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