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Scripture Reading: Romans 2:17-24

Who Are Christians?

 

Intro.

1.  To hear most people talk, everyone who have some belief system about Jesus is a “Christian” (regardless of their belief).

2.  Requires diligent, honest assessments of ourselves in the light of Bible truth to find out (Acts 11:26; 17:11-12).

3.  Bible investigation of the most frequently heard reasons why people believe they are Christians.

4.  Applications here for us, too (Rom. 2:17-24), 1 Cor. 10:12; 2 Cor. 13:5.

 

I.  WE ARE NOT CHRISTIANS MERELY BECAUSE:

  A.  We Believe Something about Jesus, John 12:42-43; James 2:19.

    1.  cf. “He lived / Good teachings / Contributed to humanity…”

    2.  cf. Jehovah's Witnesses; LDS; Oneness Pentecostals; etc.

    3.  Must believe truth about Jesus, Heb. 11:6; John 1:1-3; 8:31-32.

    4.  Must have obedient faith, Acts 6:7; Matt. 7:21.

  B.  We are Religious, Acts 8:26-39.

    1.  But, so are Muslims, Buddhists, and Jews.

    2.  “Go to church,” Pay a tithe, pray a prayer, etc.

    3.  Yes, Christians are religious, Acts 2:42; James 1:26-27.

    4.  Object of our religion must be God, not self, Matt. 6:1.

  C.  We Live Morally, Acts 10:1-2, 22.

    1.  Are there not moral Hindus? Buddhists? Agnostics?

    2.  False standard upon which to base salvation, Acts 11:14.

    3.  Christian live morally per apostles teaching, Phil. 4:8-9.

  D.  We are Sincere, Acts 26:9-11; Phil. 3:4-6.

    1.  Satan’s lie says, “Just be sincere.”

    2.  Cannot be a Christian without being sincere, 1 Pet. 2:1.

    3.  But sincerity doesn’t wash away sins. We can sin and sincerely believe we are doing the right thing.

  E.  We have been Baptized, Acts 19:1-5.

    1.  John’s baptism: Had no promise of Holy Spirit; Of repentance; Believe on the One to come; Not in name of the Lord Jesus, 19:2, 4, 5.

    2.  Proper method? Acts 8:38; Rom. 6:4

    3.  Proper purpose? Mk. 16:16 (1 Pet. 3:21); Acts 22:16; Gal. 3:27

       -To save, to wash away sins, to put on Christ

    4.  Proper result? Acts 2:41, 47; 1 Cor. 12:13

       -To be added to Christ’s church, not a church of men.

    5.  Have you been scripturally baptized?

  F.  The Christian is a Member of the Church of Christ, Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4 (possessive, “Christ’s church”).

    1.  “Church of your choice” is not in Bible.

    2.  “Church is not important” is not in Bible, Eph.3:10-11; Acts 20:28 (Eternal purpose, died for it, etc.).

    3.  Churches of men aren’t constituted with Christians, Acts 11:26.

    4.  Obey truth to be added to the church, Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 12:13.

 

II.  EXAMINING OURSELVES: ARE WE FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS?

  A.  Christians are Saved from their Past Sins, Eph. 1:7.

    1.  Are a Christian if you have obeyed Christ’s plan of salvation (hear, believe, repent, confess, baptized), Acts 2:40-41.

    2.  Are you a Christian? Are you sure?

  B.  Faithful Christians Commit to Faithful Living, Rom. 6:4; Luke 6:46.

    1.  Faithful Christians are religious, moral, sincere, active in the church, etc. (James 1:26-27).

    2.  Faithful Christians live by faith, obediently walking in God’s good works, 2 Cor. 5:7; Eph. 2:10; Heb. 5:9.

    3.  Are we faithful Christians? Are we sure? (Rev. 2:4-5)

  C.  Faithful Christians are Sacrificial, Luke 9:23; 14:33; Matt. 6:33.

    1.  Priority of Christ and truth, sacrificing all to put Jesus first.

    2.  Are we faithful Christians? Are we sure? (Rev. 2:10)

 

Conclusion

1.  This is who a Christian si, Gal. 2:20.

2.  Be a Christian, and be faithful to Jesus.

 

 

By: Joe R. Price

Posted May 5, 2021