“ T he C hristian M ust B ecome C hrist” 03/04/2007 Dr. Dane Boyles

“The Christian Must Become Christ”  Introduction The apostle Paul was on the “fast track,” a “rising star” in the religion of Judaism before his conversion to Jesus Christ.

“The Christian Must Become Christ” But once he came to know who Jesus Christ really was, all the power, all the prestige, all the position of influence that he once had, meant nothing (Phil 3:7-8)

“The Christian Must Become Christ” What mattered now was for him was to “know Jesus Christ” (Phil 3:8). 8 …I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. (Phil 3:8, NIV)

“The Christian Must Become Christ” When you just sit and think about Jesus and what type of person He was on earth, He’s hard to measure. Believe me to say “Christ-like” is a mouthful.

“The Christian Must Become Christ” To say “the Christian must become Christ” is hard to fathom! What does it mean to you to be like Jesus?

“The Christian Must Become Christ” 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom 5:8, NIV)

“The Christian Must Become Christ”  God Works All Things for the Good. 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

“The Christian Must Become Christ” Notice it doesn’t say that we know that in most things God works? Our purpose as Christians is to become like Christ.

“The Christian Must Become Christ” How do we realize that purpose? 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, (Romans 8:29)  Our purpose is to be conformed to the likeness of Jesus!

“The Christian Must Become Christ” It means that the design of the new creature is to become like Christ.

“The Christian Must Become Christ”  Our Sin Separated Us from God. A person’s first sin gives birth to spiritual death. To fix our brokenness, the Father sent the Son to redeem us. 16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, (John 3:16, NIV)

“The Christian Must Become Christ” Salvation was made available because of Jesus’ death on the cross. 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. (Rom 5:6, NIV)

“The Christian Must Become Christ” 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation- (Col 1:22-23, NIV)

“The Christian Must Become Christ”  The fact that Jesus died on the cross…paid our penalty,  The fact that Jesus was buried…signaled the reality of it all.  The fact a that Jesus was resurrected from the dead…means Jesus was truly God.

“The Christian Must Become Christ”  The Christ Event Is Called the Gospel. The early Christians preached the gospel. They preached the reality and the meaning of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

“The Christian Must Become Christ” 38 …“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38, NIV) Why does Peter command us to be baptized?

“The Christian Must Become Christ” In baptism we reenact the gospel. –Jesus died physically in our place. In baptism we die to sin. –Jesus was buried in a tomb. In baptism we are buried in a water grave.

“The Christian Must Become Christ” –Jesus was resurrected from the dead. In baptism we are resurrected to live a new life.

“The Christian Must Become Christ” 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. (Romans 6:4, NIV) 17 … if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Cor 5:17, NIV)

“The Christian Must Become Christ” This new man is cast in a mold. It’s the Jesus’ gospel mold. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, (Romans 8:29) Baptism is the mold out of which we come to be shaped by God.

“The Christian Must Become Christ”  God designed us to be like this, to live like Jesus! Once we follow Jesus in his death, burial and resurrection, we now are being conformed to the likeness of Christ.

“The Christian Must Become Christ”  It’s a whole new way of thinking. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. (Matt 19:29-30, NIV)

“The Christian Must Become Christ”  It’s a whole new way of being. 23 …“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. (Luke 9:23-24, NIV)

“The Christian Must Become Christ” We are different; we are like Christ!  Jesus is the most loving person I know. 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, (John 13:34, NIV).

“ The Christian Must Become Christ”  Jesus is the most sacrificial person I know. 8 …While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom 5:8, NIV) 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-

“The Christian Must Become Christ” 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. (John 1:12-13, NIV)

“The Christian Must Become Christ”  He is the toughest person I know.  He is the most patient person I know.  Jesus is the most faithful person I know.

“The Christian Must Become Christ”  Conclusion 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. (Romans 12:1, NIV)

“The Christian Must Become Christ” 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2, NIV)

“The Christian Must Become Christ” Transformation Is Not Just External. Transformation is not switching from the to-do list of the flesh to the to-do list of the law. No, transformation is a profound, blood- bought, Spirit-wrought change from the inside out.

“The Christian Must Become Christ” If you long to be free… If you long to be transformed from the inside out… If you long to break loose from the conformity to this world… If you long to be conformed to the likeness of Christ, there’s only one word.

“The Christian Must Become Christ” Jesus

“ T he C hristian M ust B ecome C hrist” 03/04/2007 Dr. Dane Boyles