Emphasizes that God intentionally created and chose us to be transformed into the image of His Son, carrying a divine calling and sharing in His glory.
Good morning, family. Today, we're diving into a passage from the book of Romans, and I'm excited about the journey we're about to embark on together. This passage speaks of God's plan for our transformation, the power of being chosen, and our role as God's image-bearers.
Let me start by sharing a quote from Joyce Meyer who once said, "The more we focus on who we are in Christ, the less it matters who we were in the past, or even what happened to us." I love this quote because it reminds us that living a God-filled life is so much more important than the desires of the flesh and that we are designed to carry His image and partake in His joy.
Our Scripture for today is Romans 8:29-30. Let me read that for you:
"For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified."
Let us pray.
Dear Heavenly Father, as we delve into Your word today, we ask for Your guidance. Open our eyes to see the beautiful truth of Your plans for us, the power of Your choosing, and the weight of bearing Your image. Help us to grasp the significance of this calling and empower us to live it out daily. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
Let's dive in.
The concept of God's plan for our transformation is not just about change, but about a deep, radical transformation that alters the very core of who we are. It's about becoming more like Christ in every aspect of our lives.
God foreknew us: This means that before we were even formed, God knew us intimately. He knew our strengths, our weaknesses, our joys, and our sorrows. He knew the number of hairs on our heads and the number of breaths we would take. This intimate knowledge of us is not passive; it's active and purposeful. God knew us so that He could shape us, mold us, and transform us into the image of His Son.
A lifelong process: It's a journey that we embark on the moment we accept Christ as our Savior. It's a journey of becoming less like the world and more like Christ. It's about shedding our old selves and putting on our new selves, which are created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Not alone in this process: God is with us every step of the way. He is our guide, our strength, and our comfort. He provides us with His Word to instruct us, His Spirit to empower us, and His grace to sustain us. He is the potter, and we are the clay. He shapes us and molds us according to His perfect plan.
There are challenges: There are times when we may feel like the process is too difficult, the journey too long, or the change too radical. We may feel like we're losing ourselves in the process. But the truth is, we're not losing ourselves; we're finding our true selves in Christ. We're discovering who we were always meant to be - image-bearers of God, reflecting His glory to the world.
There are rewards: As we are transformed into the image of Christ, we begin to experience the abundant life that Jesus promised. We experience joy that is unspeakable, peace that surpasses understanding, and love that knows no bounds. We experience the freedom that comes from living in the truth, the fulfillment that comes from walking in God's purpose, and the satisfaction that comes from doing God's will.
God's greater plan for the world: As we are transformed into the image of Christ, we become agents of transformation in the world. We become salt and light, influencing the world for Christ. We become ambassadors of Christ, representing Him to the world. We become instruments of God, used by Him to bring about His kingdom on earth.
About the here and now: God is not just preparing us for heaven; He's preparing us for earth. He's not just transforming us for eternity; He's transforming us for today. He's not just making us like Christ in the future; He's making us like Christ right now.
Pastor, here would be a good place to share a personal story about how God has transformed you or someone you know and why it was significant.
The concept of being chosen by God is a powerful one ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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