1. We are God’s dearly loved children (1-2)

a. As God’s children we imitate Him

b. We imitate God by walking in His love

c. We walk in love as a pleasing sacrifice to God

2. We walk in a love that reflects God’s holiness (3-6)

1. Put on the new self (17-24)

2. The new self is selfless (24-32)

1. We’re all living members of Christ’s body (1-6)

2. Christ provides, protects, and preserves us (7-10)

3. We work together to grow together (11-16)

1. Christ is with us to purify us

2. Christ is with us to bless and to curse

3. Christ is with us so do not fear death

1. A ministry of self-love 11-13

• Its motive: v12

• Its mark: v13

2. A ministry of self-giving 14-18

• Its motive: v14

• Its mark: v17

Embrace the cross:

your only pride in death, and your only pattern in life

1. Brothers carry each-other

through a shared struggle 5:26-6:5

2. Brothers invest together

in a shared salvation 6:6-10

1. Those who are beautifully free in Christ 13-15

can be slaves to one-another

2. Those who know beautiful friendship with Christ 16-25

will know war within themselves.

1. Two Ministries 4:12-20

One that serves Christ, one that serves self

2. Two Mothers 4:21-5:1

One who bears free sons, one who bears slaves

1. This world is a dangerous place for children 3:19-24

2. The nursery is a tragic place for a grown son 3:25-4:11

Enjoying all that it means to be a true son…

• To come of age, in the Only Son

• To belong, no matter what, in the Spirit

• To be known, by the Father

Life in the Awkward Age…

1. Nothing in this age 1:1-9

can pull you out of this age

2. Nothing in Jesus’ Gospel 1:10 – 2:10

can be improved by flesh and blood

• Anything slipped in to Paul’s gospel will enslave you to a dying age

• Any pressure to please flesh & blood can become pressure to desert Jesus