words. It is about embodying His spirit, adopting His mindset, and aligning our lives with His values. It is about living out the Gospel in our daily lives, not just professing it with our lips. It is about demonstrating the love of Christ in our interactions with others, not just preaching about it from the pulpit. It is about being Christ-like in our attitudes, behaviors, decisions, and relationships.
Walking in the way of love: This is not the superficial, sentimental, or self-serving love that the world often promotes. This is the agape love of God, the selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional love that Christ demonstrated on the cross. This love is not based on feelings, circumstances, or personal benefits. It is a deliberate choice, a conscious commitment, and a radical act of the will. It is a love that seeks the highest good of others, even at great personal cost.
Giving ourselves up as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God: This is not about literal death or physical suffering, but about dying to self, surrendering our will, and living for God's glory. It is about offering our lives, our talents, our resources, and our service as a pleasing aroma to God. It is about sacrificing our comfort, convenience, and control for the sake of God's kingdom.
Not a one-time event or a momentary experience: It is a lifelong journey, a continual process, and a daily discipline. It requires constant growth, persistent effort, and ongoing transformation. It demands faith, courage, and perseverance. It involves trials, challenges, and sacrifices. But it also brings joy, peace, and fulfillment. It leads to spiritual maturity, eternal rewards, and a closer relationship with God.
Having the mind of Christ is not merely about knowing the words of Christ or even understanding His teachings ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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