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Grace Fellowship Church
Became to Become - John 17:17-20 & Romans 12:1-2
Join us at Grace Fellowship where our mission is to Learn to Love God and Love People.
Locations & Times
Grace Fellowship Church
735 Buth Dr NE, Comstock Park, MI 49321, USA
Sunday 9:45 PM
John 17:17-20 & Romans 12:1-2
“Became to Become”
Welcome to the conclusion of our "Into the Great Unknown” series!
Our focus has been on realizing that despite transition the Lord gives His people a purpose to actively participate in.
He has given us the Great Commandment and Great Commission.
Last week we saw that our participation in the great commission is a project of reconciling people back to Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us (sent us with) the word of reconciliation (the Gospel).
Today we begin to look at what the Lord means in the nextportion of theGreat Commission “make disciples”.
What we’ll do today is look at answering:
What I mean when I say, “in discipleship we don’t became we become.”
What the definition of discipleship is?
What does discipleship look like day to day?
We will focus today on our own personal discipleship process as part of the larger bodies goal. Each doing their 1/11th.
Matthew 28:19-20 English Standard Version (ESV)
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe (OBEY)all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
The ultimate goal of “getting people saved” is NOT ONLY that we don’t go to hell.teaching them to observeall that I have commanded you.
THIS MEANS OUR OWN FAITH IS BEING TRANSFORMED.
Some say biblical transformation is like a caterpillar going through metamorphosis... while most desire to come out a butterfly some say instead of becoming a butterfly, they evolved into a more organized junk drawer.
I’m sure some of us feel this way about our journey with the Lord, less butterfly and more organized junk drawer but the good news is becoming like Christ isn’t about one transformativemoment alone but many moments stacked together over time after our salvation.
There is a three pronged process that the Lord has called us into as part of salvation (once we ‘get’ saved). The terms utilized are justification, sanctification, and glorification.
I’m sure you’ve heard these before but I will define them because…there are groups of people that believe these are all the same; once salvation occurs that all at once we are justified, sanctified, and glorified.
However, I think we see another story in the scriptures.
I said last week that discipleship is a process of practiced progress. It does not just occur by osmosis when we commit our lives to Christ.
This is why I said in discipleship we don’t became we become.
Became is past tense meaning something that has been done.
Romans 5:1 English Standard Version
5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
What happens at salvation is we became ‘justified’ by faith in Christ. Nothing can be added to that. This is what we would call “getting people saved.”
But again, the ultimate aim of discipleship isn’t just to “avoid hell” or stay “saved,” but to become like Christ in character, mission, love, humility, suffering, and obedience.
“Becoming” in this sense is present tense, an active process.
Requiring our active participation in killing our old mindset(s).
2 Corinthians 3:18 English Standard Version
18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image…
Romans 12:1-2
12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Once “He has called us onto Himself” and we are “justified by faith” the Holy Spirit then begins this sanctification process of “becoming like Christ”by the “renewal of our minds (Ephesians 4).”
Becoming, Renewal, Transforming, Presenting; these are all words that denote a process of practicedprogress.
We became justified by faith, but we become like Christ (sanctify) through daily practicing of, Spirit-empowered, Word-centered, intentional discipleship.
How many of us did the initial phases of our becoming like Christ correct, right away? (Coach do you like this story)
As a coach there is a reason we have practice. Practice is the training ground of our pursuit of greatness. No freshman comes in and gets things right straight away. No senior has everything figured out. They work together.
It takes a constant pursuit of progress and a great coaching staff to develop & unify our skillset.
The same is said of our process of practicedprogress in becoming like Christ. We need the practice and a group of solid coaches and people around us to be trained by.
I would be amiss if I did not take a moment to say that this “becoming like Christ”cannot be done apart from the Holy Spirit (our coach) convicting us and drawing us toward Christ-Likeness.
This addition of the Holy Spirit is what makes Christian discipleship unique. It is our uncommon distinction to the world around us.
He, the Holy Spirit enables us to behold the Glory of God and participate in the practiced progress of our sanctification.
Ezekiel 36:26 English Standard Version (ESV)
26 And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh,
John 16:7 - Amplified Bible
But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him (the Holy Spirit) to you [to be in close fellowship with you].
Titus 3:5 English Standard Version (ESV)
5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
Galatians 5:16 English Standard Version (ESV)
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
The beginning stages of sanctification are like the moments a baby begins walking for the first time. They run into everything. We need the Holy Spirit & mature believers to balance us and say as a parent would, “eyes on me.”
We become like Christ (sanctify) through daily practicing of Christ-Likenes.
Now that we have heard what I mean when I say we don’t became we become. Let’s look at our highlighted passage for today to understand the importance of discipleship/sanctification in our lives.
John 17:17-20
17 Sanctify them in the truth; yourword is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.20 “I do not ask for these only (His disciples), but also for those who will believe in me through their word(that would be us),
Jesus’ prayer in John 17 focuses in on His hope for His followers…
HIS HOPE IS IN OUR SANCTIFICATION (DISCIPLESHIP)
John 17:17
17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
What is the truth we are supposed to be sanctified by?
John 14:6
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life…
What is the Word?
John 1:14
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,
Jesus is praying that the Father would assist us in our pursuit of “becoming like Him (Christ).”
Jesus then continues His prayer in John 17:19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.
The reason he is getting ready to take on the cross and set himself apart from the world is not only salvation but that we might be sanctified in Him.
What is discipleship? Discipleship is the sanctification process of “renewing our minds” away from the sin nature of the world and into the “mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16)”. It is the “becoming like Christ.”
What does discipleship look like day to day.
Most of these commands we have heard today are commands focused on our minds.
“The more Truth (Jesus) you believe, the more sanctified you will be. The operation of Truth upon the mind is to be a separate man from the world into the service of God” - Charles Spurgeon
Simply put our day to day discipleship is to focus on controlling what we think about and the actions that follow those thoughts.
1 Peter 1:13 English Standard Version
13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope…14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy
Any preppers in the room? You should understand this idea…
Preparing for the battle, that is our ongoing sanctification. It’s the battle cry of holiness. Prepare for action (eye black). Some translations say gird yourself or shorten your skirt as to not impede motion.
We brace for the sanctification battle by being sober-minded…
Sobriety translated here is: a spiritual self-restraint so we don’t become overwhelmed by the alluring world.
Galatians 5:16 English Standard Version (ESV)
16 … walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Philippians 4:8-11 English Standard Version
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true,…honorable,…just,…pure,…lovely,…commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think(set your mind) about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Bracing for the sanctification battle:
It means surrounding ourselves with other disciples who will encourage and challenge our mindset away from the world and toward Christ.
This means spending time in the Word that sanctifies us (individually & together) so we know what that mindset is.
It means yielding daily to the Holy Spirit’s work in us (individually & together).
We became justified by faith, but we become like Christ through daily, Spirit-empowered, Word-centered, intentional discipleship.
So as we leave today, here’s the challenge:
Let’s refuse to settle for being “more organized junk drawers.”
Let’s choose to lean into the process of becoming—becoming more like Christ in our thoughts, our actions, and our character.
We became a Christian.
We are continuouslybecoming Christlike.
Let’s commit today to walk this journey of becoming—together.
Extra For This Week:
The mind of Christ can be found in these passages (not just words, actions): Philippians 2:1-7; 1 Peter 3:8-9; 1 Peter 4:1-2; Ephesians 4:23-24; Philippians 4; Colossians 3:9-10
https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/the-renewed-mind-and-how-to-have-it
https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/let-us-walk-by-the-spirit
“Became to Become”
Welcome to the conclusion of our "Into the Great Unknown” series!
Our focus has been on realizing that despite transition the Lord gives His people a purpose to actively participate in.
He has given us the Great Commandment and Great Commission.
Last week we saw that our participation in the great commission is a project of reconciling people back to Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us (sent us with) the word of reconciliation (the Gospel).
Today we begin to look at what the Lord means in the nextportion of theGreat Commission “make disciples”.
What we’ll do today is look at answering:
What I mean when I say, “in discipleship we don’t became we become.”
What the definition of discipleship is?
What does discipleship look like day to day?
We will focus today on our own personal discipleship process as part of the larger bodies goal. Each doing their 1/11th.
Matthew 28:19-20 English Standard Version (ESV)
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe (OBEY)all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
The ultimate goal of “getting people saved” is NOT ONLY that we don’t go to hell.teaching them to observeall that I have commanded you.
THIS MEANS OUR OWN FAITH IS BEING TRANSFORMED.
Some say biblical transformation is like a caterpillar going through metamorphosis... while most desire to come out a butterfly some say instead of becoming a butterfly, they evolved into a more organized junk drawer.
I’m sure some of us feel this way about our journey with the Lord, less butterfly and more organized junk drawer but the good news is becoming like Christ isn’t about one transformativemoment alone but many moments stacked together over time after our salvation.
There is a three pronged process that the Lord has called us into as part of salvation (once we ‘get’ saved). The terms utilized are justification, sanctification, and glorification.
I’m sure you’ve heard these before but I will define them because…there are groups of people that believe these are all the same; once salvation occurs that all at once we are justified, sanctified, and glorified.
However, I think we see another story in the scriptures.
I said last week that discipleship is a process of practiced progress. It does not just occur by osmosis when we commit our lives to Christ.
This is why I said in discipleship we don’t became we become.
Became is past tense meaning something that has been done.
Romans 5:1 English Standard Version
5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
What happens at salvation is we became ‘justified’ by faith in Christ. Nothing can be added to that. This is what we would call “getting people saved.”
But again, the ultimate aim of discipleship isn’t just to “avoid hell” or stay “saved,” but to become like Christ in character, mission, love, humility, suffering, and obedience.
“Becoming” in this sense is present tense, an active process.
Requiring our active participation in killing our old mindset(s).
2 Corinthians 3:18 English Standard Version
18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image…
Romans 12:1-2
12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Once “He has called us onto Himself” and we are “justified by faith” the Holy Spirit then begins this sanctification process of “becoming like Christ”by the “renewal of our minds (Ephesians 4).”
Becoming, Renewal, Transforming, Presenting; these are all words that denote a process of practicedprogress.
We became justified by faith, but we become like Christ (sanctify) through daily practicing of, Spirit-empowered, Word-centered, intentional discipleship.
How many of us did the initial phases of our becoming like Christ correct, right away? (Coach do you like this story)
As a coach there is a reason we have practice. Practice is the training ground of our pursuit of greatness. No freshman comes in and gets things right straight away. No senior has everything figured out. They work together.
It takes a constant pursuit of progress and a great coaching staff to develop & unify our skillset.
The same is said of our process of practicedprogress in becoming like Christ. We need the practice and a group of solid coaches and people around us to be trained by.
I would be amiss if I did not take a moment to say that this “becoming like Christ”cannot be done apart from the Holy Spirit (our coach) convicting us and drawing us toward Christ-Likeness.
This addition of the Holy Spirit is what makes Christian discipleship unique. It is our uncommon distinction to the world around us.
He, the Holy Spirit enables us to behold the Glory of God and participate in the practiced progress of our sanctification.
Ezekiel 36:26 English Standard Version (ESV)
26 And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh,
John 16:7 - Amplified Bible
But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him (the Holy Spirit) to you [to be in close fellowship with you].
Titus 3:5 English Standard Version (ESV)
5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
Galatians 5:16 English Standard Version (ESV)
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
The beginning stages of sanctification are like the moments a baby begins walking for the first time. They run into everything. We need the Holy Spirit & mature believers to balance us and say as a parent would, “eyes on me.”
We become like Christ (sanctify) through daily practicing of Christ-Likenes.
Now that we have heard what I mean when I say we don’t became we become. Let’s look at our highlighted passage for today to understand the importance of discipleship/sanctification in our lives.
John 17:17-20
17 Sanctify them in the truth; yourword is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.20 “I do not ask for these only (His disciples), but also for those who will believe in me through their word(that would be us),
Jesus’ prayer in John 17 focuses in on His hope for His followers…
HIS HOPE IS IN OUR SANCTIFICATION (DISCIPLESHIP)
John 17:17
17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
What is the truth we are supposed to be sanctified by?
John 14:6
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life…
What is the Word?
John 1:14
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,
Jesus is praying that the Father would assist us in our pursuit of “becoming like Him (Christ).”
Jesus then continues His prayer in John 17:19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.
The reason he is getting ready to take on the cross and set himself apart from the world is not only salvation but that we might be sanctified in Him.
What is discipleship? Discipleship is the sanctification process of “renewing our minds” away from the sin nature of the world and into the “mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16)”. It is the “becoming like Christ.”
What does discipleship look like day to day.
Most of these commands we have heard today are commands focused on our minds.
“The more Truth (Jesus) you believe, the more sanctified you will be. The operation of Truth upon the mind is to be a separate man from the world into the service of God” - Charles Spurgeon
Simply put our day to day discipleship is to focus on controlling what we think about and the actions that follow those thoughts.
1 Peter 1:13 English Standard Version
13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope…14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy
Any preppers in the room? You should understand this idea…
Preparing for the battle, that is our ongoing sanctification. It’s the battle cry of holiness. Prepare for action (eye black). Some translations say gird yourself or shorten your skirt as to not impede motion.
We brace for the sanctification battle by being sober-minded…
Sobriety translated here is: a spiritual self-restraint so we don’t become overwhelmed by the alluring world.
Galatians 5:16 English Standard Version (ESV)
16 … walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Philippians 4:8-11 English Standard Version
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true,…honorable,…just,…pure,…lovely,…commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think(set your mind) about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Bracing for the sanctification battle:
It means surrounding ourselves with other disciples who will encourage and challenge our mindset away from the world and toward Christ.
This means spending time in the Word that sanctifies us (individually & together) so we know what that mindset is.
It means yielding daily to the Holy Spirit’s work in us (individually & together).
We became justified by faith, but we become like Christ through daily, Spirit-empowered, Word-centered, intentional discipleship.
So as we leave today, here’s the challenge:
Let’s refuse to settle for being “more organized junk drawers.”
Let’s choose to lean into the process of becoming—becoming more like Christ in our thoughts, our actions, and our character.
We became a Christian.
We are continuouslybecoming Christlike.
Let’s commit today to walk this journey of becoming—together.
Extra For This Week:
The mind of Christ can be found in these passages (not just words, actions): Philippians 2:1-7; 1 Peter 3:8-9; 1 Peter 4:1-2; Ephesians 4:23-24; Philippians 4; Colossians 3:9-10
https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/the-renewed-mind-and-how-to-have-it
https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/let-us-walk-by-the-spirit