More Like Him: This is Jesus

Thesis

Being in communion with Jesus results in being clothed with Jesus.

Prayer

In Jesus name, amen.

Welcome

Main Passage

2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT

So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

Title

More like Him:

This is Jesus

Introduction

Story

Neo and Morpheus Scene:

Neo asks, “What is the Matrix,”

Morpheus says, “It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.”

“What truth? Neo responds.”

Morpheus, “that you are slave. Born into bondage.. a prison for your mind.”

Explanation

The veil is the Matrix; it’s the world, it’s sin, it’s enemy. The red pill is Christ, the truth, that removes it and opens our eyes to see:

To see sin and the world for what it really is but more importantly to see Christ; and as we behold Christ, we become more like Him.

Illustration

2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT

So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

Application

Communion with Jesus is the key to being clothed in Jesus.

Galatians 3:27 NLT

And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.

Context

Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 3:18 that we become like Christ by beholding Him.

And in Romans 12:9–21, Paul shows us what that Christ-like life actually looks like.

Paul is going to list the marks of what it looks to wear Jesus as a result of beholding Jesus.

Transitional Sentence

Three ideas Romans 12:9-21 encourages believers to see and do.

Bible

Romans 12:9–21 NASB 2020

Love must be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor, not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never repay evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all people. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Idea One: Fruit is not produced by force but by communion with Jesus

Explanation

It’s easy to read this passage outside of context and believe that this passage is about behaviour modification.

It’s not behavior modification, it’s a life transformed from the inside out because of communion with Jesus.

Illustration

John 15:1–5 NLT

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

Application

Most of our spiritual struggles and lack of growth is not from trying too little but our focus being in the wrong places.

The object of focus should not be on our behaviour but on Jesus.

Fruit is not produced by force but by being rooted and have communion with Jesus.

He’s the one who produces the fruit.

Idea Two: It gives us discernment to see who is truly of Jesus.

Explanation

Jesus says, you will know them by their fruits (Matthew 7:16-20).

Illustration

The Lomechusa pubicollis (la-ma-co-sha / pob-a-colis) beetle, for example, is able to penetrate ant colonies by pretending to be one of them, something it accomplishes by emitting a chemical substance that makes it smell like an ant. Once in-side, the beetle feeds on ant eggs and larvae.

Application

In this hour, we need discernment to know what’s Jesus and what isn’t.

Hebrews 5:14 NASB 2020

But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to distinguish between good and evil.

Idea Three: This is Jesus

Explanation

Romans 12:9-21 are not just marks of living out the faith, they are marks of who Jesus is and what he did.

When you read this passage insert Jesus.

Illustration

Jesus love is free of hypocrisy. (Matthew 16:16-17; Matthew 16:23)

Jesus detests what is evil and clings to what is good. (Mark 11:15-18)

Jesus is devoted to prayer (Luke 5:16; Luke 6:12)

Jesus rejoices with those who rejoices, and weeps with those who weep. (John 11:1-37)

Jesus never takes his own revenge, but leaves room for the wrath of God, for it written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. “But if your enemy is hungry, feed Him; if he thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on His head.” (John 19:31-37; Mark 15:38) — centurion looked & took from his blood and body during his death.

Jesus does not overcome by evil, but overcomes evil with good. (John 20:1-10)

Application

Just as the centurion saw the blood and body when he pierced the side of Jesus, we are to do the same and declare, “Surely, this is the Son of God.”

It’s in beholding Him that we look more like Him.

So what

2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT

So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

Now what

Communion and be clothed in Jesus

Behold Jesus and become like Jesus

See Him and reflect Him.

Prayer

In Jesus name, amen!