The Most Important Step in Becoming More Like Jesus Christ | Short Sermon Series
How do we become more like Christ? By beholding him. We become like the One we behold in the Word. As we see him stretch out his hand in compassion to heal a leper, we see how we should be compassionate. When we see Jesus have mercy on the woman caught in adultery, we grow in mercy. As we observe Jesus resist the temptations of Satan to love the world, we learn to love the Lord our God as he did. As we gaze on Jesus hanging on the cross, and not revile his enemies but say, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do,” we learn to trust our heavenly father and forgive our enemies.
As we see Jesus submit to his Father’s will—“Not my will be done, but yours”—we to learn to submit to our wills to the Father’s will. As we see Jesus caring for his mother while he hangs on the cross, we to learn to honour our parents and care for them. And as we gaze upon Jesus enduring all things because of his love for us, we to learn to endure the sins and failures of others out of love for them. As we see Jesus empty himself and make himself poor that he might make us rich, we in turn learn to empty ourselves and lay down our lives for others. As we watch Jesus welcome little children, we, too, learn how important children are to Jesus.
As we watch Jesus put up with the pride, selfishness, and stupidity of his disciples, we grow in patience with our fellow believers’ foibles. As we marvel to watch Jesus kneel before his disciples the night before he is to die and wash their feet, the Holy Spirit grows us in humility and servanthood.
The first step to become more like Christ is to behold his glory in his Word. That’s why it’s so important for us to regularly take in Scripture. For as we read or listen to God’s word we behold Jesus, and the Holy Spirit transforms us into his image.
Sermon Article adapted from The Most Important Step in Becoming More Like Jesus Christ by biblestudytools.com @biblestudytoolscom