Transforming Into the Character of Christ
Summary
In my recent sermon, I emphasized the importance of becoming more like Jesus, not just in desire but in action. I began by discussing the allure of wanting to be like someone great, like Michael Jordan, but pointed out that as admirable as he may be, Jesus is the ultimate role model. I stressed that our goal as Christians is not merely to secure a place in heaven but to genuinely embody the character and actions of Jesus Christ.
I outlined a cyclical process for transformation, consisting of five key elements: knowledge, examination, surrender, work, and the power of the Holy Spirit. This process begins with gaining knowledge of Jesus through Scripture, which is foundational to understanding who He is and what He desires for us. We must be cautious not to create an image of Jesus that suits our preferences but to seek the true Jesus presented in the Bible.
Once we have knowledge, we must examine our lives in comparison to Jesus' life and teachings. This examination will likely reveal areas where we fall short, leading us to the next step: surrender. Surrender involves giving up our ways and desires that do not align with Jesus' example. It is a challenging but necessary step if we are to truly follow Him.
After surrender comes the work. Transformation requires effort on our part to make choices that reflect Jesus' character and to abandon habits and behaviors that do not. This work is not about earning salvation, which is a free gift, but about growing to be more like Jesus in our daily lives.
Finally, we need the power of the Holy Spirit. While we can do our part, we will always need God's help to truly change. The Holy Spirit empowers and guides us in this journey, helping us to overcome our shortcomings and to live out the life that Jesus modeled for us.
I challenged the congregation to reflect on whether they are truly becoming more like Jesus. I encouraged everyone to join a life group for support and accountability in this journey. In community, we can help each other identify blind spots and grow together.
Key Takeaways:
- Becoming like Jesus is a process that requires a genuine desire to change and the willingness to put in the effort. It's not enough to simply want to be like Him; we must actively pursue transformation through knowledge, examination, surrender, work, and the power of the Holy Spirit. [49:33]
- Examination of our lives against the life and teachings of Jesus can be uncomfortable, but it is essential for growth. When we identify areas where we do not align with Jesus, we must be willing to surrender those aspects of our lives and seek His way instead. [32:27]
- Surrender is a critical step in becoming like Jesus. It involves laying down our own desires and preferences in favor of His. This step is not about losing our identity but about finding our true purpose and fulfillment in Christ. [32:57]
- The work of transformation is ongoing and requires daily choices that reflect Jesus' character. It's about actively avoiding sin and embracing the behaviors and attitudes that Jesus exemplified. This work is not done alone but with the support of the Christian community and the Holy Spirit. [33:32]
- The Holy Spirit is our helper in the journey of becoming like Jesus. While we do our part, the Spirit provides the power and guidance we need to truly change. We must rely on the Spirit's work in us to reflect Jesus more each day. [34:13]
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Romans 13:14 (NIV) - "Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh."
2. Philippians 3:10-14 (NIV) - "I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
3. Luke 6:40 (NIV) - "The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 13:14, what are we instructed to clothe ourselves with, and what should we avoid thinking about?
2. In Philippians 3:10-14, what does Paul identify as his ultimate goal, and how does he describe his approach to achieving it?
3. What does Luke 6:40 suggest about the relationship between a student and their teacher, and what is the expected outcome of full training?
4. In the sermon, what are the five key elements of the cyclical process for transformation mentioned by the pastor? [18:03]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Romans 13:14 challenge us to change our daily behavior and mindset to reflect Jesus more accurately?
2. What does Paul's determination in Philippians 3:10-14 teach us about the importance of perseverance in our spiritual journey?
3. How can the principle in Luke 6:40 be applied to our efforts to become more like Jesus in practical terms?
4. The pastor mentioned that surrender is a critical step in becoming like Jesus. What does it mean to surrender our own ways and desires, and why is this step so challenging? [27:58]
### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on Romans 13:14, what specific desires of the flesh do you need to avoid thinking about this week, and how can you actively clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ?
2. Considering Paul's goal in Philippians 3:10-14, what is one specific area in your life where you need to "press on" and strive to be more like Jesus? How can you take a practical step towards this goal this week?
3. Based on Luke 6:40, identify one characteristic of Jesus that you want to develop in your life. What practical steps can you take to train yourself in this area?
4. The pastor emphasized the importance of examining our lives against Jesus' life and teachings. What is one area in your life that, upon examination, does not align with Jesus' example? What steps can you take to surrender this area to Him? [23:59]
5. The sermon highlighted the need for community in our transformation journey. How can joining a life group help you identify and address your blind spots? What steps will you take to get involved in a life group this week? [38:44]
6. The pastor mentioned the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering us to change. How can you rely more on the Holy Spirit's guidance and power in your daily life? What is one specific situation where you need to ask for the Holy Spirit's help? [34:13]
7. Reflect on the pastor's challenge to ask the Holy Spirit if you look like Jesus every time you see your reflection. How can you incorporate this practice into your daily routine, and what changes do you hope to see as a result? [38:10]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Transformation Beyond Desire
Desire alone is not enough to become like Jesus; it must be coupled with action. This transformation is a journey that begins with a genuine longing to change, but it must not end there. The true test of this desire is the willingness to engage in the process of becoming more Christ-like, which involves knowledge, examination, surrender, work, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. It's a path that requires dedication and the conscious decision to pursue spiritual growth every day. This pursuit is not about perfection but progress, as one moves closer to the example set by Jesus.
"Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror." - James 1:22-23 ESV
Reflection: What specific action can you take today to move from merely desiring to be like Jesus to actively transforming into His likeness?
Day 2: The Discomfort of Spiritual Examination
The process of examining one's life against the teachings and example of Jesus can be a challenging and uncomfortable experience. It requires honesty and vulnerability to identify areas where one's life does not align with the life of Christ. This self-examination is not meant to bring about shame but to illuminate the path toward growth and transformation. It is an essential step in the journey of becoming more like Jesus, as it reveals the aspects of life that need to be surrendered to His will. Embracing this discomfort is a sign of maturity and commitment to spiritual development.
"But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor." - Galatians 6:4 ESV
Reflection: In what area of your life have you noticed a significant gap between your actions and the teachings of Jesus, and what steps can you take to address this?
Day 3: The Power of Surrender in Transformation
Surrender is a pivotal step in the journey to becoming like Jesus. It involves letting go of personal desires and preferences that are not in line with Christ's example. This act of surrender is not about losing one's identity but rather about discovering true purpose and fulfillment in Jesus. It is a daily decision to choose His will over one's own, trusting that His ways lead to a more abundant life. Surrender is the gateway to deeper spiritual transformation and alignment with the character of Christ.
"Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." - Matthew 10:39 ESV
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 4: Daily Choices Reflecting Jesus' Character
The transformation into Christ-likeness is an ongoing process that requires daily choices and actions. It is not a passive state but an active pursuit of embodying the character and behaviors that Jesus exemplified. This work involves consistently choosing to avoid sin and to practice the virtues that Jesus taught and lived by. It is a journey made in the company of fellow believers and with the support of the Holy Spirit, who empowers and guides us along the way.
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV
Reflection: What is one habit or behavior you can change today that would make you more like Jesus in your daily life?
Day 5: Relying on the Holy Spirit's Power
The journey of becoming like Jesus is not one that can be completed in human strength alone. It requires the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit. While personal effort is necessary, it is the Spirit who provides the strength and wisdom needed for true change. Believers must rely on the Holy Spirit to overcome their shortcomings and to live out the life that Jesus modeled. This divine assistance is a gift that enables us to grow in Christ-likeness each day.
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." - John 14:26 ESV
Reflection: How can you be more open to the Holy Spirit's guidance and power in your life today, and what might be the first step in allowing the Spirit to work more freely in you?
Quotes
"Disciples of Jesus Christ, our relationship with God is not about a box we check on forms to say yep I'm a Christian. It's about becoming less like us and more like Him. The command for all of us is to be like Jesus." [05:00] ()
"When you look in the mirror, you might see a lot of you and not a lot of Jesus, and get discouraged. But others will see how much God has been doing in your life, how you've become more like Jesus." [39:50] ()
"If my thoughts don't match Jesus's thoughts, I need to take those captive. If my speech doesn't match Jesus's, I need to shut my mouth. When becoming more like Jesus is our greatest desire, every other desire has to submit to Him." [29:18] ()
"We need to compare what we're seeing in Jesus to what we see in our own lives. How does my life, my behavior, my speech, and even my own thoughts compare to what I've just learned about Jesus?" [23:59] ()
"If you're going to become like Jesus, you have to become less like you. For every area that doesn't align, we have to surrender that area. You must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow Him." [28:36] ()
"It is near impossible to be genuinely Christlike without earnestly desiring it. You must want to be like Christ before you can be like Christ. So we must start with a desire that says, 'I want to be like Jesus.'" [15:33] ()
"You need knowledge, examination, surrender, work, and power. This is a cyclical process, not a list you run through once. You gain knowledge about Jesus, examine your life, surrender, work on it, and ask the Holy Spirit to help." [36:33] ()
"God wouldn't tell you to be like Jesus if it was impossible for you to be like Him. He's telling you to do it because He knows you can, with the help of the Holy Spirit." [34:49] ()
"When we look at Jesus's life, how He loved and served people, there's something inside of us that should just say, 'I want to be like that.' Our main passage for this study is Romans 13:14, 'But be like the Lord Jesus Christ.'" [07:30] ()
"The goal of Christianity is Christ. Heaven is the gift, Jesus is the goal. You can't have as a goal something you've already been given for free. The moment you make Jesus Lord of your life, Heaven is already gifted to you." [14:51] ()
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