Sermon Central
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Defining Christianity
Contributed by Scott Thomas on Nov 6, 2013 (message contributor)
Summary: Christianity is Receiving Christ, Representing Christ, and Responding to Christ by working for Him. So many today think if their good out weighs their bad, than they are a good Christian. So look and lets see what a real Christian is.
DEFINING CHRISTIANITY
10He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Intro:
1. Christianity is not in a Church.
a. It’s not a Gaining of church membership.
b. It’s not a Going to church meetings.
c. It’s not a Giving to church missions.
2. Christianity is not in a Conquest
a. It does not come by Education
b. It does not come by Escalation
c. It does not come by Employment
3. Christianity is not in a Compromise
(Meaning – Having enough good to balance the bad. There are a lot of people who believe this.)
4. Christianity is not in a Clothing
(Meaning- Something you can put on and take off. Some think the days they have acted good means they were Christians that day.)
5. Christianity is not in a Conduct
(It’s not acting like Christ, but Christianity is Christ!)
a. It’s not a plan, but a person.
b. It’s not a reform, but a reborn.
c. It’s not a new leaf, but a new life.
d. It’s not a turning around in the road, but a totally new road.
** I’ve told you everything it is not. Now let me tell you everything it is.
Body – Defining Christianity
I. IT IS A RECEIVING OF CHRIST IN SALVATION
A. It includes a Great Gift
1. The Heir Gift
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
2. The Heavenly Gift
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
B. It includes a Great Grace
Eph 2:8-9 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
1. The Gift of Grace is why we have Jesus!
2. The Gift of Grace is why we have Joy!
C. It includes a Great God
Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
**Receiving Jesus Christ is the greatest gift anyone could ever receive, and that is what will make you a Real Christian!!
** Don’t you want to be a Real Christian? Then Receive Christ!
II. IT IS A REPRESENTATION OF CHRIST IN SOCIETY
A. Representing his Grace
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
1. Let Grace be at the center of your Work.
2. Let Grace be at the center of your Walk.
3. Let Grace be at the center of your Worship.
B. Representing his Greatness
PS 145:3-6 3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised ; and his greatness is unsearchable. 4 One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. 5 I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. 6 And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts : and I will declare thy greatness.
** Tell the world about His great Book, His great Blood, His great Blessings!!
C. Representing his Glory
1 Corinthians 10:31 - Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
** Let His glory show, shine, and shimmer in your life.
** A Real Christian represents God’s grace, greatness, and glory!
** Don’t you want to be a Real Christian? Then Represent Christ.
III. IT IS A RESPONDING TO CHRIST IN SERVICE
A. Be Fishers
Matt 4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
1. Witness to Sinners 2. Win the Sinners
B. Bear Fruit
Matt 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
(Inspect your fruit. Is your fruit Christian fruit or Carnal fruit?)
John 15:1 1I am the true vine, and my Father is the
husbandman. 2Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he
taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
