Being like Christ is the most important goal for a Christian to pursue. God saved us so that we could be like Christ. No matter what man accomplishes in his life, he will inevitably die and be forgotten. Jesus alone has an everlasting legacy because he died and rose again. Becoming like Christ is possible because Jesus was truly man. He was baptized, so we get baptized; He prayed, therefore, we pray. In this last sermon of the series, Like Jesus, we will focus on how we can be like Jesus as He was anointed by the Holy Spirit, loved dearly by the Father, and how He pleased God.
The Holy Spirit dwelled in Jesus. v.22
The descension of the Holy Spirit was not a mystical event; it was actual. God came to get directly involved in Jesus’ ministry. This is why Jesus constantly said the Father was with Him. Everything Jesus did was caused by the Holy Spirit and He was never without Him except on the cross, when the holy presence of God turned away from Jesus because of the sins He bore in our stead.
Jesus was truly a man. In His humanity, He needed the Holy Spirit to have communion with God. The church must understand its need of the Holy Spirit- without Him, the church will neither be biblical or powerful. Thankfully, we can be anointed like Jesus. The baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs in our souls when God saves us. Those who have the Holy Spirit are transformed because the Holy Spirit continually works for our souls. We must be led by Him and be filled with Him by keeping the word of God in our hearts. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we become obedient to the Word of God.
What are the marks of those who have the Holy Spirit?
- They are internally transformed. The Holy Spirit actualizes Jesus to the believer, transforming him to follow Jesus daily.
- They desire to live for God’s glory.
- They have a desire for a greater knowledge of God. They are thirsty to continually know God.
- They are concerned with their lack of love for God. The self-righteous person thinks they love Him enough. The Spirit-filled person knows they don’t, but they desire to.
- They are increasingly aware of sin. When you are filled with the Spirit, you become humble because you don’t compare yourself with others, but with Christ alone. This is the Holy Spirit’s function- to convict us of sin.
- They are honest and simple. When they sin, they repent. They are not bothered by others’ criticism because they are contrite people.
- They bear fruit.
The Father loves the Son. v.22
We naturally tend to think God loves us when we receive material blessings. But is this a true measure of God’s love? Was Apostle Paul beloved by God though he went through unspeakable sufferings throughout his life for the sake of the gospel? He surely was. (1Cor 15:10) God’s love has nothing to do with success. God’s love brings total and radical transformation. If you are a born again and sanctified man, you are loved to the utmost by God. A man could have the world and yet be poor in his heart without the love of God. Those who are beloved by God love Jesus.
What kind of love do we receive from God?
- An endless love- God’s love is eternal and everlasting. (Rom 5:8)
- A proven love- God gave His beloved Son. There is nothing more that God can give. (Rom 8:32)
- A protective love- Satan accuses us before God, but He can not bring a charge against us because we are justified. (Rom 8:33)
- A promised love- God promises us through Jesus that we can not be separated from His love. (Rom 8:37-39)
God was pleased by Jesus.
Absolute holiness and righteousness was fulfilled by Jesus. We can therefore please God in Christ by-
- Fearing God- God favors those who fear Him because those who fear Him are living by faith.
- Not loving the world. (1Jn 2:16)
- Obeying God- God’s will for us is always good because He is our loving Father.
It is possible to be like Jesus. This is our sanctification. Let us work out our salvation joyfully, prayerfully, and patiently for the glory of Christ.
BIBLE COMMUNITY CHURCH 
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