What does it mean to BE a Christian? What Is A Christian? What does it mean to BE a Christian?

“By Way of Reminder” Reminders are important. Why? The Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:26). 2 Pet. 1:15; 3:1: Stir up your minds by way of reminder Why? “That you may be mindful…” We need to be mindful of our roles and responsibilities as Christians.

Several Words are Needed to Define What a Christian Is Disciple Believer Servant of God Saint Child of God Temple of the Lord

Several Words are Needed to Define What a Christian Is

Believer “But without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Heb. 11:6). “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16). Therefore they are called “believers” in Acts 5:14. “You have been saved through faith” (Eph. 2:8).

Believer A true believer is not one who walk around saying, “I believes in Jesus.” But rather, by works faith is made perfect (James 2:22; 2:14-26). Though many people wish to stop here in the definition of a Christian, God shows us that there is much more involved. For a Christians is also a…

= Disciple Mark 16:16 Believe and be Baptized Matthew 28:19 Make Disciples Learner: Matt. 11:29, “learn from Me” Being a disciple of Christ requires knowledge of who He was, what He did, and what He taught. Follower: Luke 9:23, “follow Me” Being a disciple requires that we put our knowledge to use in our actions.

Disciple “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” 1 John 2:6 Since discipleship requires obedience, it may also be said that a Christian is a…

Servant of God We were “purchased with His blood” (Acts 20:28). We were “bought at a price” (1 Cor. 6:20). Therefore we have been freed from sin. However, we are now servants to the One who purchased us.

Servant of God Outside of Christ In Christ “And He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” 2 Cor. 5:15 Outside of Christ In Christ In Sin Judgment Servants of Sin Our reward, eternal condemnation In Righteousness Salvation Servants of God Our reward, everlasting life

Servant of God “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” Romans 6:16 Though we are called Christians, if we want eternal life we must stop serving sin and start serving God with our lives. “But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:22-23

Child of God When we were purchased as servants, we were also “born again” (John 3:3, 7). Sins forgiven, made pure and holy, made a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). But who begat us when we were born? “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Galatians 3:26-27

“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.” Child of God That God was willing to send His Son to die so that He may adopt us and call us His children shows His great love for us (1 John 3:1). But with this blessing comes great responsibility. “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.” Ephesians 5:1

Child of God If Christians, as God’s children, continue to act like people in the world, then they cannot be called His children. Just as the one we serve becomes our master, so the one we imitate becomes our father.

Child of God “Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God” 1 John 3:7-9

Temple of the Lord In the Old Testament the temple was where God made His presence known on the earth. But there is no temple today. Why? “Do you not know that you (the church) are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Cor. 3:16).

Temple of the Lord Both collectively and individually we are said to be God’s temple because He dwells in us (1 Cor. 6:19). He is not a second entity inside our bodies. But as we imitate Him, learn from His word, and fill hearts and lives with things from above, He is in us. Through our works His presence is made known to the world! But if we are not glorifying Him in our bodies, how can we be called His temple? (1 Cor. 6:20)

Saint—Faithful One This word summarizes all that we have discussed. For it describes a person who is faithful in all things to God. Saints are not people who have done miracles. Saints are not people of legend. Saints are all of God’s people—All who lives by faith as disciples, servants, and children and who keep themselves pure.

Saint—Faithful One Col. 1:12: They are the ones that will receive an inheritance in heaven. There will be many who believe in Christ and claim to do many works in His name. But only those who are faithful to do the will of the Father will enter the kingdom (Matt. 7:21).

Saint—Faithful One Christians, as saints, must be faithful in all things. Hebrews 11 shows us the kind of faithfulness we need as saints. Heb. 12:1 tells us to run with endurance as they did! Jesus said to “be faithful until death” (Rev. 2:10).

Conclusion Are you striving to be the kind of Christian God wants us to be? Though you believe, are you… Walking in the footsteps of Jesus? Serving God in righteousness? Imitating God as His children? Keeping yourself pure as the temple of God? Being faithful in all things as the Lord’s saint?