Theme verse for this series:
1 Peter 3:15-16 [NLT] Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way.
WHERE WE ARE AND WHERE WE ARE GOING.
So far, we have looked at eight major beliefs we hold as a church and as a fellowship.
1. The Bible is God’s Word
Why we believe the Bible can be trusted.
2. God
Who He is
God’s attributes
The Trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit
3. Jesus
Who He is
What He has done for us.
4. The Sin Problem
The biggest problem you will ever have and how it all started.
The spiritual power behind the actions.
5. Sin’s Solution
A demonstration of God’s love for people.
Help for today and hope for tomorrow.
6. The Ordinances of the Church
Water Baptism as an outward sign of new life in Jesus.
Communion, or the Lord’s Supper, as a reminder of what Jesus has done for us.
7 & 8. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit and the Initial Physical Evidence
The power to live a life that honors God and serves other people.
The ninth statement we are going to unpack in our What We Believe series is…
9. BECOMING MORE LIKE JESUS
Sanctification (becoming more like Jesus) is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God (Romans 12:1,2; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:12).
Scriptures teach a life of “holiness without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). By the power of the Holy Spirit we are able to obey the command: “Be ye holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15,16).
Sanctification (becoming more like Jesus) is realized (experienced) in the believer by recognizing (understanding) his or her identification with Christ in His death and resurrection, and by faith reckoning (relying) daily upon the fact of that union, and by offering every faculty (part of you) continually to the dominion (leadership) of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:1-11,13; 8:1,2,13; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:12,13; 1 Peter 1:5).
Romans 12:1-2 [NLT] And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
What is Sanctification?
The core concept of sanctification is dedication or to be considered holy. (Exodus 40:9-10)
Sanctification means to be set apart from something to something else.
For Christians, sanctification means separating themselves from sin and its destructive activities and attitudes and dedicating themselves to God and His service.
It means that right where you are, you are called to be fully dedicated to God’s service. (1 Peter 2:9)
How is Sanctification different than Salvation?
In salvation, God has allowed the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross to fully pay the penalty for our sins as we recognize our need and commit our lives to Him. (Romans 10:9-10)
In sanctification, God works with us, by the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit, to draw us into a closer and deeper relationship with Jesus. (Titus 2:11-14)
Salvation and sanctification work together to become more like Jesus.
Three Aspects of Becoming More Like Jesus
Aspect #1: Positional (at salvation)
This happens when we first commit to Jesus. (Acts 9:15)
Aspect #2: Growing (Discipleship)
This happens as we work with the Holy Spirit to conform our lives to become more like Jesus’s. (1 Corinthians 11:1; Romans 12:1-2)
Aspect #3: Fully Experienced
When we physically die, we go to be in the presence of the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:50-53; 1 John 3:1-3)
APPLICATIONS FOR TODAY:
Some practical guidance for growing to become more like Jesus:
1. Focus on Jesus and not on a method.
Paul desired to be more like Jesus, and he encouraged others to follow in his steps. (1 Corinthians 11:1)
What works for someone else may not work for you.
The religious leaders noted Peter and John because they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)
Allow your focus on Jesus to drive your methods. Don’t try to let your methods drive your focus on Jesus.
2. Bring some spiritual disciplines into your life.
Spiritual disciplines are practices that help to move your faith in the desired direction.
Regular times of personal prayer.
Jesus modeled this behavior.
The disciples in Acts modeled this behavior. (Acts 2:42)
Paul followed this example. In many of his letters, he mentions how he often prays for his readers and their faith. (Colossians 1:3; Colossians 1:9)
Regular times of Bible reading and study.
This one is a little more subtle.
Jesus quoted Scripture.
Peter quoted Scripture. (Acts 2:14-41)
Paul quoted Scripture.
We learn more about God through reading His Word. We become more like Jesus by putting His Word into practice.
Regular corporate worship. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
Paul encouraged meeting together regularly.
Corporate worship helps us to know we are not alone in our journey to become more like Jesus. We are part of a large family.
Deep relationships with fellow Christians.
Investing in deep Christian relationships will bring spiritual growth. (Proverbs 27:17)
Notice how Jesus chose twelve to invest more deeply.
Paul had many friends and fellow Christians.
One easy way to look for these deep relationships is to join a Life Group.
3. Find your rhythm.
Jesus often arose early in the morning and sought His Father in prayer.
Sometimes, we must find creative ways to spend time with Jesus in our busy lives.
Seasons come, and seasons go. Be open to new rhythms in new seasons of life.
4. Look for opportunities to put your faith into practice.
You want to be the Sea of Galilee, not the Dead Sea. (James 1:22)
How you live your life demonstrates what you truly believe.
Think of this aspect as on-the-job training to become more like Jesus.
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