Just Like Jesus
Just Like Jesus
Colossians 3:8-17
-As I grow older, the more I see resemblances of my dads nature and habits in myself (i.e.
tackling things head on; nightly (CR) habits; footsteps; budgeting, etc.). I couldnt have
realized that Im more like my dad when it comes to these things if (1) I hadnt known
him and (2) I havent grown up (if I stayed as a baby, or even a little girl, I wouldnt
know Im like my dad in terms of budgeting).
The same goes in spiritual growth. We need to grow up, and we need to know the
model our growth has to follow.
1. The goal of spiritual maturity is to be just like Jesus (Christ-likeness).
You and I were made in the image of God (imago Dei). But the image was sullied when
sin came. Gods purpose is to restore us back into the image He had in mind when He
first created man. Thats why Jesus Christ came. He came to pay the price for our
freedom and justify us before God. And the way He lived His life here on earth is to be
our pattern for living. He is the perfect Man. He is the Real Man. He is whom we should
aim to be like.
I didnt try hard to be like my dad; it
just came naturally because I had his
DNA. In the same way, the first step
to be #justlikeJesus comes from
knowing that you already have His
DNA (Gal.2:20). Then with that
knowledge, acknowledge: act like it.
As you yield to the Christ-life in you
(via the Holy Spirit), the Christlikeness should come naturally. So
stop trying to be #justlikeJesus based
solely on your own efforts because
you will only get frustrated. Start
yielding to the Holy Spirits leading
(Gal. 5:16, 25) and be transformed.
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Be renewed
As you spend time learning about your
Creator through reading, studying and
meditating on Gods Word, allow God to
show you the areas in your life that needs
correcting, improving. Dont fight it.
Instead, act on Gods prompting, obey and
apply what He teaches you and then you
will be transformed into His likeness.
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 from the Lord,
the Spirit. 2 Cor. 3:18
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Jesus was:
Compassionate
Mark 1:41 Filled with compassion, Jesus
reached out his hand and touched the man.
I am willing, he said. Be clean!
Jesus touched the leprous man. He didnt
have to. The sickness went away with His
command. But Jesus touched Him
anyway. His touch was a salve to the
lonely heart of the man who, for a long
time, was one of the untouchables
(unclean).
KJV bowels of mercies (bowels Gk:
splagchnon regarded as the seat of the
more violent passions, such as anger and
love; but by the Hebrews as the seat of
the tenderer affections, especially
kindness, benevolence, compassion)
Touch Therapy: caregivers, doctors;
Christians we are Christs hands here on
earth today. Someone may be in desperate
need of a touch of God.
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Long-Suffering (Patient),
Forbearing, Meek/Gentle
Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and
afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he
was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as
a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he
did not open his mouth.
Amidst the wrong accusations, the shame
and humiliation, the degrading treatment,
the pain and suffering, the Lord Jesus took
it all upon Himself. They struck Him with
their best blow, still, Jesus did not waver in
His obedience to the Fathers will. Not one
curse word escaped His lips; nary a vile,
murderous thought entered His mind.
Instead, He patiently endured everything
until His very last breath.
In this world, you will have trouble,
Jesus said in John 16:33, but take heart! I
have overcome the world.
Stop complaining; praise God! Stop
whining; sing to God! If you are suffering
for the sake of the Gospel, rejoice that you
have been counted worthy to suffer
disgrace for the Name of Jesus (Acts 5:41)!
Endure hardships like a good soldier of
Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 2:3). The sufferings
we have now is not worth comparing with
the glory that will be revealed in us
(Rom.8:18, 1 Pet. 4:13) but we have to
stand firm (1 Cor.16:13) and stand our
ground (Eph. 6:10-18)
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Loving
(FLSB Notes on 1 Cor.11:1)
Jesus demonstrated love by:
1. Rebuking sin Mt.16:23, Mk. 9:19;
Mk. 10:13-14
2. Expressing anger at those who were
cruel, heartless, insensitive to the
suffering and needs of others
Mk.3:5
3. Warning us of hell Luke 12:5; Mt.
5:29-30
4. Offering Himself as a sacrifice
John 13:1, 10:11, 17-18; Mt. 26:38
When the people in our lives are straying
away from God / in error of ways / in
danger of falling into false teachings,
temptations, traps, etc., do we speak the
truth in love (Eph.4:15) or do we keep
quiet?
Do we speak up for the oppressed, help the
weak and poor and needy, address and
minister to the needs of the suffering?
Are we going out and preaching the good
news of love, hope and forgiveness in Jesus
Christ no matter what people will say or
think about us?
Are we offering ourselves as a living
sacrifice unto God by serving Him and
others?
Conclusion:
To live out our lives here on earth #justlikeJesus did, we need to partner with / yield
ourselves to the Holy Spirit. Remember, Jesus was fully human when He was here on
earth. He was able to do all that He did by the power and leading of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit led by the Spirit. Luke 4:1
That same Spirit that was residing in Him is the same Holy Spirit that has been shed
abroad in our hearts.
God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has
been given to us.
Romans 5:5
So we can live and love #justlikeJesus as we walk and live by the power of the Holy
Spirit in us.
22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24Now those
who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
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