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Imitating God Wherever You AreThe book of Ephesians divides nicely into two parts, chapters 1-3 are doctrinal, giving the early church and us - a foundation of faith in God. Who God is, what Jesus Christ has done and where believers are seated with him in the heavenlies. Then through our studies in chapters 4-6 we have seen the second half of the book is more practical, after learning where we are seated with Christ, now we see how we are to walk with him. Today as we continue our studies in Ephesians we are in the middle of the practical application for the Christian life. How we are to live for the Lord in light of what he has done. Again, we can not look at this as Christian rules and duties. These are not rules - rather they are pictures of what the Spirit filled life should look like. How a life seated with Christ -- will play out in practical human interaction. Over last three chapters we have read what the Spirit led life looks like, one that takes off falsehood and speaks truthfully, a life no longer ruled by lustful thoughts, anger, unwholesome speech, or drunkenness. Then last week we considered the home, the family, and how believers imitate God in the home. The husband leading with Christ centered leadership, the wife trusting God as she allows her husband to be the man of God that the Lord is making him into. So now we come to the last of Paul exhortations on imitating God. The context is set in: Eph 5:1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 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. Imitate God, living a life of love, follow his example. The example of Jesus? The servant savior. The one who loves the church, the one who gave of himself for us as the propitiation for our sins. READ THE TEXT EPHESIANS 6:1-4 “IMITATING GOD WHEREVER YOU ARE” After dealing with the marriage relationship and what it looks like to imitate God in the marriage, Paul writes about other dynamics of life. Four areas he deals with, each apply just as much today as the first century when the Apostle Paul wrote this.
Col 3:20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. I know most of you young people in here today are not children but adolescents and teenagers. So this applies all the more. I know sometimes your parents seem out of touch. I know sometimes you think they really don't know whats is going on. Listen carefully - that will change. It was Mark Twain who was credited as saying: “When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.” Young people, obeying your parents is how you imitate God. That is how your faith plays out in your position in life. Obedience to authority is God's will for you. Phil 2:5-8 (Jesus example) Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! Instead of giving your parents an attitude --- if you love God you are to imitate God by having Christ's attitude. Consider what Jesus did -- he left all the glories of heaven to take on the form of a human being, then he submitted himself to the authority of his earthly parents. That's your example-- when Jesus was the one who created all the earth, and even Joseph and Mary, he demonstrated to you and me, about submission by being under the authority of his earthly parents. That's your example that's how you serve God. As a young person, you can say, “I love God”, but if you are rebelling against your parents you are only fooling yourself. By faith, you believe your parents are hearing from God. By faith, you trust that God will help you to become the man or woman of God he wants and God will use your parents to do that. You are obedient to God when you live in obedience to your parents or guardians. That means you obey your stepfather, that means you obey your stepmother that means you even obey the rules and chores you do not like. Why should you honor and obey them? Good question. Paul refers back to the fifth commandment which is the first man centered commandment. The first four commands are God centered. Then the fifth says to to honor your parents and it comes with a promise. The promise, “that all will go well and you may enjoy a long life.” It will go well with you because if you disobeyed your parents back in the bible days they might just take you out. You will enjoy a long life because your parents are entrusted with training you up. Training you in the ways of the Lord, and training you in the ways of life. Obey them, it will go well with you. Disobey them and things will be harder. Harder because if they love you -- they will punish you. Harder because you will get into more trouble. Trouble at home, trouble in school, or trouble with the law. Obey your parents because this is what pleases the Lord. Not too tough, but remember the overall principle is that: Honoring your parents is not only a command, but how you imitate and serve God until you are an adult. Some religious leaders came to Jesus and were questioning him about his authority, so he asked them a loaded question. “Where did John the Baptist get his authority, from God or man?” Well they wouldn't answer him because they knew no matter how they answered someone would be mad at them. So Jesus gives them a parable. (Matthew 21) About a man who had two sons. He went to his oldest and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.' but the kid said, “I will not.” But later he changed his mind and went and worked. "Then the father went to his other son and said the same thing. Now this kid said, “yes sir, I'm on it.” But he never went to the fields. So Jesus asked these religious leaders. "Which of the two did what his father wanted?" Who was obedient? The first, son. From that parable Jesus teaches us that a lot of people who look good on the outside, will not be in heaven, and some people that folks look down on will be. John 15:10 (Jesus ) “ If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love.” Young people God gives you one way to honor him. One way to live in his light. One way to imitate God in your life. Obey and give honor to your parents. That is how the first way you serve God.
The bible says quite a bit about parenting. There are great examples of men and women who were great parents, and others who were not. But here in the context of “imitating God” Paul tells the fathers two things. Don't exasperate (provoke) your children, and train them in the Lord's ways. 1. DON'T EXASPERATE YOUR CHILDREN. Eph 6:4 NASU “Do not provoke your children to anger.” Another translation says do not embitter them. Do not be so hard on them that they hate you. Don't put your expectations on them and push them away from you. Don't be a tyrant in their life. Don't be so removed from them so they have no godly influence. A Father can provoke his children by saying one thing and doing another. They provoke them by always blaming and never praising. They exasperate them by being inconsistent and unfair in discipline. You provoke by showing favoritism in the home, making promises and not keeping them, or making light of the issues in your child's life. Christian parents / grandparents need all the fullness of the Holy Spirit so they can be sensitive to the needs and problems of their children. A pastor recently overheard a heartbreaking conversation while on a cruse ship. It seems a 10-year-old boy and his mother were talking. "But why, Mom?" the boy asked, "Why did he even bother to come?" Then the mother struggled with her answer. "Well," she said, "he's here and he paid for all of us to go on this trip." "He's not here!" her son shouted. "He's been on the phone or on his computer the whole time!" And then came the shot to the heart: "Doesn't he want to be with me?" That dad was close physically as he spent seven days on a cruise ship. But what broke this boy's heart was - having a dad physically present but relationally absent. Paul is says to fathers / mothers/ the parents / grandparents -- “just like you are to imitate Christ in all parts of your life, imitate Jesus to your children.” Consider the example you are showing your kids and know they are learning from you. Dr. James Dobson writes: If a child lives with
criticism, He learns to condemn. Jesus called his disciples “his children” and he set for them an example of love. He did not come to be served, but to serve. So fathers/ and I dare to add mothers / imitate Christ by being servant leaders to your children. Now don't get me wrong, that does not mean you don't punish your kids. That doesn't mean you give them everything they want. But it does mean that the Lord is your example. When needed Jesus spoke hard things to his men. When need -- our father in heaven brings discipline into our lives. How do we do parent? . 1. TRAIN THEM IN THE LORD'S WAYS. The bible says a lot about parenting. Just a few things are. 1. Parents must teach God’s truth. (Dt. 4:9; 32:46). 2. Parents must lovingly discipline children because they are immature and need guidance. (Prov. 22:15; 29:15). 3. Parents should not exasperate or embitter their children (Eph. 6:4); Col 3:21) 4. Parents’ wise decisions bring blessing to their children (Dt. 30:19-20). 5. Parents who are godly teach their children to obey (Eph. 6:1; 1 Tim. 3:4). 6. Parents who faithfully train their children can be confident that their efforts are not in vain (Prov. 22:6). A wise man once said. “A parent’s responsibility is not to his child’s happiness; it’s to his character.” Prov 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. That Proverb says to “Train” your child. Lets consider three areas of training that prepares our children for service unto the Lord. 1. TRAIN YOUR CHILDREN IN THE WAYS OF GOD. I have had parents say to me over the years, “well, I want my children to come to their own conclusions about God.” “I'm not going to force them to go to church or read the bible, or learn about the God.” Friends that is one of the most stupid, and unloving things I have ever heard. It tells me that that man, that woman does not believe that Jesus is the only way. Training your children about God will carry your children though life, just as it has carried every believer throughout all generations. When I think of child who was well trained in God's ways, I think of Daniel who was about 12-14 years old when he was take into slavery in Babylon. But Daniel's faith did not wither and die in Babylon, rather it excelled there. When tempted with all that Babylon offered even from a young age Daniel refused to partake. It really makes you wonder about the foundational training Daniel had. As parents / as grandparents if we are followers of Jesus Christ, and if we believe that Jesus is the only way - to not train our children in the ways of God would be the most unloving thing. To think a child will find their own way, in a world full of temptations, like Babylon, its nuts. Rather, we train our children in God's ways, we use the local church in that training - but we do not neglect our personal responsibilities in training them. Over twenty times Israel is told to teach God's ways, and the things he has done to their children and grandchildren. Deut 11:18-21 (Speaking of the law of God) Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the door-frames of your houses and on your gates.. In other words, use every opportunity to tell your kids about God. Use nature as a teaching tool. Use the bible as their bedtime stories. Remind them of God's mercy, his grace, his law and his deeds. Build your lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ, and build your home by using every opportunity to tell your kids, /your grandkids about the Lord. 2. TRAIN YOUR CHILDREN IN SOCIAL GRACES. Really that's where it all beings. We train our children as, you potty train them, you teach them to ask politely, to not throw a tantrum, to respect authority, and to honor you. Yet so may parents today stop with the toilet training. Its fine to be your child's friend, but first you must be their parent. Let me repeat the earlier quote. “A parent’s responsibility is not to his child’s happiness; it’s to his character.” The training of practical social graces becomes a foundation for training in faith and preparation for life. If you see a polite child, one who respects authority, it didn't happen by chance, they were trained that way. Training for sports is fine, but today sports can be a distraction from true Godly training. Too often family revolves around the child's activities instead of the activities revolving around the family. How do you train your children in the social graces? 1. DISCIPLINE. Like training for the potty takes discipline, time and effort on your behalf and the child's. But the results are good. One of the most mis-quote quotes that is not found in the bible is. “Spare the rod, and spoil the child.” That's not in the bible - but there is a concept in disciple we must understand. Prov 13:24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him. If you love your child you will be careful to discipline them. The words “bring the up” or "nurture" carries with it the idea of learning through discipline. It can be translated "chastening." Some modern psychologist oppose any form of discipline, and some so called experts says "let the children express themselves!" "If you discipline them, you might warp their characters." Yet discipline is a basic principle of life and an evidence of love. Heb 12:6 “The Lord disciplines those he loves...” However, discipline must be done in right manner. You always discipline in love and not in anger. Eph 4:26-27 "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” You might be very angry at what your child did, but make sure your anger does not lead to sin. Sin in your overreaction, sin in letting the situation get out of control and sin by giving the devil a foothold. A foothold in your life, as your anger rules over your goal -- of training your child. A foothold in your child as they become embittered toward God. In discipline make sure your child understands completely what the punishment is for, and that the behavior is unacceptable. If you use corporal punishment, leave them with the unmistakable impression that you disciplined them because you love them. Discipline must be fair and consistent. One young man said "My father would use a cannon to kill a mosquito!" "I either get away with murder, or get blamed for everything!" Consistent, loving discipline gives assurance to the child. They may not agree with it but at least they know that their parents care enough to build some protective walls. Our example is always the Lord. Heb 12:10-11 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Prov 23:13-14 Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod , he will not die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death. Prov 29:15 The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother. Have you ever witnessed a child throwing a tantrum in a public place? What a disgrace to his mother, and that out of control child needs to be trained. Having touched on spanking I know there are some children that spanking does not work. There are some parents who can train their children better by not using corporal punishment. Some rules for all punishment. 1.NEVER PUNISH WHEN YOU ARE ANGRY. You might be very angry at what your child did, but make sure your anger does not lead to sin. 2. THE PUNISHMENT MUST FIT THE CRIME. In the Levitical law, God laid out this principle, that each man, every woman was personally responsibility for their own behaviors. That if you killed someones cow, you replaced that cow, you were not awarded $100,000 for physiological damages. You replaced the cow. So it is with punishment, if your child doesn't do their chores, you don't ground them for life. If they talk back to you - you don't let that go unchecked. Make sure your child understands that there are consistent consequences for wrong behavior so they will know right from wrong. 3. FIND THE PUNISHMENT THAT WILL ACCOMPLISH YOUR GOALS. Your goal is to train your child. Every child is different, some children a spanking never works, and there is an age where it becomes inappropriate. However you discipline do it in a way that accomplishes your goals, and as the adult understand that not everything needs discipline. You choose the best time, place and method of discipline. Good disciple should aways be in private with carefully chosen words because you are demonstrating you love to your child in discipline. First we train our children in ways of God, secondly train them in social graces. Finally. 3. TRAIN THEM FOR THEIR FUTURE. Practical training in education, and helping prepare them for life. This is ongoing training and support for your kids until you die. Training in formal education and practical applications. We have a lot of home schoolers here in the fellowship. Homeschooling is a way to keep the world from overwhelming your kids. Personally I believe Homeschooling is a calling -- and not everyone should be doing it. If you are going to consider homeschooling, you need to count the cost and consider what type of education your child will be getting. What effect will their be on your home? How dedicated will you be to homeschooling? If you are not sold out as a family for for homeschooling you will probably fail. So what are your alternatives? Some have chosen private Christian school, charter schools and still others use the public school system. Be that as it may, no matter the educational option you have chosen - you are the one responsible before God for your child's training. Don't let someone else's personal conviction influence you. Seek the Lord, and then be actively involved in your child's education. If you home school you will automatically be actively involved. If your child is in public school, you need to manage their education. Be involved, know the teachers, volunteer in the class room. If you are not happy with a situation go to the teacher first and get things resolved. No matter what option you chose, parents are to be actively involved in their education. Because we imitate God by raising our children in God's ways. John 14:18 (Jesus said, speaking of the Holy Spirit) “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” God continues to guide us thought out our lives by the Holy Spirit, so parents take God's example toward your children. Then continue to be actively involved in their secondary education. What schools might best work for your child? Some kids should never attend a secular University, for some a Christian college is the perfect fit. Some kids are suited to learn a trade, or go into the military, or a discipleship training program, and missions trips. Still others will go on to a masters or even doctorates. Be that as it may, you train your child to prepare them for what God has for their life. Because training is more then just formal education, it is training for life. Giving your children the tools to become productive members of society - training them for what God has for their life. Bottom line is that you realize that you are only a steward of your children. Your children are entrusted to you for just a season. When you view them as God's children and understand he has entrusted them to you, you will be careful how we parent them. We have considered being imitators of God for the children, the parents, now lets look at.
The bible does not promote slavery, it simply recognizes that it existed and gave biblical principles to those would be slaves and those who are masters. Here Paul says, slaves, I don't think it is a huge stretch to say employees. If you are working for someone, you are their slave for 8 hours a day. 1 Cor 7:21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don't let it trouble you — although if you can gain your freedom, do so. Don't be overwhelmed by the position you currently have, if you can change it, great, but if not right now, serve your boss as you are serving the Lord. Paul tells salves to obey their masters, give them respect, and hard work. All Christians, married, singles, young, old can learn from this scripture. Matt 5:14-16 (Jesus said) "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Is your life at work that of salt and light? Does your boss see you imitating God by your work ethic? Does God get praised from your work? Are you living as an imitator of God and the light of Christ in your workplace. The main principle:
Col 3:17 ...Whatever you do, whether in word or deed , do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Our text says, work as unto the Lord, be the light of Christ, imitate God on the job and God will reward even your practical work as an act of faith. We have considered imitating God from the children, the parents, the slave, and finally.
This is a huge concept and important principle for Christian employers and supervisors. Watch out how you treat your workers -- because you also have a master. God does not show favoritism, God does not treat us harshly, rather he gives us grace and mercy. That is the example of a godly boss, that is the man/ the woman who is imitating God from their place of business. Living as light from the business world does not mean you let people run over you. You are a steward of what God has entrusted to you. You are just in charge of God's business, God's recourses, and they are his people. So imitating God means that you do what is right with what God has entrusted to you. If someone deserves to get fired, then that is the right thing to do. If someone is in need of grace or some time off, then doing that might be the right thing to do. The principle is simple. Matt 7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. So that concludes our studies in this section that began in chapter 5. Eph 5:1-2 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 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. Friends it is my hearts desire that no one leave this room today with the thoughts that this is a duty or rules to live by. For the only way to please God is not by things you do or do not do. For it is only in Jesus Christ that men / women are made right with God. INVITE. Rom 3:23...All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him ." PRAY, BENEDICTION, SING Series: Ephesians -Through the Bible |
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