Someone is Watching Lk.6:6-7 [14:1; 20:20] Mt.5:16 –That –That = purpose. “That” what? –See good works –See good works. Ep.2:10 –Glorify Father

Glorify praise, honor, extolTo influence one’s opinion about another so as to enhance the latter’s reputation, praise, honor, extol Mt.6:1-5 themselves –Pharisees: to glorify themselves God –We must do it to glorify God

Like it or not... We are on displayWe are on display –Does our life glorify God? –How to fulfill this purpose?

I We Must Be Converted Ac.3:19 –Converted turnreturn –Converted: to change one’s mind or course of action, turn, return Ac.9:35; 11:21 (18) turning –Imagery in conversion: turning Conversion changes the direction of one’s course of life Ac.13:…48

Ro.1:21 Nature shows us that God is great and good; He deserves our glory and gratitude They rejected the impression made on them by nature (23)

People are People “‘Lord’ is Fading at Some Churches”: “ The theology is that God is love, period. Our service has done everything it can to get rid of power imagery. We do not pray as though we expect the big guy in the sky to come and fix everything” (Tho. Lindell, deacon at St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church) Bar churches: “just as I am”

A Contrast Ep.5:8-9 –Beare –Be what you are

II We Must Behave Ourselves 1 Tim.3:15 –Conduct oneself in terms of certain principles 1 Co.10:13 –No set of rules govern every circumstance Ph.1:20 –Ac.19:…17

What does behaving involve? 1. Watch what you watch. 1. Watch what you watch. Pro.4:23 2. Dress what you profess 2. Dress what you profess, 1 T.2:9-10 –Avoid provocative clothes –Any godly father can tell his daughter what this means too low (at top)too low (at top) too short (at bottom)too short (at bottom) too tighttoo tight too thintoo thin

3. Don’t dance around the issue –Ga.5:19, licentiousness: indecent bodily movements unchaste handling of males and females (Th., 80) –Ga.5:19, licentiousness: “wanton (acts or) manners, as filthy words, indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females, etc.” (Th., 80) –Some “Christians” justify all dancing, and try to convert others 4.Be filled w. the Spirit, not spirits 4.Be filled w. the Spirit, not spirits (Ep.5:18) Some have forgotten their raising, Ro.6

III We Must Be A Family All the family: –The whole “family of God” includes all His children –No matter what race, nationality, or location –This includes even more: those who are in heaven

Family Figures: 1.Children / sons 1. Children / sons, Ep.5:1 –Jews gloried in the phrase “children of Abraham” –Mt.3:9; but see Ga.3:6 2.Marriage / wife 2. Marriage / wife, Ep.5:22, 24 3.Brothers 3.Brothers, Ga.6:1 – Ja.5:19-20

IV We Must Control Our Words Ph.2:11 –Christians don’t wait –Atheists ridicule God, encourage sin, but one day this will change –The brow that wore thorns now wears a crown –The hand that was nailed to the cross now holds the scepter of unlimited dominion

Col.4:6, always... With graceWith grace –Ep.4:15 Seasoned w. saltSeasoned w. salt –Salt flavors and preserves –Ep.4:29 “Trying to squash a rumor is like trying to unring a bell”

1 Jn.2:6 One who declares his position is morally bound to live in harmony with it