FOLLOWERS OF GOD Ephesians 5 1 2 The

FOLLOWERS OF GOD Ephesians 5: 1 -2

The Character of Sinners § Eph 4: 17 -19 – This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

The Character of a Christian § Eph 4: 20 -24 – But YOU HAVE NOT SO LEARNED CHRIST, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in TRUE righteousness and holiness.

The Character of a Christian § Eph 4: 25 -29 – Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor, " for we are members of one another. 26 "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.

The Character of a Christian § Eph 4: 29 -32 – Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

The Character of a Christian § WALK IN THE LIGHT § Eph 5: 8 -12 – For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9(for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.

The Character of a Christian § WALK WITH WISDOM § Eph 5: 15 -17 – See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

The Character of a Christian § WALK WITH WISDOM § Eph 5: 18 -21 – And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.

The Character of a Christian § Eph 5: 1 – Therefore be followers [imitators] of God – “Follow Me”: Matt 4: 17 -20; 9: 9; Jn 1: 43 – Inconvenience: Matt 8: 19 -22 – Self denial: Mk 8: 34 -37 – Die in our love for the world: Jn 12: 24 -26

The Character of a Christian § Eph 5: 1 – Therefore be followers of God as dear children. – Israelites were rebellious children: Isa 30: 1 – They became children of wrath: Eph 2: 3 – Believers are given the right to become children of God: Jn 1: 12 – Christians are obedient children: 1 Pet 1: 14

The Character of a Christian § Eph 5: 1 -2 – Therefore be followers of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love – The basis of God’s character: 1 John 4: 16 – To do what is in the best interest of others. – One who is “born again” into the family of God will have His character: Jn 3: 3 -5

The Character of a Christian § Eph 5: 1 -2 – Therefore be followers of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us – When we learn to LOVE as He LOVED, then we can begin to LIVE as He LIVED.

The Character of a Christian § Eph 5: 1 -2 – Therefore be followers of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us – He endured hostility from sinners: Heb 12: 3 – He laid down His life for friends: Jn 5: 9 -14 – To DIE for someone means that you will also LIVE for the welfare of that person.

The Character of a Christian § Eph 5: 1 -2 – Therefore be followers of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. – He wants LIVE sacrifices today: Rom 12: 1 -2 – We will be a sweet-smelling aroma when we make the sacrifices He commands.

The Character of a Christian § § § § To follow God To be His dear child To walk in love As Christ loved us To give yourself to others To offer your life as a sacrifice to God To be a sweet-aroma to Him