Imitate God
ME
WE
YOU
WE
GOD
1. Walk in Love
V. 5-6 | WHY? ✏
Don't be deceived -
"Freedom in Christ"
Hip Christians - Be hip, but be holy
God's wrath is upon those who don't repent.
This is continual living in sin
True Xians struggle with sin
Danger! Are we God's children?
Not the occasional sin (e.g. David)
V. 3-4 | What walking out of love looks like ✏
Filthy Speech
Foolish talk - no purpose, doesn't build
Filthiness - Talk about filth, sin
Colossians 4:6, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt. . ."
Crude joking
Means "able to turn easily"
Able to pollute any conversation
Sexual Sin
Not a HINT of it in the church | We take church discipline seriously
1 John 2:16, ". . . the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life . . ."
Covetousness: uncontrolled appetite
God is light. Imitate God.
Christ gave Himself up for us!
V. 1-2 | Imitate God ✏
Therefore | Ch.4 in a nutshell
Paul gives 3 examples
Children imitate parents (good/bad)
V. 7-8 | 2. Walk as Light ✏
BEFORE VS AFTER | We were darkness. | Now we are light
God is light. Imitate God.
V. 9-14 | What walking as light looks like. ✏
Evidence of light | Found in what's good, right, and true
Concerned about what pleases God
Try to discern: to test, examine, search out
In other words, you're constantly in the Word!
Not friends, family, and co-workers
WHY?
Exposing the darkness can save
In others
In ourselves
Illustration: Airport | Luggage through X-ray
We must have nothing to hide!
Either you become darkness, or they become light
Don't become partners = don't do what they do
Does not mean you judge with words
SImply be the LIGHT
Our words will then have support
People avoid the light
This can save people!
If you're not influencing others, then they're influencing you.
V. 15-17 | 3. Walk in Wisdom
STORY: Growing up imitating some people
We all need someone to imitate.
We can ask: who did the Apostles imitate?
Michael Bay
Toby Mac (show pictures)
Parent, business, teacher, friend.
Acts 4:13 - READ IT