Sermon Central
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Identifying A Believer
Contributed by Tom Walker on Oct 18, 2000 (message contributor)
Summary: The Bible says in Acts 5:14, "And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.
The Bible says in Acts 5:14, "And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women." Spiritually speaking, what is a believer? Webster's Christian Dictionary says it is-"One who receives the Gospel as unfolding the true way of salvation and Christ as His Savior." That is a good definition, but I am going to magnify that a bit so we might better understand what a believer really is. We should rejoice if we are a genuine and true child of God.
I. That Person Is Born Again. The Lord Jesus said to Nicodemus in John 3, "Ye must be born again." The term "born again" means
simply to be "born from above." The new birth is not produced by
man, rather it is God who brings about our salvation.
A. First, the newbirth is essential. No one can see the kingdom of God without it.
B. Secondly, the new birth is experienced. I am so glad that I am one who has personally experienced this being born from above and of God.
C. Thirdly, it should be expressed. James teaches that faith without works is dead (James 2:20). True saving faith gives expression in one's life.
II. That Person Is Beautified. Psalm 149:4 says, "He will beautify
the meek with salvation." When we were saved our bone structures did not change, nor did our hair change colors, but God in a spiritual way beautified our lives. Salvation makes a distinguishable and drastic difference in the lives of those who are born of God. What happens?
A. First, we move from sinner to saint (Eph.3:8).
B. Secondly, we moved from rebellion to repentance. Now we want to do the will of God.
C. Also, we moved from darkness to daylight (Col.1:13). The kingdom of Christ is one of light, love and liberty. The believer is beautified.
III. That Person Is Blessed. God does show goodness to the lost man in sparing his life that the unsaved might repent, however He takes great pleasure in His people (Psalm 149:4). We have wagon loads of blessings that lost people do not experience.
A. First, He shows us the way (Psm.143:10). He leads us into a land of uprightness.
B. Secondly, He fills our day for goodness and mercy follows us all of the days of our lives (Psalm 23:6). Life would be empty, vain, and meaningless without the Lord.
C. Lastly, He is with us to stay (Eph.4:30). What God did in salvation cannot be reversed or undone. When God gives life eternal, He gives a life that cannot and will not end for it is in Christ.