God's Example

5-7-2010

God’s Example

Direct communication, motive, free speech, actions, thoughts, and clarity are a few characteristics I love about a great message. My wife and I love listening to ministers that are direct and to the point, and the message in Ephesians chapter 5 is just that!

“Follow God’s example in everything you do because you are his dear children.” How about that for direct! It’s true, we were put on this earth by God, and we were made in his image. He came and went so we would have a real example of how to live life. If he simply told us what to do, some of us would get it, but by literally walking the earth for 33 years, we know how to live! We all have mentors in life, and the ultimate mentor is Christ! He is the only person to ever walk the earth sinless.

In verse 10 it says, “Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds…It is shameful to even talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But when the light shines on them, it becomes clear how evil these things are.” In other words, read about Christ, and then you will find out what is pleasing to Christ. For those that “seem to have success, yet they do wrong” Paul instructs us to not even talk about them as they will be exposed. Stay focused on following God’s example in everything you do. Do not compare yourselves to others, but instead strive for sanctification (to be Christ like). At the end of the day, we should all have the same primary goal: to be Christ like. The best way to do so is to “follow God’s example in everything you do.” For those of you that questions the Bible, check the following out:

Did you know:
Psalm 118 is the middle chapter of the entire Bible?
Psalm 117, before Psalm 118 is the shortest chapter in the Bible?
Psalm 119, after Psalm 118 is the longest chapter in the Bible?
The Bible has 594 chapters before Psalm 118 and 594 chapters after Psalm 118?
If you add up all the chapters except Psalm 118, you get a total of 1188 chapters?
1188 or Psalm 118 verse 8 is the middle verse of the entire Bible?

Should the central verse not have a fairly important message? "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man." - Psalm 118:8

Is this central verse not also the central theme of the entire Bible? This is not a coincidence. God is in complete control.

Application:
1. Read Ephesians 5:1-14
2.What goals do you have that aren’t in line with the primary goal?
3.What are you going to do to change the problem?