Topical Sermon: Are You a Faithful Christian?

Scripture Reading: Philippians 3:12-16

Are You a Faithful Christian?

Intro.

1. To hear most people talk, everyone who have some belief system about Jesus is a “Christian” (regardless of what they believe!).

2. Little regard for diligent, honest assessments of oneself in the light of plain Bible truth to find out if such is really the case (2 Cor. 13:5).

3. Bible speaks of being “full of faith” (Acts 6:5; 11:24); Are we?

4. Investigate some of the most frequently heard reasons why one believes he is a Christian, and test them from the Bible (1 Ths. 5:21-22).

I. ONE IS NOT A FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN MERELY BECAUSE:

A. He Believes Something about Jesus, Jno. 12:42-43; Jas. 2:19.

1. cf. “That He lived / Good teachings / Contributed to humanity....”

2. cf. Jehovah's Witnesses, LDS, Oneness Pentecostals, etc.

3. Must believe the truth about Jesus, Heb. 11:6; Jno. 1:1-3; Matt. 16:13-16 (1 Jno. 2:22-23; 4:2-3).

4. Then, one must have an obedient faith, Acts 6:7; Matt. 7:21.

B. He is Religious (pious), Acts 8:26-39.

1. But, so are Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus & Jews; yet worship in ignorance, cf. Acts 17:22-23.

2. “Go to church,” Pay my “tithe,” etc. (Lk. 18:9-12)

3. Christians are religious, Acts 2:42.

4. Object of our religion must be God, not self! Matt. 6:1; Jas. 1:26-27.

C. He is Moral, Acts 10:1-2, 22.

1. Are there not moral Hindus? Buddhists?

2. False standard upon which to base salvation, Acts 11:14.

3. Christian will live morally, Phil. 4:8.

D. He is Sincere, Acts 26:9-11; Phil. 3:4-6.

1. Satan’s lie: “Just be sincere!”

2. Cannot be a Christian without it, 1 Pet. 2:1.

3. But, sincerity doesn’t wash away sins. We can sin, sincerely believing we are doing the right thing!

E. He has been Baptized, Acts 19:1-5.

1. John’s baptism: Had no promise of HS / Of repentance / Believe on the one to come / Not in name of the Lord Jesus, 19:2, 4, 5.

2. Proper method? Rom. 6:4 (immersion)

3. Proper purpose? Mk. 16:16 (1 Pet. 3:21); Acts 22:16; Gal. 3:27

-To be saved, to wash away sins, to get into/put on Christ.

4. Proper result? Acts 2:41, 47; 1 Cor. 12:13

-To be added to Christ’s church, not the churches of men!

5. Have you been scripturally baptized? If not, you’re not a Christian.

F. He is a Member of a Church, Eph. 4:4.

1. “Church of your choice” is not in Bible!

2. “Church is not important,” Eph. 3:10-11; Acts 20:28 – Eternal purpose, Died for it.

3. Christians are not added to the churches of men; the churches of men are not composed of Christians.

4. Obeying truth puts you into Christ’s church, Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 12:13.

G. He Attends all the Worship Services, cf. Isa. 1:11; Amos 5:21-24.

1. It is vital that we worship God in spirit & in truth, Jno. 4:23-24.

2. It is vital that we do not forsake our assembling, Heb. 10:24-25.

3. But, we can be present & be spiritually dead, 1 Cor. 11:30.

II. ONE IS A FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN BECAUSE:

A. First he is Saved from his Past Sins, Eph. 1:7.

1. Obeyed Christ’s plan of salvation (Hear, believe, repent, confess, baptized), Acts 2:40-41; 10:34-35.

2. Are you a Christian?

B. He Lives Faithfully in the Present, Titus 2:11-12; Rom. 6:4; Lk. 6:46.

1. Disciples, Acts 11:26.

2. Full of faith, Acts 6:5; 11:24.

a. Will be religious, moral, sincere, and active in the church, etc.

b. Will be obedient & walk in good works, Eph. 2:10; Heb. 5:9.

c. Are you a faithful Christian? Really?

C. He is Sacrificial and Lives for the Future, Lk. 9:23; 14:33; Phil. 3:7-16, 20.

1. Christ & truth is first in his life; He sacrifices all to put Jesus first.

2. Are you a faithful Christian? Really?

Conclusion

1. This is who is really a Christian! Rom. 8:14 (statement); Gal. 3:26-27 (2:20).

2. Will you be a faithful Christian? Matt. 7:21-23