Are You Really A True Christian, Or Just Kidding Yourself?

2023.07.23.Sermon Notes. TRUE CHRISTIAN BELIEVER

What defines a Christian? - Believe and Confess

William Akehurst, HSWC

BIG IDEA: What is a Christian…really? Many believe they are Christian because they go to church. In a world where people profess or call themselves or identify as Christian, the question lingers, are they truly saved? Unfortunately, the dictionary definition lacks the biblical truth of what it means to be a True Spirit Filled, Christian Believer.

SCRIPTURE READING: JOHN 3:1-21

***ILLUSTRATION: A Jewish comedian shares this story…

A guy goes to his Rabbi and says, “Rabbi, you’ll never believe what happened to me. My son left the house and became a Christian”.

The Rabbi said, “Shhh! You’ll never believe what happened to me! My son left the house too and became a Christian.”

Guy: So what do we do?!

Rabbi: We pray to GOD!

So they prayed to GOD, and GOD said, “You’ll never believe what happened to me...”

***

CHRISTIANS.

What is a Christian…really?

WHAT DEFINES A CHRISTIAN?

Many believe they are Christian because they go to church…

Merriam Webster’s Dictionary defines a Christian as “a person professing belief in Jesus as the Christ or in the religion based on the teachings of Jesus.”

But this definition lacks the biblical truth of what it means to be a Christian.

THE WORD “CHRISTIAN” IS FOUND THREE TIMES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

Followers of Jesus Christ were the first to be called “Christians” in Antioch because their Christ Like behavior, activity, and speech. The word “Christian” literally means, “belonging to the party of Christ” or a “follower of Christ.”

Acts 11:21-26 (NKJV)

21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.

22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. 23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.

25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Acts 26:28 Then (King) Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”

1 Peter 4:16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter (name).

However, the word CHRISTIAN over time, has lost its true meaning and significance.

Today its more often used regarding someone religious, or who has high moral values, but may not necessarily be a true follower of CHRIST.

Many people who do not believe and trust in Jesus Christ consider themselves Christians simply because they go to church or they live in a “Christian” nation.

But actions such as going to church, serving others, or being a good person does not make you a Christian. Even being a church member, attending services, singing in the choir, and helping the church doesn’t make you a Christian.

Being a TRUE CHRISTIAN BELIEVER is NOT by works of righteousness, but rather through ITS NOT BY YOUR WORKS, but rather by what the HOLY SPIRIT does within us.

THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT GOOD WORKS DO NOT MAKE US ACCEPTABLE TO GOD.

Titus 3:5 (NLT) HE saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of HIS mercy. HE washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the HOLY SPIRIT.

Titus 3:4-8 (NKJV)

4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

THE BIBLE TELLS US…

A CHRISTIAN IS SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN BORN AGAIN BY GOD AND HAS PUT FAITH AND TRUST IN JESUS CHRIST.

WE MUST BE CHANGED

CHANGE=REPENTANCE

BORN AGAIN – BELIEVING IN JESUS

John 3:1-7, 14-21 (NKJV)

1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”