The Purpose Driven Life, Part 4

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The Purpose Driven Life, Part 4 CREATED TO
BECOME LIKE CHRIST
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We teach in a spirit of profound common sense so
that we can bring each person to maturity. To be
mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less.
That's what I'm working so hard at day after day,
year after year, doing my best with the energy
God so generously gives me.
Colossians 128,29 (MSG)
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• MY 3rd PURPOSE IN LIFE IS TO
• BECOME LIKE CHRIST,
• which is DISCIPLESHIP.

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He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet,
evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ's
followers in skilled servant work, working within
Christ's body, the church, until we're all moving
rhythmically and easily with each other,
efficient and graceful in response to God's Son,
fully mature adults, fully developed within and
without, fully alive like Christ. No prolonged
infancies among us, please. We'll not tolerate
babes in the woods, small children who are an
easy mark for impostors. God wants us to grow up,
to know the whole truth and tell it in love -
like Christ in everything. We take our lead from
Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He
keeps us in step with each other. His very breath
and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that
we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.
Ephesians 411-16
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• TO BE LIKE HIM, WE FIRST MUST KNOW HIM.
• Now we look inside, and what we see is that
  anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh
  start, is created new. The old life is gone a
  new life burgeons! Look at it!
• 2 Corinthians 517 (MSG)

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II. GOD USES DAILY DISCIPLINES TO MAKE US LIKE
CHRIST. Train yourself to be godly. For
physical training is of some value, but godliness
has value for all things, holding promise for
both the present life and the life to come.
1 Timothy 47,8
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III. GOD USES LIFES DIFFICULTIES TO MAKE US
LIKE CHRIST. And we know that God causes all
things to work together for good to those who
love God, to those who are called according to
His purpose. Romans 828
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• 1. GOD USES TROUBLES TO TEACH US TO TRUST HIM.
• They came to a garden called Gethsemane and
  Jesus said to his disciples, Sit here while I
  pray. ... Distress and anguish came over him,
  and he said, "The sorrow in My heart is so great
  that it almost crushes Me." Mark 1432-34 (TEV)
• "Father," he said, "everything is possible for
  you. Please take this cup of suffering away from
  Me. Yet I want your will, not mine!"
  Mark 1436 (NLT)

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Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests
and challenges come at you from all sides. You
know that under pressure, your faith-life is
forced into the open and shows its true colors.
So don't try to get out of anything prematurely.
Let it do its work so you become mature and
well-developed, not deficient in any way.
James 12-4 (Message) we also rejoice in our
sufferings, because we know that suffering
produces perseverance perseverance, character
and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint
us, because God has poured out his love into our
hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Romans 53-5
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Ask How can my experience help someone
else? Praise be to the God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and
the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all
our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any
trouble with the comfort we ourselves have
received from God.
2 Corinthians 13,4

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Remember the reward. Our light and momentary
troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory
that far outweighs them all. 2 Corinthians
417 (NIV) Dear friends, do not be surprised
at the painful trial you are suffering, as though
something strange were happening to you. But
rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of
Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his
glory is revealed. 1 Peter 412,13
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2. GOD USES TRESPASSES TO TEACH US TO
FORGIVE. People passing by shook their heads
and hurled insults at Jesus ... and the elders
made fun of him... Even the bandits who had been
crucified with him insulted him in the same
way. Matthew 2739-44 (TEV) Jesus said,
Father, forgive these people, because they don't
know what they are doing." Luke
2334 (NLT)
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Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved
children and walk in love, just as Christ also
loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering
and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
Ephesians 51,2
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Remember God has forgiven me. Forgive
others, just as God forgave you because of
Christ. Ephesians 432 (CEV)
Remember God is in control. And we know
that God causes all things to work together for
good to those who love God, to those who are
called according to His purpose.
Romans 828
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3. GOD USES TEMPTATION TO TEACH US TO OBEY.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the
desert to be tempted by the devil. Matthew
41 (NIV) "Get out of here, Satan Jesus
told him. The Scriptures say, Worship only the
Lord God. Obey only him.'" Matthew 410
(LB)
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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.
1 Corinthians 106-13
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Keep your thoughts focused on Gods Word. How
can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it
according to Your word. With all my heart I have
sought You Do not let me wander from Your
commandments. Your word I have treasured in my
heart, that I may not sin against You.
Psalm 1199-11
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Get a spiritual partner. Youre better off to
have a friend than to be all alone... If you
fall, your friend can help you up.
Ecclesiastes 49-10 (CEV)
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Your attitude should be the same as that of
Christ Jesus
Philippians 25