Ima TATORS of God!
SFBC 8-31-97 by Ron George Jr.
Scripture Text: Eph. 5:1-2
Eph 5:1 (NIV) Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Eph 5:1 (KJS) Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor.
We don't always know the motives of others -- good or bad. One minister was walking down a row of fine old Victorian homes on a cold day when he spotted a young boy on the front porch of one home. The old-fashioned doorbell was set high in the door, and the little fellow was too short to ring it despite his leaping attempts. Feeling sorry for the youngster, the minister stepped up onto the porch and vigorously rang the bell for him. "And now what, young man?" inquired the minister.
"Now," exclaimed the boy, "we run like crazy!"
II. Would we be willing to imitate the Savior?
The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch. (Acts 11:26)
Acts 11:26 (NIV) and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
How closely are we following the Lord? Would others realize that we are Little Jesus’? Do people think that we look like the Lord?
III. Why should we want to imitate the Lord?
# Eph 5:2 This is our thanksgiving and devotion to God.And walk in love. Thus imitate God, and Christ who gave himself for us. An offering and a sacrifice. In the Jewish temple there were offerings which were not sacrifices. Christ gave himself as an offering and was sacrificed. A sweet-smelling savor. An expression denotes an offering grateful to God.
Walk in love for God, for us, and for others.
Ask not what can my country do for me, but what can I do for my country.
As a sacrifice Christ came into the world to become a lamb for the lost that we all might find ourselves pleasing to God. So it is when God is in control of the servant's mind. We realize as never before that life's greatest joy is to give His love away -- a thought that brings to mind the saying:
It isn't a song until it's sung.
It isn't a bell until it's rung.
It isn't love until it's given away!
III. What would Jesus Do? What did Jesus do? WWJD
Why Because He loved the Father!
Matt 7:19 (KJS) Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
A father and his small son strolled down the street in Chicago past the place where a skyscraper was being constructed. Glancing up, they saw men at work on a high story of the building. "Father," said the little boy, "What are those little boys doing up there?" "Those are not little boys, son. They're grown men." "But why do they look so small?" "Because they're so high," his father answered. After a pause the boy asked, "Then, Father, when they get to heaven there won't be anything left of them, will there?" It's so true. The nearer we come to Christ the less others see of us and the more they see of Christ.
Would you be willing to do what Jesus did?