05/18/03 - "You were created to become like Christ" - by Pastor Mike Baker

We are in the fourth week of our 40 Days of Purpose program. Last week, we discovered our second purpose in life and that is that we were formed for God's family.

Eph 4:11-16 v.11 - notice some not everybody. v.13-16 - now it is all of us. all of us - causes the church to grow, all of us - to become like Christ, all of us - the longer we are a Christian (Grow Up!)

Ro 8:28-30 God has an expectation (not a hope) as He chooses us to be conformed to the image of Christ. This is not an option - it is an expectation. Growing up is not an option, but it is also a process. v.28 The Holy Spirit uses things that come into our lives for our good. Not all things that come into our lives come from God, but He can use all of them. I Thes 5:18 ...give thanks in all circumstances...

How does God bring spiritual growth into our lives. Six all things from Ro 8:28:

1. God uses truth to transform us. It takes the truth of the Word of God to transform us. Read it, memorize it, think it, apply it. Show me something new and fresh, Holy Spirit.
   • Holy Spirit will show us things in the Word
   • Part of transformation is understanding that the truth will release us from the chains of the enemy's lies. Jn 8:31-32 on being bound. Lies such as thoughts of low self-worth, I can't do this, anything that holds us back from receiving the fullness of God's love and potential. Part of growing up is getting rid of our stuff. Heb 4 exposes our insides. Many don't want the truth because we know that we will be held accountable for what we know. Refuse the ignorant lifestyle that keeps us useless. The truth will set us free after it makes us mad.
2. God uses trouble to teach us to trust Him. Let's stop blaming the devil all the time. Trouble is the natural course of living in a sinful world. Ps 9:9 ...refuge in times of trouble. Ps 37:39 ...glory in tribulation. Ro 5:3-4 ...tribulations produce hope, character.... The pressures in life reveal what is inside of us. II Co 4:17.
3. God tests us to see what we are made of. Tests originate from God. Temptations originate from the enemy. Tests see if we will do right. Temptations see if we will do wrong. Tests see if we walk through. We need to run from temptations. Tests usually come when He is asking if we will do something for Him. Even Jesus was tested. Look at the reward of passing the test Heb 12:2. We will follow Him there?
4. Temptations teach us to obey. God does not tempt us, but they are situations designed by satan to harm us. In midst of temptation, if we make the right choices, it produces character, obedience. Things to remember about temptation:
   1. it's not a sin to be tempted
   2. everyone is tempted in same way
   3. you'll never outgrow temptation
   How do we out grow temptation?
   1. Learn to love God passionately. It's not that the bad passions are too strong, but that good passions are too weak - Love God!
   2. Keep focused on good thoughts. Temptation always starts by getting your attention. Whenever you are tempted, don't resist it. When you resist, you are thinking about it. Don't resist it... Run!
   3. Get a spiritual partner. Ecc 4:19
5. God uses togetherness to teach us our dependence. Not co-dependence but God allowing us to be part of His body. Eph 4:13-16 v.16 ...whole body. We will not receive full maturity unless we are connected to Body in a life-giving life-receiving way. Ro 4:16 The enemy knows the value of being in fellowship and does not want it to happen. Forsaking assembling together (life flow) causes you to be:
   1. disconnected
   2. discontented - critical
   3. discouraged
   4. displaced - protection in middle of flock
6. God uses trespasses to develop our character. Trespasses = situations designed by other people to hurt us. Mt 27:39-44 Christ received insults while hanging on the cross. I Pe 2:22 He suffered in silence. He yielded His rights to get even and instead He forgave. Ro 12:17-21 Intentional and unintentional trespasses. Remember, God has forgiven us so forgive others. Also remember that God is in control. Our priority is relationships not resolution. Trespasses reveal how mature the fruit of the Spirit is in us.

Let's grow up in Him!