Becoming What God Wants You to Be

Introduction

• Key premise: Everything required to become what God wants you to be is already within you if you've accepted Jesus Christ.
• Holy Spirit: Upon accepting Jesus, the Holy Spirit fertilizes your human spirit, making you alive.
• Growth Challenge: Satan continuously seeks to hinder the growth of your spiritual life to prevent the attainment of godliness.

Understanding Godliness

The Assignment

• Purpose: As redeemed individuals, the primary assignment is to become godly.
• 1 Timothy 4:8: Godliness is profitable for both the present life and the life to come.

What Godliness is Not

• Form vs. Substance: 2 Timothy 3:5 discusses a form of godliness without power, merely an appearance or silhouette.
• Religious Form: Religion often gives an impression of godliness without its true power. True godliness has power connected to it.

True Definition of Godliness

• Lifestyle: Defined as a lifestyle consistently reflecting God's character.
• Agreement with God: Godliness presumes agreement with God on all matters; disagreement signifies idolatry.

Examples and Metaphors

• Form and Reality: Unlike Pharaoh’s magicians’ snakes which had a form but no power, true godliness has real substance and power.
• Donut Shop Analogy: Many treat church like a donut shop—seeking sweetness without substance or change.

Elements and Evidence of Godliness

• Pharaoh’s Magicians: Their lack of true power demonstrated the emptiness of form without substance.
• Holy Spirit's Role: The Holy Spirit fertilizes your spirit to initiate spiritual birth and growth.

Scriptures Referenced

• 1 Timothy 6:3: Doctrine conforming to godliness is crucial.
• 2 Peter 1:3: God's divine power has provided everything necessary for life and godliness through true knowledge of Him.

Living in God's Presence

• Continuous Presence: Living in the consciousness of God's presence affects behavior and decisions.
• Godliness as Obsession: The godly individual is obsessed with God’s presence and constantly evaluates life from His perspective.

Enemies of Godliness

• Worldliness: Defined as leaving God out of the equation, thereby blocking godliness.
• Bad Influence: Bad company corrupts good morals and pulls one away from godliness.

Spiritual Growth and Development

• Divine Appetite: A new nature given by the Holy Spirit creates a divine appetite for God.
• Challenge and Encouragement: Aim for a 'degree in godliness,' making necessary life adjustments to grow spiritually.

Reflecting God's Character

• Importance of Agreement: Disagreement with God creates idols and blocks godliness.
• Doctrine Conforming to Godliness: Teaching should bring people into conformity with God's character.

Practical Steps and Application

• Daily Walk: Becoming obsessed with God's presence and making Him the center of your actions and thoughts.
• Challenges of Godliness: Avoid worldly distractions and chatter to maintain a focus on godliness.

Conclusion

• Ultimate Goal: Living in godliness brings a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God.
• Pursuit: Seek godliness with intent, valuing it above worldly distractions and efforts.

Invitation

• Join the Journey: Invitation to join a Christian cruise for fun, fellowship, and faith-building.
• Dates and Destination: Mexican Riviera, November 9-16.