Living in the Shadow of the Cross Conformed to His Image Living in the Shadow of the Cross

The Invitation of Christ 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30; NKJV

Come to Me Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. Luke 9:23; NKJV

Conform to His Image “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Romans 8:29; NKJV) Thinking Speech Behavior

Conform to His Image Developing the Mind of Christ Sow a thought; reap an action Sow an action; reap a habit Sow a habit; reap a character Sow a character; reap a destiny

2 Corinthians 10:5 “bringing into captivity” – make captive, like a prisoner of war, to bring under control (Strong’s) “thought” – perception, intellect (Strong’s) “obedience” – compliance, submission (Strong’s)

“…every thought…” What am I thinking about? Why am I thinking about it?

Why this matters… Out of your heart spring the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23). The mouth speaks out of what fills your heart (Luke 6:45). Out of your thoughts come acts of defilement (Matthew 15:18-20).

What am I thinking about? Ways to glorify God or ways to satisfy my selfish desires?

What am I thinking about? The wisdom of men or the wisdom of God?

What am I thinking about? What the brethren think or what the Lord thinks?

What am I thinking about? The popular culture or the Word of God?

What am I thinking about? Other women (men) or my wife (husband)?

What am I thinking about? Things of the flesh or the things of the Spirit?

What am I thinking about? How to make $ or laying up treasure in Heaven?

What am I thinking about? The here and now or the not yet?

What am I thinking about? This world or the world to come?

Why am I thinking about it? My selfish desires… The wisdom of men… What the brethren think… Popular culture… Other women (men)… Things of the flesh… Ways to have more stuff… The here and now… This world…

What I ought to be thinking about… (Philippians 4:8) True Honest Right Pure Lovely Of good report Virtue Praise

Before you act, stop and think… How will this affect my relationship with… My Heavenly Father? My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? My Earnest of Salvation, the Holy Spirit? My self? My parents…siblings…physical family? My wife (husband)? My children? My employer (employee)?

What to do… Gird up the loins of your mind! Be sober! Fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ! Be holy!

Philippians 3:12-16 Every child of GOD is a work in progress and it is His goal to take us and to shape us more and more into the image of Christ. PRESS (VERB) – dioko – "to pursue," is used as a metaphor from the footrace, in Philippians 3:12, 14, of "speeding on earnestly,” (Vine’s). Are you “pressing?”

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“…the firstborn among many brethren…” GOD wants a family. He wants His family to look like Jesus. Jesus is my elder brother. I will conform to His image!