A Little More Like Jesus
Ephesians 4:11-16 - Legacy Christian Church
July 20, 2025 - Rev. Roderick Grabski
I. Introduction:
a. Acts 11:26 …the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch (explain)
b. Modern notion of what a Christian is.
c. We are truly Christians if we strive to become like Christ
II. RELATING THE TEXT: (read Eph. 4)
a. (fixing brakes – square caliper tool) The right tool for the job is essential.
b. God gives us tools to help us be more like Christ.
i. GOD GIVES US TEACHERS AND PASTORS AND APOSTLES AND PROPHETS TO EQUIP THE CHURCH
ii. GOD USES THE BIBLE TO TEACH US HIS WILL AND HIS WAYS
iii. GOD GIVES THE HOLY SPIRIT TO GUIDE US AND EMPOWER US
iv. GOD USES OUR CIRCUMSTANCES TO HELP US BECOME MORE LIKE CHRIST:
1. GOD USES TROUBLE TO TEACH US TO TRUST HIM.
2. GOD USES TEMPTATION TO TEACH US TO OBEY.
3. GOD USES TRESPASSES TO TEACH US TO FORGIVE.
III. APPLICATION: (Romans 12:1-2)
a. 1 ¶ Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
b. God gives us a process for becoming more like Christ:
1) Die to sin every day.
by Avoiding sinful opportunities.
by Quickly admitting a wrong and make amends.
by Offering brief ““breath”” prayers (pray without ceasing).
by Forming accountable relationships and praying together.
2) Imitate Jesus every chance you get.
-why they were called “Christians” in Antioch
3) Love God’s family – the church.
Hebrews 10:23-25 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.
4) Make God’s Word a priority in your life.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16
There are at least five ways that you need to be making God’s Word a priority in your life:
Hear it consistently. Read it daily. Study it. Memorize it. Meditate on it.
And finally in this process of becoming more like Christ…
5) Express your love for God visibly.
We were given a name at our conversion. This name reminds us of what Paul said: Once we were not a people, but now we are the people of God. We are called Christians.
Prayer
Song: Less Like Me
Ephesians 4:11-16 (NLT):
11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.