Characteristics Of A Christian Series

Introduction

1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Grace-

Grace is the empowering of God enabling me to be what God created me to be and to do what He has called(destined for) me to do.

Not something I dream up not something I deserve. Not merely unmerited favor but more than that.

That thing that gives us the ability to fulfill the purpose that God wants us to fulfill. With out that grace being released we will never be what God wants us to be or do what God wants us to do.

Grace is not merely “unmerited favor”. That is good but there is more. “Grace is God empowering us to be what he has called us to be and to do what he has called us to do.” There are so many challenges in ministry and living and walking out the Christian life.

Grace is not a one time experience but an daily experience knowing that he empowers us to be and to do what he has put us on this planet to do.

There is enough discouragement to go around but that God there is enough empowering grace to counteract what this world of discouragement wants to give.

I. A Teacher

(2Ti 2:2) And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

Two Characteristics of a Teacher

A. One who is willing to learn

B. One who is willing to teach

Matthew 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

John 21:15-17 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs." (16) He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep." (17) He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.

II. A Soldier

(2Ti 2:3) You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

1. A strong soldier endures, suffers, and shares hardship with all other soldiers.

4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

2. Doesn’t become “entangled” by the things of this world

Rom 12:1-2 NKJV I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. (2) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Rom 12:1-2 MESSAGE So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life--your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life--and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. (2) Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

3. Obeys those who are in authority – Jesus Christ

Mat 10:22 "And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.

III. An Athlete

(2Ti 2:5) And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

1. Self denial

There must be no such thing as...

• an undisciplined believer.

• an uncontrolled believer.

• a flabby believer.

• an indulgent, overeating believer.

• a lustful, immoral believer.

• a licentious believer.

• a part-time believer.

• a lethargic believer.

• a half-hearted, complacent believer.

The believer must be totally committed to live for Christ—every moment of every day. He must be disciplined and controlled in mind, body, and soul.