“Becoming More Like Christ” by Bro Chang Jih Ren on 24th Feb 2019

Bro Jih Ren shared about John Stott, a world renowned evangelist, whom in his last sermon said that “where my mind has come to rest as I reach the end of my pilgrimage on earth as it is, God wants His people to become like Christ”. Before we were born, God already got the blue print that he made us in His image (Rom 8:29) and all of us reflect the image of God (2 Cor 3:18). We also know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is (1 John 3:2). He who says he abides in Christ ought to walk in the same way as He walked (1 John 3:6).

Being humble is the first attribute of Jesus. Jesus humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on the cross. The second attribute is the service of Jesus of which he even went to the extend of washing the disciples’ feet (John 13). The speaker shared of an e.g. where he could still clearly pictured in his mind, of a Church leader moping the dirty toilet at TMC after a Church service. The third attribute is because of Love that Christ gave himself as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Ephesians 5:2).The fourth attribute is the suffering and patient endurance of Jesus. Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow in his steps. If you endure injustice in your marriage, unfairness in your work place etc., look to Jesus. Finally the last attribute is the mission of Jesus (John 20:21). When Jesus says, “I am sending you” (into the world) means He is sending you into the lives of the individual. Being mission minded is going into the lives of those we are going to reach. At the same time we need the Holy Spirit to stir us to be Christ-like.