Become Like Christ

Ephesians 4:17–24 NIV84

17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. 20 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

For two years, scientists sequestered themselves in an artificial environment called Biosphere 2. Inside their self-sustaining community, the Biospherians created a number of mini-environments, including a desert, rain forest, even an ocean. Nearly every weather condition could be simulated except one, wind. Over time, the effects of their windless environment became apparent. A number of acacia trees bent over and even snapped. Without the stress of wind to strengthen the wood, the trunks grew weak and could not hold up their own weight. Though our culture shuns hardship, we would do well to remember that God uses it "for our good, that we may share in his holiness."

(Jay Akkerman; in Fresh Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching.)

1. My purpose in life is to become like Christ

“For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son...” Romans 8:29 (NLT)

“God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything.” Ephesians 4:15 (Msg)

There is a big difference between growing old and growing up

Both reach puberty but puberty is not maturity

You can have children but it doesn’t make you a parent

Females can give birth to children but it doesn’t make them mothers

Males carry the seed to make children but depositing the seed doesn’t make you a father

We must grow up not just old

Authentic Believers are Maturing Disciples

At Arise, Maturing Disciples live out the four A’s

To become like Christ I need to be Assimilated through DISCIPLESHIP

Join a tribe to become assimilated

Baptism is a sign of Discipleship

Matt 3:13 “13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.”

Matt 28:19 “19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”

We are called to make disciples not Christians or church attenders

Christians grow old

Disciples grow up

Romans 8:28 “28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

2. I become like Christ as I learn to trust God

God uses problems to teach us to trust Him

Rom 5:3-4 “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady.” (The Living Bible, Paraphrased)

· Trust is Total Submission

Mk 14:32-34 “32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.””

To Grow up we must accept His will over ours

Mk 14:36 “36 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.””

· To grow in Trust keep a spiritual journal

Numbers 33:2 “At the Lord’s direction, Moses kept a written record of their progress. These are the stages of their march, identified by the different places where they stopped along the way.” (NLT)

· To Grow up we must stay the course and remember the reward

2 Cor 4:17 “17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

3. I become like Christ as I learn to obey God

GOD USES TEMPTATION TO TEACH US TO OBEY.

Matthew 4:1 “1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.”

We fight the enemy and principalities with the Word of God

Matthew 4:10 “10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

Keep focused on good thoughts

Philippians 4:8 “8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Get a triad started

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 “9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

4. I become like Christ as I learn to forgive

GOD USES Insults TO TEACH US TO FORGIVE.

Matthew 27:39-44 “39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” 44 In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.”

Luke 23:34 “34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”

The More Iron Is worked the More It Is Worth

F. B. Meyer explained it this way: “A bar of iron worth $2.50, when wrought into horseshoes is worth $5. If made into needles it is worth $175. If into knife blades it is worth $1,625. If made into springs for watches it is worth $125,000. What a ‘trial by fire’ that bar must undergo to be worth this! But the more it is manipulated, and the more it is hammered and passed through the heat, beaten, pounded, and polished, the greater its value.” (Our Daily Bread, February 23)

Remember God has forgiven me

Ephesians 4:32 “32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Remember God is in control

Genesis 50:20 “20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

Romans 8:17 “17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

Philippians 2:5 “5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:”