Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

Imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1, 2)

Bryan Schneider · August 29, 2020

Ephesians 5:1-2

sharonrpc.org/sermons/imitators-of-god-ephesians

Summary

Believers imitate God as children who are already loved and adopted, not in order to earn a place in his family.
God's call to imitate him continues the biblical command to be holy because he is holy.
Christ defines and models this love by giving himself as an atoning sacrifice pleasing to God.
The gospel produces a practical pattern of putting away lies, sinful anger, theft, corrupt speech, bitterness, and malice while putting on truth, generosity, grace, kindness, tenderness, and forgiveness.
Christian obedience flows from faith and grace; reversing that order turns holiness into legalism.
The church should encourage one another to pursue holiness in both costly acts of sacrifice and ordinary daily conduct.

Am I pursuing holiness to earn God's love, or because in Christ I am already his beloved child?
Where does my conduct presently fail to resemble the holiness and love of my heavenly Father?
How does Christ's willing sacrifice define the love I am called to practice?
Which old pattern named in Ephesians 4 needs to be put away in my life?
Which corresponding grace—truth, generosity, edifying speech, kindness, tenderness, or forgiveness—should I deliberately put on?
Whom can I encourage this week to continue pursuing holiness without growing weary?

Imitation of God: The calling of God's adopted children to reflect their Father's holiness and the character displayed in Jesus Christ.
Adoption: God's gracious reception of believers as his beloved children, which precedes and motivates their obedience.
Walk in love: A continuing pattern of self-giving conduct modeled on Christ's love rather than a passing sentiment.
Atonement: Christ's offering of himself to bear God's wrath and cleanse his people from sin.
Living sacrifice: The believer's grateful dedication of body and life to God in response to his mercy.