First Ref0rmed Presbyterian Church of Cambridge, Massachusetts

The Lord’s Day January 5, 2003 Anno Domini

Ephesians 5:1-2, Imitate God.

  I.  Christians are saved from wanting to be gods.
 

      A.  The serpent’s temptation in the Garden of Eden. Gen 3:5
      B.    The attempt of the Tower of Babel. Gen 11:4.
      C.    The arrogance of power. Luke 18:2; Acts 12:21-23.
      D.    The futility of rebellion against the living God. Rev
16:13-14.
      E. The humility of true faith. Gen 50:18-20; Isa 57:15;
Isa 66:2; Eph 4:23-24.
     

   II. Christians are admonished to imitate God.
 

     A.  The context is God’s forgiveness and Christ’s love. Eph
4:32 & 5:2.
           

3 John 1:11

     B.  We are called “beloved children.”
     C.  The Father sets a model for the household. Eph 2:19;
Eph 1:3.
       

cf.1 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 11:1; 1Thessalonians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:14; Hebrews 6:12.

   III. Christians are enabled to imitate God by the work of the
Trinity.
 

     A.  The Father’s adoption. Eph 1:5-6; 1John 3:2.
     B.  The Son’s example.
        1. The sacrifice of Christ provides the way for us to be
at peace with God and imitate him as our Father. Heb 10:5; Matt
5:24.
        2. Walk in love as Christ has loved us. Eph 1:4, 3:17,
4:2, 4:15-16.
     C.  The Spirit’s indwelling. Eph 1:13-14, 4:30.
    

   IV. Godlike living in 2003 AD.
 

     A.  The main thing is love, gracious and generous.
    

     B.  Holiness in the church and in our personal lives.
    

     C.  Resist the works of the adversary.
    

     D.  Live the family life of the church.
    

Pastor Christian Adjemian, Dipl.Div., Ph.D.

phone: 617.864.3185