Introduction: How long have you been a Christian? Maybe months or years. You followed the steps of salvation.
1. Belief
2. Repentance
3. Confession
4. Baptism
5. Living a Christian Life
Yes, I have done all those, but there needs to be more, I do not feel the connection. Now that I am a Christian, Now what?
A child learns to walk slowly. Craw, standup, taking a step, and running. As a Christian you learn slowly. All the gifts of the spirit are not dumped on you the first day. It is a growing process.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5 NIV
These three verses are often called, THE FRUITS OF SPIRIT and rightly so, because that is what the Bible calls them. There is no evidence that they were put in order of importance but for this sermon let us say they are.
NOW THAT I AM A CHRISTIAN, NOW WHAT
1. Love: As a new Christian you receive love from God and the Church.
Love comes from God through his Son. Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead to demonstrate the Love God has for His children.
2. Joy: Joy is the second item on the list. Joy is a happiness of the Christian. You find joy in the most unusual places: self, church, and Christ.
Joy found in yourself may come from an achievement you accomplished, and you feel joyful.
The church also brings joy into your life. The fellowship of other like Christians is important to the growth process of a new Christian.
There is joy in Christ that He fills those emotional gaps in our spiritual life, and this makes us complete. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippian 4:7 NIV
3. Peace: This peace is not between two adversaries, but it is the inner peace you find within yourself. When the world is at war, when there are riots in the street, you still have the inner peace from within. The Holy Ghost brings this peace.
4. Forbearance: Jesus paid the price for your sin. When you become a Christian, your sins are forgiven by the blood of Christ.
5. Kindness: You have received kindness at one time or another in your life. Now that you have become a Christian you give kindness to others.
6. Goodness: Are you a good person? Do you do good things? Now that you have become a Christian, doing good things will be a part of who you are.
7. Faithfulness: Being faithful to God is a big part of your new life as a Christian. Being faithful in Bible Study. Being faithful in church attendance. Having fellowship with each other is what you do as a Christian.
8. Gentleness: Being kind and sweet is what God wants from you instead of loud, obnoxious and a troublemaker. For some this will be changing personality traits, it will take time and a lot of fortitude.
9. Self-control: This is extremely hard to do. Self-control has its own rewards. You feel better when you find control of your emotions.
Conclusion: For a new Christian this may be overwhelming but like baby steps you take one step at a time. Look at your strengths and make them even better. Look at your weakness and make a plan on how to overcome them.
Becoming a Christian is only the start. Living a Christian life is the best thing you have ever done.
