PDL 22

The Video
Purpose #1 - worship
Purpose #2 - fellowship
Purpose #3 - discipleship, how God makes us more Christ like

The Audio
God made you to grow up spiritually. God wants us to grow up to be like Christ - to become fully alive. It is going to take your entire life. How do we learn to become more Christ like?
   1. Worship
   2. Fellowship
   3. Growing
   4. Serving
   5. Sharing
In all things God works for the good of those who love him. While (as you get older) your body is getting weaker, your character is getting stronger. If God is going to make you like Jesus Christ, has going to take you through what Jesus went through. 
He gives us three unexpected tools to do this:
   1. Troubles - to teach us to trust him
   2. Temptation - to teach us to obey God
   3. Trespasses - things to teach us to grow up
1. Troubles. God is far more interested in what you are, than what you do. If you are good at something and love to do it, then that what God wants you to do. Make use of your gifts.

Every problem has a purpose - to make us grow up. Pray like Jesus did the night before he died:
   A) I know you, God, can take this away
   B) I want you to take this away
   C) But they will be done.
Learn from the mistakes of others. Remember your reward in heaven for how you handled troubles.

2. Temptation. God NEVER tempts you. That is Satan, you have a choice. God can even make good come from that. After every spiritual victory be ever watchful for the low/temptation to come from Satan. It is not a sin to be tempted, Jesus was tempted. You have a choice; it’s how you react to temptation that causes sin. Everybody is tempted in the same way. God will give you strength; you have only but to ask. Every temptation is an opportunity to do well. To avoid temptation:
   1. Keep focused on good thoughts, not the temptation (passion). Follow the steps of Jesus; this will feed your passion with something else.
   2. Get a spiritual partner - someone to help and support you.
   3. Go to class 201!!!! :O)

3. Trespasses. (When somebody hurts you) God hates evil, "if you bring it to me I can turn it around and bring good out of it. You are never going to become like Jesus unless you learn to forgive. You are most like Christ when you suffer to save other people. This is the highest form of love. Am I going to trust God even when it just doesn’t make sense? Remember that God is in control. (? free will?). If we go thru the bad times with Jesus, we will go thru the good times with him as well.

The Book
you were created to become like Christ. This is the third purpose of your life. The bible says Jesus is "the exact likeness of God." Let me be absolutely clear: you will never become God, or even a god. Satan promised Adam and Eve if they followed his advice, "ye shall be as gods." Many religions and New Age philosophies still promote this old lie.
God wants you to become godly, not a god. Life is supposed to be difficult! It’s what enables us to grow.

Gods spirit working in you.
It is the Holy Spirits job to produce a Christ like manner in you. The Holy Spirit nudges you with a "gentle whisper." "For this is the secret, Christ lives in you." Choose to do the right thing, and then trust Gods Spirit to give you his power, love, faith, and wisdom to do it. It is always available for the asking. The Holy Spirit releases his power THE MOMENT. You take a step of faith. (Remember in Raiders of the Lost Ark, Harrison Ford had to take that first leap of faith? - this isn’t from the book, it just reminded me of it!) God wants for you to act first.

Our 3 responsibilities in becoming like Christ: 1st we must choose to let go of old ways of acting; 2nd we must change the way we think; and 3rd we must "put on" the character of Christ by developing new, and godly habits.

God’s Word provides the TRUTH we need to grow, Gods people provide the SUPPORT we need to grow, and circumstances provide the ENVIRONMENT we need to practice Christ likeness.

Many people assume all that is needed for spiritual growth is bible study and prayer. Remember - it’s all about love - loving God and loving others. Spiritual maturity will take the rest of your life. You are a work in progress. God wants to make you like himself before he takes you to heaven.