changed into his likeness- discipleship
April 8th, 2008
I. SERMON OUTLINE:
(this sermon uses freely Rick Warren’s sermon outline on the purpose driven life.)
We are created to be like Jesus Christ in his moral character, his values, his spirit. Romans 8:29 states clearly that God’s destiny for his children is that they should grow spiritually to be conformed to the image or likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ. This lifelong process is called DISCIPLESHIP.
God uses the Bible to renew our minds as we meditate and study and He uses people to help us grow in character as we fellowhip or serve together with them. He also uses three unlikely unexpected tools to shape us.
A. THE FIRST TOOL IS TROUBLE
Trouble, tribulation or trials, they are all unpleasant situations designed by God to draw us to God and teach us to TRUST HIM. (Romans 5:3,4) We become more like Jesus when we humble ourselves and pray and depend on God and his solutions.
B. THE SECOND TOOL IS TEMPTATION
While trouble brings us closer to God, temptations are designed by the devil to draw us away from God. God does not tempt us but it is often our internal desire that lure us to do what is not right in His sight. (Matthew 4:1; James 1:14,15). The more we overcome the tempter’s snare and abort wrong desires in our hearts before they give birth to sinful actions, the more we become like Jesus in his purity, generosity, humility, holiness and love.
C. THE THIRD TOOL IS TRESPASSES.
We are talking about trespasses against us. These are situations designed by people to hurt us. Criticism, judgment, mocking, insults, slander, backbiting, betrayal. Jesus went through these (Matthew 27:39-44) and despite the emotional hurt was able to pray, “Father forgive them …..” It was he who taught us to pray daily, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
To err is human but to forgive is divine. We are most like God and glorify God greatly when we are able to forgive and release from revenge those who say or do evil or injustice or hurtful things against us.
II. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Share with the group a trial you went through recently and you learned from it. How did it develop Christlike character in you.
2. We all have different weaknesses, and Satan knows them and attacks us constantly in those areas. Name one area where he attacks and harasses you? (cell leader to remind all of confidentiality and to create a safe environment for sharing, may want to divide into groups of two or three of the same sex).
3. What in your opinion do most people find to be the most difficult thing about forgiving someone?
4. If you were Joseph of the Bible, would you be able to forgive as he forgave his brothers and others?
5. Why is reconciliation so important in the church? What are the consequences when people do not seek reconciliation? And what are the positive values when people seek reconciliation?
6. Discipleship is the lifelong process of becoming more like Jesus in our character. How does the cell help in this process? How would you rate your cell in terms of its effectiveness in discipleship from a score of 1 to 10, and why?
Entry Filed under: Ministry
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