Table of Contents
Date: SUN 11:30am 4th January 2026
Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlin
Bible Reference: Ephesians 5:1-2
Podcast
Sermon Summary
Delivered on the first Sunday of 2026, this sermon launches the church’s annual theme, “Walking with God,” with Ephesians 5:1-2 as the motto text:
“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 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.” (KJV)
1. The Biblical Concept of Walking with God
- The Christian life is repeatedly portrayed in Scripture as a “walk” – implying direction, steady progress, one step at a time, and intimate relationship.
- There are 390 references to “walk” or “walking” in the Bible, from God walking with Adam and Eve in Eden (Gen. 3:8) to the saints walking in the light of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:24).
- The Apostle Paul uses the metaphor seven times in Ephesians alone (the number seven signifying perfection), with the fifth reference (the number of grace) being the motto text.
2. Context and Connection
- The command in Ephesians 5:1-2 is introduced by “therefore,” linking it directly to the practical exhortations of Ephesians 4:25-32: putting off the old man, putting on the new man, speaking truth, controlling anger, honest labour, edifying speech, removing bitterness and malice, and showing kindness and forgiveness.
- The motive for all these duties is God’s forgiveness of us in Christ (Eph. 4:32), which flows seamlessly into the call to imitate God and walk in love.
3. Main Exposition: Three Key Elements of the Motto Text
A. The People Addressed: “As dear children”
- We are commanded to be “followers” (Greek: mimētai – imitators or mimics) of God, but only because we are already His “dear children.”
- Sonship is not earned by imitation or good works; rather, imitation flows from being born again and adopted into God’s family.
- Regeneration (the new birth) is the sovereign work of the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-8; John 1:12-13).
- Adoption is God’s eternal, gracious choice of sinners in Christ before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4-5).
- Evidence of being a true child of God includes saving faith in Christ and a transformed life marked by new loves (for Christ, His Word, His day, His people, prayer, and service).
- “Dear children” highlights the tender, intimate, boundless love of the heavenly Father (1 John 3:1).
B. The Principle Announced: “Be ye therefore followers [imitators] of God”
- To imitate God is a staggering yet glorious calling.
- God’s attributes are divided into incommunicable (eternality, omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence – belonging to God alone) and communicable (holiness, righteousness, love, mercy, faithfulness, forgiveness – which we are to reflect).
- We are to manifest God’s moral character in our lives, not merely to be “good” or “nice” people, but to imitate our Father because we are His children.
- To grow in imitation requires knowing God through His Word and prayer. The preacher urges regular Bible reading (even via audio if needed) and fervent prayer, citing Psalm 25:4-5 and Philippians 3:8.
C. The Pattern Appropriated: “Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us”
- The supreme example and pattern for our walk is Christ’s sacrificial love.
- Biblical love is defined as “a self-sacrificing, caring commitment that shows itself in seeking the highest good of the one loved.”
- Characteristics of this love:
- Costly: laying down rights, comfort, and life itself (as Christ did).
- Caring: compassionate and tender-hearted.
- Committed: enduring, forgiving, serving without reward.
- Conspicuous: seen in practical deeds of kindness and generosity (1 John 3:17).
- Consecrating: pursuing the eternal welfare of others.
- This walk is lifelong, step-by-step progress, centred on Christ’s atoning sacrifice, which was a “sweetsmelling savour” to God.
- Our love, when patterned after Christ’s, becomes a spiritual fragrance pleasing to the Father wherever we go – home, workplace, school, or society.
4. Conclusion and Application
- The entire Christian life is summed up as imitating God as His beloved children while walking in sacrificial, Christlike love.
- The preacher issues a twofold challenge:
- To the unbeliever: Examine yourself – are you born again? Repent and trust Christ alone for salvation.
- To the believer: Press on to know God, imitate Him, and walk in love, leaving a spiritual fragrance that glorifies God.
- Prayer that the Lord would apply this motto text to every heart throughout 2026.
