Becoming like Christ Session 7

Knowledge Objectives  Explain the importance and effects of the Bible doctrine of illumination in Christian growth.  Understand the importance and effects of exposure to God and His attributes in the Word.  Recognize the differences between communicable and noncommunicable attributes of God and the part each attribute plays in Christian growth.

Application Objectives  Respond by relying upon God to illuminate your mind when you read the Scriptures.  Respond by looking for God and His attributes in the Word as you study it.  Respond by realizing that revival is the result of Spirit-sent illumination.  Respond by demonstrating biblical change into Christlikeness as you meditate upon God.

Becoming like Christ Session 7

More About Attributes  A noncommunicable attribute is one that no creature of God can “get.”  Omnipotence  Omniscience  Omnipresence  Immutability

More About God’s Attributes  Being Christlike means acquiring His communicable attributes—the fruit of the Spirit.  Love – Joy  Peace – Longsuffering  Gentleness – Goodness  Faith – Meekness  Temperance

Communicable Attributes  These come out of the “tea bag” when a Spirit-controlled believer is put into “hot water.”  This is Christian character.

II Corinthians 3:18 “But we all, with open face [unobstructed view] beholding as in a glass [a mirror] the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” “But we all, with open face [unobstructed view] beholding as in a glass [a mirror] the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

Changed by His Glory  God’s glory is the manifestation of His many-splendored excellencies.  No one exposed to the glory of God will remain the same.

Matthew 16:13-17 “[Jesus] asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? “[Jesus] asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

Matthew 16:13-17 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”

Luke 24:44-45 “And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.” “And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.”

Illumination: When God Turns the Light On  God’s Spirit must personally show the realities of God to man.  Tanned by the sun

Evidences of Exposure to God  Illuminated truth moves us intellectually.  Validity: This is right; I must believe it!  Illuminated truth moves us emotionally.  Beauty: This is wonderful; I must praise it!  Illuminated truth moves us volitionally.  Urgency/Responsibility: This is compelling; I must do it!  This is revival!

Take Time to Reflect  What is your view of God?

Colossians 1:16-18 “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by him, and for him. “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by him, and for him.

Colossians 1:16-18 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”