Sermon Central
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Christ Likeness Series
Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Jul 15, 2014 (message contributor)
Summary: Part three of living for Christ and that is being Christ like. How can we be like minded and one purpose in Christ?
Christ-likeness
Some ideas of this sermon were gleaned from other SermonCentral sermons.
We have been in a study of “living for Christ.”
Some of the main points so far are;
That as believers we are to be in Christ, connected to Christ
Christ dwells within us, directing us, guiding us, empowering us to do service for Him through the Holy Spirit.
We saw that not only should our lives be worth living for Christ, but also so secrete that you are willing to die for Him also.
“For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Paul’s joy and life was wrapped up in Jesus.
He was all in!
“Whatever happens, conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” Phil. 1:27
It needs to be reminded to us that the writer of these words was a follower of Christ that was chained to guards, and facing death not for what he did but for what he believed.
That verse carries over this week in to the text for this week as we look at the humility of Christ and being Christ-minded.
Paul tells that if we are united in Christ, there should be encouragement, comfort, and a fellowship that is so strong that even in hard times, we can hold on.
We have joy that can only come from the Lord.
We hold tight to being Christ-like, and that nothing we do is self ambition, or vain conceit, which would pull us away from Jesus.
Like-minded, same love, one Spirit, one purpose.
He tells us that there should be unity in the body of Christ, and we are to have the mind of Christ.
We do not have to be robots but we have to have the same purpose and the same attitude and serve one another as we serve the Lord together.
When I say Jesus in a church setting like this, the idea of Christ is worship, gratitude, and a love to serve.
That is not how it is in most of the world.
Some places the name of Jesus is fighting words.
Some places Christians are called narrow-minded and brain washed.
Some areas you find yourself ostracized, criticized, and scrutinized for speaking and living your faith…wait that is happening here!
So before you can have the mind of Christ, you have to settle in your own mind who Jesus is too you.
Rage-
Jesus becomes fighting words
Narrow minded Christians who want to tell us what to do and who to do it with.
Anger/bitterness is evident.
Ridicule-
People making jokes about Jesus and what Jesus did for us. One website even making fun of Jesus on the cross and you can make Jesus on the cross as a ballerina, dog catcher, a clown, even Satan himself, all in the name of mockery.
Relegation-
Means “to assign to an obscure place, position or condition.
People want to assign Him an obscure position or place in their lives.
Saying that He is a good man.
Unitarian church calls him a good poet, but claims we cannot assume that He is the answer to everything.
Refusal-
There are some that don’t want His love, don’t care His sacrifice, and have no desire for Him to save them.
For us, as believers of Christ, we know who Jesus is. He was God. He is God. He will forever be God. He cannot be placed in any category less than God. Our mind and joy is complete in Jesus Christ.
Our attitude of Christ should be radically different than that of the world. (Repeat )
(6) “The very nature God”- Paul is affirming that Jesus is fully God, and the glory of God shows the very quality of God the Father before Jesus incarnation to this dying world.
Wither we admit it, accept it, or deal with it;
Jesus is Lord
Jesus is Savior
Jesus is God
To be Lord and Savior means that He is to be supreme in our lives.
It means that He is king and the king is master of our lives.
That is the first thought in a nutshell-
Before we can have the humility of Christ, we have to settle who Christ is in our lives.
Humility of Christ means that when we look at His life, we see a God that loves us, who came to this dying world and humbly became man and redeemed us by His sacrifice.
If we are to follow His humidity, we are not to be self ambitious, but be looking for ways we can bless others while serving God.
II. (Thought) Being like-minded to Christ
(2) “Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in Spirit and purpose.”
Illustration-
Example of Frankenstein- Igor dropped the right brain and brought the wrong one.
