WELCOME
Good morning First Baptist. We welcome you to worship this morning. Be sure to remember your brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the week as you pray for them, and as the Holy Spirit brings their faces to your mind. Be sure to also connect with them in the ways that are possible. And if you have any questions or would like to talk to someone, please don’t hesitate to contact the church through the church telephone and leave a message. (519-733-4144)
Songs
Call to Worship
We are branches, rooted in the vine of Christ.
We come because we seek to abide in Christ.
If we abide in Christ, then Christ’s words will abide in us.
The branches that remain in the vine bear much fruit.
We gather for worship now to the glory of the One God:
Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer.
May we grow wildly as God tends us lovingly.
Songs
Prayer
Prayer of Confession & Assurance
~Silence
Merciful One, you know when we are afraid to love; you know when we are too cowardly to show mercy. Remind us again that perfect love casts out such fears. Surround us and strengthen us with your perfect love, even in the face of our imperfections. Imbue us with a love so strong, with such growth toward perfection, that we may cast aside our pride and
Words of Assurance
In the name of Jesus, who is the Christ,
you are forgiven.
In the name of Christ, you are forgiven. Amen.
Practicing the Way - Following Jesus
Who Are You Becoming?
Today's Message: Pastor Dave Page
Scripture Reading: Romans 12:2, Galatians 4:19, John 15:4-5
Romans 12:2
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Galatians 4:19
19 My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,
John 15:4-15
4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
One of the key statements that I have taken from this book we are working through together is this: “Spiritual formation is not just something for Christians – it’s a human reality.”
You see, when we stop to honestly analyse what it is that makes us, us, we soon realize that every person on this planet is being shaped by forces around them, whether we realize it or not. Our habits, relationships, and the stories we believe have been and are continuing to form us. And so, something I want us all to come to grips with this morning is the central truth that it isn’t if we are being formed something or someone, rather – who are we becoming?…as a result of that formation.
In this portion of John Mark Comers book, Practicing the Way, he poses this Key Question:
Who am I becoming? And am I being intentional about this process?
Formation Happens to Everyone – Intentionally or Not
The Apostle Paul knew this and so he, in his letter to the Roman Church Romans reminds all of us,
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
It’s Paul’s way of saying this same thing we are identifying. For each of us, since before we were born, formation was already happening. It continues to happen to each of us even now. The world around us is constantly shaping our desires, thoughts, and values – whether we choose to engage with, believe this or not.
So the issue for us is that if we’re not intentional about our spiritual formation, the world will shape us in ways that pull us away from God’s purposes. This is nothing new for our conversations. We have talked a lot for the past few years now that the world out there has a purpose for you and your life and it very much has to do with this word that Paul uses – conform. Think of it like this: When we scroll through social media mindlessly, we may think it’s harmless entertainment. But over time, these moments subtly shape how we think, what we value, and what we desire – often without us realizing it. The same can be said for the people we spend time with, the books or news outlets we consume….music, etc.
And so Paul asks the church in Rome and Comer asks us as readers of his work:
Are you being shaped by the patterns of this world, or are you being transformed by the renewing of your mind through Christ?
The Mesh of Forces That Shape Us
Every day, an intertwined web of forces works together to shape our inner lives. These forces are not neutral. They have a plan and a purpose. If we don’t intentionally engage in practicing the way of Jesus, they can pull us away from becoming like Him. They distract us from the apprenticeship path. Let me show you some examples here:
Habits:
Last week, Pastor Marlee spoke of how John 15:4-5 teaches us that spiritual growth happens when we remain in Christ. This “remaining” happens not in one striking moment, but through daily habits – small routines that build over time.
- What do your current habits say about who you are becoming? Are they helping you abide in Christ or pulling you away?
Relationships:
Proverbs 13:20 tells us, “A companion of fools suffers harm.” Relationships are powerful – either they shape us toward wisdom and Christlikeness, or they pull us in the opposite direction.
- Are your closest relationships pushing you closer to Jesus, or further away?
Stories We Believe:
This is one thing that really struck me as I began to learn about the power of stories. We live by stories – narratives that shape how we view the world. For example, we might believe the story of our culture today that tells us “I need to be successful to have value,” or that “happiness comes from getting what I want.” These stories influence how we live and who we become.
Environment:
Where we live, work, and spend our time shapes our values. If we surround ourselves with things and messages that glorify selfishness, materialism, or instant gratification, we become distracted from our apprenticeship and it will be hard to grow spiritually.
Time:
How we spend our time is an important indicator of what is shaping us. If we spend all our time working, consuming entertainment, or seeking approval from others, it will be difficult to make being with and becoming like Jesus a priority.
Experiences:
Our joyful and painful experiences also shape us. Galatians 4:19 reflects Paul’s longing for Christ to be formed in the believers – even through difficult moments. Pain, when surrendered to God, can become a tool for transformation.
If we don’t engage with these forces intentionally, they will shape us in ways that pull us away from God. But if we surrender them to Jesus, they become opportunities for spiritual growth.
Practicing the Way of Jesus with Intentionality
The good news is that Jesus offers us a way to live intentionally. In John 15:4-5, He invites us to “abide in Him” – to remain connected to Him like a branch to a vine. This kind of life requires repeated, deliberate choices: engaging in spiritual practices, being mindful of our habits, and staying rooted in Him.
- Abiding in Christ means building rhythms that keep us connected to His life-giving presence.
- Jesus doesn’t just call us to believe in Him, but to practice His way of living intentionally.
For you to consider:
- Who am I becoming through my current habits, relationships, and lifestyle?
- Am I practicing intentional spiritual disciplines, or is my formation happening by default?
Application: Steps Toward Intentional Formation
1. Conduct a “Formation Audit” of Your Life
Take some time this week to assess your routines, relationships, and influences. Ask God to help you see how these are shaping you. Psalm 139:23-24 invites us to pray, “Search me, God, and know my heart… See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
And then, Identify one habit that isn’t helping your walk with Christ. Replace it with a simple spiritual practice, such as silence and prayer before bed instead of scrolling through your phone.
2. Invest in Intentional Relationships
Spiritual growth happens best in community. Surround yourself with people who are pursuing Jesus. Invite someone to walk with you in prayer or discipleship. Hebrews 10:24-25 urges us to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”
Can you identify a group – we have lots of them or even one person to form a prayer partnership with or engage in discipleship. Ask them to journey with you in your spiritual practices.
Spiritual formation isn’t optional – it’s happening to you every day. Whether we like it or not, we are always being shaped by something. The question is: Who are you becoming? Are you becoming more like Christ, or are you being conformed to the patterns of this world?
The ‘WAY’ Jesus offers us is a different way – a way that leads to life, peace, and purpose. But this way requires intentionality. It requires that we abide in Him and allow Him to shape our desires, thoughts, and actions.
I promise you that if you take time today to reflect on your life in this way, adjust your practices, and commit to living with purpose. You WILL we be formed by Christ, not by the culture around us.
Prayer
Father, thank You for the gift of life in Jesus. Search our hearts today and show us the places where we are being shaped by the world rather than by Your Spirit. Help us to abide in Christ, to build habits that draw us closer to You, and to surround ourselves with relationships that reflect Your love. We surrender ourselves to You, asking that You would shape us into the image of Your Son. Amen.”
All these things we ask in the name of the Prince of Peace, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Song
Benediction
His way is not difficult to understand, love one another well. Abide in Christ’s generous love. Live in the fullness of hope. Grow into branches bearing the fruit of love: peace, joy, hope, faith. Remember that the greatest harvest is the harvest of love.