Becoming Like Christ Being Pliable

Training in Righteousness: Being Training in Righteousness: Being PliablePliable

Introduction:

• Training in righteousness is important!

• God disciplines those He loves.– Deut. 11:1-2– Heb. 12:6-ff

• When trained we will be like our teacher. Lk. 6:40

• We need to be pliable and allow God to transform us into the people that He wants us to be. Romans 8:29; Isa. 64:8; Jer. 18:6

Lessons From A Potter

• God sent Jeremiah to a Potter’s house (Jer. 18:1-12).

• Jeremiah saw the potter making something at the wheel.(God is working with us)

• The clay was marred in the potters hand.– Faulty clay doesn’t cooperate with the skillful

potter. (We as clay must cooperate with God)– There’s a danger of sin hardening us to the

point of no return. Heb. 4:7; Rom. 1:28; Jude 10; Lk. 13:3

Lessons From A Potter

• Jeremiah saw the potter make the clay into another vessel which seemed good to him. Jer. 18:4

• God can make us into another type of vessel if we cooperate with Him. Acts 11:18; Acts 18:8; 1 Cor. 6:9-12; Rom. 6:11-13

God’s Lessons To Us

• He has all dominion and authority over us. Isaiah 64:8; Romans 12:1-2

• Our composition determines our shape!– Punishment comes from sin and what’s

inside. Romans 6:23

• Solution: Be moldable!– Return from sin... Jeremiah 18:8; Acts 8:22– Reform your ways. Jer. 18:11; Acts 3:19

God’s Lessons To UsHow to be moldable…

– Avoid the dangerous attitude of Disbelief! Jeremiah 18:12

• Being obstinate in sin causes one not to be reformed. Ezekiel 18:31; 33:11

• This attitude causes one to depart from God. Hebrews 3:12

– They were adamant against following God. Zechariah 7:12; hopeless Eph. 2:12

• Christ is our hope! Col. 1:27; Gal. 2:20

– Need to be adamant in our obedience to God! 1 Cor. 15:58

God’s Lessons To UsHow to be moldable…

• Follow Jesus’ example:

Was pliable to the Father’s will…• In youth. His earthly life was always

obedient. Luke 2:42-52• When older was pliable…

– In teaching. John 12:49; 7:16• Today the Father says, Hear Christ.

Matthew 7:21;17:5

God’s Lessons To UsHow to be moldable…

Follow Christ’s example…• In example. He was the perfect pattern for us.

1 Pet. 2:21; Phil. 3:17; 1 Cor. 11:1

• In preparation for self-sacrifice… Luke 22:42• Showed His love to all mankind.

1 Jn. 4:10; 1 Jn. 2:2• Showed His obedience to the Father. Hebrews

5:8-9; Phil. 2:8• Showed forgiveness to those who crucified Him.

Luke 23:34• Showed salvation to the thief… Luke 23:43

Conclusion:• Being molded after the likeness of Christ

should be every Christians focus. Gal. 4:19

• Jesus calls us to have a moldable heart. Rom. 8:29

• Our mindset and response to discipline will determine the kind of vessel we will become. What type of clay are you? Moldable or rigid and unyielding?

• Let’s make Christ the Lord of our life each day, then He will renew our strength! Isaiah 40:30-31

Obey the Gospel of Christ!

• Hear the truth. John 6:45; Mk. 16:15

• Believe the truth of Christ. 1 Cor. 15:1-4

• Repent of sin. Acts 2:38

• Confess faith in Christ. Acts 8:37; Rom.10:10

• Be baptized into Christ. Gal. 3:27; Acts 22:16

• Be faithful. Rev. 2:10