1. What it means to be a
Christian

2. 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?

3. Hindrances to Growing as a
Christian

4. Hindrances are a danger
Galatians 5:7, “You ran well. What hindered you from obeying the truth?”
Luke 8:7, 14, the “thorny ground” choke out the word
Hebrews 2:1, give the more earnest heed lest we drift away
Hindrances to
Growing as a
Christian

5. God is not my priority
To grow He must be first! He has influence in all we do
Many have divided loyalties –seeking to compartmentalize God
Matthew 6:33
Joshua 24:15-19
Hindrances to
Growing as a
Christian

6. God is not my priority
What kind of changes have you made in your life?
Do you want to just barely make it to heaven? Cf. 1 Peter 4:18
As long as He is not first, you will not grow as you should
Hindrances to
Growing as a
Christian

7. Materialism
We live in materialistic times. Prosperity comes with its troubles
Often it is accompanied by sins – arrogance, greed, self-reliance, lack of contentment, even rejecting God – cf. John 3:18-20
Hindrances to
Growing as a
Christian

8. Materialism Warning! James 4:4, 1 John 2:15-17 -Worldliness
Matthew 6:24, you cannot serve 2 masters
Colossians 3:5, covetousness is idolatry (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:11)
James 4:13-17
Hindrances to
Growing as a
Christian

9. Materialism
Proverbs 30:8-9, Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches— Feed me with the food allotted to me; Lest I be full and deny You, And say, “Who is the LORD?” Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God.
Hindrances to
Growing as a
Christian

10. Materialism
Many Christians not growing because of things: - Keeps us from giving - Debt (Proverbs 22:7, Romans 13:8) - Affects how we view others - Do we hesitate before helping - What do we trust more?
Matthew 19:21-22
Hindrances to
Growing as a
Christian

11. Materialism
Luke 8:14, cares, riches and pleasures of this like choke out the word and we become unfruitful
To overcome materialism - Contentment – 1 Tim. 6: Simplify your life – get rid of clutter! Physical and spiritual!
Hindrances to
Growing as a
Christian

12. Distractions
Perhaps a bigger challenge than materialism is time management
We live in such busy times – many choices that keep us going from sunrise to sunset. - Inventions to “save time” seem to make us busier than ever! - Time more valuable than money
Hindrances to
Growing as a
Christian

13. Distractions Ephesians 5:15-16 – we are to redeem the time
Luke 10:40-42, Martha was distracted with much serving
Hindrances to
Growing as a
Christian

14. Distractions
Distractions can: - Affect our growth in knowledge - Affect how much we pray - Affect how well we get to know our brethren - Affect how we support the church - Cause us to fail to pause to examine where we are
Hindrances to
Growing as a
Christian

15. Distractions
To overcome distractions: - Simplify your life 1 Thessalonians 4:11 - Make time for God! Matthew 22:37 - Learn to balance your time - Realize you can’t do everything
Hindrances to
Growing as a
Christian

16. An Improper Mindset Some think, I’m invincible – 1 Corinthians 10:12
“Cheap grace” – a term attributed to Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Many appeal to God’s grace to excuse their sinfulness - Romans 6:1-2, 11, John 1:7
Hindrances to
Growing as a
Christian

17. An Improper Mindset
Fellowshipping error – we must stand for truth – 1 Corinthians 16:13, 2 Thessalonians 2:15
We must withstand error! Ephesians 5:11 2 John 9-11
Hindrances to
Growing as a
Christian

18. An Improper Mindset
Fellowshipping error can: – affect our standing with God - lead to a softened stand for truth - lead others into error (cf. Revelation 2:14-15, 2:20; Note: Both told to repent – 2:16, 22
2 Peter 3:17, beware lest you fall from your own steadfastness
Hindrances to
Growing as a
Christian

19. An Improper Mindset
Dealing with improper mindsets: – Change your way of thinking – Colossians 3:2 - Be humble- Romans 11:20 - Spend time studying God’s word! - Bring every thought into captivity – 2 Corinthians 10:5
Hindrances to
Growing as a
Christian

20. Indifference, complacency
Often the product of what we have addressed. We reach a point where we don’t care (as we ought to).
It can lead to: - Spiritual neglect - Forsaking our brethren - Ongoing sin - A calloused heart
Hindrances to
Growing as a
Christian

21. Indifference, complacency
The Bible and apathy Romans 12:11, Titus 2:14 Revelations 3:15-16
Dealing with indifference: - Examine yourself - Repent – Revelation 2:4-5 - Renew your mind – Ephesians 4:23
Hindrances to
Growing as a
Christian

22. Weak churches
The church is to be the pillar and ground of truth 1 Timothy 3:15, Ephesians 4:16 It is supposed to be our refuge
A weak church can hinder growth - not taking a stand for truth - not holding us accountable - not teaching the whole counsel of God
Hindrances to
Growing as a
Christian

23. Weak churches
And if truth be known, is your weakness contributing to her weakness?
This will NOT excuse you before God! (More in our next lesson)
Hindrances to
Growing as a
Christian

24. How do we deal with hindrances?
1) Give God reverence 2) Set your mind on things above 3) Learn self-control 4) Give diligence 5) Occasional examination 6) Take it one day at a time

25. We need to seek to be the good soil! Luke 8:15
That means getting rid of the “weeds” and “rocks”
Hebrews 2:1-3, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation…?”

26. Is anything hindering you from growing as you a Christian?