How's the Sermon Vault working for you?
Thanks — that helps us improve the library.
To Be Like Jesus
What is the number one goal of the Christian life? In this powerful message, Pastor Mirek Hufton cuts straight to the heart of our divine calling, to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. Drawing from Colossians 1, Ephesians 4, and Romans 8, this sermon will challenge you to examine whether you are truly following Jesus or simply going through the motions of religion.
Related Sermons
Small Group Guide
To Be Like Jesus
Small Group Discussion Guide
Based on the message by Pastor Mirek Hufton
1. SERMON RECAP
Pastor Mirek Hufton opened with Colossians 1:28-29 to establish what he called the number one goal of every believer's life — to become like Jesus Christ. He walked through the Gospels to show how Jesus repeatedly called people with those two simple words, "Follow me," and how each person who responded had to leave something behind to draw closer to him. He challenged the group to understand that Christian maturity is not measured by success or status, but by how closely our character, purity, and motives are aligned with the person of Jesus.
2. KEY SCRIPTURE
Colossians 1:28-29 (NKJV)
"Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily."
3. ICE BREAKER
Think of someone in your life — past or present — who reminded you of Jesus in the way they acted or treated people. Without using their name if you prefer, what was one specific thing about them that stood out?
4. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Question 1 — Understanding the Goal Pastor Mirek declared that becoming like Jesus is "El Numero Uno" — the single overarching goal of the Christian life, ahead of career, ministry success, or even church involvement. How does that priority challenge or reorder the way you personally think about your day-to-day decisions?
Question 2 — The Cost of "Follow Me" He pointed out that Jesus said "Follow me" at least 21 times in the Gospels, and that each person who responded had to drop something to do it — a fishing net, a tax collector's booth, a familiar way of life. What is one thing in your own life that you sense Jesus asking you to lay down in order to follow him more closely right now?
Question 3 — Purity as a Foundation Pastor Mirek shared that the foundation of Jesus's character is purity — pure motives, pure words, pure actions — and that 1 John 3:3 connects our hope in Christ directly to the pursuit of purity. Why do you think impurity tends to create distance in our relationship with God, and where have you personally experienced that dynamic?
Question 4 — Warning and Correction He explained that the word "warn" in Colossians 1:28 carries the meaning of putting things back in order, correction, and admonition. Pastor Mirek was honest that many people resist correction because of insecurity, yet he argued that openness to correction is essential to growth. How do you personally respond when the Word of God or a trusted believer brings correction your way? What makes it easier or harder to receive?
Question 5 — Letting Jesus Get Big Pastor Mirek spent time reflecting on Colossians 1:15-17, slowing down to let the majesty and greatness of Jesus sink in — Creator of all things, Sustainer of all things, before all things. He said, "If you have a pygmy Jesus, you'll have pygmy believers." In what ways does a small or shrunk-down view of Jesus affect the way we live for him practically?
Question 6 — Proverbs 1:23 and the Promise He closed with Proverbs 1:23, which promises that if we turn at God's rebuke, He will pour out His Spirit and make His words known to us. Pastor Mirek connected purity of heart directly to the depth of revelation a person receives from God. As a group, discuss this idea: does a surrendered, correctable heart actually open us up to hearing God more clearly? Has anyone experienced this personally?
5. APPLICATION CHALLENGE
This week, identify one specific area — a habit, a relationship, a pattern of thought, or a type of content you consume — that you sense is creating distance between you and Jesus. Write it down privately. Then take one concrete step to address it: confess it to God in prayer, make one phone call, block one account, remove one app, or set one boundary. Come back next week ready to share, as much as you are comfortable, what that step was and what it cost you.
6. PRAYER POINTS
-
Pray that each group member would develop a genuine, deep hunger to become like Jesus — not just to be a better person, but to be conformed to his image as Romans 8:29 describes.
-
Pray for openness and humility across the group to receive correction from the Word and from trusted brothers and sisters, and that insecurity would not be a barrier to growth.
-
Pray for real purity of heart in the congregation — in motives, in words, in what members allow into their minds — and that this purity would open the door to a deeper experience of God's presence and revelation.
7. MEMORY VERSE
1 John 3:2-3 (NKJV)
"Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."
Daily Devotional
The Invitation That Changes Everything
Matthew 4:19 — "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
There is something remarkable about the way Jesus called his disciples. He did not hand them a theological exam or a list of requirements. He simply said, "Follow me." And they left everything. I have been thinking about what that kind of surrender looks like in my own life, and honestly, it is one of the most challenging things God asks of me. Following Jesus means leaving behind the version of yourself that is comfortable, self-directed, and settled. The closer I get to him, the more I notice certain things falling away — attitudes, habits, and priorities that once felt important simply stop competing for my attention. That is not loss. That is transformation. When Jesus says follow me, he is not just giving you a direction. He is giving you a destiny. The goal of your entire Christian life is to become like him. That journey begins with one simple step — follow.
Lord Jesus, I want to follow you more closely today. Help me to release whatever I am holding onto that keeps me at a distance from you. Make me more like you with every step I take.
Every Man, No Exceptions
Colossians 1:28 — "Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus."
I love that Paul said every man. Not the spiritually gifted. Not the ones who have been in church for decades. Every single person who has ever drawn breath is a candidate for becoming like Jesus Christ. There is no spiritual elite, no inner circle that gets to grow while everyone else stays small. When I read these words, I feel a fresh responsibility — both for my own growth and for the people around me. God is not content to see you stay where you are. He has a picture of you fully mature, fully reflecting his Son, and he is working every single day to get you there. That means the correction that comes from his Word is not rejection — it is an invitation to grow. Do not resist it. Let every teaching, every gentle nudge from the Holy Spirit, draw you one step closer to looking like Jesus.
Father, thank you for not giving up on me. Help me to receive your correction with a humble heart today, knowing that every word you speak over me is moving me closer to who you created me to be.
The Washing Power of the Word
Psalm 119:9 — "How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word."
I remember the season when I first came into ministry and discovered just how much the Word of God had to clean up in me. I thought I had it together. I did not. The Word has a way of getting into the places you do not realize are dirty. It is like water — if you only get a little, most of the mess stays behind. But when you give yourself to the Word consistently, something begins to shift. Your mind gets washed. Your priorities get realigned. The negative voices of the world start losing their volume. I genuinely believe that the purity of your heart directly affects the depth of revelation you receive from God. If you want more of him, let his Word do its cleansing work in you daily. Do not rush past it. Sit in it. Let it scrub.
Lord, wash my mind and heart with your Word today. Remove every trace of negativity, fear, and impurity that has crept in, and replace it with the clarity and peace that only you can give.
Purity Is the Foundation
1 John 3:3 — "And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."
One of the things I am most convicted about in my own walk is the connection between purity and closeness with God. Scripture makes it plain — if you want to draw near to God, you have to be willing to let things go. Impurity creates distance. It is not that God moves away from you, but that sin clouds your ability to sense his presence and receive his word clearly. I have found in my own life that when I allow things that do not belong — wrong attitudes, careless words, compromised entertainment — my spirit becomes dull. I do not hear as clearly. I do not feel that nearness the way I should. But when I choose purity, something opens up. Heaven feels closer. The Word feels alive. Purity is not about being perfect. It is about being positioned close to Jesus, which is exactly where he wants you.
Jesus, I want to be close to you. Show me anything in my life that is creating distance, and give me the courage and grace to let it go. I choose purity because I choose you.
Turn, and He Will Pour
Proverbs 1:23 — "Turn at my rebuke; surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you."
This verse stopped me when I first really read it. God is not withholding from us — he is waiting on our response. The moment we are willing to turn, he pours. That word pour is not a trickle. It is abundance. It is overflow. When we humble ourselves and say, God, you are right and I am wrong, something opens in the heavens over our lives. I have seen this happen. The moment a person stops defending their old ways and genuinely turns toward God, revelation begins to flow, peace returns, and the Word comes alive in a new way. This is the beautiful cycle of growth — God corrects, we turn, he pours, we grow, we look a little more like Jesus. Never be afraid of God's correction. It is the kindest thing he can do, because on the other side of it is more of him, and more of him is everything.
Father, I am turning to you right now. Whatever you have been trying to say to me, I am ready to listen. Pour out your Spirit on me and make your Word known in my heart today.