Want to look at what it means to be a Christian.

take lightly but there is a deep desire for us to grasp this in our lives today.

  1. Christ fully formed

Paul prayed a prayer in Galatians 4: 19  I am in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you.

Formed = Mind and life in complete harmony with the mind and life of Christ.

We have Jesus living in us because we are the temple, but we are lacking if he is not completely formed in us.

Paul stated it again in Ephesians 4: 13 “That you would be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ

Standard maturity State fit for a thing

EXAMPLE: fancy restaurant waiter reached across us for our glass, Maitre D rebuked the person and apologized to us.  In this type of restaurant that is not acceptable.

Not two classes of Christians, those who have Christ in them and those who are becoming more mature and formed into this image.

2. Jesus Prayer for spiritual formation.

John 17: 21

Unity between God the Father and the son.  They are the same yet different.  We are the same here.

This is shown through the body Christ and is not an individual pursuit.

Ephesians 1: 22, 23  Christ fills everything in every way.

3. Loved like the Father

John 17: 23

Many times we feel like we are invading a private party.  We know God loves us from John 3: 16, but we are unsure that he likes us very much.

We are invited into this incredible union between the Father and the son that has been going on before creation.

4. We Be where He Be

John 17: 24

God that they would be where I am.

Where is Jesus?

  1. Garden
  2. Cross  We died with Him, but he bore the weight of it.
  3. Resurrection  Same power that raised Christ from the dead will raise us up
  4. Ascension Ascended and seated at the right hand of the Father.

Ephesians 2: 6 for we are raised with Christ and seated with Him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ

Jesus just prayed that we would be united with him and now we are seated with Him in heavenly realms.

Ephesians 1: 3 We are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.

Paul and Jesus I am wrestling that you would realize who you are in Christ.

5. This is ours through faith

Jesus knew path in front of him when he prayed this, but for the joy set before him endured the shame of the cross.

We jump back and forth in our

  1. does God love me
  2. I sin and feel ashamed
  3. Marriages on the rocks
  4. Life of chaos
  5. Some old lust has conquered us.

God would they know that they are seated with Christ in the heavenly realms and all the blessings are theirs.

  1. Come in complete harmony
  2. They would live fit for such a thing.