Imitate God (Ephesians 5:1)

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.

23 April 2017
Pastor Jacob Sechrest, Tay Street Baptist Church
http://www.taystreetbaptist.org.nz

The command = be imitators.

The illustration = as dear children.

The reason = therefore.

Why?

1. Because we are commanded to - 5:1

A. Obedience vs. Disobedience
2. Because we are designed to - 4:11-32
A. For Church function - vs. 7, 8, 11-12, (spiritual gifts - Rom. 12, 1
Cor. 12, 1 Peter 4)
B. For Church unity - v. 13
C. For Church maturity - v.13
D. For Church growth - vs. 13-16
1. A child is designed to grow (body stature, teeth, muscles)
2. A child is designed to mature (mind, develop, behaviour)
3. A child is designed to change (growth and change go
together, cant have one w/o the other)
4. A child is designed to learn - vs. 17-32 (dos and donts)

Ephesians 5:1 - Therefore...

God has designed us to be like Him (made in His image). He has designed
a plan for us to be like Him (Sanctification). He has commanded us to be
like Him. He has given us the model to be like Him (Christ) and He has
given us the ability to be like him through the Holy Spirit.