“Defining the Undefinable Christian”
February 26, 2012
John 1:1-12
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, torn jeans and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of
college. He is intelligent. Kind of independent and very, very bright.
He became a Christian while attending college. Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. They want to develop a ministry to the students, but are not sure how to go about it.
One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, raggedy jeans, his holey T-shirt, and wild hair. The service has already started, so Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat. The church is completely packed and he can’t find a seat. By now people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything. Bill gets closer to the pulpit, and when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet. (Although perfectly acceptable behavior at a college fellowship, this had never happened in this church before!)
By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick.
About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Bill. Now the deacon is in his eighties, has silver-gray hair, and a three-piece suit. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane and, as he starts walking toward this young man, everyone is saying to themselves that you can’t blame him for what he’s going to do. How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor?
It takes a long time for the deacon to reach the young man. The church is utterly silent, except for the clicking of the man’s cane. All eyes are focused on him. The minister can’t even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he
has to do. And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and worships with him so he won’t feel alone.
Everyone chokes up with emotion. When the minister gains control, he says, "What I’m about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget.
Jesus, He who created the heavens and the earth and made all things; He who was from the beginning of time; He who loves us so much - came from heaven to show us what God was like and to enable us to become children of God. We are not naturally Children of God. We are not automatically Children of God. We must believe and receive – but if we do – we become God’s child.
What is a Christian like? Is it this long haired, barefooted hippy? Is it the old white—haired senior? Maybe it is those sitting on the pew watching. Well the answer is – ALL of the above. The very word “Christian” means Christ-like. But just as you cannot define Christ, neither can you define what a Christian is. We are too different. We are in too many different stages of maturity. Our talents are too different; our education is so different; our thoughts are different; our personalities are too different. But there are some things that the true Christian has in common. I want to share six of those things with you this morning.
First of all. We believe. Our Scripture says,
“…to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (1 John 1:12)
A lot of people claim to believe in Jesus – but by their actions they deny Him. Paul wrote to the young pastor, Titus:
“They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.” Titus 1:16
So first of all, we need to understand there is a difference between ‘talking’ and ‘walking’. With your mouth you may say you believe – but your actions are the true indicator of whether or not you do. Jesus said of false prophets, “By their fruit you will know them.” (Matt 7:16)
The Children of God believe. Jesus, God himself, said,
“everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:15-16
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” John 3:36
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26
The one thing you will find that all Christian have in common is that they believe. Belief is a choice. Our faith starts with choosing to believe. Jesus asked Martha, “Do YOU believe?” I might ask YOU that? Do you believe? If so - certain actions will follow.
The second thing that all true Christians have in common is trust. Jesus
said, “Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.” John 12:36
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.”
John 14:1
Trust just naturally follows belief. I heard the story of a young pilot who had just passed the point of no return when the weather changed for the worse. Visibility dropped to a matter of feet as fog descended on him. Putting total trust in the cockpit instruments was a new experience to him. The ink was still wet on the certificate verifying that he was qualified for instrument flying.
The landing worried him the most. His destination was a crowded city airport that he wasn’t familiar with. In a few minutes he would be in radio contact with the tower. Until then, he was alone with his thoughts. His instructor had practically forced him to memorize the rulebook. He didn’t care for it at the time, but now he was thankful.
Finally he heard the voice of the air traffic controller. “I’m going to put you on a holding pattern,” the controller radioed. Great! thought the pilot. But, the thought occurred to him that his safe landing was in the hands of this person. He had to draw upon his previous instructions and training, and trust the voice of an air traffic controller he couldn’t see. Aware that this was no time for pride, he informed the controller, “This is not a seasoned pro up here. I would appreciate any help you could give me.”
“You’ve got it!” he heard back.
For the next 45 minutes, the controller gently guided the pilot through the blinding fog. As course and altitude corrections came periodically, the young pilot realized the controller was guiding him around obstacles and away from potential collisions. With the words of the rulebook firmly placed in his mind, and with the gentle voice of the controller, he landed safely at last.
D. L. Moody said, "Trust in yourself, and you are doomed to disappointment; trust in your friends, and they will die and leave you; trust in reputation, and some slanderous tongue may blast it; but trust in God, and you are never to be confounded in time or eternity."
The true Christian believes and expresses that belief with trust.
Thirdly, A true Christian expresses his belief and trust by obedience. Can you trust and not obey? I don’t think so. Can you believe and not act? I don’t think so. Jesus said,
“If you love me, keep my commands.” John 14:15
“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me…”
John 14:21
“Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”
John 14:23
“If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.” John 15:10
I don’t know how Jesus could have made it any clearer. We Believe; we Trust - and then we Obey. That is the only way we can please God.
Here is another thing that all true Christians have in common. Fourthly, we hear Him. Have you ever stopped to think that God is speaking to you ALL THE TIME? He is. The Bible says,
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Romans 1:20
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” Psalm 19:1-4
I want you to know that God is speaking to you. He speaks to us through His creation. He speaks to us through the Holy Bible. He speaks to us through the Holy Spirit. The problem is not that God is not speaking – the problem is that we aren’t listening. Jesus said many times, “He who has ears to hear - let Him hear.” But the Child of God DOES listen. Jesus said,
“The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” John 10:3-4
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish…” John 10:26-27
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
Revelation 3:20
The true believer hears God. We hear Him speaking to us. And what is our response? The same as the disciples. Fifth, We follow Him. Listen to the disciples reaction when they heard Jesus.
“So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.”
Luke 5:11
Jesus said, “Whoever serves me must follow me…” John 12:26
We already read “…his sheep follow him because they know his voice.”
John 10:4
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27
The true Christian is a follower of Christ. I wonder how many people heard Jesus speak, maybe believed Him, but didn’t follow. Home was too comfortable. Jesus’ way seemed too hard, too lonely, too harsh. Jesus was asking too much. And they didn’t follow Him – never realizing that His path led to all their hearts hoped for. His path led to all they desired. His path led to eternal life. How foolish not to follow the Savior.
Lastly, 6. The true Christian lets Jesus in. The 12 verse of our Scripture said,
“Yet to all who did receive him, …he gave the right to become children of God.”
“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved…” John 10:9
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
Revelation 3:20
The true Christian opens the door; he enters in; he receives Jesus. So many people think if they SAY they believe; SAY they love the Lord; SAY they have invited Jesus into their hearts that they have their ticket to heaven. Jesus is not so interested in you saying – as you doing. God does not desire you to just pray some magical prayer; He does not desire religion - so much as relationship. Can you think of any healthy relationship where there is no communication; no expression of love; no action on the parts of those in the loving relationship? I can’t. True lovers of the Lord Jesus will 1. Believe Him; 2. Trust Him; 3. Obey Him; 4. Hear Him; 5. follow Him; and 6. Let Him in.
Have you done that? Maybe it’s been a while since you had some intimate fellowship with Him. Find a quite place and seek His face. Maybe you realize that you have been doing something that you know He does not want you to do. Stop doing that. It’s called repentance. Maybe you realize that God has been calling you to do something and you have been resisting – maybe refusing Him. Stop it. That’s called repentance, too.
The true Christian does all these things we have talked about – but let me tell you – there are so many wonderful results from that kind of relationship. Next week we will tell you about the “Benefits of the Blessed” – but this morning I want to invite you, if you have heard His voice – if He is asking you to open up your hearts door, to pray this prayer with me.
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for the great love you have for me. You have expressed your love by dying for me. You have expressed your love for me by enabling me to be a child of God. You express your love for me daily through your blessings. Please forgive me for not responding as I should. Give me the grace to live and walk with You. Lead me. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Give me the power to live the way you want this child of God to live.
SONG
