"marks Of A True Christ-Follower" Series

“MARKS OF A TRUE CHRIST-FOLLOWER”

Romans 12:9-13

FBCF – 10/22/25

Jon Daniels

INTRO – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBGFsxRsnmM

“Faith” & spirituality popular topics these days.

- Charlie Kirk’s assassination has triggered a lot, positive & negative – Gospel seen & heard by millions of people due to his memorial service. His wife & others connected to his organization continue to share the Gospel.

- Last Sunday, Pres. Trump answering reporters’ questions on board Air Force One: “I don’t think there’s anything going to get me in heaven. I think I’m not maybe heaven-bound. I’m not sure I’m going to be able to make heaven.”

- Then Tue, son, Eric, being interviewed by Benny Johnson: “We’re saving Christianity. We’re saving God” – then went on to say that his father would go to heaven b/c of 2 things: 1) Helped broker the peace deal between Israel & Hamas: “[my father] will go to heaven for all of that” 2) He is helping people go to heaven “slower” by ending violence throughout the world: “that in itself will get my father into heaven.” (https://churchleaders.com/news/2206673-saving-christianity-god-eric-trump-benny-johnson.html)

- Report this week – “The State of the Bible” in the US – “Does America trust the Bible?” – 36% agree – 26% neither agree nor disagree – 39% disagree. 24% say it’s just another book of instruction. 18% think it was written to manipulate & control people. (https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/state-of-the-bible-nearly-quarter-of-u-s-adults-say-bible-just-another-book/)

- Barna report: For first time in decades, Gen Z & Millennials attending church more frequently than older adults (Gen Z – 13-28 yrs old. Millennials – 29-44 yrs old.) Researcher: “The fact that young people are showing up more frequently than before is not a typical trend. It’s typically older adults who are the most loyal churchgoers. This data represents good news for church leaders and adds to the picture that spiritual renewal is shaping Gen Z and Millennials today.” (https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/gen-z-and-millennials-church-attendance/)

- Frat house revival – E. Carolina U

- Means we’ve got to have strong children’s ministry, youth…, college…, singles…, young adult ministry!

The Church needs to be standing on & proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ louder & stronger than we ever have. People are seeking truth – answers – help – meaning – direction – PEACE in their lives!

- “God, give us Flora!” – Gotta mean it!

- Gospel tent @ Trunk or Treat

- “Harvest Day” w/ Bob Pitman – 11/16

- Bracelets. Tracts. Roman Rd – Be ready!

But all our talk about Jesus will fall dreadfully short if our lives don’t line up w/ words.

- Report on state of Bible said one reason people don’t trust the Bible is b/c they’ve been hurt/abused/led astray by someone they trusted who claimed to be a Christian.

- Intermingled w/ all the wonderful reports of teenagers & college students passionately desiring to follow Jesus & Jacksonville Jaguars player Travis Hunter getting baptized right before a game last week are stories of Christian pastors, musicians, & laypeople being involved in all sorts of unbiblical & immoral behavior.

So, what should a Christ-follower’s life look like? What are the marks of a true Christ-follower? Look @ that as we continue “Roamin’ Through Romans.”

EXPLANATION – Romans 12:9-13

V. 1-2 – Paul challenges believers to be totally sold out & dedicated to God. Our lives are to be “a living sacrifice” – not a dead sacrifice like the OT sacrifices. We’ve been made alive by Christ at the very moment of our salvation. And from that moment on, we are to give our whole lives to the Lord until we take our final breath. It’s the living out of Jesus’ challenge in Matthew 16:24-25 - “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves & take up their cross & follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” (NIV) The Christian life is a life of total sacrifice for Jesus & total obedience to Jesus. And that is what total worship of Jesus is all about. It’s not a passive activity of walking into a building once a week, sitting down, singing a few songs, putting some money in the offering plate, listening to a sermon, then walking about & going back to business as usual. Worship is total obedience to Jesus. It leads to a life being transformed by Jesus. It leads to a mind being renewed by the W of G. It leads to finding & living out the will of God every day. It leads to our lives being significantly & distinctly marked in biblical ways.

APPLICATION – The marks of a true Christ-follower point others to Jesus.

Not an exhaustive list. Not a checklist that earns us a ticket into heaven. Not marks that we pridefully brag about. Not a list of activities that we do so we WILL be saved, but marks that are displayed b/c we ARE saved.