We Are Called Christians. Do You Know What That Means?

Sermon- We are called Christians.

Q- Do you feel a sense of pride, or good, to be called a Christian?

- As Christians, we generally like the fact that we’re called Christians.

- We say, I’m a Christian, I go to church!

- Notably we’re known for our kindness, welcoming, outreach, & our mission.

- These are all good traits.

- Now, Here’s the thing. In Scripture, to be called a Christian was a put down.

- You were being insulted, mocked, or ridiculed for following Christ.

- Let’s read the first time the ones who were “the people of the way” were called

Christians.

Acts 11:26

26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

- The People who named the church, were the Greeks.

- it was common for the Greeks to give satirical nicknames to particular groups.

1. Those loyal to the Roman General Pompey were dubbed “Pompeians,”

2. Followers of General Sulla were called “Sullanians.”

3. Those for emperor Nero Augustus were called “Augustinians”, meaning “of the party of Augustus.”

- So When the followers of Christ came in. They were nicknamed Christ-ians, those of

the party of Christ.

- Here’s the notable thing though, even though it was an insult, it proved they were

different or changed.

Romans 12:2

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

- The Geeks we’re taking note of what these Jews were doing.

- Clearly they knew what Christ meant. It means Messiah.

- So In no way would a devout Jew be willing to listen to a heretic who believes

Jesus, who was crucified, is the savior who will set up God’s Kingdom.

- When Jesus rode into Jerusalem, on the back of a donkey, he was met with

praise.

Matthew 21:9

9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

- They thought He was coming in to exact judgement!

- Then He was crucified, & they scattered.

- To any Jewish person with the title Christian it was a label of you’ve rejected your

heritage, upbringing, & family beliefs.

- If you have a label like that you can see the doors being shut, the blinds closed,

& the ears closed so that most Jew will not listen.

- Out of direction of God, & anguish, Paul & Barnabas declared in Antioch that

they would give the message to the gentles, because the Jews there would not

listen.

Acts 13:46

46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

- Listen Jesus delivering the message of beatitudes includes the basis of the name

each one of the listeners will be wearing, Christians.

Matthew 5:11-12

11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

- The Word revile means, insults.

Q- When People insult you, for what?

- For My Names sake!

- When we’re looking so much like a follower of Christ that it warrants people to

insult you by saying, oh look, here comes one of those Christians, then we’re

doing something right.

- Jesus says, your faith will not return void.

- Jesus said, Great is your reward in Heaven.

- For all the people who insult/mock, persecute, gossip, & spread lies against you. -

- There will be no reward for them, only judgement.

Q- Wouldn’t it make us feel good that they get their just desserts?

- No, let me turn back to Paul’s & Barnabas’ announcement again in Acts 13:46.

Acts 13:46

46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

- They mocked, & treated us so sorely, because they’ve deemed themselves unworthy.

- I don’t think there’s very many people who would immediately say I’m unworthy of

everlasting life.

- That’s of course Before they’re saved!