Follow GOD'S Example

Sunday School Lesson – Follow GOD’S Example – October 30, 2005

This is our final lesson in our series “Being Holy in an Unholy World”.

Our background scripture is Ephesians 4:17 – 5:14

Our focus scripture is Ephesians 4:22-32; 5:1-2, 8-10

In last Sunday’s lesson we studied the scripture Ephesians 4:11-13.

Let’s read Ephesians 4:11-13 – Pay special attention to each verse.

11 And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, [growing]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.

When preparing for today’s lesson I asked THE LORD what are YOU telling us in today’s scripture? It seems that the scripture is focusing on a do-it-yourself or works emphasis.

HIS answer is reflected in verse 13. Simply how are we, as Christians, measuring up when we are compared to the fullness of CHRIST in our life? Are we growing and maturing in THE LORD? Or do we see things from our old life coming out in our everyday life as we interact with fellow humans and in life’s situations? If we see our old life being reflected in our everyday life what do we do about it? Do we try harder?

When we recognize areas from our old life bubbling up in our everyday life, this should be a flag to us. We need to confess them to GOD and ask HIM to help us bring those areas of our life under HIS control.
We need to ask our FATHER, through the power of THE HOLY SPIRIT, to find the root of our problem and show us what needs to be done to bring it under HIS control.

GOD’S plan for each Christian is for us to reach the full measure of CHRIST or full maturity in CHRIST. To accomplish this in each of us, GOD has given spiritual gifts to Christians for the purpose of ministering to each other within the living body, which is the living church.

THE HOLY SPIRIT works within each Christian to build our character so GOD’S power can be manifested through the gifts of THE HOLY SPIRIT. When the body or living building (the living church) reaches full maturity, we as Christians will be fully equipped to be the most effective in ministry within the body and to the world around us.

If we try to conquer our problems through self-improvement we can get stressed and tied in a knot trying to perform to a standard.

Now for a quick explanation of what has been stated. This is NOT to say we do not need to read, go to a doctor, counselor, pastor, etc. GOD equips or gives gifts to others to help us through situations we face along life’s journey. GOD HIMSELF can also help us. Some things we can work out with the help of our LORD and others we need to seek help from fellow humans, all as GOD directs. We need to recognize when we need help and then pray and ask GOD to guide us to the proper resource or person which will help us. We need to ask GOD to examine our life and reveal to us the areas in our life which need to be changed and to help us bring those areas under HIS control. Often it is a matter of us letting go of a habit, addiction, something we harbor, etc.






One of the ways that GOD examines our life is through HIS WORD, the Bible. The scripture tells us in Hebrews 4:12-13:

12 For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as to divide soul, spirit, joints, and marrow; it is a judge of the ideas and thoughts of the heart. 13 No creature is hidden from Him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account.

Psalm 139:23-24
23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. 24 See if there is any offensive[9] Or idolatrous way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.

GOD can search us and we can look into the mirror of HIS WORD.

2 Corinthians 3:18:

18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

As we live our daily life, we hear and see how we react and respond to life’s situations. How do we measure up to CHRIST?

I have to confess for myself, not well.









Let’s read our scripture Ephesians 4:21-24

21 assuming you heard Him and were taught by Him, because the truth is in Jesus: 22 you took off[9] Or Jesus. This means: take off (as a command) your former way of life, the old man that is corrupted by deceitful desires; 23 you are being renewed[10] Or desires; renew (as a command) in the spirit of your minds; 24 you put on[11] Or minds; and put on (as a command) the new man, the one created according to God’s [likeness]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. [12] Col 3:10 in righteousness and purity of the truth.

Verse 21 tells us if we have been born-again, we have the rights and privileges that come with being a member of GOD’S household. But we also have a responsibility to live accordingly.

Paul tells us in Romans 12:2

2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

2 Corinthians 5:17

17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things[11] Other mss read look, all new things have come.

Paul compares our old life and our new life in CHRIST in verses 22-24 to our clothing. We are taking off our old nature and putting on our new nature. This exchange of natures is taking place in the center of our being or what I like to think of as “the eyes of our heart”.

In verse 23 Paul uses the plural “minds”. This to me is the mind of the old nature or flesh being brought under the control of our new mind which comes with being born-again in the spirit.



In fact I think as humans, we deal with a spectrum of flesh minds. The spectrum ranges from the lower end of the flesh mind which yields to the desires of the flesh with little or no self-control to the higher end of the flesh mind, which is a very moral self-controlled mind. This range is determined by our flesh nature, environment and heredity.

A person has to be careful when they clean up their own house or life versus GOD cleaning up a life. When GOD cleans a life, HE fills it with THE HOLY SPIRIT so it is not left empty by the renewing of the mind. The following scripture illustrates this point.

Matthew 12:43-45
An Unclean Spirit’s Return
43 “When an unclean[15] Morally or ceremonially impure spirit comes out of a man, it roams through waterless places looking for rest but doesn’t find any. 44 Then it says, ‘I’ll go back to my house that I came from.’ And when it arrives, it finds [the house]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. vacant, swept, and put in order. 45 Then off it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and settle down there. As a result, that man’s last condition is worse than the first. That’s how it will also be with this evil generation.”

Paul discusses this war between the flesh and the spirit in Romans Chapters 7 and 8; Copied at the end of this lesson.

In CHRIST we are clothed in “righteousness and purity of truth”.









Let’s read Ephesians 4: 25-32

25 Since you put away lying, Speak the truth, each one to his neighbor,[13] Zch 8:16 because we are members of one another. 26 Be angry and do not sin.[14] Jms 1:19–20 [15] Ps 4:4 Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and don’t give the Devil an opportunity. 28 The thief must no longer steal. Instead, he must do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share with anyone in need. 29 No rotten talk should come from your mouth, but only what is good for the building up of someone in need,[16] Lit for the building up of the need in order to give grace to those who hear. 30 And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit, who sealed you[17] Or Spirit, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 All bitterness, anger and wrath, insult and slander must be removed from you, along with all wickedness. 32 And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you[18] Other mss read us in Christ.

Verse 24 in the previous scripture tells us we have put on GOD’S nature in righteousness and purity of truth. Then beginning with verse 25 Paul instructs all Christians about our responsibility for being a member of GOD’S household. We have a responsibility.

Verse 26 Paul says “be angry and do not sin”. There is good anger and bad anger. JESUS got angry when HE cleared the temple of money changers. GOD gets angry at our sin but loves the sinner.
It is okay when we get angry over the right issues such as the wrong people do; injustices, lying, stealing, killing, etc., just keep it in perspective.

Verses 27 and 28 give us a clue regarding anger. First take action about that which makes us angry. We also need to keep in mind that Satan can use our anger to work us into a state of bitterness and resentment. So when we get angry do something about it don’t let it fester within us. The same is true when we get angry at GOD.



We need to recognize if we have overreacted to a situation then go and settle that matter as soon as possible. When an issue is really bugging us we need to not let it fester within us and grow to an even larger problem. Get it out into the open so it can be dwelt with.

How often do we hear someone say, “I could not sleep at all last night for thinking about this situation. We need to discuss it or I need to get it off my chest.”

I think Verses 29 and 30 are straight forward.

In verses 30-32 we are to keep in mind that we represent CHRIST, we are sealed with THE HOLY SPIRIT and we have been forgiven for our wrong doings. So do not get self-righteous, be kind and compassionate to others. We need to remember where we came from.

Let’s read Ephesians 5:1-2

1 Therefore, be imitators of God,[1] 1 Co 4:16; 11:1; 1 Th 1:6; 2:14 as dearly loved children. 2 And • walk in love, as the • Messiah also loved us and gave Himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.

Notice the transition from Chapter 4 to Chapter 5; “Therefore” imitate you FATHER. Imitate or mimic your heavenly FATHER.

HE wants us to be a “chip off the old block” in attitude and action.

CHRIST said “I do nothing on MY own, only what I see MY FATHER doing.”

JESUS was obedient to THE FATHER. HIS one purpose was to do the will of THE FATHER. THE FATHER taught HIM.



John 5:30 – JESUS is speaking.

30 “I can do nothing on My own. I judge only as I hear, and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

John 8:28-29
28 So Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the • Son of Man, then you will know that I am [He]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. , and that I do nothing on My own. But just as the Father taught Me, I say these things. 29 The One who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him.”

JESUS mimicked THE FATHER. Oh FATHER open our eyes such that we can see YOU work and help us to have such character that we will mimic you completely.

As we live our daily lives our new nature is to love others as CHRIST loves us. CHRIST’S love for us is agape love, which is love that does not demand that others love us in return for our love toward them.

CHRIST’S love and self sacrifice sent a fragrant offering to GOD, THE FATHER.

Have you ever thought about your life as being a fragrance to GOD? Well it is.

2 Corinthians 2:15-16

15 For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 To some we are a scent of death leading to death, but to others, a scent of life leading to life. And who is competent for this?

I love the thought of being a sweet smelling aroma to GOD and to others. Of course the scripture tells us we stink to others. I don’t think I smell too good but in CHRIST, we as Christians are a wonderful fragrance to GOD. WOW you smell so good!!!!

Let’s read Ephesians 5:8-10

8 For you were once darkness, but now [you are]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. light in the Lord. walk as children of light— 9 for the fruit of the light[4] Other mss read fruit of the Spirit; see Gl 5:22, but compare Eph 5:11–14 [results]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. in all goodness, righteousness, and truth— 10 discerning what is pleasing to the Lord.

We are to live consistent with being a “chip of the old block”.

We are to reflect the character and qualities of our FATHER – goodness, righteousness and truth.

We are to “discern” which means “to test” or “examine” for the purpose of approving.

We live in an unholy world but we are Holy through our rebirth in CHRIST. We are GOD’S children. As we go along life’s pathway we give off a fragrance.



We represent the family name of GOD. Keep in mind son or daughter in CHRIST our name is precious because GOD has given us a new name and it is written down in glory by the blood of HIS ONLY SON, JESUS. You are precious to GOD and CHRIST!!

Our FATHER loves you so.

You know I have never noticed this before but you have your FATHER’S eyes.

This is the day THE LORD has made rejoice and be glad in it.

Again I say rejoice for you a member of GOD’S household!
Chapter 7
An Illustration from Marriage
1 Since I am speaking to those who understand law, brothers, are you unaware that the law has authority over someone as long as he lives? 2 For example, a married woman is legally bound to her husband while he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law regarding the husband. 3 So then, if she gives herself to another man while her husband is living, she will be called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law. Then, if she gives herself to another man, she is not an adulteress. 4 Therefore, my brothers, you also were put to death in relation to the law through the [crucified]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. body of the • Messiah, so that you may belong to another—to Him who was raised from the dead—that we may bear fruit for God. 5 For when we were in the flesh,[1] in the flesh = a person’s life before accepting Christ the sinful passions operated through the law in every part of us[2] Lit of our members and bore fruit for death. 6 But now we have been released from the law, since we have died to what held us, so that we may serve in the new way[3] Lit in newness of the Spirit and not in the old letter of the law.
Sin’s Use of the Law
7 What should we say then? Is the law sin? Absolutely not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin if it were not for the law. For example, I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, Do not covet.[4] Ex 20:17 8 And sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind. For apart from the law sin is dead. 9 Once I was alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life 10 and I died. The commandment that was meant for life resulted in death for me. 11 For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me, and through it killed me. 12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good.
The Problem of Sin in Us
13 Therefore, did what is good cause my death?[5] Lit good become death to me? Absolutely not! On the contrary, sin, in order to be recognized as sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that through the commandment sin might become sinful beyond measure. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am made out of flesh,[6] Other mss read I am carnal sold into sin’s power. 15 For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 So now I am no longer the one doing it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. 19 For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but it is the sin that lives in me. 21 So I discover this principle:[7] Or law when I want to do good, evil is with me. 22 For in my inner self[8] Lit inner man I joyfully agree with God’s law. 23 But I see a different law in the parts of my body,[9] Lit my members waging war against the law of my mind and taking me prisoner to the law of sin in the parts of my body.[10] Lit my members 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord![11] Or Thanks be to God—(it is done) through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I myself am a slave to the law of God, but with my flesh, to the law of sin.



Chapter 8
The Life-Giving Spirit
1 Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus,[1] Other mss add who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit 2 because the Spirit’s law of life in Christ Jesus has set you[2] Other mss read me free from the law of sin and of death. 3 What the law could not do since it was limited[3] Or weak by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending His own Son in flesh like ours under sin’s domain,[4] Lit in the likeness of sinful flesh and as a sin offering,[5] Lv 5:6–7,11; 14:31; Isaiah 53:10 4 in order that the law’s requirement would be accomplished in us who do not • walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those whose lives are[6] Or those who are according to the flesh think about the things of the flesh, but those whose lives are[7] Or those who are according to the Spirit, about the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind-set of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit itself to God’s law, for it is unable to do so. 8 Those whose lives are[8] Or Those who are in the flesh are unable to please God. 9 You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, since[9] Or provided that the Spirit of God lives in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10 Now if Christ is in you, the body is dead[10] Or the body will die because of sin, but the Spirit[11] Or spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then He who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through[12] Other mss read because of His Spirit who lives in you.
The Holy Spirit’s Ministries
12 So then, brothers, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, 13 for if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 All those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “• Abba, Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, 17 and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—seeing that[13] Or provided that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
From Groans to Glory
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God’s sons to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility—not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it—in the hope 21 that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage of corruption into the glorious freedom of God’s children. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now. 23 And not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the • firstfruits[14] Nm 15:17–21; 1 Co 16:15 —we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 Now in this hope we were saved, yet hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience. 26 In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us[15] Some mss omit for us with unspoken groanings. 27 And He who searches the hearts knows the Spirit’s mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 We know that all things work together[16] Other mss read that God works together in all things for the good[17] The ultimate good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those He foreknew[18] From eternity God knew His people and entered into a personal relationship with them He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified.
The Believer’s Triumph
31 What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He did not even spare His own Son, but offered Him up for us all; how will He not also with Him grant us everything? 33 Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the One who justifies. 34 Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the One who died, but even more, has been raised; He also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. 35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: Because of You we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered.[19] Ps 44:22; see Isaiah 53:7; Zch 11:4,7 37 No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!