True North Church
Imitators of God (Part 10 of Ephesians)
Locations & Times
Fairbanks Campus
2830 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709, USA
Sunday 8:30 AM
Sunday 10:00 AM
Sunday 11:30 AM
Ephesians 5:1 NIV84
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children...
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children...
Three Admonitions of Todays Text
1. God is love; Therefore, walk in love.
Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV84
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
1 John 4:7-8 NIV84
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1. God is love; Therefore, walk in love.
Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV84
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
1 John 4:7-8 NIV84
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
2. God is Light; Therefore, walk as children of light.
1 John 1:5 NIV84
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
What does walking in the light look like?
Children who walk in the light view sex the way God views sex.
Ephesians 5:3 NIV
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.
Children who walk in the light talk differently.
Ephesians 5:4 NIV84
Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
Children who walk in the light walk in obedience to the expectations of the kingdom and their place in it.
Ephesians 5:5-6 NIV84
For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person---such a man is an idolater---has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient.
As children of the light we spend time in the greenhouse not the darkroom! (vv. 8-14)
Ephesians 5:8-14 NIV84
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
1 John 1:5 NIV84
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
What does walking in the light look like?
Children who walk in the light view sex the way God views sex.
Ephesians 5:3 NIV
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.
Children who walk in the light talk differently.
Ephesians 5:4 NIV84
Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
Children who walk in the light walk in obedience to the expectations of the kingdom and their place in it.
Ephesians 5:5-6 NIV84
For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person---such a man is an idolater---has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient.
As children of the light we spend time in the greenhouse not the darkroom! (vv. 8-14)
Ephesians 5:8-14 NIV84
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
3. God is truth; therefore, walk in wisdom
Ephesians 5:15-17 NIV84
Be very careful, then, how you live---not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
Ephesians 5:15-17 NIV84
Be very careful, then, how you live---not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.