Are You A Christian?

by Rohn Tue Aug 07, 2012 12:11 am

CHRISTIAN
Acts 11:26

(Acts 11:26) And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. (KJV)

“And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”

What is a Christian? "And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." The word "Christian" is only used three times in the Scriptures;

1. Our text
2. When Paul was before King Agrippa -
(Acts 26:28) Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. (KJV)
3. In (1 Peter 4:16) Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. (KJV)

The name "Christian" was Probably both given in ridicule and distinction because of the difference between the followers of Christ and the Jews.

I would like you to consider a couple of questions today.

1. Are you a Bible Christian?

2. Are you a possessor or just a professor?

If we went through our community and asked people "What is a Christian?" I am sure we would get quite a variety of answers.

Such as:
-A Christian is someone who isn't a heathen.
-A Christian is someone who goes to a Christian church.
-A Christian is a person who follows the teachings of Jesus.
-A Christian is one who keeps the ten commandments.

One of the definitions in our dictionaries is “A believer in Christ." This is too shallow. The Bible says that the demons believe and tremble.

The dictionary also says:
-One who exhibits a spirit proper to a follower of Jesus Christ.
-One who exemplifies in his life the teachings of Christ.

Based on Dr. Taylor's words in "Preaching Holiness Today" Christians are transformed individuals Characterized by:
-unwavering conviction
-absolute purity
-faultless integrity
-faithful stewardship
-undivided allegiance
-conscientiousness
-consistency

From the "Christian Digest" What is a Christianity?
-in the home it is kindness
-in the business it is honesty
-in society it is courtesy
-in work it is fairness
-toward the unfortunate it is pity
-toward the weak it is helpful support
-toward the wicked it is resistance
-toward the strong it is trust
-toward the fortunate it is congratulations
-toward the penitent it is forgiveness
-toward God it is reverence and love.

If you are truly a Christian I believe that the people you are around can tell. When the people saw Peter and John the took knowledge that they had been with Jesus.
I want to look at the thought, "What is a real Bible Christian?"

I. A CHRISTIAN IS A NEW CREATION OF CHRIST.
(2 Corinthians 5:17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (KJV)

Old things pass away:
-our old life style
-our way of looking at things; we couldn't see spiritual things before
-our old speech
-our hungers, "feeding on the husks around me"
-our old friends
All things become new. In Mark 8:22-26 we read about how Jesus healed a blind man. At first he saw men as trees walking, but when Jesus put His hands upon his eyes the second time he saw every man clearly. As Christians we have new perspectives - we see things differently. As Christians we have a whole new life style. This new life style brings into our lives:
1. A new carefulness - not to grieve God.
2. A new cleansing.
3. A new indignation or righteous anger.
4. A new reverence.
5. New strong desires.
6. A hatred for sin and Satan.
7. A new clearing - clear conscience before God and men.
(2 Corinthians 7:11) For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. (KJV)

II. A CHRISTIAN IS ONE WHO HAS PARTAKEN OF THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST.
(Romans 8:9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
(1 John 3:24) And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. (KJV)

Just as a child takes on the characteristics of its parents so a Christian takes on the characteristics of Christ.

Christ was.:
-humble; took on him the form of a servant - from the manger to the cross
-loving; reached to whosoever will
-considerate
-forgiving; He preached it and practiced it
-friendly; Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were friends of his.
-comforting; in time of death, diseases, and loneliness.
-willing to go out of His way to help others - woman at the well.

III. A CHRISTIAN IS ONE WHO IS A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST.
(Revelation 14:4) .....These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth........(KJV)
(Luke 9:23) And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (KJV)

-They follow His will - He has a plan for you everyday.
-They follow His directions even when He guides us with His eye; and even when we don't know where it will take us.
-They follow His word - what does the Bible say about anything or any issue?
-They will follow His example. (1 Peter 2:21) For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: (KJV)
-They will deny themselves and take up the cross daily. Deny means to disregard and loose sight of self.

IV. A CHRISTIAN IS ONE WHO HAS A TRANSFORMED APPETITE.
A song goes something like this: "I've no longing for life's treasures, nor adorning’s rich and gay, for I've found a better treasure one that fadeth not away. Thou 0 Christ art all I want, more than all and all to me."

True Christians have lost their appetite for earthly things. "The things of this world will grow strangely dim."
The world is anything that is not of the Father. It becomes as husks or pig slop.
Aren't you amazed at what some so-called holiness people long for?
Christians have gained an appetite for the spiritual.
"Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled."

Christians have an appetite for:
-the Bible and prayer
-church services and prayer meetings
-lofty and uplifting and edifying preaching

They want to know more about God, His Word, and His workings.
The apostle Paul in Philippians 4:8 gave some things to think on or have an appetite for.
(Philippians 4:8 ) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (KJV)

V. CHRISTIANS ARE THOSE WHO HAVE HAD AND ATTITUDE CHANGE.
-They have an upward look.
-They have an inward hope.
-They have an undisturbed sweetness.
-They have a good forgiver.

Conclusion: Someone asked the question, "If you were put on trial for being a Christian would you have enough evidence to convict you?"

by **Sonshine** Tue Aug 07, 2012 12:51 am

Thanks for posting this Rohn. Too many people confuse being a Christian with being religious. There is such a huge difference. I prefer to think of Christianity as having a personal relationship with Jesus. After all, we are his bride. What bride doesn't think of her beloved every waking moment and dream of him at night? What bride doesn't desire to learn all she came about her betrothed? Every bride strives to get closer to her beloved. It's the perfect love.

by Rohn Tue Aug 07, 2012 1:22 am

Thanks Sonshine. This was my message outline Sunday morning.

by **Sonshine** Tue Aug 07, 2012 1:29 am

Sounds like a good message and one that many don't really understand. I've heard people say that they were Christians because they grew up going to church, not realizing that Christianity isn't just about attending church but making a decision to accept the gift of salvation and allowing the Holy Spirit to change you.

by 12acrehome Wed Aug 08, 2012 11:38 pm

Wow. I like the message here Rohn!! and yes people can easily tell who is a Christian and who merely attends church. Around the factory I work in you can pick out a precious few Christians, but hundreds more profess to be Christian. Those hundreds are know to shirk work assignments, sleep on the job, and cuss and argue with supervisors. One who regularly speaks of reading the Bible and often wants to ask my opinion of some select passages was ranting and raving about work issues in the break room last week. I had to ask him if that was the same mouth he praised God with. The next day we had a more intelligent and adult discussion about what had happened during his shift that I would need to follow up on.

by Rohn Thu Aug 09, 2012 5:43 am

12acre & Sonshine, Thanks for the kind words. The glory all goes to God. Without Him I could never write the first line. Any good you see here, the glory belongs to God.

by mountainmama Thu Aug 09, 2012 11:41 am

Good words there, Rohn.

Reminds me of a saying I once heard: "If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to prove it?"

by 12acrehome Thu Aug 09, 2012 1:00 pm

Rohn wrote:12acre & Sonshine, Thanks for the kind words. The glory all goes to God. Without Him I could never write the first line. Any good you see here, the glory belongs to God.

Yes sir the glory is Gods, but as we are beings of flesh a few kind words to encourage us in our faith never hurts.

by kerrig Sat Aug 11, 2012 11:21 pm

This was excellent! I took a lot of notes. Lol.

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