Standing on Business: Becoming like Christ

Luke 2:42-52

Standing on business is a trending phrase today among young and not so young people.

Standing on business for this time of worship is staying focused of the business on becoming like Christ

Our theme 2025: “God’s will is to become like Christ in this life.”

God’s will is clear and exactly what God’s plan is for every human being, regardless of your age.

As a young person there are many distractions pulling your attention away from the business of becoming like Christ now.

It is feasible that a 5-year-old, 15-year-old, or 18 year old, focus on standing on the business of becoming like Christ now.

Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
  • Thoughts is the Heb, word machashavah meaning plan; purpose
The business you are to be standing on is not some rapper: 
  • Dabady, Rod Wave, Roddy Rice, Cardi B. Lil Baby, Kodak Black or any singer or athletic but becoming like Jesus; in doing so you have a bright future here on earth and after this life

Jesus shows all of us how to become like Him and to stay focused on that business that matters most.

Standing on that business of becoming like Christ has eternal consequences.

Let us look at a 12-year-old boy who is standing on God’s business!
 
  1. The business of worship is important- vs. 42
  2. The business of discipleship is important- vs. 46-47
  3. The business of focusing on God’s business- vs. 48-49
  4. Growing spiritually mature is becoming like Christ- vs. 52

Young people, God has your life already planned; all you have to do is to walk in his plan

Eph. 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Standing on business is to be focused and determined to be who God made you to be.

Jesus is our perfect example of God’s will for our lives
 
  1. The business of worship is important- vs. 42

“And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.”

  1. Jesus is young and focused on God’s will for his life
  2. Worship is the priority in Jesus’ life
  • Worship is where we meet God
  • Worship is where we receive power from God to overcome life’s challenges, such as peer pressure
  1. At the young age of twelve, Jesus is standing on the business of worshipping God.
  • Church attendance was Jesus’ habit of fellowshipping with the Father
  • I know young people like to hang out, so hang out with Christ in church
 
  1. The business of discipleship is important- vs. 46-47

“And it came to pass after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of doctors, both hearing the and asking them questions"

  1. The text indicates his parents left church but Jesus stayed behind.
  • Jesus loved being in the house of God
  • Jesus did not come late and leave early
  1. Three straight days Jesus is in Bible study
  • This is how a teenager becomes like Christ, Sunday school, Awana and listening during worship
  • He is twelve-year-old but he is focused on standing on business of becoming like the Father
  1. Sitting suggest that he is content and settle in Bible class
  • I understand music relaxes young people, but the word of God relaxes to the utmost.
  1. Jesus believed in student engagement, he was listening and asking questions.
  • If you really want answers to life’s questions, listen to God through his word and ask questions.
“And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers”
  1. They were amazed at his level of spiritual maturity
  2. They were amazed at the age of twelve, his mind is on the business of becoming like God
  3. They were amazed how focused he was on standing on business
 
  1. The business of focusing on God’s business- vs. 48-49

“And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.”

  1. Mary and Joseph did not understand his focus
  2. They were amazed that he was still at church
“And he said unto them, how is it that you sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?”
  1. Jesus is bewildered that Mary doesn’t understand God’s will of becoming like the Father
  2. I must be about my Father’s business
  • Young people stand on the Father’s business
  • The Father’s business is about you becoming like Christ
 
  1.  Growing spiritually mature is becoming like Christ- vs. 52

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”

  1. If Jesus had to grow spiritually then certainly, we do too.
  2. Becoming like Christ encompasses all three of the ways Jesus increased. 
    1. Increased in wisdom is knowing God’s word and how to used God’s word for His glory and our good.
    2. Increased in stature is the growth physically.
    3. Increased in favor with God and man

Standing on business of becoming like Christ.

Listen young people where you are trying to get, Jesus will get you there when we are loving like Jesus, serving like Jesus and giving like Jesus.

Doing what God says do, going where God says go, makes us like Christ!

The question on the floor, are you standing on the business of becoming like Christ.

There is nobody like him, nobody can do what he does, He is wonderful counselor, Mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace

We call Him, JESUS!