TITLE: The Look of Love TEXT: Ephesians 5:1-2 THEME: You should imitate the love of Christ

“Mission Impossible.”

Occasionally, when you read the Bible, you'll come across a verse that jumps out and overwhelms you by virtue of its sheer impossibility.

For example Jesus said, "Therefore, you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48

For example Jesus said, "Therefore, you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48). Jesus told what was left of his original band of disciples to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." (Mark 16:15)

For example Jesus said, "Therefore, you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48). Jesus told what was left of his original band of disciples to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." (Mark 16:15) Paul tells us to do the seemingly impossible (v. 1) Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children...

Examples of Imitators Marlon Brando impersonated by Frank Gorshin

Examples of Imitators Steve Bridges impersonates George W Bush

Examples of Imitators No Hollywood producer ever says, "We can't get Arnold Schwarzenegger for this movie, but my unemployed nephew does a pretty good Schwarzenegger impersonation, so let's use him instead."

How can we imitate God?

(v. 1-2) Be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ loved you.

How can we imitate God? (v. 1-2) Be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ loved you. Love. That's how you imitate God: you love people.

Agape love is an act of the will that is demonstrated in what we do.

Agape love is an act of the will that is demonstrated in what we do. The Bible says that God loves us, and he demonstrates his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us [Romans 5:8

Agape love is an act of the will that is demonstrated in what we do. The Bible says that God loves us, and he demonstrates his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us [Romans 5:8]. When Paul talks about imitating God by walking in love, he's not talking about having a feeling, he's talking about showing an action.

What are some actions that demonstrate God's love to the world?

1. You imitate God's love by forgiving others.

Ephesians 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Mohandas Gandhi "The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong." He may not have been a Christian, but he understood this aspect of forgiveness: It requires strength.

C.S. Lewis "Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea until they have something to forgive."

Examples for Forgiveness If you're married, there's no doubt that you have something to forgive.

Examples for Forgiveness If you're married, there's no doubt that you have something to forgive. If you have children, or have parents, or have siblings, you have something to forgive

Examples for Forgiveness If you're married, there's no doubt that you have something to forgive. If you have children, or have parents, or have siblings, you have something to forgive. If you have a boss, or if you have employees, you have something to forgive

Examples for Forgiveness If you're married, there's no doubt that you have something to forgive. If you have children, or have parents, or have siblings, you have something to forgive. If you have a boss, or if you have employees, you have something to forgive. If you serve in ministry or volunteer in any area of the church, you have something to forgive

Examples for Forgiveness If you're married, there's no doubt that you have something to forgive. If you have children, or have parents, or have siblings, you have something to forgive. If you have a boss, or if you have employees, you have something to forgive. If you serve in ministry or volunteer in any area of the church, you have something to forgive. If you are a Edmonton Oilers fan, you have something to forgive

John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

James 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.

John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

How can we imitate God?

2. You imitate God's love by suffering for others.

(v. 2)...and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us...

Philippians 2:5-8 (The Message)

2. You imitate God's love by suffering for others. Philippians 2:5-8Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all.

2. You imitate God's love by suffering for others. Philippians 2:5-8 When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death —and the worst kind of death at that— a crucifixion.

Matthew 16:24 "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me."

Matthew 16:24 "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me."

How can we imitate God?

3. You imitate God's love by serving others.

(v. 2)...gave himself up for us...

Matthew 20:28 "...the Son of Man did come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

Matthew 20:26-27 "Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave..."

John 13:12-15 "Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you."

Ian Maclaren "The world cannot always understand a person's profession of faith, but it can understand service."

Albert Schweitzer "Do something for someone every day, for which you do not get paid." See if you can do something for someone everyday for which you will get no recognition.

APPLICATION 1. One thing you will learn as you practice imitating God is that you get better at it. Just as Steve Bridges impersonation of George Bush became more and more convincing over the years, our imitation of God's love becomes more and more like his. We get better at it.

APPLICATION 2. It will not be easy, in fact, it will be impossible without first experiencing the love and grace of Christ.

TONY CAMPOLO, Letters to a Young Evangelical Sitting with my parents at a Communion service when I was very young, perhaps six or seven years old, I became aware of a young woman in the pew in front of us who was sobbing and shaking. The minister had just finished reading the passage of Scripture written by Paul that says, "Whosoever shall eat the bread and drink the cup of the Lord unworthily shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 11:27).

TONY CAMPOLO, Letters to a Young Evangelical As the Communion plate with its small pieces of bread was passed to the crying woman before me, she waved it away and then lowered her head in despair. It was then that my Sicilian father leaned over her shoulder and, in his broken English, said sternly, "Take it, girl! It was meant for you. Do you hear me?"

TONY CAMPOLO, Letters to a Young Evangelical She raised her head and nodded—and then she took the bread and ate it. I knew that at that moment some kind of heavy burden was lifted from her heart and mind. Since then, I have always known that a church that could offer Communion to hurting people was a special gift from God.

TONY CAMPOLO, Letters to a Young Evangelical Christ loves and because sin created a huge rift between him and us he forgave us, sacrificed himself for us and serves us in humility.