Transformed Into The Image Of Christ Series

Do you recall our focal verse for this series? It is found in First Timothy chapter four and verse seven. Let’s look at it together:

“Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.” 1Timothy 4:7 (NASV)

God calls each of us – as Christians – to be transformed into the image of Christ. We are to be involved in the process of becoming more like Jesus.

How does this transformation process happen? God uses three primary catalysts for changing us.

1. God Uses PEOPLE To Help Transform Us.

2. God Uses CIRCUMSTANCES To Help Transform Us.

3. God Uses SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES To Help Transform Us.

It is this third area – Spiritual Disciplines – that this sermon series will focus on. Over the course of the next few sermons we will look into the importance of Bible Study, worship, prayer, stewardship and other Spiritual Disciplines that will help transform you into the image of Christ. But today we are going to focus on the three catalysts that God uses to transform you. Let’s take the first one:

1. God Uses PEOPLE To Help Transform Us

I dare say that all of us sitting here have been influenced by other people. I know of no one who has not been influenced by other people. Your parents – two individuals – were involved in your conception to the human race. They were directly involved in your being here today. Your parents may not have planned you – but God did. He knew when and where you would be born. He knew what gender you would be – how tall you would become – the color of your eyes – the color of your skin - the color of your hair – He even knows every hair on your head. God is concerned about you. He knows every little fact about you. He know you better than you know yourself.

God has even made you to be a part of a community - His church. God said: “It is not good for man to be alone.” God sends people into our lives to have an influence and impact on us – to bring us closer to Him. We all have been influenced by other people – some more than others. If I went around this room today and asked each of you who has had the most impact on your life – I believe each of you would have a story to tell. Each of you would remember someone. Perhaps that person is still in your life – perhaps they are not. It could be a parent, a sibling, a friend, an enemy, a spouse or perhaps even a total stranger. But some person has had an impact on your life – because people have an influence on people.

Let me tell you what happened to me a long time ago. The year was 1974. I was working in a lumber mill in east central Arizona – a small town called McNary. It’s the town that I grew up in. The part of the plant that I worked in – made molding for doors and windows and for finishing work on homes. I think I worked there for about four years.

There was a guy who came to work there – for a short time while I was there – and I remember he had come out of Canada. He was only a few years older than me at the time – I don’t even remember his name – but I do remember this. Every day when he went on break or when we went to lunch he would carry a book with him and he would read from this book. Finally after days of seeing him carry this book around I asked him, “What are you reading.”