Some Things Just Don’t Belong
Ephesians 5:1-5
Ephesians 5:1 (NLT)
Follow God’s example in everything you do, because you are his dear children.
Follow the Leader
Following requires focus
• Upon the activity of God
• John 5:19
John 5:19 (NLT)
Jesus replied, "I assure you, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.
Follow the Leader
Following requires focus
• Upon the activity of God
• John 5:19
Children follow the lead of their parents
• We as God’s children should follow His lead
• Our “imitation” brings glory to God
Ephesians 5:2 (NLT)
Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, because that sacrifice was like sweet perfume to him.
The Example of Love
Jesus was the perfect example of love
• Unbiased
• Willingly sacrificial
We are called to walk in the same manner
Our love for others is an offering to God
Ephesians 5:3 (NLT)
Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.
Inappropriate Behavior
Some things do not belong in the life of the Christian
• Sexual immorality
• Impurity
• Greed
• Fruit of the old sinful nature
• Destroy the testimony of their life
Ephesians 5:4 (NLT)
Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.
Watch Your Mouth
Your speech is an indicator of your heart
• Garbage in…garbage out
• Crude speech offends and repulses
Let your speech glorify God
• Giving thanks in all things
• God honoring speech encourages and invites
Ephesians 5:5 (NLT)
You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is really an idolater who worships the things of this world.
Consequences of Selfish Living
Left out of the inheritance
• Worshipping self and self-fulfillment
• God has no lordship in their life
Selfish living has no place in the new life
• It is divisive
• It causes a breakdown in unity
• It creates “disease” in the body
**Powerpoint available on request
