Nominal Christianity

Nominal Christianity

April 14, 2013 Morning Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: We must do more than just calling ourselves Christians; we must BE Christians.

Focus Passage: James 1:21-27

Introduction: Ok, so you call yourself a Christian? If you were accused of BEING a Christian, would there be enough evidence in your life to convict you? Quit CALLING yourself a Christian and start BEING a Christian!

I. Jesus said, “You’ll know them by their fruits.”

a. "You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? "So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. "So then, you will know them by their fruits. "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.' (Matthew 7:16-23)

b. What fruit are you producing?

c. Are you obeying God’s commandments? Are you doing it out of guilt or fear, or out of love?

II. Jesus said, “You’ll know them by their love for one another.”

a. "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35 NASB)

b. Do people know that you love them? Or are your actions or words always abrasive?

c. Are you always arguing and are in disagreement with others?

III. Jesus said, “You’ll know them by their actions.”

a. Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him (1 John 3:18-19 NASB)

b. Do your actions show people that you love them?

c. Do you go out of your way to serve others? Would other people say that? Is it your way or the highway?

Invitation: Ok, so you call yourself a Christian? If you were accused of BEING a Christian, would there be enough evidence in your life to convict you? Quit CALLING yourself a Christian and start BEING a Christian!