1. Discipleship ~ Created to be like Christ (Growth through childlike faith) October 31, 2004 Grace Community Church

3. “He is most glorified in and through His people when we are most satisfied in Him.” ~ John Piper

4. Romans 8:29 “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” My 3 rd purpose: He wants to make me like Jesus! My 3 rd purpose: He wants to make me like Jesus!

5. My third purpose is to be like Jesus Ephesians 4:15 – The Message: “ 15 God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything” How does he do it? Through a process we call DISCIPLESHIP

6. Debunking the process 1. Discipleship is not for the select few. 2. Discipleship is not simply about more bible study, verse memorization or church attendance.

8. Debunking the process 1. Discipleship is not for the select few. 2. Discipleship is not simply about more bible study, verse memorization or church attendance 3. Discipleship is not a completed process.

9. Debunking the process 1. Discipleship is not for the select few. 2. Discipleship is not simply about more bible study, verse memorization or church attendance 3. Discipleship is not a completed process. So HOW does He do it!?!

10. Romans 8:28-29 “ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” “ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” My 3 rd purpose: He wants to make me like Jesus! My 3 rd purpose: He wants to make me like Jesus!

11. Every believer can be more like Christ by responding with childlike faith to 3 very common experiences

13. I. God uses temptation to teach us to obey Temptation Pointers: 1. It is not a sin to be tempted. “You can’t keep the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair “ ~Martin Luther “You can’t keep the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair “ ~Martin Luther

14. I. God uses temptation to teach us to obey Temptation Pointers: 2. Remember you are no different than anyone else I Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

15. I. God uses temptation to teach us to obey Temptation Pointers: 3. Understand temptation will not just go away – use the Word.

16. I. God uses temptation to teach us to obey Temptation Pointers: 4. Apply the Word. A.Start identifying where am I struggling B.Start thinking right thoughts C.Start making strategic relationships What temptation are you facing right now – that you could use as an opportunity to obey if you responded in a childlike faith? What temptation are you facing right now – that you could use as an opportunity to obey if you responded in a childlike faith?

17. II. God uses trouble to teach us to trust Him John 16:33 : “In this world you will have trouble!” a. thlip'-sis Pressure (literally or figuratively):—afflicted, (-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble

18. Romans 5:3-4, The Message 3 There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, 4 and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. God is more concerned about how you live than what you do!

20. II. God uses trouble to teach us to trust Him “Trouble”shooting: Ask God for it to be taken away Ask God for it to be taken away Trust God’s way to be the best way Trust God’s way to be the best way Remember this is not the place for comfort Remember this is not the place for comfort Keep a spiritual journal Keep a spiritual journal What trouble (that you are presently experiencing) could God use in your life for a deeper walk if you responded with a childlike faith? What trouble (that you are presently experiencing) could God use in your life for a deeper walk if you responded with a childlike faith?

21. III. God uses trespass to teach us to forgive 1. What are trespasses? Experiences designed by others to hurt you 2. How do you respond? A. DL MOODY B. I Peter 2:23 “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” B. I Peter 2:23 “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.”

22. III. God uses trespass to teach us to forgive How do you learn to forgive? Two types of hurt / Two things to remember: 1. In both cases: Forgive as God has forgiven you – Eph 4:32 2. In both cases: Remember God is in control – Mt. 10:29 What trespass have you recently experienced that God could use to teach you to forgive if you responded in a child like faith?

23. My third purpose is to be like Jesus 1. Dessert – time of temptation – obedience 2. Gethsemane – time of trouble – deeper love 3. Golgotha – time of trespass – forgiveness Every believer can grow deeper by responding to these common experiences with a childlike faith. Romans 8:17 “But if we go through the hard times with Him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with Him.” Romans 8:17 “But if we go through the hard times with Him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with Him.”

24. My third purpose is to be like Jesus “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5)