We often give much attention to the death and resurrection of Jesus (which is vital of course)

But, Romans 5:10 also tells us that we are “saved through his life.”

By looking at the life of Jesus we learn how we too are to live.

Just as Jesus called the disciples in his time to “follow me” – he calls us today to Follow

We may not be able to walk the same dusty roads that he did or take a ride in a fishing boat with him, but we follow him in spirit and in the practice of our daily lives.

1 Peter 2:21 – “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.”

1 John 2:6 – “whoever says, ‘I abide in him’, ought to walk just as he walked.”

This series is about following Jesus and learning from his life so that we may be spiritually transformed.

Briefly, what is spiritual transformation?

• 2 Cor 3:18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
• Gal 4:19 My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,

• Eph 2:22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
• 4:22-24 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
• 5:1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children
• Phil 2:12-13 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
• Col 2:6-7, 13 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 13When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature,[a] God made you[b] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,

Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe? download We want to become more like Jesus, so we become his disciples and follow him and learn from his life.

In looking at the life of Jesus, we find 6 “streams”:

1. Prayer-filled – life of prayer, intimacy, and devotion to God
2. Virtuous – purity of heart, virtue (holiness) in thought, word, and action
3. Spirit-empowered – ministry in great power through the Spirit
4. Compassionate – compassion toward all people, helping the sick and needy, “love your neighbor”
A Simple Plan divx
5. Word-centered – proclaiming the “good news of the gospel”, the kingdom of heaven, immersed in the OT Scriptures
6. Sacramental – integrating faith and work

Human nature tends to over emphasize one thing over the other and we go to extremes while neglecting other areas.

Jesus presents to us a balanced life of faith. He calls us to follow him and learn from him. He says,

“come to me…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.”

It is also helpful to look at the examples of those who have gone before us, so we will also be looking at brief snapshots of Christians throughout history who have sought to follow Jesus in the same ways that we are going to be learning about.

Ultimately though, we look to Jesus.

In Jesus we find “the fullness of God”, and our goal as Christians is to “reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” and that we “may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Jesus is our savior and he is our teacher.

He did not come just so that one day we could enter heaven, but so that we may begin to experience eternal life here and now and that we may have life to the full.

Let’s go on this journey together and be transformed into his image by the work of the Spirit.