Talk the Talk,

Walk the Walk:

The Journey of a Pilgrim

We have no
photographs
of Jesus

Who is Jesus
to you?

God doesnt
have
Grandchildren!

You are Designed

by God to Become
Like Christ

not like the rest

of the world!

Romans 8:29, 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.

2 Cor 3:18 And we all...

are being transformed
into his image with
ever-increasing glory,
which comes from the
Lord, who is the Spirit.

Becoming more like Jesus is

called sanctification.
It is done through the power of the
Holy Spirit in cooperation with you
- ask for his help.
Php 2:13 - it is God who works
in you

In the Bible spiritual growth is likened

to a seed growing up - which requires
activity and development.
Spiritual growth requires our effort salvation doesnt.

Are you working with the Holy Spirit?

Do you respond to his leading?
Have you
Let go of the old ways?
Changed your thinking?
Put on the character of Christ by
developing godly habits?

God is far more interested in

building your character than
anything else...what God cares
about most is that whatever you do,
you do looking like Christ
Rick Warren, Purpose Driven Life

How can we
become like
Christ?

Lots of ways

People
Trials, temptations and difficulties
Partnership with the Holy Spirit
The Word of God
Developing a persevering, steadfast
spirit

Growing Through
Trials, Temptations
and Difficulties

James 1:12
Blessed is the man who
perseveres under trial, because
when he has stood the test, he will
receive the crown of life that God
has promised to those who love
him.

Temptation is an opportunity to
do right not wrong.
By choosing what is right and
you grow in character.
Do you give in to temptation
too easily?

How Temptation Works

Satan has been using the same idea
and tricks since the world began:
2 Cor 2:11 MSG After all, we don't
want to unwittingly give Satan an
opening for yet more mischief
we're not oblivious to his sly ways!

Step 1 - a desire is created in

you, sinful (revenge,
possessions, control etc.) or
good (need for love etc.)
The temptation is to fulfill either
of these in a sinful way

Mark 7:21-23 - For from within, out

of men's hearts, come evil thoughts,
sexual immorality, theft, murder,
adultery, greed, malice, deceit,
lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance
and folly. All these evils come from
inside and make a man 'unclean.' "

Step 2 - doubt, about what God

has said about the sin.
Did God really say...surely God
wants me to be happy

Step 3 - deception, satan does

not tell the truth but replaces what
God has said with lies or half
truths - no one will know, it is only
a little sin...

Step 4 - disobedience, you

act on what you have been
thinking about, you give in

James 1:14-16 each one is

tempted when, by his own evil
desire, he is dragged away
and enticed. Then, after desire
has conceived, it gives birth
to sin; and sin, when it is fullgrown, gives birth to death.

Overcoming Temptation

1. Dont be Intimidated
Dont be frightened, demoralised or
feel ashamed for having tempting
thoughts.
Temptation, it is part of a fallen
world, we never grow out of it!

1. Dont be Intimidated
Dont be frightened, demoralised or
feel ashamed for having tempting
thoughts.
Temptation, it is part of a fallen
world, we never grow out of it!

2. Recognise your pattern of

temptation and be prepared for
it
1 Peter 5:8

Where are you most in danger

from temptation?

2. Recognise your pattern of

What time
of be
day,
place, for
temptation
and
prepared
it
people?
1 Peter 5:8

Is it when youre tired, lonely,

stressed, self pitying, angry,
hurt, successful?

3. Ask for Gods help

Psalm 50:15and call upon me in the
day of trouble; I will deliver you, and
you will honor me.
Remember that God understands - he
always listens - God wants to be gracious
and merciful to you!

3. Ask for Gods help

Psalm 50:15and call upon me in the
day of trouble; I will deliver you, and
you will honor me.
Remember that God understands - he
always listens - God wants to be gracious
and merciful to you!

1 Cor 10:13 No temptation has

seized you except what is
common to man. And God is
faithful; he will not let you be
tempted beyond what you can
bear. But when you are tempted,
he will also provide a way out
so that you can stand up under
it.

The Bible does not

Jamestell
4:7 Submit
yourselves,
you
to resist
then, to God. Resist the devil,
and he will flee from you.
temptation
The Bible tells you to resist the
devil, not temptation!

The Bible tells you to resist the

devil, not temptation!
James 4:7 Submit yourselves,
then, to God. Resist the devil,
and he will flee from you.

The battle against sin is won or lost

in your mind.
Temptation usually begins with a
thought.

Ignoring a temptation, focussing

upon something else is more
effective than fighting it - your mind is
on something else so it loses power.
Leave the room, go home, turn off the
computer, change the topic of
conversation, read a book

To Grow Practise
Repentance

Why do you feel

so bad when you
sin?

"Temptation
always
promises
much and
delivers little

 Sin brings guilt (Psalm

51:3 4)
Sin separates us from
God (Isaiah 59:12).

 Sin brings guilt (Psalm

51:3 4)
Sin separates us from
God (Isaiah 59:12).

 Sin enslaves us
(Romans 6:17)

 Sin brings judgement and

everlasting punishment (Matthew
25:46).

Gods Answer: Repent!

Repentance was taught by;
John and Jesus Matt 3:1ff, 4:17
The first church Acts 2:38
Paul Acts 17:38
It is ESSENTIAL EVERY DAY

True repentance is more than

just being sorry for sin, or feeling
bad about it. Repentance
means:
Being willing to stop sinning.
Changing direction.

In Repentance
(i) We change our thinking
- See sin in a new way.
- See the need to live in a
different, God pleasing, way

In Repentance
(i) We change our thinking
- See sin in a new way.
- See the need to live in a
different, God pleasing, way

(ii) We change our actions

Turn to God from our disobedience,
selfishness and rebellion.
Turn away from sin.
Submit our lives to Jesus as Lord.

(iii) It is our responsibility to

repent.
Jesus might be you Saviour and
Lord - yet you can still live a self
centred life.
we have to repent of our sins
and then live with Jesus as our
Lord.

2 Cor 3:18 And we all...

are being transformed
into his image with
ever-increasing glory,
which comes from the
Lord, who is the Spirit.

The End