Power In Disguise Series

Opening Illustration: One Sunday morning the pastor noticed little Alex was staring up at the large plaque that hung in the foyer of the church. The plaque was covered with names, and small American flags were mounted on either side of it. The seven year old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the pastor walked up, stood beside the boy, and said quietly, "Good morning Alex." "Good morning pastor," replied the young man, still focused on the plaque. "Pastor McGhee, what is this?" Alex asked. "Well, son, it’s a memorial to all the young men and women who died in the service." Soberly, they stood together, staring at the large plaque. Little Alex’s voice was barely audible when he asked, "Which service, the 9:00 or the 11:00?"

You know this is Memorial Day where we have recognized and acknowledged the men and women who have fought for our country. I wonder what our service would be like if we decided to remember those who fought the good fight of faith. How many of us could stand up and tell stories of remembrance of people in our lives that did that? How many of us in this room when we are gone will have those kinds of stories told about us?

We need to be remembered for what we did with our faith. How did we live our lives in a way that reflected the character of Jesus? For many of us in this room, living a life of faith is somewhat foreign. Some have not thought about what might be said spiritually about them when they die.

Valerie and I were talking just the other day about what people are known for. Are they known for their following Jesus or not. For a person who has gone to church all their life, it seems incredible that there are so many who will have very little to remember in regard to their spiritual life.

Church what is it we are trying to produce here? Disciples! What is a disciple? A learner – one who becoming like His master / teacher! If we are going to become like Jesus, our Master we must apply ourselves to understanding Him and how He lived.

That is why I am preaching this series. Many people in the church have the understanding that they are to be like Jesus but few actually know what Jesus was like. I want to present to you a picture of what Jesus character was like so that you and I can begin to emulate Him in our lives. The bible sdays we are to be transformed into the likeness of Christ. Being like Jesus - that is a memorial I want said about me.

Turn to Galatians 5:22-23. Pray

Did you notice that these are called “Fruit” of the spirit? The definition is : that which originates or comes from something, an effect, result.

We cannot look at these as individual traits that we can pick and choose from. They are all the fruit of the spirit. As the Holy Spirit resides in you, he will produce these traits. The key however is that while he is always in us, there are times we don’t allow him to work on the outside. We try and hide him away. When we do that these traits are also hidden and our witness for Christ is harmed. Therefore, we must always seek to be filled with the spirit and give him freedom every day to move in our lives to make us more like the Master – Jesus.

These Jesus traits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self control, humility and thankfulness are to be visible in our lives. Not just when we come together on Sunday mornings but everywhere we find ourselves: at home, at work or at play.

Each of us must be willing to help others and receive help from others in this process of becoming like Jesus. We must encourage one another, live as examples for one another and even exhort if necessary in order for us to grow in these traits of Jesus. Look at what the bible says about this transformation process: 2 Cor. 3:18.

These attributes of Jesus are to be ever increasing in our lives. When we live these out the world will see Jesus in us. We will be Jesus to the world – being used by him through the power of the Holy Spirit to build up the kingdom of God in the lives of those we come in contact with daily. Listen to what Jesus said in Matthew 10:24-25a.

Today, we are going to look at the traits of gentleness and humility. These traits of the Master hold great promise for us if we will develop them in our lives. Let’s first verify that these are in fact tr4aits of Jesus: Matthew 11:29; 21:5; 23:12; II Cor. 10:1; Phil. 2:8.