The word Christian is a very loose term; at least we use it very loosely, and it has become, in America, a meaningless term.
To some, it means anybody living in the United States, and is not Jewish. The term Christian has been so abused and diluted that it has very little meaning to most of us today. It means nothing and has very little impact when used. How sad. That was not true of Bible times.
The word Christian is used only three times in all of the bible, but when examined these three times will describe what a real Christian is.
I remember hearing a story of a young boy asking his father what is a Christian? After the father explained, the young boy asked, “Dad have I ever seen a Christian?”
That is a good question. Have you and I ever seen a real Christian? I’m sure we have, and we have never forgotten them and the message they carried.
If I could desire words said about me, they would be, from Jesus, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.” From this side of eternity, I desire to be called a real Christian.
There are three outstanding marks of a real Christian talked about in the verse we just read; they are:
I. To Be a Real Christian, there is a Decision to Make. Acts 26:28
1. A Christian is someone who has been persuaded of certain things. Vs. 28; he has been convinced about certain things.
2. Let’s look at the background of this story.
a. Paul has been arrested. He stands before the King. He does not miss a chance to testify.
b. He is not preaching to be set free; he is preaching Jesus Christ.
3. The King is under conviction and is almost persuaded and I believe this person was as close to being saved as anyone could be. But he is not. He is now in the very pits of Hell.
4. Notice some things about this king that might cause some to think he was saved. He was a Christians.
a. He already knew about Jesus. Acts 26:26
1) The thing he is talking about is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
2) Paul says you know about this, but just knowing about Jesus did not make him a Christian.
b. He also believed the Bible was the word of God. Vs. 27, but that did not make him a Christian.
1) If you were to ask King Agrippa, “Is the Bible the Word of God?” He would answer, “Yes.”
2) A lot of folks in Glenrock believe if they know about Jesus and believe the Bible to be the word of God, that makes them a Christian. Not So!
5. Did you know the Devil believes that much? The devil believes about Jesus. He believes the Bible to be the word of God. He is not a Christian, not saved.
a. Have you ever thought about the religion of the Devil?
b. James 2:19; Satan believes in God. He is no atheist.
c. Satan even believes Jesus is the Son of God. Matthew 4:3
d. There are some liberal theologians today that need to make the same confession of faith, “Jesus, thou Son of God.” Matthew 8:28
e. Satan does know the plan of salvation. Acts 16:16-18
f. Satan believes in God, believes Jesus to be the Son of God. He knows the plan of salvation, but that does not make him a Christian.
6. It takes more than just believing in the plan of salvation to be saved, to be a Christian.
7. You are not saved by the plan of salvation. You are saved by the man of salvation, in the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 John 5:11-13
a. A lot of folks know the plan, but don’t know the man. They have never really received Christ.
8. Now, we said before you can become a Christian there are some decisions to make. You have to be persuaded of some things. So, what kind of a decision do you have to make? There are three of them.
9. You must realize and admit and confess you are a sinner.
a. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Luke 19:10; 1 Timothy 1:15; John 1:29
b. And you cannot be saved until you admit you are a sinner.
c. Isaiah…. All our good, noble deeds are as rags….
10. You must be persuaded that Christ Jesus died for you and your sins. Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21
11. You must be persuaded you cannot save yourself either by good works, good deeds, riches, gifts.
a. Ephesians 2:8-9; Salvation is not a reward for the righteous, but a gift for the guilty.
b. Salvation is not a prize at the end of the race, it is a gift at the beginning.
c. You must be persuaded of this, stop trying to save yourself, by your own efforts. Romans 5:1
d. Salvation is not a two-part system: God’s part and man’s part. NO
12. In order to be a Christian, you must be persuaded you’re a sinner. Christ died for you and you cannot save yourself.
a. Acts 16:31; Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.
13. So, the number one thing in order to be a Christian, there is a decision to make. You must be persuaded about somethings.
II. To Be a Real Christian, there is a life to live. Acts 11:26
1. You don’t live this life in order to be saved. You live it because you are already saved.
2. People, outsiders, called them Christians. It was not a name they called or gave themselves. Christlike, they reminded people of Christ.
3. Why were they called Christians; Christlike, they reminded people of Christ. 1 Timothy 6;11-12
4. A Christian is someone who not only is persuaded about somethings, but there is also a performance.
a. Not only a decision to make, but also a life to live.
b. Not only believe the gospel, but also live the gospel. Titus 1:16
c. With the persuasion comes the practice.
d. With the decision comes the duty.
5. We are not saved by doing good works, but if we are saved, we will do good works. Ephesians 2:8-9
a. Sandra washes my clothes not in order to be my wife, but because she is my wife.
b. I serve the Lord, not in order to be saved, but because I am saved.
6. Not only a persuasion, but also a practice. 1 John 4:17.
a. We are to be Christ-like.
b. When we start living like Him, then people will call us Christians.
c. Good question. Do you remind people of Jesus?
d. Many so-called Christians do a disservice to the name of Christ. Revelation 3:16
e. The reason a lot of people are not impressed with the name Christians is because of the way some of you are behaving.
7. Now, what does it means to be like Jesus?
a. His joy out to be our joy. John 15:11
1) What makes Jesus happy should make us happy.
2) Some of you cannot stand the invitation, it bothers you.
3) You ought to either get saved or find another church.
4) You ought to be excited about the invitation. Sinners are being saved.
5) If Jesus were here, he would be joyful and excited.
b. His sorrow ought to be our sorrow.
1) What would Jesus be doing if He lived here in Casper?
2) Weeping over the city.
3) I am afraid we have become calloused and hardened and have an I don’t care attitude.
c. His friends should be our friends.
1) Love the brethren.
2) Regardless of who or what
d. His enemies ought to be our enemies. Philippians 3:18
1) Why is it some so called Christians seem to get along so well with the world?
8. So, as He is, so are we in this world. His joy is our joy. His sorrow our sorrow. His friends our friends. His enemies our enemies.
a. His purpose our purpose. John 20:21
b. His mission was to seek and to save the lost.
9. Now, if you are not interested in seeing people saved, what right do you have to call yourself a Christian?
10. Not only is there a persuasion, but also a practice.
III. To Be a Real Christian, there is a Price to Pay. 1 Peter 4:16
1. Not only a persuasion, not only a performance, but also a persecution. There is a price to pay.
2. 1 Peter 4:16; Word used as a person suffering because of being a Christian.
3. The Bible does teach when you give your heart to Christ, there will be trials come upon you.
a. Many Christians have the wrong idea about the Christian life. Yes, there will be suffering.
b. When we suffer as a Christian, we bring glory to God.
c. Most of us have never suffered as a Christian. We just want to get along with everybody.
d. The bible says, “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”
4. Not talking about physical suffering. The lost people suffer like that also.
a. But being a Christian will help you through it.
5. Jesus says, “Take up your cross and follow Me.” Suffering because you are a Christian. Your choice.
6. Why does God allow Christians to suffer? 3 reasons.
a. To test you. Vs. 12
b. To be real to you. Vs. 13
c. The power that comes with suffering. Vs. 14
7. A Christian is a person who is persuaded. One who is living a godly life. a performance last a Christian is one who is willing to pay the price. Persecution.
8. Now, are you a true Christian? God help us to be.
a. May it be said of each of us. There is a Christian. One who has received Christ.
b. We live like Christ. We are willing to suffer for Christ.
9. God help us not to have any King Agrippa’s in our church, Almost Persuaded, but still lost.
