Imitators of God
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.
Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #455 We Shall Be Like Him (#507 in previous version)
Can we imitate God? Paul tells us to be imitators of God. What does it mean to imitate God? The Scripture tells us to “live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” How must we begin today holding on to this Word?
1. Personal beginning
God called us and gave us the representative blessing to make us models of saving other people. God first gave us Christ. If the person who has the mystery of Christ personally holds on to God’s Word, answers will come. Even just once, we must have a time to stand before the Word of God. What is God telling us as He sees our problems and circumstances today? Finding this is today’s Word. That is when the work of God begins and answers of saving people in the field and changing the world come.
2. Beginning of the church
The church must receive correct answers and the work of God must be shown in order for each individual to be revived. The Early Church experienced the work of the Holy Spirit of the Pentecost in the midst of praying together by holding on to the promise of Jesus. That is when great doors of evangelism opened, the Word was fulfilled, 3,000 disciples were raised, and the field changed. Furthermore, they received the correct blessing of missions of saving Macedonia and even Rome. When hardship came, they received greater answers. This is the direction with which we must newly begin like the Early Church.
3. Beginning in the world
Now, how must we begin in the field? We must make three resolutions. First is to become the person who prays the most. Prayer is discerning what is good, choosing faith over unbelief, and turning everything into opportunities. Second is to become the person who evangelizes the most. Third is to become the person who holds on to the Word the best. If you go to the field with these resolutions of faith, you will see that answers have already come.
- God called us as models of answers. It is important to meditate deeply on the Word when you open your eyes in the morning. Meditate on how you will become an imitator of God.
Immanuel Church Sunday Worship 2nd Service / 2010.12.19