Scripture Reading: Romans 2:17-24
Who Are Christians?
Intro.
1. To hear most people talk, everyone who have some belief system about Jesus is a “Christian” (regardless of their belief).
2. Requires diligent, honest assessments of ourselves in the light of Bible truth to find out (Acts 11:26; 17:11-12).
3. Bible investigation of the most frequently heard reasons why people believe they are Christians.
4. Applications here for us, too (Rom. 2:17-24), 1 Cor. 10:12; 2 Cor. 13:5.
I. WE ARE NOT CHRISTIANS MERELY BECAUSE:
A. We Believe Something about Jesus, John 12:42-43; James 2:19.
1. cf. “He lived / Good teachings / Contributed to humanity…”
2. cf. Jehovah's Witnesses; LDS; Oneness Pentecostals; etc.
3. Must believe truth about Jesus, Heb. 11:6; John 1:1-3; 8:31-32.
4. Must have obedient faith, Acts 6:7; Matt. 7:21.
B. We are Religious, Acts 8:26-39.
1. But, so are Muslims, Buddhists, and Jews.
2. “Go to church,” Pay a tithe, pray a prayer, etc.
3. Yes, Christians are religious, Acts 2:42; James 1:26-27.
4. Object of our religion must be God, not self, Matt. 6:1.
C. We Live Morally, Acts 10:1-2, 22.
1. Are there not moral Hindus? Buddhists? Agnostics?
2. False standard upon which to base salvation, Acts 11:14.
3. Christian live morally per apostles teaching, Phil. 4:8-9.
D. We are Sincere, Acts 26:9-11; Phil. 3:4-6.
1. Satan’s lie says, “Just be sincere.”
2. Cannot be a Christian without being sincere, 1 Pet. 2:1.
3. But sincerity doesn’t wash away sins. We can sin and sincerely believe we are doing the right thing.
E. We have been Baptized, Acts 19:1-5.
1. John’s baptism: Had no promise of Holy Spirit; Of repentance; Believe on the One to come; Not in name of the Lord Jesus, 19:2, 4, 5.
2. Proper method? Acts 8:38; Rom. 6:4
3. Proper purpose? Mk. 16:16 (1 Pet. 3:21); Acts 22:16; Gal. 3:27
-To save, to wash away sins, to put on Christ
4. Proper result? Acts 2:41, 47; 1 Cor. 12:13
-To be added to Christ’s church, not a church of men.
5. Have you been scripturally baptized?
F. The Christian is a Member of the Church of Christ, Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4 (possessive, “Christ’s church”).
1. “Church of your choice” is not in Bible.
2. “Church is not important” is not in Bible, Eph.3:10-11; Acts 20:28 (Eternal purpose, died for it, etc.).
3. Churches of men aren’t constituted with Christians, Acts 11:26.
4. Obey truth to be added to the church, Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 12:13.
II. EXAMINING OURSELVES: ARE WE FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS?
A. Christians are Saved from their Past Sins, Eph. 1:7.
1. Are a Christian if you have obeyed Christ’s plan of salvation (hear, believe, repent, confess, baptized), Acts 2:40-41.
2. Are you a Christian? Are you sure?
B. Faithful Christians Commit to Faithful Living, Rom. 6:4; Luke 6:46.
1. Faithful Christians are religious, moral, sincere, active in the church, etc. (James 1:26-27).
2. Faithful Christians live by faith, obediently walking in God’s good works, 2 Cor. 5:7; Eph. 2:10; Heb. 5:9.
3. Are we faithful Christians? Are we sure? (Rev. 2:4-5)
C. Faithful Christians are Sacrificial, Luke 9:23; 14:33; Matt. 6:33.
1. Priority of Christ and truth, sacrificing all to put Jesus first.
2. Are we faithful Christians? Are we sure? (Rev. 2:10)
Conclusion
1. This is who a Christian si, Gal. 2:20.
2. Be a Christian, and be faithful to Jesus.
By: Joe R. Price
Posted May 5, 2021