"An Old-Fashioned Christian"

AN OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTIAN

Text: Acts 11:26

Introduction-

I’m afraid that the modern day definition of

a Christian that some people proclaim just won’t

fit into the Bibical description of what a true

child of God is like. A true believer, according

to the Word of God, is no less than a bond-slave

of Jesus Christ. Christ rules and reigns in the

true disciple’s heart. Today, it seems, some

have the idea that you can be a "Christian" and

live any way you choose. In their view, as long

as you go to some church, and profess some kind

of faith, you are a child of God. But, nothing

could be further from the truth. I would like

for us to acknowledge some of the traits of the

true Christian in this message today.

I. First of all AN OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTIAN IS ONE

WHO HAS BEEN BORN AGAIN OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD.

John 3:3-"Except a man be born again, he cannot

see the kingdom of God."

There is a natural birth, and there is a spiritual

birth. By natural birth, we are descendents of

Adam, members of a condemned race. By spiritual

birth, we become sons of God are are adopted into

His family.

We cannot manufacture a Christian. Only God can

birth a believer. Only God can save a soul. All

the goodness we profess, or good deeds that we do

could not move us one inch closer to the gates of

Heaven. It takes the blood of Christ to cleanse

us from sin, and when we believe in Him and obey

His will, the blood is applied to our hearts, and

we become children of God by faith in Jesus Christ.

This "easy-believism" stuff of just walking an isle

or signing a card, or raising a hand is a bunch of

bull. If any man be in Christ, he is a new cre-

ature.

II.Secondly, AN OLD-FASIONED CHRISTIAN IS ONE WHO

LOVES GOD AND OTHERS.

"Behold how those Christians love one another!"

That was the impression that the early disciples

left upon the world.

If they had not loved Christ, they would not have

been willing to suffer and die for Him. If they

had not loved each other they would not have

shared of their possessions with one another as

the early Christians did.

They ate together. They worshipped together.

They fellowshiped together. They suffered to-

gether. They died together.

Even the worst of unbelievers noticed their love.

Where is this love among Christians today?

III.Thirdly, AN OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTIAN IS ONE WHO

WITNESSED FOR CHRIST.

They were unashamed to tell others about their

Saviour and Lord. I once heard Billy Graham

say that there were over 2 1/2 billion people in

the world who have never even heard the Gospel.

There are an estimated 150-60 milion people in

the United States who do not profess to be

Christians, yet, our witnessing is so scarce

and so minimal that we barely make any impact

on our own generation.

What ever happened to boldness?

IV.Fourthly, AN OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTIAN IS ONE WHO

LIVED A HOLY, GODLY LIFE.

Many professing believers today act no different

to those who don’t even claim to know God.

They go to the same shows, they talk the same

talk. They dress the same way. They engage in

the same immorality. Where is the holiness

difference in the people who know God today?

If there is one thing that offends this world

about Christianity it is the demand for holiness.

The world wants to live ungoldy, party, and

live it up. They don’t want God interfering

with their lives.

But, if you really know Christ, you want to do

right, and with the help of God, you can live

victoriously, and overcome the world.

V. Fifthly, AN OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTIAN IS ONE WHO

WORSHIPS AND PRAYS SINCERELY AND FAITHFULLY.

We don’t seem to have the time to do that today.

If some folks want to take off a month or two or

three from church, and do their worldly things,

then they think that is permissible.

The Bible says to not forsake the assembling of

yourselves together.

Look at the names on our church rolls, and look

at the attendance in our pews, and you will see

that we aren’t all that we profess to be.

Some never seem to witness, support the church

with their tithes and offerings, or serve on

needed committees or positions in the church.

When we pray and live like the early disciples

did, the world will see a difference in us.

VI. Sixthly, AN OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTIAN IS ONE WHO

HAD A STRONG FAITH.

They knew what they believed, and why they be-

lieved it. They knew who Jesus was-the Divine

Son of God, and they shared it with the world.

When I think of strong faith today I think about