Are You a Faithful Christian? Philippians 3:12-16

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead…

“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.” Philippians 3:12-16

“Full of Faith” “And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch.” (Acts 6:5) “For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.” (Acts 11:24)

One Is Not a Faithful Christian Merely Because… He believes something about Jesus (John 12:42,43; James 2:19) –That He lived, taught good things, prophesied, and contributed to humanity –Jehovah Witnesses, Latter Day Saints, Oneness Pentecostals…

He believes the truth about Jesus. –John 1:1-3; Matthew 16:13-16; 1 John 4:2:22,23; 4:2,3 He has obedient faith. –Acts 6:7; John 6:28,29 One Is a Faithful Christian Because…

He is religious (Acts 8:26-39) –So are Muslims, Hindus, and Jews ( Acts 17:22,23) –Many “go to church” and “pay their tithe” ( Luke 18:9-12) Christians are to BE religious (Acts 2:42) One Is Not a Faithful Christian Merely Because…

He has good morals (Acts 10:1,2,22) –So do Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Mormons, etc. –So do those who base their salvation on false standards (Acts 11:14 Christians choose to live morally, as an act of obedience, as a matter of faith (Philippians 4:8) One Is Not a Faithful Christian Merely Because…

He is sincere –Acts 26:9-11; Philippians 3:4-6 Satan’s lie: “Just be sincere!” One cannot be a true Christian without sincerity –1 Peter 1:22; 2:1 But sincerity doesn’t wash away sins or keep us from sinning –Revelation 1:5 One Is Not a Faithful Christian Merely Because…

He has been baptized –Acts 19:1-5 A baptism can be invalid (John’s baptism was for the wrong reason). Or it can be for the wrong purpose. –Acts 22:16; Acts 2:38 Proper method? (Immersion) –Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12 Proper result! –Acts 2:41,47; 1 Corinthians 12:13 One Is Not a Faithful Christian Merely Because…

He is a member of a church. –Ephesians 4:4 Joining the “church of your choice” is not a Bible doctrine. Is the church important? –Acts 20:28; Ephesians 3:10,11 Obeying the truth puts one into the Lord’s church. –Acts 2:47; 1 Corinthians 12:13 –Not into a man-made church! One Is Not a Faithful Christian Merely Because…

He attends faithfully. –Isaiah 1:11; Amos 5:21-24 Must worship God properly. –John 4:23,24 Must not forsake assembling. –Hebrews 10:24,25 One can be present, but still be spiritually dead! –1 Corinthians 11:30; 1 Timothy 5:6 One Is Not a Faithful Christian Merely Because…

He is saved from past sins. –Ephesians 1:7 He has obeyed God’s plan of salvation. –Acts 2:40,41; 10:34,35,48 Are you a Christian? Are you a faithful Christian? One Is a Faithful Christian Because…

He lives faithfully in the present. –Titus 2:11,12; Romans 6:4; Luke 6:46 Disciples –Acts 11:26 Full of faith –Acts 6:5; 11:24 Are you religious, moral, sincere, active, obedient, and doing good works? –Ephesians 2:10; Hebrews 5:9 One Is a Faithful Christian Because…

He is sacrificial and lives for heaven. –Luke 9:23; 14:33; Philippians 3:7- 16,20 Christ is first in His life. –2 Corinthians 8:5 He sacrifices all to put Christ first. –Acts 4:32-35 Are you a faithful Christian? One Is a Faithful Christian Because…

16 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are “For you are all through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” “SONS OF GOD” Romans 8:14 Galatians 3:26, 27