Please stand and hold up your Bible and repeat after me.
This is my Bible.
I am what it says I am.
I can do what it says I can do.
I am going to learn how to be what it says I can be.
Today I will learn more of the word of God.
The indestructible, never ending, living word Of God.
I will never be the same.
I will never be the same.
In Jesus Name
Amen?
Before you sit down, say good morning to your brothers and sisters.
"Called to Conform to the Image of His Son"
Introduction: Good morning, church! Today, we are going to unpack a beautiful and deeply profound verse from Romans 8:29.
Turn with me to the Book of Romans and say, "Amen" when you are there.
Let’s read it together:
“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.” (Romans 8:29, NIV)
This verse is more than just a statement; it’s a declaration of purpose, a glimpse into the heart of God, and an invitation to transformation.
Today, we will reflect on the incredible truth that God has a plan for us—not just to save us, but to shape us, to mold us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.
1. The Sovereign Plan of God: Foreknew and Predestined Romans 8:29 begins with the words, “For those God foreknew.” Think about that for a moment. Before the foundation of the world, God knew you. He knew every detail of your life, every joy, every struggle, every victory, and every failure. Nothing in your life has caught Him by surprise. His love and His plans for you have been in motion from eternity past.
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his foreknowledge is not merely intellectual; it is relational. God didn’t just know about you—He chose you. And what did He choose for you? “He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.”
God’s purpose for your life is not simply to survive this world, not just to exist, but to be transformed. He has a vision for you—a vision of wholeness, of spiritual maturity, of being shaped into the likeness of Jesus. This is the purpose He has called you to, and it is nothing less than the greatest calling you will ever have.
2. The Purpose: To Be Conformed to the Image of Jesus The second part of Romans 8:29 reveals God’s ultimate goal for us: “to be conformed to the image of His Son.” The word “conformed” here carries a powerful meaning. It means to be molded, shaped, or transformed into a likeness that reflects Jesus Christ. This is not a superficial change but a deep, transformative process that touches the very core of who we are.
So, what does this look like? It means that our thoughts, our attitudes, and our actions should begin to mirror Christ's. It means His love becomes our love, His compassion becomes our compassion, His humility becomes our humility. We are to walk in His steps, love as He loved, forgive as He forgave, and serve as He served.
But let me be clear—this transformation is not immediate. It’s a lifelong process, one in which God’s grace empowers us every step of the way. You don’t have to have it all figured out today. God knows where you are, and He meets you there. He is committed to His work in you, and He won’t stop until you look more like Jesus.
3. The Encouragement: You Are Not Alone in the Process It’s easy to look at the high standard of Christ’s image and feel discouraged. We can ask ourselves, “How could I ever be like Jesus?” The truth is, on our own, we can’t. But the good news is this: we are not on this journey alone.
In John 14:16, Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit, saying, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to help you and be with you forever.” The Holy Spirit is the one who empowers us to become more like Christ. It’s through the Spirit that we are able to grow in patience, kindness, gentleness, and all the fruit of the Spirit.
When we feel weak, He strengthens us. When we fall, He picks us up. When we doubt, He reminds us of God’s promises. The transformation process may be challenging, but the Holy Spirit walks alongside us, guiding, convicting, and comforting us every step of the way.
4. The Hope of Glorification: Our Final Destination Romans 8:29 concludes with an incredible truth: “that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” This is not just talking about Jesus being the first to be resurrected; it’s also pointing us to our future hope. As we are conformed to the image of Christ, we are becoming part of God’s family. One day, we will be glorified with Him—perfectly conformed to His image, without sin, without pain, without tears.
This is our ultimate destination: a future where we will be fully united with Christ in glory, experiencing the fullness of our redemption. And in that moment, we will see Jesus face to face, and we will be made like Him.
So, let this truth encourage you, church. Whatever trials, struggles, or challenges you are facing today, remember that God is not done with you. You are in the process of becoming more like Jesus, and He will bring that work to completion. The end of the story is a glorious one, and it will be worth it all.
As we reflect on this beautiful passage, I want to give each of us the opportunity to respond to God’s call today. Perhaps you’ve been feeling discouraged by your progress or burdened by the challenges of life. Maybe you’ve been striving to be more like Jesus but are feeling overwhelmed by your weaknesses. Or perhaps you’ve never truly surrendered your life to God’s transforming power.
Whatever it may be, I want to invite you to the altar this morning. Come and lay your burdens down before the Lord. Ask Him to continue His work in you. Ask Him to empower you through the Holy Spirit to become more like Jesus. And if you’ve never fully surrendered to Him, this is your moment to do so, trusting that He will guide you every step of the way.
Closing Prayer: Father God, we thank You for the incredible promise of transformation found in Romans 8:29. We are humbled by Your love and grace that predestined us to be conformed to the image of Your Son. Lord, we confess that we cannot do this on our own, but we thank You that through Your Holy Spirit, we are empowered to grow and change.
We pray for everyone here today who feels discouraged, who feels like they are not making progress, or who feels distant from You. We pray that You would renew their hearts, strengthen their spirits, and remind them that You are at work in their lives.
For those who are ready to surrender completely to You, we ask that You would meet them right where they are and fill them with Your peace, Your grace, and Your love.
Thank You, Lord, for the hope of glorification, that one day, we will be with You in glory, fully conformed to the image of Jesus. Until that day, help us walk with You, day by day, allowing You to shape us into who You’ve called us to be.
In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray. Amen.
I invite you to come forward now, whether for prayer, for surrender, or for renewal. Let us pray with you, and may this be a powerful moment of surrender and transformation in your life. God is at work, and He is not finished with you yet!
