the question is What it means to be a Christian in

Sermon about the genuine Christian

1. What it means
to be a

2. What it means to be a Christian
In this study we will notice:
What is a Christian?
Becoming a Christian
What hinders me from becoming a
Christian?
Growing as a Christian
What hinders me from growing?
The Christian and the body of Christ
The Christian and others
 Am I done yet?

3. The Body of
Christ & the

4. The church, the body of Christ
What is the church?
Not a building, but relationship
Universally, all who are saved
Locally, descriptive of a group of
the saved who join together in an
“ordered, arranged and
organized” way work and worship
as the local church.

5. The church, the body of Christ
What is the church?
As we join together we become a
body of His people –
Ephesians 1:22-23,
4:15, 5:23, Colossians
1:18

6. The church, the body of Christ
The body of Christ
A body is a unified entity in which
every part functions with other parts
1 Corinthians 12:12-27
Romans 12:4-5
As Christians we are part of His
body! We have a
function!

7. The church, the body of Christ
Why should I be involved?
Because of what the church is:
Ephesians 3:10, 11, a part of
God’s eternal purpose
Matthew 16:18-19, built by
Jesus
Acts 20:28, purchased with His
own blood

8. The church, the body of Christ
Why should I be involved?
God wants me to be part of a local
church
Much of the NT written to local
churches
There are many things to be done
collectively by the church
Many of these letters addressed to
churches and the saints that make
them up –1 Corinthians 1:2, 10
Colossians 4:15-16

9. The church, the body of Christ
Why should I be involved?
Other than temporary
circumstances, you do notfind
those simply choosing to be
saints without being part of a
local church
Consider Paul –Acts 9:19, 25-
26; 11:25-26, 13:1

10. The church, the body of Christ
Why should I be involved?
Some may hesitate to identify with a local
congregation
Some don’t know enough about the
congregation –this is only valid for so
long!
Some don’t want to be under the authority
of elders.
Hebrews 13:17
1 Thess. 5:12-13
Why would you NOT want to be built up?

11. The church, the body of Christ
Why should I be involved?
As part of the body, I must do my
part!
Ephesians 4:16, 11-12
1 Corinthians 12:25-27
cf. Hebrews 10:24-25
I will be accountable for this –
2 Corinthians 5:10,
cf. Galatians 6:5

12. The church, the body of Christ
Why should I be involved?
The future of the church depends
on it! cf. Luke 18:8
For the sake of her purity
1 Timothy 3:15
Cf. 1 Corinthians 5:1-7
Revelation 2:12-17, 18-23

13. The church, the body of Christ
Why should I be involved?
Because I want to grow as a
Christian!
To choose to neglect the church
in one’s life does so at a spiritual
loss. You miss the strength she
can provide and a family that
cares for your soul

14. Growing within the body of Christ
Realize this is not a suggestion!
Realize you can do something!
You can let your light shine –
Matthew 5:13-16,
Titus 2:11-12
You can attend as often as possible
You can worship properly –
John 4:24,
1 Corinthians 14:15

15. Growing within the body of Christ
Realize you can do something!
You can give
You can build up your brethren
You can study and pray –as you
grow personally, you grow within
the congregation! Cf. Hebrews
5:12-14, 1 Peter 3:15

16. Growing within the body of Christ
How important is the church to me?
Our mindset helps determine this.
You MUST see this spiritual body as
important.
Something worth investingin.
A spiritual investment –devoting
time, resources, talents and energy
for her

17. Growing within the body of Christ
How important is the church to
me?
Investwith your material things –
1 Corinthians 16:1-2,
2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Where you put your resources
will increase your concerns and
desire to see her succeed.

18. Growing within the body of Christ
How important is the church to
me?
Investin Bible classes –
A quality of a strong church
To grow, attend classes!
To REALLY grow, invest time and
efforts. Cf. Ezra 7:10

19. Growing within the body of Christ
How important is the church to me?
Investin Bible classes by teaching –
The greatest growth will come if you
seek to teach according to your
ability. 2 Timothy 2:2
Consider Hebrews 5:12, “By this
time you ought to be teachers”

20. Growing within the body of Christ
How important is the church to me?
Investin Bible classes by teaching –
You ARE needed!
If all who can will teach, others are
relieved from being overly
burdened.
Yes, it is a challenge and a sacrifice,
but the rewards are tremendous,
including growing as a Christian!

21. Growing within the body of Christ
How important is the church to me?
Investin your brethren –
They are your greatest source of
strength when you are struggling.
Make them your spiritual family! Be
there for one another –Romans
12:9-13, 1 Thessalonians 5:14,
Hebrews 3:12-13

22. The strength of the Lord’s
church tomorrow depends
upon how strong we make her
today!
What if everyone were like me?
What would happen to this
church?

23. How important is
this church to you?