(Galatians 4:19, KJV) My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you. 

(Romans 8:29, KJV) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

(2 Corinthians 3:18, KJV) But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed {transformed} into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Introduction:
1. The New Testament clearly teaches us to be more like Jesus. 
2. This lesson will consider three texts which urge us to become like Christ.

I. GAL. 4:19 CHRIST IS TO BE FORMED  IN US.

A The word formed (morphoo) is used in Gal.4:19 in reference to "conformity to Christ." Illustration: Paul wanted the Galatians to be formed in them. We have role models into which we want to form ourselves. eg. Sports figures, physicians, farmers, craftsmen, homemakers,etc. Above all we must be like Christ.

B.Some things prevented the Galatians from being like Jesus:

1. Gal.5:4, holding to Moses' Law.

2. 5:19, holding to the works of the flesh.

3. 5:15, biting and devouring one another

C. Paul cited things which could help them to be like Jesus

1. 1:6-8,  receive the gospel in its purity

2. 5:22-24, manifest the fruit of the Spirit

3. 2:20, Make Christ their life
Song:"Let Jesus Dwell Within Your Soul"
"O will you now from sighing cease?
O will you seek the path of peace?
Give Christ you heart, make heav'n you goal
Let Jesus dwell with you soul."

In this way Christ is formed in us. We become like Him.

II. ROMANS 8:29 WE MUST BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF CHRIST. Conformed is from summorphos and is used "of the conformity of the children of God "to the image of His Son," Rom.8:29.

A. God has foreordained us to be conformed to the image of His Son.

B. The foreordained are those who have been called by the gospel, have obeyed it, and are thus justified.

C. Those who are called by the gospel:

1. are forgiven and become pure as Christ is pure

2. are called into fellowship with Christ, 1 Cor.1:9. 

They are now like him, bearing His image.

This is further emphasized in 2 Corinthians 3:18.

III. 2 CORINTHIANS 3:18   WE MUST BE TRANSFORMED OR CHANGED INTO THE IMAGE OF CHRIST.

A. Transformed is from metamorphoo, "to change into another form. cf. Mt.17:2; Rom.12:2.

B. Moses' Law is taken away and we now behold the glory of Christ, as revealed in the New Testament. By following Christ as revealed in the New Testament we are transformed into His image.  Illust. The Song: "O To Be Like Thee expresses some of the Characteristics of Christ which, when incorporated into our life, transforms us into His image.  #97

Conclusion:  Our personal mission in life is to conform our lives to the life of Christ.  We do this by forming Christ within us, by being conformed to His image and by being transformed or making whatever changes we need to make in our lives.