Imitating the Goodness of God

Doak Taylor • Lead Pastor and Elder
September 1, 2026

4 Minute Read
As I am writing for this week, there are always "cuts" from the sermon that don't make the final draft for Sunday. The Lord led me to another thought in one of the points for Sunday, but I wanted to share what is not going to make it, for the thoughts are key to ponder upon.
We will consider Paul's words in Ephesians 5:1, that we are to imitate the goodness of the Father. Consider these things as to who the Father is and what we are to imitate from Him...
How does the Christian imitate the Father in Ephesians 5:1? “As beloved children”— How does being God's child change how I live?
1. We imitate God's holiness - God's children should look like their holy Father.
1 Peter 1:14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
Being God's child means my conduct should increasingly reflect His holiness.
2. We show kindness because God is Kind
Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
This one fits with Ephesians 5:1 - “Be imitators of God, as beloved children.” Jesus tells us to live like sons because this is what our Father is like.
3. We pursue peace because we are God's children
Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Again, Jesus connects sonship with family resemblance. God's children are peacemakers because they resemble the God who reconciles.
4. We don't retaliate—We bless
1 Peter 3:9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
The Christian is no longer governed by the old patterns of retaliation, hostility, and revenge.
5. We practice righteousness because we have been born of God
1 John 2:29 If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.
1 John 3:7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.
The point is not that righteous behavior makes us God's children, but righteous behavior reveals the family resemblance of those who have been born of God.
6. We refuse to live in habitual sin because we are God's children
1 John 3:9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.
And the conclusion:
1 John 3:10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
This brings together two major family characteristics - righteousness + love.
7. We Reject Loving the World because Our Great Desire is our loving Father in Heaven
1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
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From this Collection: Doak's Desk
September 8, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Life and Godliness
Peter 1:3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, “All things that pertain to life” → everything necessary for living the Christian life “All things that pertain to godliness” → everything necessary for living the Christian life in a way that pleases God in godliness 1. ALL THINGS THAT PERTAIN TO LIFE What has God given me that I need to live the life He has called me to live? God has given me everything I need to live. Life Salvation Identity Purpose Provision Strength Wisdom Guidance Hope Peace Joy Comfort Grace Promises His Word His Spirit His people His presence His power His protection 2. ALL THINGS THAT PERTAIN TO GODLINESS What has God given me that enables me to actually live like God wants me to live? God has given me everything I need to live rightly. Faith Obedience Holiness Love Humility Purity Patience Kindness Self-control Forgiveness Compassion Contentment Thankfulness Generosity Faithfulness Wisdom Perseverance Service Worship Witness The Christian does not live the Christian life by continually trying to obtain from God what He has failed to give us, for He has given us everything. We live the Christian life by learning to use, trust, and depend upon what God has already given us in Christ.

Doak Taylor

Lead Pastor and Elder

Currently Reading
September 1, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
Imitating the Goodness of God
As I am writing for this week, there are always "cuts" from the sermon that don't make the final draft for Sunday. The Lord led me to another thought in one of the points for Sunday, but I wanted to share what is not going to make it, for the thoughts are key to ponder upon. We will consider Paul's words in Ephesians 5:1, that we are to imitate the goodness of the Father. Consider these things as to who the Father is and what we are to imitate from Him... How does the Christian imitate the Father in Ephesians 5:1? “As beloved children”— How does being God's child change how I live? 1. We imitate God's holiness - God's children should look like their holy Father. 1 Peter 1:14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” Being God's child means my conduct should increasingly reflect His holiness. 2. We show kindness because God is Kind Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. This one fits with Ephesians 5:1 - “Be imitators of God, as beloved children.” Jesus tells us to live like sons because this is what our Father is like. 3. We pursue peace because we are God's children Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Again, Jesus connects sonship with family resemblance. God's children are peacemakers because they resemble the God who reconciles. 4. We don't retaliate—We bless 1 Peter 3:9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. The Christian is no longer governed by the old patterns of retaliation, hostility, and revenge. 5. We practice righteousness because we have been born of God 1 John 2:29 If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him. 1 John 3:7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. The point is not that righteous behavior makes us God's children, but righteous behavior reveals the family resemblance of those who have been born of God. 6. We refuse to live in habitual sin because we are God's children 1 John 3:9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. And the conclusion: 1 John 3:10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. This brings together two major family characteristics - righteousness + love. 7. We Reject Loving the World because Our Great Desire is our loving Father in Heaven 1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Doak Taylor

Lead Pastor and Elder

August 17, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
The Holy Spirit - Our Helper
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Doak Taylor

Lead Pastor and Elder

August 10, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Build Up or Burn Down: What Our Words Really Do
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Doak Taylor

Lead Pastor and Elder

August 3, 2026 • 5 Minute Read
A Theology of Work
Genesis 2:15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. The Hebrew verbs are significant: Work - ʿābad – to work, serve, cultivate Keep - šāmar – to keep, guard, protect, watch over Together these words describe both productive labor & faithful stewardship. From Genesis 2 we develop several foundational principles on this subject. 1. Work Is God's Idea – Genesis 2:2-3 Before Adam ever worked we see that God Himself worked. Genesis 2:2-3 communicates that God completed His work & rested. Adam is then created in God's image and immediately given work. The pattern is... (1) God is at work (2) God creates man in His image (3) Therefore man works as instructed & purposed by God. Human work reflects the character of the Creator. For us, work is part of bearing God's image. We imitate the Creator when we engage in honest, productive labor entrusted to us. Christians should never apologize for diligent work for we are called to the practice. Not matter the vocation one has, it reflects something about God's own creative activity & calling. 2. Work Is Part of Humanity’s Purpose Genesis 2 never presents work as punishment for we see that Adam is placed in Eden to work by God's loving design. Notice the order...(1) Creation (2) Adam lives in Relationship with God (3) Adam is Given the Purpose of Work (4) Adam enters in Marriage to Eve at God's loving design Work is woven into the very purpose of humanity and without meaningful work, something is missing from human flourishing. We see this affirmed in Ephesians 2:10, Colossians 3:23, & in 2 Thessalonians 3. God created us to contribute, not just to be merely consumers. This purpose from God in His creation design shows that we are special contributors to develop the creation. 3. Work Is Stewardship Adam does not own the garden - God does, for He is its designer & creator. As God places Adam is in its midst, Adam becomes a steward – Eden’s caretaker & developer. Genesis repeatedly emphasizes... God planted the garden. God made everything to grow. God owns everything. Adam manages what belongs to God This is the pattern in Scripture - God is the Creator & Master of His creation...Psalm 24:1 The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, 2 for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. Jesus later develops this truth in His parables of the talents. Christians never truly own anything for we manage God's resources. This includes...• time • money • abilities • influence • careers• possessions 4. Work Has Both Productive & Protective Responsibilities The two commands in Genesis 2 are instructive for us... Work it - ābad Adam is to cultivate & develop what God made. Every aspect of God’s creation has tremendous potential & it is our labor that helps unfold that potential. Examples include...• farming • engineering • medicine • teaching • business • parenting Good work by humanity develops God's world to be a place of flourishing. · "Keep it" - šāmar Not only is Adam to work what God made, but he must guard what has been entrusted to him, which includes preserving God's order. Sadly, Adam later fails to guard the garden when the serpent enters & he stands by as Eve speaks with him. Instead of protecting his wife, he passively allows deception to come upon Eve & does not stand up against the lies of the enemy. His failure to "keep" the garden in that instance leads to the Fall. Christian work is not only about creating, but It is about protecting what is good by our standing as faithful watchman of all that is true. 5. Work Is to be Seen & Done as Worship The Hebrew word ābad often means both...to work...to serve, but it can also mean "worship". The Old Testament uses the same word for serving God at times in worship. This idea is purposeful, not accidental. The Bible does not separate work from worship. As believers work faithfully for God, our work becomes an act & expression of faithful worshipful service to Him. We see the depth of this in... Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Christ-followers work hard because Christ is our Master, so we work heartily & honestly because we know Christ is near & sees not only our heart in work, but our effort in it. We don’t take shortcuts, or a path of deception or dishonesty, as our work belongs to Christ. We work from the soul in loving Him. Christ will transform our ordinary work into worship where Monday morning work is an extension of Sunday worship. 6. Work Is Done Under God's Authority God determines... (1) Where Adam works (2) What Adam does (3) How Adam works Adam doesn't invent his own purpose, He receives it from the Lord. Likewise, Christians seek God's purposes rather than personal ambition. Our careers are not ultimately self-directed by us, but they are callings & rest in the leadership of God. 7. Work Is Good Before the Fall This is an important theological observation, as we see the process that Genesis 2 comes before Genesis 3. Therefore, work is good, holy, dignified, purposely, at times exhausting & glorifies God. The Fall does not create work for Adam, but it does do this, it makes word harder by bringing in sweat, frustration, thorns & exhaustion. Even though the curse affected work, it was not to move us to just see work as something connected to the curse, for we are to still see work as good. Genesis 3:17-19 teaches that the curse affects work, not its goodness.

Doak Taylor

Lead Pastor and Elder