Becoming More Like Jesus

Becoming More Like Jesus

(Preaching Outline)

1)      Two weeks ago we suggested that a great New Year’s resolution would be to seek to be more like Jesus every day – which is really embracing God’s calling and destiny.

a)      That idea is something I want to explore more today because it begs certain questions like:

i)        Why should we want to become more like Jesus?  Does motive matter?

ii)      What is Jesus like, so we can evaluate if we are becoming more like Him?

iii)    How do we become more like Jesus?

b)      Today we are going to explore some scriptures which will hopefully provide a basic framework becoming more like Jesus.

2)      What could be the impact of becoming more like Jesus?

a)       Romans 8:19–21 (ESV) — 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

b)      Other scriptural dreams we could have used to frame the mission.

i)        Lord’s Prayer

ii)      Anointed to set at liberty the captives.

c)      Motives

i)        Not to earn God’s love.

ii)      An overflowing fruit of love: worship and gratitude

iii)    For all people! – Love wants to give them the best!

3)      A draft model for becoming more like Jesus:

a)      Model

i)        We must be filled with the Holy Spirit

ii)      We need a continual revelation of Jesus

iii)    We need the body of Christ

iv)    We need to feed on the Word of God

v)      We need a life of prayer

b)      We are going to look at these briefly but not exhaustively.

c)      They are intricately connected to one another.

4)      The Holy Spirit

a)      Luke 24:49 (ESV) — 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

b)      Acts 1:8 (ESV) — 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

c)      Ezekiel 36:26–27 (NKJV) — 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.

5)      A continual revelation of Jesus

a)      2 Corinthians 3:17–18 (NKJV) — 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

6)      The body of Christ

a)      Ephesians 4:15–16 (NKJV) — 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

7)      The Word of God – WHAT JESUS IS AND ISN’T LIKE

a)      1 Peter 2:1–3 (NKJV) — 1 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

b)      Hebrews 5:14 (NKJV) — 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

c)      Galatians 5:22–23 (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. – A GREAT EVALUATION OF BECOMING LIKE JESUS!

8)      Prayer

a)      John 15:7–8 (ESV) — 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

b)      John 14:12–14 (ESV) — 12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

9)      Becoming More Like Jesus

a)      Why should we want to become more like Jesus? 

b)      How do we become more like Jesus?

c)      What is Jesus like, so we can become more like Him?