Live Like Your Maker and Savior
September 2, 2007
Text: Ephesians 5:1-7
Know what it’s like in the real world? Us- Kingdom Congregants - the living God - Has a living for us! A life for us - even as we make a living, we are living for our Maker and Savior - We are in the family business!
We live like our Maker and Savior. How?
1) We live a life of love
V1-2 - We are so loved, and we express this example of love.
How Christ expressed this love - The mission - about the Father’s business -instructing – calling – finding - we too are on a mission - That’s our business! The manner - Gave Himself up - died for you! Philippians 2 - This is a sweet smell to God! Means well pleased!
Smells that delight - bring good memories - You are called to this! John 13:34 - a new command - We are the living example of God’s love!
”But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?” – 2 Corinthians 2:14-16
A willingness to give yourself up and be about the Father’s business, which is LOVE!
Gal 2:20
Movie - E.T. - I’m fascinated with the sky - Is there life out there? I wonder if people look at Christianity anymore and ask is there life any different there?
2) We live as holy people
V3-7 - God’s people express God’s way of life - We are set apart - We are not haughty but we are holy! Living properly!
The Representative - a new creation! A new life - God will help you! He has regenerated you! Look out for the lures of the world - the Pac-man mentality - Mind like a hotel - we keep our house clean!
The Repentant - We are on course for perfection yet still imperfect! Thanksgiving living! Salt and pepper your tongue with grace - don’t give room for the enemy’s business - Out of the heart - where your heart is - Rely on the treasure trove - God’s wealth of grace is yours!
The Resistance - Stay holy - Resist the attempts to deceive - examples? The Church! The culture - if it feels good, do it!
Conclusion
As he neared death in Concord, on 6 May 1862, an aunt asked if he had made his peace with God. Thoreau replied, "I did not know that we had ever quarreled." A friend asked his thoughts on the afterlife, to which Thoreau replied, "One world at a time." He was always looking for God in nature - God is found in people! We are God’s people! His children - Let God be found in you!