1. WHAT’S INVOLVED IN ACTUALLY IMITATING GOD?

2. 1. Imitate ( μιμέομαι ) = to use as a model.

3. 2. New Testament passages. I Corinthians 4:16 - Therefore I urge you to imitate me.

4. 1. Imitate ( μιμέομαι ) = to use as a model. 2. New Testament passages. I Corinthians 4:16 - Therefore I urge you to imitate me. I Corinthians 11:1 - Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

5. 1. Imitate ( μιμέομαι ) = to use as a model. 2. New Testament passages. I Corinthians 4:16 - Therefore I urge you to imitate me. I Corinthians 11:1 - Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. I Thessalonians 1:6 - You became imitators of us and of the Lord...

6. 1. Imitate ( μιμέομαι ) = to use as a model. 2. New Testament passages. I Thessalonians 2:14 - For you, brothers, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus...

7. 1. Imitate ( μιμέομαι ) = to use as a model. 2. New Testament passages. I Thessalonians 2:14 - For you, brothers, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus... Hebrews 6:12 - We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

8. 3. The implications of imitating God.

9. Matthew 16:24 - If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Luke 9:23 - If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

10. 3. The implications of imitating God. Matthew 16:24 - If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Luke 9:23 - If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 14:27 - And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

11. 3. The implications of imitating God. Matthew 16:24 - If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Luke 9:23 - If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 14:27 - And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Matthew 10:38 - and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

12. What are we to imitate & how?

13. Ephesians 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.

14. Ephesians 5:3-7 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person — such a man is an idolater — has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.

15. Ephesians 5:8-14 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

16. I. Stay Away from Imitating the World - the Sons of Disobedience.

17. A. What are some of the attitudes of the world? I. Stay Away from Imitating the World - the Sons of Disobedience.

18. A. What are some of the attitudes of the world? But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. - v3 I. Stay Away from Imitating the World - the Sons of Disobedience.

19. A. What are some of the attitudes of the world? But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. - v3 1. Sexual immorality ( πορνεία ) = improper sexual intercourse. I. Stay Away from Imitating the World - the Sons of Disobedience.

20. A. What are some of the attitudes of the world? But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. - v3 The attitude: “I want pleasure no matter who it hurts!” I. Stay Away from Imitating the World - the Sons of Disobedience.

21. A. What are some of the attitudes of the world? But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. - v3 2. Impurity ( ἀ καθαρσία ) = un- cleanness. I. Stay Away from Imitating the World - the Sons of Disobedience.

22. A. What are some of the attitudes of the world? But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. - v3 The attitude: “I don’t care about the condition of my physical body or mind!” I. Stay Away from Imitating the World - the Sons of Disobedience.

23. A. What are some of the attitudes of the world? But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. - v3 3. Greed ( πλεονεξία ) = cove- tousness, the desire to always have more. I. Stay Away from Imitating the World - the Sons of Disobedience.

24. A. What are some of the attitudes of the world? But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. - v3 The attitude: “I’ll be satisfied only when I get to the top!” (Luke 16:20-25) I. Stay Away from Imitating the World - the Sons of Disobedience.

25. B. How are these attitudes deve- loped? Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. - v4 I. Stay Away from Imitating the World - the Sons of Disobedience.

26. B. How are these attitudes deve- loped? Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. - v4 1. Through obscenity ( α ἰ σχρότης ) = filthy talk. I. Stay Away from Imitating the World - the Sons of Disobedience.

27. B. How are these attitudes deve- loped? Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. - v4 2. Through foolish talk ( μωρολογία ) = “moron speech”. I. Stay Away from Imitating the World - the Sons of Disobedience.

28. B. How are these attitudes deve- loped? Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. - v4 3. Through coarse joking ( ε ὐ τραπελία ) = “well turned”, witty, jesting. I. Stay Away from Imitating the World - the Sons of Disobedience.

29. C. What does God think about you exhibiting these attitudes? For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person — such a man is an idolater — has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. - v5 I. Stay Away from Imitating the World - the Sons of Disobedience.

30. C. What does God think about you exhibiting these attitudes? For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person — such a man is an idolater — has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. - v5 1. You become an idolater. I. Stay Away from Imitating the World - the Sons of Disobedience.

31. C. What does God think about you exhibiting these attitudes? For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person — such a man is an idolater — has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. - v5 1. You become an idolater. 2. You cannot inherit the kingdom. I. Stay Away from Imitating the World - the Sons of Disobedience.

32. D. How can you stay away from these attitudes? I. Stay Away from Imitating the World - the Sons of Disobedience.

33. D. How can you stay away from these attitudes? But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people... Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. – v3 & 6-7 (KJV) “It ought to not even once be named among you”. I. Stay Away from Imitating the World - the Sons of Disobedience.

34. D. How can you stay away from these attitudes? But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people... Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. – v3 & 6-7 I. Stay Away from Imitating the World - the Sons of Disobedience.

35. D. How can you stay away from these attitudes? But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people... Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. – v3 & 6-7 I. Stay Away from Imitating the World - the Sons of Disobedience.

36. I. Stay Away from Imitating the World - the Sons of Disobedience. II. Focus on Imitating the Lord - the Son of God.

37. A. You can imitate the Lord by demonstrating His love.... 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. - v2 II. Focus on Imitating the Lord - the Son of God.

38. A. You can imitate the Lord by demonstrating His love.... 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. - v2 Hebrews 4:15 - For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin. II. Focus on Imitating the Lord - the Son of God.

39. A. You can imitate the Lord by demonstrating His love.... 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. - v2 II. Focus on Imitating the Lord - the Son of God.

40. A. You can imitate the Lord by demonstrating His love. B. You can imitate the Lord by demonstrating His light. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. - v8 II. Focus on Imitating the Lord - the Son of God.

41. 1. It produces good fruit.... for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth and find out what pleases the Lord. – v9-10 II. Focus on Imitating the Lord - the Son of God.

42. 1. It produces good fruit.... for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth and find out what pleases the Lord. – v9-10 James 2:15-17 - Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. II. Focus on Imitating the Lord - the Son of God.

43. 2. It proves what is acceptable.... for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth and find out what pleases the Lord. – v9-10 II. Focus on Imitating the Lord - the Son of God.

44. 2. It proves what is acceptable.... for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth and find out what pleases the Lord. – v9-10 Romans 2:2 - Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will. II. Focus on Imitating the Lord - the Son of God.

45. 3. It exposes what is evil. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” - v11-14 II. Focus on Imitating the Lord - the Son of God.

46. 3. It exposes what is evil. John 3:19-21 - This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God. II. Focus on Imitating the Lord - the Son of God.

47. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” - v11- 14