Moo Moo Like Christ Growing into Christ’s Image Isabel Ng

3 Questions Why How

Why?  Original Design  Genesis 1:27  God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.  Redemption  Ephesians 4:24  and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.  Colossians 3:10  and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Why?  Future  I jn 3:2  Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.  Have rest of your souls  28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  “Thou hast made us for thyself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee.” - St Augustine

Why?  The World  "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." - Mahatma Gandhi, leader of Indian independence  "If you call yourself Christ's follower, you must always be Christ like, because you may be the only gospel some people will ever read"  The Body of Christ

How? Burden Bearer  Burdened  Burden Bearer 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

How? Burden Bearer  Continuous Transformation  Jer 31:33 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the L ORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.  2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

How? Farmer Oxen Farmer 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,

How? Farmer  Yoke  symbol of control & authority  Exodus 6:6 “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.  1 Timothy 6:1 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered.

How? Farmer  What is He like?  29 I am gentle and humble in heart,  What is His yoke like?  30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

How? Teacher  Pairing of Oxen  Jesus as our Teacher, Mentor, Role model, yokefellow  Training/Bonding  Productivity Students Teacher learn from me

What? W H O L E  Well-directed Kingdom Mindedness  Matt 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Phil 3:14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  II Tim 1:14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

What? W H O L E  Humility  Phil 2:5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus  Obedience  Yoke – authority  Love  Eph 5:1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  servanthood – Jn 13:15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 

What? W H O L E  Endure Hardship  I Pet 2:21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.  Phil 3:10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.