Imitating God
April 14, 2013 Evening Service
Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK
Rick Boyne
Message Point: We must strive to be like God
Focus Passage: Ephesians 5:1-21
Introduction: Back in the late 60’s or early 70’s, there were some commercials designed to get parents to think about how their smoking affects their children. It showed a picture of a father and son sitting under a tree. The father takes out a cigarette, lights up, and walks off. The little boy, who is maybe 4 years old, looks at the pack of cigarettes, and begins to take one out. Our children will imitate us whether we want them to or not. God WANTS us to imitate Him.
I. Love
a. Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (1 John 4:7-8 NASB)
b. "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. (John 13:34 NASB)
II. Forgiveness
a. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32 NASB)
b. "Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. (Matthew 5:23-24 NASB)
III. Holiness
a. but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." (1 Peter 1:15-16 NASB)
b. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. (Ephesians 4:31 NASB)
Invitation:
