Be Imitators of Christ

Ephesians 5:1-2
Introduction:
Good Morning. I will begin by thanking the elders here for giving me this
opportunity to preach the Gospel unto you today. I originally wanted to preach a lesson
dealing with the Thief on the Cross and the lessons we each can take from him and from
Jesus during their final moments. But I have been constantly thinking about the
unfortunate events that have taken place in Florida and have really been affected by them.
So I decided I wanted to help remind each of you, as well as myself of a few things and
help prepare us for the future questions and accusations that may come our way in the
near future.
On the evening of June 12th, 2016 singer Christina Grimmie held a concert in
Florida and while signing autographs, she was fatally shot in the head. Later that evening,
a man walked into the Pulse night club in Orlando and killed 49 people, physically
wounding several others and emotionally wounding all of us. I want to apologize because
I am not going to name those victims of that shooting due to the numerous people who
were killed and in doing so it is my hope that I do NOT take anything away from them or
their families. Three days later, as a family of 5 were on vacation in Orlando at the
Disney Resort, a 2yr old boy was taken by an alligator and drowned while swimming in
just a foot of water within the designated area. EACH OF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE
KILLED OR INJURED MATTER!!! It is very important to understand that. By NO
MEANS at any point in my lesson am I suggesting that one person mattered more or was
less important than the others. Now for today I want to focus on the mass shooting at the

Pulse nightclub due to the reactions and accusations Christians often receive in regards to
Homosexuality.
My Fiancee works at Kent-Stark and was asked as to whether or not she was
going to participate in the walk that Kent was holding as a memorial for those who were
killed at Pulse. This event was ran by the leaders within the LGBT and Q community in
the area. So Brandi said that she was not going to because although she felt compassion
and sorrow and pain for those who were killed or wounded, she did not want to show
support for the lifestyles of those who choose to live in sin. And by attending this
particular event she felt as though she would be sending a message to the LGBT
community that they are not doing any wrong, and I too felt that way. Does this mean that
she or myself or anyone else who holds the same belief does not feel sorrow and
compassion for the families of those who died, or sorrow for the souls that were lost?
Does this mean that we are putting ourselves ABOVE those who live a homosexual
lifestyle? Are we being judgmental in choosing not to go?? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Just
because I do not support the lifestyle and sin a person is CHOOSING to live in does not
BY ANY MEANS suggest I do not care for them or for their souls. We need to
understand that all sin, no matter what it is, is sin. All sin, whether it is lying, cheating,
gossiping, murder, stealing, swearing, etc WILL KEEP US OUT OF HEAVEN. We are to
strive to be like Christ and live as God wants us to and as Christ showed us how to. We
are to hate SIN but we are to LOVE THE PERSON.

2. Sin is Sin and weve all done it.

When we die and face ourjudgment God is not going to separate us according to
the severity of our sins and definitely not according to our standards, like murder is more
severe then lying in our society. We will be separated instead according to those who
obeyed the Gospel and those who did not. Those who repented of their sins and those
who did not, those who were baptized and those who were not. Just because someone
practices homosexuality does not mean they are any more of a sinner than you are.
A. 1ST John 5:17 (ALL unrighteousness is SIN)
B. Romans 3.23 (ALL HAVE SINNED and fallen short of the Glory of
Heaven
C. Ecc 7:20 (There is NO JUST man on earthwho NEVER SINS)
D. 1ST John 1:8 (If we say we do NOT SIN.TRUTH is not in us)
2. BE LIKE GOD, LOVE LIKE GOD
God is merciful and gracious and loving and forgiving like we will never know
here on Earth.
E.
F.
G.
H.

Romans 5:8 (While we were sinnersChrist died)

1st Tim 2:1-4 (God desires ALL to be saved)
John 3:16 )god gave His only son)
Matt 9:36 (Jesus felt compassion)

We need to show this type of love towards those who are of the world and understand that
we were once in their position but because of the grace and mercy of God we were able
to find the Way and learn His commandments.
I. Eph 5:1-2 (Be imitators of Christ)
J. 1ST John 4: 7-12, 19-21 (GOD is Love, LOVE like God, Can not love
God if we do not Love one another and those in the world.)
K. Matt 5:43-48 (Love your enemies)
3. Conclusion

If you will at this time take out your song books and turn to the Invitation Song.
After doing so turn your attention back to me for just a few more moments. A few weeks
ago, my little sister Jenna (who is 4yrs old) and I went out on a sibling date to go see the
movie Zootopia. Usually when Jenna and I go out, on our drive she typically tells me
about how she went to pretend school and learned new magical powers from Elsa and
Ana from the movie Frozen. Or we sing Let it Go over and over again until we reach
our destination. This time was different.