What it means to be a Christian

What it means to be a Christian In this study we will notice: What is a Christian? Becoming a Christian What hinders me from becoming a Christian? Growing as a Christian What hinders me from growing? The Christian and the body of Christ The Christian and others Am I done yet? What it means to be a Christian?

The Christian & others

The life of a Christian IS about others It is not about me! Monasticism is not how we live, nor is selfishness John 17:14-17 – we are in the world Look out for interests of others Philippians 2:3-4 1 Corinthians 10:24 1 Corinthians 9:27 The Christian & others

The life of a Christian IS about others Love your neighbor as yourself - Matthew 22:37-39 Galatians 5:14, all the law is fulfilled in this Romans 13:8-10 As much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men Romans 12:18 Who is my neighbor? Luke 10:29-37 The Christian & others

The life of a Christian IS about others Following the example of Jesus Philippians 2:5-7, He left heaven for us Matthew 20:28, He gave His life a ransom for many The Christian & others

The life of a Christian IS about others Others includes Christians and unbelievers Nearly 60 “one another” passages directed toward brethren. Every part of body – toward brethren Concerns about evangelism and our example point toward unbelievers The Christian & others

The life of a Christian IS about others NOTE: Our concern for others comes with this caution – do not let ungodly influences affect your faith 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 1 Corinthians 15:33 Ephesians 5:11 2 Timothy 3:5 The Christian & others

My responsibility to others We have to care about them! The idea of love is that we care! Jesus cared – Matthew 9:36, 14:14 Paul cared – 2 Corinthians 12:14-15, 1 Corinthians 9:22 cf. 2 Corinthians 5:11 They cared about souls! The Christian & others

My responsibility to others Be an example More than anything else, a powerful tool with impact We ARE influencing others Matthew 5:16 The Christian & others

My responsibility to others Be an example Do we seek to make the gospel as attractive as possible? Inherent in our faith is some hostility from others – John 3:19-21, 15:18-19, 1 John 3:13 We cannot hide the truth from others. BUT what we can control we need to! (Attitudes, pure actions, etc.) – 1 Peter 2:11-12 The Christian & others

My responsibility to others Help them when we can We are to be servants! That is about others! Jesus came to help others - Matthew 20:26-28 cf. John 13:12-15 Caring for the needy – James 1:27, Luke 14:12-14 The Christian & others

My responsibility to others Help them when we can Sadly, many seek to “hire” the church to do their part! We can step in where the church is limited (cf. 1 Timothy 5:16) The Christian & others

My responsibility to others Pray for them Something we can all do, and perhaps more often than we do now. James 5:16, Ephesians 6:18 – for our brethren 1 Timothy 2:1-2 – for all men Matthew 5:44 – for our enemies The Christian & others

My responsibility to others Evangelism is about others Christians realize that souls are lost and desire to reach them. Acts 8:4 Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15 2 Corinthians 5:11 1 Peter 3:15 The Christian & others

My responsibility to others Evangelism is about others While not everyone has the same abilities in this, there is always something we can do. IF we desire to change our society, it will be done one soul at a time The Christian & others

Opportunities toward others Galatians 6:10 It begins with you – do you take your faith seriously? cf. Jeremiah 20:9 Be salt and light – you have to LIVE your faith! The Christian & others

Opportunities toward others You have to be looking – Walk circumspectly (mindfully) – Ephesians 5:15 Cf. John 4:7-10 When they mention “church”, moral issues, Bible words. Can you lead secular topics toward spiritual topics? Invite people to services The Christian & others

Opportunities toward others Pray about it – Prayer is needed in every situation Ephesians 6:18-19 Colossians 4:3, “open doors” The Christian & others

Opportunities toward others Study God’s word – 2 Timothy 2:15 The more you know, the more confident you will be in telling it to others. (cf. 1 Peter 3:15) The Christian & others

Opportunities toward others Be willing to sacrifice – There is cost to serving Him. Will we pay it? Will we give time to pursue opportunities? Will we give up other things for them? 2 Corinthians 12:15 The Christian & others

The richness of being a Christian is more developed and more appreciated when we include others – whether it be our brethren or in seeking others to teach.

How important are others to you?