What is a Christian?

 

29:11 Ministries

“Equipping and Enabling God’s Own to Better Serve and Proclaim”

What does Christian mean?

Recent research has shown that nearly 80% of Americans believe themselves to be a “Christian”. This gives so many people a confidence that they are in a good standing with their Creator and have nothing to fear when facing eternity. To some these statistics may be comforting, to others alarming as we see growing crime, divorce, murder, violence, and theft rates in our country. If so many are right with God, why is there so little evidence of it? 2 Peter 1:10-11 tells us, “Wherefore the rather brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” God instructs us to give ourselves a “salvation check-up”; to make sure that we are all right with Him.

Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines Christian as: “one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ.” Being a Christian goes beyond an intellectual acknowledgment of the person of Jesus and His teachings. To be a Christian one must have salvation, and being saved is a spiritual act of faith, not of works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Jesus described this process in John 3:3-6, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. . . Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” Just as one is born to live physically, one must be born again to truly live spiritually.

A Christian is a follower of Christ and His teachings, putting into practice daily what He taught. What are the teachings of Christ? As you read the words of Jesus you will find four things a person must do to be a true Christian:

1. Repent of sin (Mark 1:15a)

What is sin? 1 John 3:4 tells us, “for sin is the transgression of the law.” What law? The law by which all of mankind will be judged, the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). Scripture tells us that we all have sinned (Romans 3:23), and that the price for that sin is eternal death in Hell (Romans 6:23). One lie, stealing one paper clip, one time of disrespect to a parent, or one lustful or hate-filled thought sends us to Hell (James 2:10). To repent we must acknowledge that we have done wrong against God (Psalm 51), and ask for forgiveness, striving from that time on not to do it again, trusting in His power to cleanse us.

2. Believe in Jesus (Mark 1:15b)

Believe that He was God in the flesh (John 1:1 and 14), born of a virgin (Matthew 1:23), lived a sinless life (2 Corinthians 5:21), died in your and my place (Romans 5:8), rose again on the third day (John 20), ascended back to Heaven (Acts 1:9), and is coming again to claim His own (Acts 1:11). We then must humble ourselves before Him, accepting Him as our Lord, and turning over control of our lives to Him.

3. Endure (Matthew 10:22)

We must remain faithful and obedient regardless of the persecution and opposition (Luke 12:42-46).

4. Obey (John 8:51)

God has given us many truths, principles, and commands to live our lives by. We must do it. A person must do each of these four things to be saved. How can we know that we have? Obedience brings fruit in our lives. What fruit? Again we look to the Scriptures. 

- Repentance (Luke 3:8)

- Humility (James 4:6)

- Brokenness and contrition (Psalm 51:17)

- Faithfulness in: (1 Corinthians 4:2)

1. Witnessing (Mark 16:15)

2. Giving ( 2 Corinthians 9:7)

3. Attendance (Hebrews 10:25)

4. Marriage and family (Genesis 2:24, Proverbs 22:6)

- A sincere desire for:

1. Prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

2. The Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16, Matthew 4:4)

3. The Fellowship of the believers (Psalm 133:1)

- A growth in the fruit of God (Galatians 5:22-23) (2 Peter 1:5-9)

1. Love

2. Joy

3. Peace

4. Longsuffering

5. Gentleness

6. Goodness

7. Faith

8. Meekness

9. Temperance

10. Virtue

11. Knowledge

12. Patience

13. Godliness

14. Brotherly Kindness

15. Charity

As you examine your life compared to what the Bible says is the measure of a Christian, you may find yourself wanting. Please heed 2 Peter 1:10 and “make your calling and election sure . . .” Get on your knees, repent of your sins, ask God to forgive you, and give Him complete control of your life. Know for sure that you are a true Christian. Eternity hangs in the balance.

Sermons: Love thy Neighbor

 

Sermon: Love thy neighbor! - Good Samaritan
Speaker: Dr. Aaron Dawson
Date: Sunday Morning : 09-04-2022
Text: Luke 10

3 groups:

1. A Levite, 
2. a Priest, 
3. and a Samaritan

He that showed mercy upon the Samaritan loved  his neighbor as his ownself.

1. Cognitive empathy

2. Effective empathy

Love others by treating them as Jesus would love them.

John - The world would know that we are Christians by our love for others.

Remember: Love Others!

Jesus Saves Sinners

 

Church Covenant

Having given ourselves to God, by faith in Christ, and adopted the Word of God as our rule of faith and practice, we now give ourselves to one another by the will of God in this solemn covenant.

We promise, by His grace, to love and obey Him in all things, to avoid all appearance of evil, to abstain from all sinful amusements and unholy conformity to the world, from all sanction of the use and sale of intoxicating beverages, and to “provide things honest in the sight of all men.”

We agree faithfully to discharge our obligations in reference to the study of the Scriptures, secret prayer, family devotions, and social worship; and by self-denial, faith, and good works endeavor to “grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

We will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together for church conferences, public worship, and the observance of the ordinances of the Gospel; nor fail to pay according to our ability for the support of the church, of its poor, and all its benevolent work.

We agree to accept Christian admonition and reproof with meekness, and to watch over one another in love, endeavoring to “keep the unity of the Spirit” in the bonds of peace, to be careful of one another’s happiness and reputation, and seek to strengthen the weak, encourage the afflicted, admonish the erring, and as far as we are able, promote the success of the church and of the Gospel.

We will everywhere hold Christian principle sacred and Christian obligations and enterprises supreme; counting it our chief business in life to extend the influence of Christ in society, constantly praying and toiling that the kingdom of God may come, and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

To this end we agree to labor for the promotion of educational and denominational enterprises, the support of missions, the success of Sunday schools, and evangelistic efforts for the salvation of the world. And may the God of peace sanctify us wholly, and preserve us blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Sermons: Empathy: Love your neighbor as thyself!

Sermon: Empathy: Love your neighbor as thyself!
Speaker: Dr. Aaron Dawson
Date: Sunday Morning : 08-28-2022
Text: Ephesians 2:8-10

God wanted you just as you were made to be.

1. You are created by God. You are no accident.
We are a plan of God's master plan.

God created us on purpose. We are made for a 

reason. This brings peace. God knows us.

2. We are created by God. (for a purpose)
Unto good works.

Don't look at yourself negatively. You were created by the Master!