Forming Christ In You

Introduction

Gal 4:19 “My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you—”

Chapter 3, we are introduced to the concept of “sonship”. Gal 3:7 “Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.”

When we think of this concept we mus remember

1. Sonship is not only about IDENTIFICATION but TRANSFORMATION

2. Sonship is not only about BLESSING but BECOMING

Where we see this in our text, is in the word “formed”

This term comes from the Greek word morphoo which is only used in this passage.

The word means to fashion, to be formed in the same nature of

Paul uses maternity language to highlight the possibility of Christ “being formed in you”

Paul desires that their adherence to the gospel causes a maturity into Christ

Christ, becomes your “fashion statement”

Christ in you is the thing that draws people’s attention, NOTHING ELSE

Christ grows inside you

Many different things can grow inside you

These things then begin to shape you from the inside

How does this happen?

#1 Don’t Turn Back

Gal 4:8-9 “However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather [a marker of increase] to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?”

How many new year’s resolution have we gone back on already?

How many things have we really tried to change/be better at that we’re not doing so well

“to be known by God” YOUNG FOLKS - It’s ok to serve Jesus as a young person.

Here’s what can help

Compare the two and admit which is better

Paul says one is worth/less.

Here’s what the devil does, He convinces you that what you have has no value, and what you left was better.

He like when you focus on the wrong thing. e.g. Eve focused on the one tree she had no access to as opposed to the multitude of trees she did have access to.

#2 Do Welcome the Truth

Gal 4:13-16 “but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time; and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself. Where then is that sense of blessing you had? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?”

Jesus says in Jn 8:32 “and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.””

Truth doesn’t always tastes/sounds good. . .doesn’t mean it is not good

The enemy wants to distort the truth. It’s extremely important that we constantly elevate truth to not fall victims of the devil Jn 8:44 ““You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

Why does TRUTH hurt so much?

It confornts what we have been denying

It exposes you (makes you feel vulnerable)

It shatters preconceived notions that I’ve been holding on to

Sometimes it’s not the truth but the way the truth is presented

Why is TRUTH needed?

It helps. [Grow, Stability, Security, Saves]

APPL. Sometimes things happen

This doesn’t mean God gave up on you…there was still a word for them

#3 Do Participate in the work

Gal 4:11-13 “I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain. I beg of you, brethren, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong; but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time;”

Preaching the gospel is a work [this is how we need to view it, both minister and member]

Gal 4:14 “and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.”

“receive” - to welcome, to accept, to be hospitable to a guest [not just Paul, but the preaching]

As we begin praying about the future of this church, 2024 and beyond, this becomes crucial. It will take all of us, PARTICIPATING IN THE WORK.

It will take all of us “FORMING CHRIST IN US”

Are we willing to go through the pains?

Gal 4:19 “My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you—”

Paul was saying I am, at some point they were too. He wants them to get back to that place.

Maybe that’s your word this morning

Has Christ been forming in you? Something else? Nothing?

Obey God’s call to have Jesus Christ be formed in you.