Power to Become

Cor. 1 12:, Ephesians 4:11-14, and John 1:1-13
Conversion is just the beginning of the Christian life. The journey to an eternal Heaven begins here. The new birth puts us on the Royal road to Heaven.

I: Just the Beginning.
1. A new birth, a baby Christian.
2. The possibilities of becoming Christ-like (A baby transfered to a new home).
3. Aims in life are revolutionized.
4. Our motives, hopes, desires are whole life moves in a different channel.
5. The new life must be worked out in daily living.
6. Man can’t work out this new life alone. No more than a family can be a real family without corporation.
7. A whole family must work at making a wholesome family atmosphere.
8. A Christian must have a plan by which his life can grow.
9. God’s plan was and still is the local Church.
10. Jesus loved the Church and gave himself for it. “Power to become.” Ephesians 5:25.

II: From Sinner to Saint. I’m going to Hell – I’m going to Heaven.
1. The 1st requirement to join a Baptist church. Romans 3:23.
2. The Spirit of God works thru the Christian.
3. God gives him the will to do.
4. The Christian knows he is without the power to become like Jesus.

III: God’s family to help us “become.”
1. A company of believers who have “received him,” as Lord.
2. The Church is a school to help us “become.” Everyone is a teacher, everyone is a learner. Bill Winters.
3. The Church is a Hospital. Everyone is a patient. “Preacher if need help.” Dr. McCure

IV: Principles of the Church:
1. Everyone recognizes his own imperfections. The member that forgets he is imperfect is a perfect target for the devil. “The only perfect man I ever knew about.”
2. No one has a right to expect perfection of others until he is able to deliver protection himself.
3. Part of the becoming mature is to recognize the imperfection of others.
Preachers may have clay feet. Deacons may have filthy minds. Teachers may have weak convictions.
4. Perfection is a goal we must never alow ourselves to forget.
5. Jesus urged us to be patient and forgiving; perfect people don’t need these.
6. The process of becoming requires discipline. The most powerful groups are those who accept discipline, (Army Corps).
7. It is an insult for the Preacher to beg us to do what we know we ought to do.
8. New Christians go to work “becoming” soon or remain deformed babies.

“To them gave he the power to become the sons of God.”