STUDIES IN EPHESIANS Imitators of God Ephesians 5

STUDIES IN EPHESIANS Imitators of God Ephesians 5: 1 -2

Be imitators of God – 5: 1 • Therefore – ties this to previous section (4: 17 -32) • Imitate – (μιμητής, mimētēs), our English word mimic, comes from this. Means to emulate another, seeking to follow one’s example (i. e. disciple)

Be imitators of God – 5: 1 • How do we imitate God? • Matthew 5: 48 – Be perfect • Luke 6: 36 – Merciful • 1 Peter 1: 15 – Be holy • Ephesians 4: 32 – Forgive • We learn from His character and seek to emulate those qualities as best we can. • NOT saying we will become God. Cf. 1 John 4: 10 -11

Be imitators of God – 5: 1 • Imitating God means imitating Christ • 1 Corinthians 11: 1 • John 1: 1, He IS God! (cf. Matthew 1: 23) • John 13: 15– Do as I have done

Be imitators of God – 5: 1 • Imitating Christ • John 13: 34, as I have loved you • Romans 15: 7, receive one another • Philippians 2: 5 -7, His humility • Colossians 3: 13, forgiveness • 1 Pete 2: 21 -24, in suffering and not reviling • 1 John 2: 6, walk as He walked

Be imitators of God – 5: 1 • As dear children • We are HIS children (1 John 3: 1) • But consider this in the way children often follow after the ways of their father and mother (cf. Proverbs 22: 6)

Walk in love– 5: 2 • We need to be walking in love – John 13: 34 -35, Romans 13: 8, Galatians 5: 13, 1 Peter 1: 22, 1 John 3: 11 • Our “walk” is our manner of life. It is an ongoing walk.

Walk in love– 5: 2 • And, this walk is tied to being imitators of God • The love of God John 3: 16 Romans 5: 6 -8, 1 John 4: 9 -11, 16 • How does God love us? Consider Ephesians 4: 24 -32

Walk in love– 5: 2 • And, Ephesians 4: 24 -32 • Put on the new man created according to God (in His image) • We speak the truth in love • When in anger, we do not sin • We give no place for the devil • We work to share • We speak words of edification and grace • We avoid bitterness, clamor, … • We are kind and tenderhearted • We forgive!

Walk in love– 5: 2 • As Christ also loved us (His example in love) • John 15: 12 -13, He died for us • Ephesians 5: 25, Husbands love as He loved and gave Himself • 1 John 3: 16, He laid down His life for us • Matthew 20: 28, gave His life a ransom • Galatians 2: 20, gave Himself • Romans 5: 6 -8, He died for man

Walk in love– 5: 2 • Christ – an offering and a sacrifice to God • An offering – something presented and given. Philippians 2: 6 -7, John 10: 17 -18 His silence at His trial • A sacrifice – the execution of the gift. Jesus gave His life for us! Hebrews 9: 22, 26, 10: 4, 10, 7: 2627, Jesus did this FOR US – Cf. Matthew 26: 39

Walk in love– 5: 2 • A sweet-smelling aroma • A sacrifice well pleasing to God - Philippians 2: 9 -11

Walk in love– 5: 2 • Consider this description of Jesus in light of how we love each other • 1 John 3: 16, by this we know love… we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. • How deep is our love for our brethren (and others)? Enough to overcome prejudice and sacrifice for those that are

THIS is about how we treat each other as brethren!

How well do we know God? Do we demonstrate that by imitating Him?