Imitate God.

Sermon Title: Be Imitators.

Scripture Text: Ephesians 4: 25-5:2  

Ephesians 4:25-5:2 NLT

25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

*Its not alright to get angry. But it’s a fact of life that some things just get under our skin. We will get angry but we can’t let it control us. For some of us its a constant battle and for others of us their personalities and walk with God makes it easier.

28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

*John Wesley: Wesley considered wealth and the failure to give the most serious threats to the Methodist movement in particular and Christianity in general. In 1789, Wesley noted that the Methodists had all but ignored the third point of his sermon on "The Use of Money," which had been printed some 30 years earlier. 

These three points were and still pertain to Methodist and all Christians:

-"Earn all you can."

-"Save all you can."

"Give all you can."

From the time he was a College Professor right on through his times that he was paid for his work he lived on $58 a week (now and is USD) and gave the rest away. When he died he only had pennies in his pocket and laying on his dresser. He lived what he taught.

30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

*The Holy Spirit is grieved when we mess up in our lives. But having a chat with God can work it all out.

**I do want to talk about “saved on the day of redemption”. A lot of people think a profession of faith makes you “saved”. However, what most people don’t understand is that the word “saved” is actually “being saved”. We will be saved on the day of redemption.

**Being saved is what is happening according to the Bible. And we get totally saved when He mounts up and comes back to get His saints and all people and the Judgment happens.

**What we have right now if we have claimed Christ as Savior is the Holy Spirit guaranteeing the total emulsion into being Saved.

Let’s remember we are on the road to “Being Saved” but haven't reached the final destination.

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

5 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us  and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

So our challenge is to be Imitators of God.

Simple huh. Well lets try doing it and not just saying and talking about it.