WALK IN LOVE #1—Imitators of God
February 4, 2024 / Pastor Joel Boone / Big Valley Grace Community ChurchEphesians in 3 parts: SIT, WALK, STAND.
Ephesians 1:3-3:21—SIT
And raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6 ESV
Ephesians 4:1-6:9—WALK
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called. Ephesians 4:1 ESV
Ephesians 6:10-20—STAND
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:11 ESV
Our series WALK IN LOVE:
Ephesians 5:1-21 — Imitators of God
Ephesians 5:22-24 — Wives
Ephesians 5:25-33 — Husbands
Ephesians 6:1-4 — Children
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. Ephesians 5:1 ESV
God’s STANDARDS for Faithfulness in the Church:
And walk in love. Ephesians 5:2a ESV
Standard #1: Walk in LOVE
And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them. Ephesians 5:2-7 ESV
Walk as children of light. Ephesians 5:8c ESV
Standard #2: Walk in LIGHT
for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Ephesians 5:8-14 ESV
Walk, not as unwise but as wise. Ephesians 5:15b ESV
Standard #3: Walk in WISDOM and SOBRIETY
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery. Ephesians 5:15-18a ESV
But be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 18b ESV
Standard #4: Walk in GOD’S SPIRIT
But be filled with the Spirit. 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:18b-21 ESV
Out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:21b ESV
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. 1 Corinthians 11:23-32 ESV
Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Matthew 26:26 ESV
And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” Matthew 26:27-29 ESV
And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Matthew 26:30 ESV