Dr. Kenneth Jones

“Putting On the Nature and Things of God”

Put On and Put Off - Review Ephesians 4:24 - And that ye put on the new man, which

after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Colossians 3:9,10: Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

The new man is created after the image and likeness of the One who created him – Genesis 1:26,27

Image – resemblance

Image and Likeness The idea of image in the Ancient Middle East is not a

copy but a representation, not of form, but of action. i.e. an idol is a representation of the power of a god.

Two words: Tselem and Demut (image and likeness) Demut - To be like God is to act like God

- Compare likeness- Not substance or form (God doesn't have form or substance)

Tselem - (Likeness) To share in the same purpose- Order according to His Purpose

Putting On Christ Romans 13:14 - But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make

no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

Remember, to be clothed with a person is a Greek phrase, signifying to assume the interests of another - to enter into his views, to imitate him, and be wholly on his side.

The more we take on the nature, likeness, purpose, mindset, and attitude of Christ, the less there is provision, opportunity, or place for the corruptible flesh to act in Christ’s stead in us

When you make provisions for someone it sometimes relate to “feeding and housing” someone – Are you feeding and housing your corruptible nature?

Just a ReminderRomans 8:5-8:

For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the

things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,

7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,

8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Some people just refuse to take off their hat (Stop thinking fleshly)

Just as there are clothes your parent wouldn’t approve, there is a mindset that God doesn’t approve of

Don’t Put On Anyone Else’s Garments1st Samuel 17:38,39: And Saul armed David with his

armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. David girded his sword

over his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. So David said to Saul, "I cannot go with these, for I

have not tested them." And David took them off.

Often people try to fight with another person's armor like their pastor or someone they deemed really “spiritual.” They see God do something wonderful through someone else and they try to copy it without really making it their own.

It’s like denying “designer clothes” so that you can wear “knock offs”

Who Dressed You Up This Morning? The Holy Spirit? Transformation takes place by the Holy

Sprit after the Reformation of Man How do I know is the Holy Spirit is in charge of this process?

Consider your mindset? Let this mind be in you

Not just a “positive” mindset

Consider your attitude It is one of “Praise”

Are you still angry?

Is there a lot of Clutter? Cares, Concerns, Fears?

Are You Dressed For the Occasion? Ever consider getting dressed for the Day?

When you get dressed every day, you dress appropriately to who you are and what you plan to do. Therefore, everyday, put on the Lord Jesus Christ!

Is it the proper attire? You are epistles (2 Corinthians 3:2) Does your current mindset and attitude give glory to God and

identify who you are in Christ? (Philippians 2:5-8)

Who are you wearing it for? (1st Corinthians 10:31) Who are trying to please or give glory to? (Galatians 1:10)

Do you have on protective garments? (Ephesians 6:10) To weather the storms, protect you from the elements?

Dressed For the Occasion? Are you more concerned about being in style?

1 Corinthians 7:31 - And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.

Romans 12:2: And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, ….

The form of this world is passing away: "There is nothing solid and lasting in this world system; it is its nature to pass away. It is folly for believers to act as though its values were permanent." (Morris)

Check Yourself in the Mirror

James 1:23 - For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.

Man in the Mirror? We take time to look in the mirror observing our

image; to see the blemishes, scars, or those areas that require proper grooming

However, once we turn away, that is “out of sight and out of mind.”

When unseen it gives no uneasiness, and, even if capable of correction, we take no pains to remove it. Why people avoid reading the Bible –The aspect of

observing how we match up to God’s standard troubles them (Micah 6:8)

God’s Word Reveals UsJust hearing the Word or even understanding the Word is not

enough; we must become doers of the Word.

There should be no condemnation or fear as we behold God’s mirror – the Word of God. God wants to make us like Jesus.

God’s Word is Like a Mirror In the perfect precepts of the law, and the perfect

requirements of the gospel, we see our own short-comings and defects, and perhaps think that we will correct them.

But we turn away immediately, and forget it all.

As doers of the word,” we should endeavor to remove all those defects and blemishes in our spiritual and moral character, and to bring our whole souls into conformity with what the law and the gospel require.

Points of Emphasis When the child of God looks into the Word of God he

sees the Son of God and is transformed into the image of God for the glory of God.

The same Word that reveals the sin in our life also provides the way for cleansing.

Ps 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

Purpose of God’s Mirror Examination - As we look into the mirror of God’s

Word, we see ourselves as we really are

Not a quick glance - They do not carefully study themselves as they read the Word. You don’t just glance in a mirror when you are getting ready for the day, do you?

A casual reading of the Bible will never mature or transform us

They forget what they see. Have you ever looked at yourself in a mirror then when you walked away and you forgot what you saw?

Purpose of God’s Mirror Examination (cont’d)

They fail to obey what the Word tells them to do.

They think that hearing is the same as doing and it is not. We Christians sometimes substitute reading for doing, or even talking for doing.

Restoration

Exodus 38:8 - And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Purpose of God’s Mirror Restoration

When he built the tabernacle, Moses took the metal looking glasses of the women and made the laver from them.

The laver was a huge basin that stood between the brazen altar of sacrifice and the holy place

The basin was filled with water, and the priests washed their hands and feet at the laver before they entered the holy place to minister

The woman gave up their mirrors so that another image could be created

Purpose of God’s Mirror Water for washing is a picture of the Word of God in its

cleansing power. “Now you are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you” (John 15:3)

When the sinner trusts Christ, he is once and for all washed clean. But as a believer walks in this world, his hands and feet are defiled, and so he still needs cleansing.

The mirror of the Word not only examines us and reveals our sins, but it helps to cleanse us as well. It gives us the promise of cleansing (1 John 1:9) and, as we meditate on it, it cleanses the heart and the mind from spiritual defilement.

Purpose of God’s Mirror Transformation – Romans 12:2

The Word of God transforms by stirring us and enabling us to change

Jesus tells us in John 17:17 that God’s truth leads to transformation. It is His Word that leads us through the process of sanctification

Transformation Once the metamorphosis has taken place by the renewal of

the Holy Spirit (i.e. born again, regeneration, positional sanctification, or justification) “…old things have passed away and all things have become new…” (2 Cor. 5:17), and now scripture can be of use to us.

Paul tells born again Christians in Rome (vs.12:2) to be transformed by the renewing of their minds.” (nous)

This Word of God transforms us by changing our way of thinking.

Mind -Nous The mind is affected by the Spirit

It is the faculty of perceiving divine things, of recognizing goodness and hating evil

The mind relates to a particular mode of thinking and judging, i.e thoughts, feelings, purposes, desires

Luke 24:25: Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

Clothed in His Right MindMark 5:15 - They came to Jesus and observed the man who had been demon-possessed sitting down, clothed and in his right

mind, the very man who had had the "legion"; and they became frightened.

That means that his way of perceiving, thinking, recognizing good and evil had changed

I must daily ‘put on’ or ‘clothe’ myself – consciously remind myself Whose I am, and then make my daily choices in life based on Who I belong to

I must remember He Who redeemed me, He who is transforming me to be more like Himself in character, in holiness, in joy.

Conclusion Sometimes We choose our mirror based upon the

Image we “Choose” to project

Choosing worldly images

We are made in the image of Christ

We like the response we get

Don’t hate the mirror – It only reflects what is before it

Don’t hate yourself – For you are fearfully and wondrously made

Look intently in to the mirror and make the adjustments that are needed

Is My Fly Open? As you get properly clothed, help others make adjustment

Galatians 6:1 - Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Other people may need to make alterations in their lives and as a minister of God, this is your responsibility to help them

Final NoteMany of us choose our mirrors based upon the image we

want to project. Some of us choose mirrors fashioned after the world to become accepted, saying all the time,

"This is who I am." Some of us hate the reflection that we see only seeing the blemishes and scars in our lives. One answer to consider is to not to hate the mirror because it

only reflects what is before it. Nor should we hate the image because we are fearfully and wondrously made. What we should do is behold ourselves in light of the

mirror we have chosen, look carefully, judging ourselves, and to do what is necessary to make the adjustments.

Put On the Armor Ephesians 6:10,11: Finally, my brethren, be strong

in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil

The armor represents an attribute or attitude

Truth - that candour of mind which is free from affection, pretence, simulation, falsehood, deceit rooted in our knowledge of the Father

Righteousness – Right standing and Right thinking (many think of themselves on the basis of how they stand)

Put On the Armor The armor represents an attribute or

attitude And your feet shod with the preparation of

the gospel of peace – An desire for evangelism (sharing the gospel

The helmet of salvation – preserves us in the midst of spiritual battle (1 Thess 5:8) – Soldiers do not fight well if they don’t think they can win (hope of salvation)

Faith – trust and dependence upon God upholding our Christian character in all things through all attacks of the enemy

Sword of the Spirit – God’s Word. We must be confident in the inspiration of Scripture

Armor of GodSadly, many people would say the same about the armor of

God: "I cannot walk with these, because I have not tested them." Are you more familiar with the weapons and armor of

the flesh or the weapons and armor of the Spirit? “

1 Samuel 17:38

Put on the Garment of Praise Isaiah 61:3 - To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to

give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

A “mantle” of Praise – Do you present an attitude of praise and joy instead of a heavy, burdened, and ?oppressed spirit

Reflects a culture - expressing the emotions of the mind by the manner of apparel

Jesus comforts all who mourn – He brings us to a place of joy and strength

Most people “wear” their attitude each day

Putting on the Garment Do you sing praises to God other

than in church?

Do you take time to remind yourself of the goodness of God in your life? (1st Samuel 30:6)