In this message, we start a new series by asking this question – who are you becoming, and who do you want to become? We are all being molded and shaped into the image and likeness of someone. Is it Jesus? In order to do the things that Jesus did, we need to do the things that Jesus did. This doesn’t happen on it’s own or simply by “trying” – it happens through training and practicing.
If we want to do the things that Jesus did on-the-spot, we first have to do the things Jesus did behind-the-scenes.
1 Timothy 4:7-8 – Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
Who are you becoming, and who do you want to become?
Jesus, help us be open to a different way.
In this message, we learn what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. A disciple is a learner, a student, a follower; one who becomes like the one they’re following. Disciples of Jesus arrange their entire life around Him, no matter the cost. We’re all a disciple of something or someone, and that thing or person defines what is good, true, and right in our lives. So are you a disciple of Jesus or of something else?
Jesus invites to live a different way in every area of our lives – not just for the forgiveness of sins and for eternal salvation. He invites us to be His disciples!
Whatever we arrange our lives around is what we’re a disciple of.
Disciples live a life of love, become a person of love, and walk in the way of love.
Mark 8:34-35 – Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.”
Who defines what is good, true, and right in your life?
Jesus, give us a desire to be Your disciples!
Is it even possible to live a different way, and do the things that Jesus did? Can we really change? Our bodies have been trained in the ways of the world. When we spend our lives doing what the world does behind-the-scenes, we naturally and effortlessly do what the world does on-the-spot. But in Jesus, we can be trained to live a different way! In this message, we learn that change is not only possible, it’s normative as a follower of Jesus! In order to train ourselves to be godly, we have to first decide that we want to be godly, and that we want to be disciples of Jesus. In other words, if we actually want to change, we have to first decide that we actually want to change!
Our will is not stronger than our training.
People truly change through vision, intent, and means.
Philippians 2:12-13 – Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Humility and hunger lead to change.
Do you have a vision to become the kind of person God created you to be? What are you hungry and thirsty for?
In this message, we learn that we don’t actually change ourselves; the Holy Spirit changes us. Through God’s Word, godly relationships, trials, spiritual practices, and time, the Holy Spirit is constantly at work in our lives, forming us into the image and likeness of Christ to become a person of love. This is spiritual formation! The grace of Jesus both saves us and empowers us to do what we could never do on our own – change.
Spiritual formation is the process of being formed into the image and likeness of Christ to become a person of love.
1 Timothy 4:7-8 – Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
Jesus, help us be open to your changing grace!