Transformative Journey: Becoming Like Jesus in God's Kingdom
Summary
In this series, "Formed," we explore the transformative journey of becoming more like Jesus, preparing ourselves for the kingdom of God. This kingdom is a place of ultimate renewal, where pain, suffering, and death are no more, and we live in complete dependence on God. Jesus came to announce this kingdom and invite us to be its citizens, modeling a life that is counterintuitive to the world's ways. To thrive in this kingdom, we must undergo a process of spiritual formation, a miracle of transformation that God performs in us as we repent and turn towards His values.
This transformation is a partnership between God and us, much like the miracles throughout the Bible where God chose to work through people. The story of the man at the pool in John 5 illustrates this partnership, where Jesus invites the man to participate in his own healing by acting in faith. This partnership points us to Jesus, the ultimate collaboration of God and man, and serves as a model for our own transformation.
Our role in this partnership involves being with Jesus, becoming like Him, and doing what He did. Being with Jesus means abiding in Him, maintaining a constant, conscious communion with God. This requires intentionality amidst the distractions of our busy lives. Becoming like Jesus naturally follows from being with Him, as we begin to adopt His mannerisms and values. Finally, doing what Jesus did involves actively participating in His work of love, service, and proclamation of God's kingdom.
To facilitate this transformation, we are encouraged to adopt practices that align with Jesus' life, starting with a daily rhythm of prayer. This practice helps us remain connected to God and participate in the miracle of our own transformation. As we embark on this journey, we are reminded to start where we are, not where we think we should be, and to take one step further in our spiritual growth.
Key Takeaways:
1. Transformation into Christlikeness: The journey of spiritual formation is a miracle that God performs in us as we repent and turn towards His values. This transformation is necessary to thrive in God's kingdom, which is counterintuitive to the world's ways. By participating in this process, we become new creations in Christ, much like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. [03:46]
2. Partnership with God: God chooses to perform miracles in partnership with humanity, as seen in the story of the man at the pool in John 5. This partnership points us to Jesus, the ultimate collaboration of God and man, and serves as a model for our own transformation. Our role is to act in faith and participate in the miracle of our own transformation. [07:12]
3. Being with Jesus: Abiding in Jesus means maintaining a constant, conscious communion with God. This requires intentionality amidst the distractions of our busy lives. By being with Jesus, we naturally begin to adopt His mannerisms and values, leading to transformation into His likeness. [21:07]
4. Becoming like Jesus: The heart of an apprentice is to be transformed until we feel, talk, live, and love like Jesus. This process, known as spiritual formation, is God-led and Spirit-empowered, but we have a part to play in it. As we become more like Jesus, we experience the fruits of the Spirit and are equipped to do what He did. [25:27]
5. Practicing the Way: To facilitate our transformation, we are encouraged to adopt practices that align with Jesus' life, starting with a daily rhythm of prayer. This practice helps us remain connected to God and participate in the miracle of our own transformation. We are reminded to start where we are and take one step further in our spiritual growth. [32:52]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:16] - The Promise of God's Kingdom
[02:39] - The Process of Spiritual Formation
[03:46] - Miracle of Transformation
[04:53] - Partnership in Miracles
[05:43] - The Man at the Pool
[06:36] - Do You Want to Be Healed?
[07:12] - Faith and Participation
[08:24] - The Greatest Collaboration
[09:56] - Practicing the Way
[10:38] - New Christians and Transformation
[11:13] - Who Are You Following?
[13:10] - Following Jesus in Modern Life
[14:58] - The Call to Discipleship
[19:53] - Being with Jesus
[21:07] - Abiding in Christ
[22:16] - Becoming Like Jesus
[25:27] - Spiritual Formation
[26:40] - Doing as Jesus Did
[29:03] - Salvation and Transformation
[32:14] - Choosing Practices
[32:52] - Daily Rhythm of Prayer
[35:22] - Finding Quiet Time
[37:12] - How to Pray
[38:07] - Enhancing Prayer Life
[39:40] - Evening Prayer Reflection
[40:48] - First Step in a Lifelong Journey
[42:08] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Formed" Series
Bible Reading:
1. John 5:1-9 - The story of the man at the pool.
2. Philippians 1:6 - "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
3. Luke 6:40 - "The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher."
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Observation Questions:
1. In the story of the man at the pool in John 5, what was the man's initial response to Jesus' question about wanting to be healed? How did Jesus involve him in his own healing process? [06:36]
2. According to Philippians 1:6, who is responsible for completing the good work begun in us, and what does this imply about our spiritual journey? [03:46]
3. How does the sermon describe the concept of "being dusty" in relation to being with Jesus? What does this metaphor suggest about the relationship between a disciple and their teacher? [19:53]
4. What are the three goals mentioned in the sermon for organizing one's life around following Jesus? How do these goals relate to the process of spiritual formation? [14:58]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the partnership between God and humanity in the story of the man at the pool reflect the broader theme of collaboration in spiritual transformation? [07:12]
2. What does the metaphor of a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, as mentioned in the sermon, reveal about the nature of spiritual transformation? How does this relate to the concept of metamorphosis in Philippians 1:6? [03:46]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that being with Jesus leads to becoming like Him? How does this process of transformation manifest in a believer's life? [22:16]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of intentionality in maintaining a constant communion with God amidst the distractions of modern life? What practical steps are suggested to achieve this? [21:07]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the story of the man at the pool. Are there areas in your life where you feel stuck or in need of healing? How can you actively participate in your own transformation by acting in faith? [07:12]
2. The sermon emphasizes starting where you are in your spiritual journey. What is one small, practical step you can take this week to deepen your relationship with Jesus? [33:48]
3. Consider the distractions in your life that may hinder your ability to abide in Jesus. What specific changes can you make to create a more intentional space for communion with God? [21:07]
4. The sermon mentions adopting a daily rhythm of prayer. What time of day works best for you to establish this practice, and how can you ensure consistency in your prayer life? [32:52]
5. Think about the people you spend the most time with. How have their mannerisms or values influenced you? How can you intentionally spend more time with Jesus to become more like Him? [22:16]
6. The sermon discusses the importance of being an apprentice to Jesus. What does being an apprentice mean to you, and how can you apply this concept to your daily life? [25:27]
7. Reflect on the idea of practicing the way of Jesus. What is one practice of Jesus that you can incorporate into your life this week, and how do you anticipate it will impact your spiritual growth? [29:03]
Devotional
Day 1: Transformation as a Divine Miracle
The journey of spiritual formation is a profound miracle that God performs within us as we turn away from worldly values and align ourselves with His. This transformation is essential for thriving in God's kingdom, which operates counterintuitively to the ways of the world. As we engage in this process, we become new creations in Christ, much like a caterpillar metamorphosing into a butterfly. This transformation is not merely a change in behavior but a deep, inner renewal that reflects the heart and character of Jesus. It is a journey that requires our active participation and willingness to be molded by God's hands. [03:46]
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to undergo transformation? How can you actively participate in this process today?
Day 2: The Divine-Human Partnership
God chooses to perform miracles in partnership with humanity, as illustrated in the story of the man at the pool in John 5. This partnership is a model for our own transformation, where our role is to act in faith and participate in the miracle of our own renewal. Jesus, the ultimate collaboration of God and man, exemplifies this partnership. Our transformation is not a passive experience but an active engagement with God's work in our lives. By stepping out in faith, we open ourselves to the miraculous changes God desires to bring about in us. [07:12]
"And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.' Immediately they left their nets and followed him." (Matthew 4:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you act in faith today to partner with God in your spiritual growth? What step can you take to align more closely with His will?
Day 3: Abiding in Christ
Being with Jesus means maintaining a constant, conscious communion with God, which requires intentionality amidst the distractions of our busy lives. By abiding in Christ, we naturally begin to adopt His mannerisms and values, leading to transformation into His likeness. This abiding is not a passive state but an active pursuit of God's presence in every moment. It involves setting aside time to be with Him, listening to His voice, and allowing His Spirit to guide our thoughts and actions. As we remain in Him, we find our lives increasingly reflecting His love and grace. [21:07]
"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." (John 15:4, ESV)
Reflection: What distractions in your life are preventing you from abiding in Christ? How can you create space in your daily routine to cultivate a deeper communion with Him?
Day 4: Becoming Like Jesus
The heart of an apprentice is to be transformed until we feel, talk, live, and love like Jesus. This process, known as spiritual formation, is God-led and Spirit-empowered, but we have a part to play in it. As we become more like Jesus, we experience the fruits of the Spirit and are equipped to do what He did. This transformation is not instantaneous but a gradual process of growth and maturity. It involves surrendering our own desires and ambitions to embrace the character and mission of Christ. As we journey on this path, we find ourselves increasingly aligned with His heart and purpose. [25:27]
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)
Reflection: What specific aspect of Jesus' character do you feel called to emulate more closely? How can you intentionally cultivate this trait in your daily interactions?
Day 5: Practicing the Way
To facilitate our transformation, we are encouraged to adopt practices that align with Jesus' life, starting with a daily rhythm of prayer. This practice helps us remain connected to God and participate in the miracle of our own transformation. We are reminded to start where we are and take one step further in our spiritual growth. These practices are not about earning God's favor but about positioning ourselves to receive His grace and guidance. As we engage in these disciplines, we find our hearts and minds being shaped by His truth and love, enabling us to live out His kingdom values in our everyday lives. [32:52]
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV)
Reflection: What is one spiritual practice you can incorporate into your daily routine to draw closer to God? How can this practice help you align more closely with Jesus' way of life?
Quotes
1) "And Jesus came to announce that kingdom, and he came to invite us to be its citizens, and he came to teach us, and he came to model for us what it is to live in the kingdom of God. And that model is necessary, and that teaching is necessary because his kingdom is so beautiful, but it is so different than the world that we're used to. And for most, not all of us, if we're going to live in that new kingdom, in that perfect place, if we're going to thrive there, if we're going to flourish in God's kingdom, it's so weird. It's so upside down, it's so counterintuitive and opposite of what we're using. That if we're going to thrive there, we need to change and we need to become more like Jesus. And that is a bit of a process. And that process is sometimes called spiritual formation." [01:16] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "It really is like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. And Paul calls this miracle metamorphosis, God's good work in us. So this is Philippians one six. Paul writes, I'm certain that God, who began the good work in you, will continue his work until it's finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. It's a miracle. It's a miracle transformation. It's a miracle metamorphosis. And I think one of the best things about this miracle, one of the best things about this metamorphosis is that God does it in partnership with us. He literally lets us participate in our own miracle." [03:46] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "And your part in this thing is you have to have faith. But don't tell me you have faith, right? You need to have so much faith that you act on that faith. You need to have so much faith in my ability to heal and transform you, that you actually do something in that faith. So roll up your bed, stand up and start walking. And as the guy does those things, Jesus does this amazing miracle of healing him. And I think it's so cool that Jesus did the miracle, but I just think it is super cool that he let that guy participate in his own miracle, that he let him feel like a partner in this miracle." [07:12] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "So whether you're walking on a dirt road 2000 years ago behind Jesus, or if you're following him in a small town in Texas in 2024 to really follow Jesus, to apprentice under Jesus, that is a beautiful word, is a process that you participate in. It's a miracle that God does, but you participate, and it starts with you organizing your life around these three goals of being with Jesus and becoming like Jesus and doing what Jesus did." [14:58] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "The heart of an apprentice, right? The heart of an apprentice is to be transformed until we absolutely feel and talk and live and love and eat and move and breathe like Jesus. When I was in the restaurant business, this mentor that I had, you know, I wanted to become successful like him, right? And I'm just a kid, and he's older than me, and he's so successful, and he's so smart and everything." [23:48] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "The goal is for him to be able to plumb. And the goal of a Jesus apprentice isn't to know more about Jesus. It's to do what he does. It's to join him and continue his work of touching people and teaching people and healing people and loving people and serving people and freeing people and helping people grow and announcing God's kingdom and being part of bringing it here, is that impossible for us on our own? Yes, it is." [26:40] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "If you look at your phone a thousand times a day, if you look at your phone a thousand times a day, that practice has formed you into someone who is, I don't know, more informed, are more in touch, and probably a lot more stressed and anxious and angry. Those practices become habits. Those habits become rules. And those rules form us. Here's the thing. What if we chose the practices that are going to become our habits and our rules and form us? And what if we chose the practices of Jesus? And what if his practices were what were forming us?" [32:14] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "So here's what we're gonna do. It's not that weird. It's kind of weird. It's weird. We're going to practice some of these practices that Jesus did, and we're just going to try them on, and we're going to see what fits. And so this week, we're going to try one of the most important practices in the life of Jesus, and that is a daily rhythm of prayer. A daily rhythm of prayer. So Luke 516 tells us that as often as he could, whenever it was feasible. Jesus would pull away from everybody and he would pray." [32:52] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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