(Psalms 19:1) "The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands."

Spirit-Empowered Purity Part 2 Attaining Your Potential

 Part 1 – Ephesians 4:17-31 ●Live no longer like the Gentiles ●Transformed by renewed minds ●Changed behavior  Part 2 – Ephesians 5:1-20  Part 1 – Ephesians 4:17-31 ●Live no longer like the Gentiles ●Transformed by renewed minds ●Changed behavior  Part 2 – Ephesians 5:1-20

I. Imitate God vs. 1-4  Imitators – Greek – mimetai, mimic ●in character and behavior ●Like children  2 Peter 1:3-4 ●By his divine power God has given us everything we need for living a godly life ●Promises that enable you to share his divine nature ●Escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires  Imitators – Greek – mimetai, mimic ●in character and behavior ●Like children  2 Peter 1:3-4 ●By his divine power God has given us everything we need for living a godly life ●Promises that enable you to share his divine nature ●Escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires

 Matthew 5:48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.  Luke 6:36 You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.  Matthew 5:48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.  Luke 6:36 You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.

 Let there be no… ●Sins caused by human desires  Instead, let there be… ●Thankfulness to God ●A life filled with love ●Following the example of Christ  Let there be no… ●Sins caused by human desires  Instead, let there be… ●Thankfulness to God ●A life filled with love ●Following the example of Christ

II. Inheriting the Kingdom vs. 5-9  The Kingdom of God – where God rules ●Luke 17: One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, “When will the Kingdom of God come?” Jesus replied, “The Kingdom of God can’t be detected by visible signs. 21You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘It’s over there!’ For the Kingdom of God is already among you.” ●Is God ruling or is the desire of the flesh ruling in your heart?  The Kingdom of God – where God rules ●Luke 17: One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, “When will the Kingdom of God come?” Jesus replied, “The Kingdom of God can’t be detected by visible signs. 21You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘It’s over there!’ For the Kingdom of God is already among you.” ●Is God ruling or is the desire of the flesh ruling in your heart?

 2 Peter 1: So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. 11Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. ●Faith, moral excellence, knowledge, self control, patient endurance, godliness, brotherly affection, love for everyone  2 Peter 1: So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. 11Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. ●Faith, moral excellence, knowledge, self control, patient endurance, godliness, brotherly affection, love for everyone

 The anger of God on those who disobey ●Ephesians 2: You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil— the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.  The anger of God on those who disobey ●Ephesians 2: You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil— the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

III. Exposing the Darkness vs  Expose the worthless deeds of evil and darkness ●Shameful to talk about them ●Evil intentions exposed when the light shines on them ●The light within you ▪From the Lord ▪Produces what is good ▪Exposes darkness  Expose the worthless deeds of evil and darkness ●Shameful to talk about them ●Evil intentions exposed when the light shines on them ●The light within you ▪From the Lord ▪Produces what is good ▪Exposes darkness

 People smell you ●2 Corinthians 2: Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. 16To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life- giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?  People smell you ●2 Corinthians 2: Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. 16To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life- giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?

IV. Living by the Spirit’s Power vs  Be careful how you live ●Don’t live like fools ●Don’t be drunk with wine ●Make the most of every opportunity ●Be filled with the Spirit  Be careful how you live ●Don’t live like fools ●Don’t be drunk with wine ●Make the most of every opportunity ●Be filled with the Spirit

 Spirit empowered godlikeness ●2 Corinthians 3: For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. ●Imitators ●Reflecting glory – light, character, godliness ●More and more like him ●Greater entrance/inheritance in the Kingdom  Spirit empowered godlikeness ●2 Corinthians 3: For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. ●Imitators ●Reflecting glory – light, character, godliness ●More and more like him ●Greater entrance/inheritance in the Kingdom

Interactive Time  What are the characteristics of one who is an imitator of God?  What does it mean to expose the works of darkness?  What does it mean to make the most of every opportunity? How does one redeem the time?  How does being filled with the Spirit make a difference in being imitators of God?  What are the characteristics of one who is an imitator of God?  What does it mean to expose the works of darkness?  What does it mean to make the most of every opportunity? How does one redeem the time?  How does being filled with the Spirit make a difference in being imitators of God?