August 30, 2026 || Walk In Love

August 30, 2026 || Walk In Love Ephesians 5:1-6 restorationmemphis.com Dear Restoration Family, Sunday, we continued our Life in Christ series by studying Ephesians 5:1–6 in a message entitled “Walk in Love.” Paul reminds us that Christian love is modeled after Christ, who willingly gave Himself for our good. Because we have received His sacrificial love, we are called to imitate it in the way we live and love others. Paul also warns us against counterfeit loves, desires that compete with God and lead us away from Christlike love. Sexual immorality, impurity, covetousness, and corrupt speech reveal desires that have been placed above God’s will. The love of Christ must reorder what we love and how we live. Finally, Paul warns that a settled pattern of unrepentant sin is incompatible with our new identity in Christ. Believers will still struggle with sin, but they will not make peace with it. Key Points from the Sermon: Sermon Recap Imitate Christ’s Sacrificial Love: Because we have been loved and forgiven by God in Christ, we are called to imitate His character. Paul specifically defines this imitation as walking in love, following the example of Christ, who willingly gave Himself for our good. Biblical love is not merely a feeling or affirmation; it is selfless, sacrificial, and seeks what is genuinely good for others. Separate from Counterfeit Loves: Paul identifies sexual immorality, impurity, covetousness, and corrupt speech as expressions of disordered love. These desires promise satisfaction but ultimately compete with God for our worship and devotion. Rather than allowing our desires to rule us, we are called to submit our desires to God and trust His wisdom. Thanksgiving becomes the posture of a heart that recognizes that God Himself is our treasure and that we can trust Him with what He gives and what He withholds. Meditate on this Stern Reminder: Paul warns that a settled pattern of unrepentant sin is incompatible with the new identity Christ gives His people. Christians still struggle with sin because sanctification is a lifelong process, but there is a difference between struggling against sin and making peace with sin. The warning of this passage is not intended to destroy the assurance of genuine believers, but to expose false assurance and call us to examine the direction of our lives. Main Point: Be so overwhelmed by Christ’s sacrificial love that it overflows into selfless love for others. Reflection Questions: What does Christ’s sacrificial love reveal about the difference between biblical love and the way our culture often defines love? When God’s Word confronts something you desire, how do you typically respond? What would it look like to trust God rather than your own desires? What does your speech reveal about what is happening in your heart? How does meditating on Christ’s sacrificial love help us fight against self-centered and self-gratifying desires? What would change in your relationships this week if you were genuinely overwhelmed by Christ’s love and sought what was best for others rather than what was best for yourself? Next Steps: If you missed it, listen to the entire sermon Join a Community Group: If you haven't already, consider joining one of our community groups to dive deeper into these discussions and grow together in faith. If you cannot make it to one, find a friend in the church and reflect on the sermon together. Prayer Focus: Thank Jesus for willingly giving Himself for us and demonstrating the depth of God's sacrificial love. Ask God to help us imitate Christ by loving others selflessly and sacrificially. Pray for wisdom to recognize the counterfeit loves and desires that compete with God for our hearts. Ask God to give us thankful hearts that trust Him with what He gives and what He chooses to withhold. Pray for genuine repentance and perseverance in areas where we are struggling with sin. Ask God to protect us from becoming comfortable with patterns of unrepentant sin. Pray that Restoration Fellowship would be known for a love that reflects Christ with a willingness to serve, forgive, speak truth, sacrifice, and seek what is genuinely good for others.