Topic: Habits helping us become more like Jesus.

Passage: John 10

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Here are notes, quotes and verses from the sermon.

Our church vision is to be a faith community of disciples who what to become more like Jesus and introduce others to Jesus. 

Who have we become? 

Who are we becoming?

John Ortberg in ‘The Life you’ve always wanted’ says its a case of:

Training verses Trying 

“Spiritual transformation is not a matter of trying harder, but of training wisely.” 

As Paul said to Timothy: 1 Timothy 4:7b rather, train yourself to be godly.

“Following Jesus simply means learning from him how to arrange my life around activities that enable me to live in the fruit of the spirit.”

Vernie Schorr Love in ‘Spiritual Disciplines for Children’ says:

“The intentional, personal, and habitual practice of spiritual disciplines invites God’s Spirit to change us, to build his character in us, to make us more like his son Jesus, and to reveal how to live our lives with God and with others.” 

The Foundation

Matthew 7:24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

These Foundations are key and will be part of everything we do and will as church and specifically in relation to our exploration of habits:

Love

Bible

Prayer

Community

Habits 

Four main habits

Silence and Solitude – April

Sabbath, slowing and rest – May

Service to include Gifts, Hospitality – June

Worship to include Celebration, Hospitality and Praise – September

Why do this?

Richard Foster in ‘Celebration of Discipline’ says:

“The Slavery of Ingrained Habits”

“Willpower will never succeed in dealing with the deeply ingrained habits of sin.”

Dallas Willard in ‘The Divine Conspiracy’ says:

“But the truth about obedience in the kingdom of Jesus, as should be clear by now, is that it really is abundance. Kingdom obedience is kingdom abundance. They are not two separate things. The inner condition of the soul from which strength and love and peace flow is the very same condition that generously blesses the oppressor and lovingly offers the other cheek. These Christlike behaviours are expressions of a pervasive personal strength and its joy, not of weakness, morbidity, sorrow—or raw exertion of will—as is so often assumed. And all those old “options” that we might think should be kept in reserve, just in case they turn out to be “necessary,” will not even be missed.”

The Invitation of Jesus

Jesus invites us to experience the best life through him.

John 10:10 I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Matthew 4:19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

Revelation 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

The Heart of Jesus 

Throughout the Gospels we see the compassion of Jesus.

Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”

Matthew 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 15:14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

The Disciple of Jesus

John 10:14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me"

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 4:19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

Dallas Willard in ‘The Divine Conspiracy’ says:

“Enthralling the Mind with God”

Richard Foster in ‘Celebration of Discipline’ says at the start of his book:

“Superficiality is the curse of our age. The doctrine of instant satisfaction is primary spiritual problem. The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people.”

Dallas Willard in ‘The Divine Conspiracy’ says:

“We have to come to terms with the fact that we cannot become those who “hear and do” without specific training for it. The training may be to some extent self-administered, but more than that will always be needed. It is something that must be made available to us by those already farther along the path.”

Apply

This week take some time to read through these verses and quotes and ask yourself:

Who am I becoming and how are my habits contributing to this?

Ask God to reveal to you who he wants you to become and how theses habits can help you experience life to the full through Jesus?

What have I found interesting? 

What has challenged my life, attitudes and actions? 

How would this habit help me to become more like Jesus?

How would this habit help me to introduce others to Jesus?

What practical steps do I need to take to incorporate this habit into my life?

Is there there anything I need to pray about, explore further or extra help I need?

Is there someone I should to share with, pray with or encourage?