What Is a Christian?
May 10, 2009 Morning Service
Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK
Rick Boyne
Message Point: Just because you call yourself a Christian doesn’t make you one.
Focus Passage: Acts 11:19-26
Introduction:
I. A Christian Shows Evidences of Believing - v. 21
a. Many today claim the name of Christian or profess Christianity as the basis for their lives. However, a large portion of these same individuals do not show any evidence that they know Christ or even know what a Christian is.
b. The word Christian means to be "Christ-like" or a "little Christ." Secondly, a Christian means to "be of the party of Christ," or in other words, to be associated with Him.
c. t is sad to say though that many who claim the name of Jesus show absolutely no qualities of Christ-like living. Matthew 7:21 is clear, "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. (Matthew 7:21) It is not just enough to say that we are a Christian, but if we are truly blood-bought, then there will be overwhelming evidences of it.
II. A Christian Shows Evidences of Adhering to God’s Word - v. 23
a. “with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord”
b. it is sad to say that there are many who profess Christ and yet live in open rebellion to His Word. For example, Hebrews 10:25 states, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:25)
III. A Christian Shows Evidences of Being Filled With the Holy Spirit - v. 24
a. How do we know that we are full of the Holy Ghost? The Bible states in Matthew 7:20, "So then, you will know them by their fruits. (Matt 7:20)" The fruit is the evidence that one is filled with the Holy Spirit.
b. Galatians 5:22-23 describes to us what to look for in ourselves and this is our rule to live by – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
IV. A Christian Shows Evidences of Faithful Service to God - vs. 24, 26
a. Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. (Romans 12:1)
b. If we are going to hold to the name Christian, then we ought to be faithful servants to Christ and His body.
c. Unfaithfulness cannot be acceptable in the lives of those professing Christ.
V. A Christian Shows Evidences of Witnessing Their Faith - v. 19-20, 23, 26
a. "...preaching the word..." ; "...preaching the Lord Jesus." ; "...exhorted them all..." ; "...taught much people..."
b. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)
c. Psalm 107:2 states, "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.
"
d. If you are not sharing the gospel, it is evidence that you are ashamed of it. Jesus is painfully clear in Mark 8:38, "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:38)
Invitation:
