Like Father, Like Son

Text: Eph. 5:1-17

Introduction:

  1. "Imitation is the grandest form of flattery."
  2. "Followers" = "imitator" from Gk. word mimhtai from which we get our word "mimic."
  3. Illus. Richie biting his shirt collar.
  1. Walking In Love
    1. Cp. 1 Co. 13
      1. Love is the greatest
      2. Love demonstrates to the world our discipleship (Jo. 13:35)
    2. What does it mean to "walk in love?"
      1. So that there is no confusion, he gives us the supreme example of what love is
        1. Sacrificial giving: John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave…"
        2. Unconditional: "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
        3. Volitional (choice): Jer. 31:3 "I have loved thee with an everlasting love."
      2. 3 Gk. Words for love
        1. eroV: sensual, physical
        2. filioV: emotional, friendly,
        3. agaph: God type of love, selfless, unconditional, other centered, choice
      3. Quote: MacArthur

      "Romantic, emotional love between husband and wife ebbs and flows, and sometimes disappears altogether. But loss of romantic love is never an appropriate excuse for dissolving a marriage, because the love that God specifically commands husbands to have for their wives is agaph love…love like His own undeserved love for us, love that is based on willful choice in behalf of the one loved, regardless of emotions, attraction, or deserving. Romantic love enhances and beautifies the relationship between husband and wife, but the binding force of a Christian marriage is God’s own kind of love the love that loves because it is the divine nature to love. It is the love of giving, not of getting; and even when it ceases to get, it continues to give. Where there is the sacrificial love of willful choice, there is also likely to be the love of intimacy, feeling, and friendship (filia)."

    3. By Refraining from evil
      1. Let not once
        1. Can’t have attitude "Once won’t hurt"
        2. Q? with v. 5 explain the concept of "living in sin" versus a "fall" into sin
          1. A true Christian does not live in sin
          2. A true Christian will be judged when he sins (cp. David)
          3. If a professing Christian practices these sins, then that person has classified himself as not being a Christian
          4. If you can sin and be comfortable, you are not saved
      2. Evils enumerated
        1. Fornication (porneia): sexual sin of any kind
        2. Uncleanness (akaqarsia): broader term and includes sexual talk, fantasies, thoughts, passions. Include pornography, jokes, etc.
        3. Covetousness: 1 of 10 commandments
        4. Filthiness: obscenity, depraved thinking
        5. Foolish talking (morologia): gloat or brag about sin; "How much I drank last night;" gutter mouth
        6. Jesting
          1. Not clean humor, which is acceptable
          2. Make light of sensuality or immorality, which covers 99% of all sitcoms on TV.
          3. Quick wit at turning conversation to sensual matters in an off-color way
  2. Walking In Light
    1. Statement
      1. Were darkness, not just in darkness
      2. Are light, not just in the light

      Illus. Yes, we are to walk in light, but remember, we are also light ontologically because we have the nature of Christ in us. Some have the idea that we are neutral objects which can choose to walk in light or darkness. No! We are light by nature or darkness by nature. We don’t just walk in the light, we are the light!

    2. Evidence
      1. Fruit: goodness, righteousness, truth
      2. Know what is acceptable to the Lord

      Q? Are you sure that what you are engaged in has the Lord’s approval?

    3. Relationship to Darkness
      1. Separation/No fellowship
        1. Unfruitful works while we are to be fruitful
        2. You cannot bear good fruit while fellowshipping with rotten people
      2. Reprove
        1. Expose
        2. Reprove
        3. Your light shines on their darkness
      3. Revel not (v. 12)
    4. Call to repentance
      1. Allusion to Is. 60:1
      2. Invitation to salvation
  3. Walk Circumspectly
    1. Def. (akriboV): carefully, accurately; examine or investigate with care
      1. Don’t be shabby in your Christian life
      2. Know your doctrine
      3. Be sure of your lifestyle, it is too important to be non-chalant about
      4. We must be careful because of the "wiles of the devil"
    2. Illus.
      1. Wise, not as fools
        1. Fool lives for now, the material, not the eternal
      2. Redeem the time
        1. Buy back
        2. "days are evil" opportunities may cease, doors may close
        3. illus. Napoleon:

        "There is in the midst of every great battle a ten to fifteen minute period that is the crucial point. Take that period and you win the battle; lose it and you will be defeated."

      3. Understand the will of the Lord
      4. Be Filled with the Spirit
      5. Submit to one another

Conclusion:

  1. Are you imitating the Father or are you masquerading as a son?
  2. Are you a mimic or a fake?
  3. Are you light on a hill or a bulb in a box?