Forming Something Better

Answering the question: “Who/What Is Forming Your Life?”

Write a list on a white board of everything/everyone who is shaping our lives: Parents, School/College, Career, Friends, Spouse, My devil Cat - Rosie.

Everyone of us are being formed by someone and something.

For the early church in Galatia, their Christian formation began with the Paul and his message about Jesus. Then their lives were changed. The new believers quickly were influenced by the rival teachers from Jerusalem teaching them about a new doctrine. Follow Torah (the 613 commandments) and Jesus at the same time.

Paul understood the severity of what the rival teachers were doing, so he pleads with the church on the truth of the gospel.

Galatians 4:19 ESV

19 my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!

Paul’s relief will only come standstill when we (the church) form the Son of God within us.

Illustration: Formation and birth of Lewis (Growing belly to safe arrival)

We struggle individual to form Jesus in us because of this one thing - write on the board - Sin. This birth causes suffering and dysfunction.

James 1:14–15 ESV

14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Results in sin brings about slavery to the power of darkness e.i addictions, abuse, anger, etc. Which kills the health of the Christian. Making their formation more as death itself, than Jesus.

Yet, to form Christ in us have to attach ourselves to Jesus and prune off sin.

John 15:1–5 ESV

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

When you and I choose to form our lives in Christ, rather than sin. Then we become free and the Spirit is set free.

Galatians 5:22–26 ESV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

The result of the fruit of the Spirit brings freedom and health into your life. This is accomplished through gospel birth into your life - Jesus death and resurrection.

If we all live according to the Spirit, we will be unified in heart and in the truth of the gospel.

It also gives us the freedom to form Christ more deeply into our souls.

Dominate Thought: Christ in me makes the Spirit free.

Love...

Joy...

Peace...

Restate the beginning question with invitation.