## Dad's Footsteps

## Ephesians 5:1-17

Video: What's the most important thing you learned from your father?

When I first watched that little video clip I was struck by the realization that every father teaches something! It isn't always what it should be, but it is something! I also wondered how my sons would have answered if they had been interviewed. So, I asked them. Here are their responses. Brandon: I think that the most important thing you taught me was a good work ethic. I can remember thinking that if I had to do something I didn't want to do, that I might as well do it right the first time rather than having to do it twice. That has served me well with my school, career and family. At work, I deal with my peers and subordinates who don't have a commitment to doing quality work the first time and it is very frustrating. Ben: The greatest thing my father ever taught me was: That you can serve God and have fun while you are doing it.

Years ago I clipped a little poem from a newspaper and pasted it into my Bible. It is browned from age, but the message is still clear.

A careful man I ought to be, A little fellow follows me. I dare not go astray, For fear he'll go the self-same way.

I cannot once escape his eyes, Whatever he see me do, he tries. Like me, he says, he's going to be, The little fellow who follows me.

He thinks that I am good and fine, Believes in every word of mine. The base in me he must not see, That little fellow who follows me.

I must remember as I go, Thru summers' sun and winters' snow. I am building for the years to be, In the little fellow who follows me. --Author unknown.

Fathers Day is one of those special days set aside to remember, reflect, and reinforce biblical principles for all fathers. So this morning, let me turn your attention to Ephesians 5:1-17. Read text.

(Ephesians 5:1) Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

How can we be followers of God?

I. Walk In Love

(Ephesians 5:2) And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

A. This love should be evident in here areas of our lives.

1. Love For The Savior

(Matthew 22:37) Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

2. Love For The Saint

(1 John 3:14) We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. a. This kind of love will keep us humble b. By the way, if we can't love a brother in Christ then our claim to love God is a lie.

(1 John 4:20) If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

3. Love For The Sinner

(Matthew 22:39) And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

B. The ability to love this way is not natural, but it is the supernatural work of God in us!

II. Walk In Light

(Ephesians 5:8) For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

A. Note the contrast in this verse.

1. We "were darkness", lost folks still are.

2. Now we "are light".

3. Our whole nature has been changed and we are to live that change out before a world trapped in darkness.

B. Our lives become living testimonies to the awesome power of God to change us!

1. Lost men see the change and are stirred in their hearts.

(Matthew 5:16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

2. You see, it is not just enough to walk in the light, we are light.

(Matthew 5:14) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

3. When we walk as light, we point others to Christ. 4. We are to live out the Light of God's truth in every moment of life!

C. As we walk in light, we will expose the darkness.

(Ephesians 5:11) And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

1. How? By shining the light of God's righteousness, goodness, and truth into the darkness.

2. We don't have to go on a campaign against darkness…all we must do is let our light shine!

3. What do others see in our life? Is it a life that reflects the light of Christ and His glorious Gospel?

III. Walk In Wisdom

(Ephesians 5:15) See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

A. The word "circumspectly" means: "accurately, exactly, diligently."

1. Here is a call for believers to walk with their eyes open.

2. Rather than stumbling along trying to find our way in the dark…

3. We need to look down to see where we are putting our feet, and look ahead to see where our paths are leading us.

B. We can either live our lives like fools walking in disobedience…or, we can live as wise men.

1. This means that we make every minute count for the glory of the Lord.

2. Taking advantage of the time available to us.

3. Understanding the will of the Lord - Ep 5:17

a. Only by understand the will of the Lord can we be a "wise people"

b. His will for us is revealed in His Word.

c. So to walk in wisdom = to live our lives in accordance with biblical truth!

Are you following in His steps? Are you walking in love…in light…and in wisdom? If not, I invite your to come this morning and commit your walk to Him. If you have never accepted God's free gift of salvation, the invitation is for you to come now. Christian, are we following Him? Are we stepping into His footsteps? If not come and determine to redirect your walk and follow Him.