Transforming Into The Beauty of Christ

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Transforming Into The Beauty of Christ

• June 11, 2006
• Text II Co. 318
• David Pike

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Character is Important
Character is like a tree and reputation is like
its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it
the tree is the real thing. Abraham Lincoln
Links in a chain One cant have a good
character without good morals. One cant have a
good reputation without a good character. One
cant have a good influence without a good
reputation.
Hardships build character. Character-building is
a process we glory in tribulations, knowing
that tribulations produces perseverance and
perseverance, character and character, hope...
(Ro. 51-5)
Lets explore the conceptual model and five key
character-building principles.
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Conceptual Character-Building Model

• Image of Christ II Co. 318 Rev. 112-20
• Our Master Lk. 640
• Mind of Christ Ph. 25
• True God Jh. 173
• Author and Finisher of Our Faith Hb. 121-2

• Babes in Christ - I Pt. 22
• Born Again - Jh. 35
• Become a Disciple - Lk. 1425-33

Transformation Process
Ro. 121-2 Hb. 512-14
And do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that
you may prove what is that good and acceptable
and perfect will of God. (Ro. 121-2)
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We Become What We Contemplate
Thought creates character - For as he thinks in
his heart, so is he (Pr. 237)
Meditate on Gods words But his delight is in
the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates
day and night... (Ps. 1 )
Peter grew from denying the Lord to being a
pillar in the church. (Lk. 2232 Ga. 29)
Christ means nothing in our lives, until He is
everything. must forsake all to be His
disciple and seek first the kingdom of God (Lk.
1425-33 Mt. 633)
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We Become What We Contemplate
We imitate what we think about Imitate me,
just as I also imitate Christ. (I Co. 111)
We must prevent, not suppress, adverse
characteristics forming in our minds. For out
of the abundance of the heart, the mouth
speaksoutwardly appear as white washed tombs
(Mt. 2327-28 1234)
Visualize and contemplate what you want to become
and one day you will see a reflection of the very
image.
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Meditate on Good Things
Thinking right thoughts is the only way to change
into the beauty of Jesus - whatever things are
truenoblejustpurelovelygood report, if there
is any virtue and if there is anything
praiseworthy meditate on these things. (Ph.
48)
We must plant good seeds to produce good fruit
the seed is the word of God. (Lk. 815)
Our conscious mind reasons while the subconscious
automatically reacts to what we believe is true.
the answer of a good conscious toward God...
(I Pt. 321)
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Meditate on Good Things
Replace bad seeds of revenge, fear, bitterness
and criticism with love, forbearance, sympathy,
and kindness. Let all bitterness, wrath,
anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from
you, with all malice. And be kind to one
another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
just as God in Christ also forgave you. (Ep.
431-32) Do not avenge yourselvesdo not be
overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.
(Ro. 1217-21)
Like the Good Samaritan (Lk. 1025-37), we must
continually think of our duty to God and others.
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Maintain a Good Attitude
Being happy is a state of mind Blessed are
the poor in spiritmournmeekhunger and thirst
mercifulpure in heartpeacemakerspersecuted.
(Mt. 51-12)
Happiness can be delusional - Take heed beware
of covetousness, for ones life does not consist
in the abundance of things he possesses. (Lk.
1215)
Fear, tension, frustration, and insecurity robs
us of happiness. Vanities of vanities, says
the Preacher Vanities of vanities, all is
vanity. (Eccl. 12 1212-13)
Unnatural qualities replace natural ones.
Happiness depends on our state of mind!
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Love in Action Produces Fruit
Applying love in our lives will produce fruit
But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control. Against such there is
no law (Ga. 522-23)
Possess the same mind as Christ - Let this mind
be in you which was also in Christ Jesus... (Ph.
25)
Love is expressed upward, inward and outward.
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three
but the greatest of these is love. (I Co. 1313)
Sow an action and you reap a habit sow a habit
and you reap a character sow a character and you
reap a destiny.
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Continue to Build a Godly Character
Growing in the Christian graces giving all
diligence, addfaithvirtueknowledgeself-control
perseverancegodlinessbrotherly kindnesslove
if you do these things you will never stumble.
(II Pt. 15-11)
Take care what you use to build your house -
you are Gods buildingno other foundation can
anyone lay than that which is laid, which is
Jesus Christ. (I Co. 39-17)
Any worthy achievement in life demands practice.
(Hb.. 121-2)
Be diligent in your growth. What you sow is what
you will reap!
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Key Christian Character Qualities
Toward God and Christ Faith, belief, holiness,
worship, godliness, obedience, love, joy,
imitation, and fellowship.
Toward the world Chastity, contentment,
diligence, forbearance, honesty, industry, love
enemies, peacefulness, temperance, tolerance,
zeal for good works.
Toward other Christians Bearing burdens,
helping the needy, fellowship, brotherly
kindness, and edification.
Internal graces Meekness, humility, gentleness,
love, self-control, peace.
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Remember The Model and Key Principles

• We Become What We Contemplate
• Meditate on Good Things
• Maintain a Good Attitude
• Love in Action Produces Fruit
• Continue to Build a Godly Character

And do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that
you may prove what is that good and acceptable
and perfect will of God. (Ro. 121-2)
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What Does It Mean To Be A Christian?
A New Relationship For the love of Christ
constrains us, because we judge thus that if One
died for all, then all died and He died for all,
that those who live should no longer live for
themselves. (II Co. 514-15)
New Blessings who has blessed us with every
spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Ep.
13, 7)
New Loves set your mind on things aboveseek
first the kingdom of God (Col. 31-2 Mt. 633)
New Responsibilities Be faithful unto death
(Re. 210 Jude 3 Hb. 1025 Mt. 516 Ep. 416)
New Hopes In My Fathers house are many
mansionswhere I am there you may be (Jh.
141-3)