WHO IS A CHRISTIAN.pptx

The Characteristics of a Christian

1. WHO IS A CHRISTIAN? TEXT: JOHN 3:3-5

2. WHO IS A CHRISTIAN? - JOHN 3:3-5- It is always mind-blowing to see someone become what we call a Christian…… Though, those who sees such people or person or persons do not know all that it takes for one to become a Christian, the mere fact that he/she has seen a change or some changes in such a person or persons or people always appreciate such an important change or changes . Especially, in this part of our world we often times hear people shout “Hallelujah”, “Praise Him” Glory be to the Most High God and etc. to such a change as a sign of welcoming such an individuals or group of people into the Christian family. Most times when more changes appear as time wear on, many have or develop some phrases to either thank God or praise the fellow for such a bold decision.

3. 2. But, in this our era or better still in the 21 st Century, the importance of being a Christian has become like vapour; it appears a little and then. The dangerous issue here is that, even those in the Lord’s kingdom “FAILS TO APPRECIATE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BEING A CHRISTIAN. DID YOU HAVE ME? OR FAILS TO VALUE THE NAME CHRISTIANS. When this happens, Christians often fails to grow as they are expected to do. This often gives people the chance to give different names to such Christians as it may, befit their attitude and characters in society. I quite remember an old time high life singer sing a sing “ wo Nyame som mpo ni ” nna wobɛyɛ ɔkrɔmfo .

4. 3. As Christians, we need to reflect, and ask question that only involves “ I ss ” a) What did I do? b) What have I received ? c) What are the implications and consequence of what I’ve done? d) What has happened to me? e) What have I become? f) What is different about me?

5. DISCUSSION I. WHO IS A CHRISTIAN ? In simple term; A Christian is “A Born Again person or “A Person Reborn”. This is because In-Christ one has become…? II. A NEW CREATION. a. A CHRISTIAN IS A “NEW CREATION”….. By coming out of the grave filled with water in the name of BAPTISM to lead newness of life . Romans 6:4-5, In such a situation; old things have passed away and all things have turn to be new. II Corinthians 5:17 cf. Gal. 5:19-21, I Cor. 6:9-17

6. B. A NEW CREATION WAS AS A RESULT OF A NEW BIRTH . As a result of… Responding to the of God. James 1:18, I Peter 1:22-23. Through the working of the spirit of God. James 3:3-5, Titus 3:5-7 C. THIS NEW CREATION EMBARKS ON A CONSTANT LIFE OF RENEWAL: FOR THE BETTER The inner man is to be renewed daily. II Corinthians 4:16. This renewal is known and should be an ongoing process of the one involved. Romans 12:1-2, Romans 8:5-8 Note the following very well. A new birth has produced a Christian. The process of change(s) is ongoing; therefore there is a new great expectation of people seeing a new life in Christ.

7. III. A NEW LIFE HAVING PASSED FROM DEATH TO LIFE. As promised by Jesus. John 5:24-25 As seen in our process of growth. Eph 2:1-5, Col 2:12-13 As seen in the Lord’s promise to those willing to live so… John 5:11-13 B. HAVING PASSED FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT… As seen Paul, Acts 26:18 As written by the Apostle Peter. I Pet 2:9-10 As described by Paul to the Ephesians and the Thessalonians: Eph 5:8, I Thes . 5:5. For which we need to be thankful. Colossians 1:12-13 NOTE: The reality of this matter is that the born again or the person “Reborn” must have a new direction for such an obedience thus a …..

8. IV. A NEW LOYALTY IS EXPECTED… Read the following verses… I Thessalonians 1:9 Romans 6:16-18 a. A great change is expected b. Serving only God. c. Moving from the worse situation to the other idols > God.

9. B. A CHRISTIAN IS CONVERTED TO JESUS CHRIST 1. He or she acknowledges the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Acts 2:36. I Peter 3:15. 2. Above family, life, and self, the Christian chooses to follow Jesus. Matthew 10:37-39. 3. When one makes the choice, Christ will become the focus of that person’s life. Galatians 2:20 C. SUCH LOYALTY TO CHRIST RESULT IN A NEW LIFE.. 1. During such period change God blesses the individual through Jesus Christ. Philippians 4:6-7 2. Through that one finds strength to live the new life. eg. Philippians 4:13

10. CONCLUSION OF PART ONE 1 . A very important thing about one being a Christian is that he/she: a. Experiences a new creation b. Enjoys a new life. c. Entertains a new loyalty When it happens this way, a person truly becomes “A Person Reborn” 2 . But not all professing to be Christians show evidence of this rebirth… simply because: a. Obedience not rendered in faith will not produce the New birth. Mark 16:16 b. For God’s power to work in us, we must submit in faith. Colossians 2:12-13 3 . Though they may have been reborn and entered the New life, they may have gone back into sin. a. Hardened by sin’s deceit leading to departure from God. Hebrews 3:12-13

11. b. Entangled once again by the pollution of the world. II Peter 2:20-22 In which case, the loyalty has been misplaced.

12. PART TWO GOD OWNS US (BELONGING TO THE LORD)

13. THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING A CHRISTAIN INTRODUCTION 1. Flowing from our earlier discussion, we studied some great importance of being a Christian: i . A person who has been born again or reborn” now doing what the new birth requires. a. A new creation that leads to a new life. b. One who God “owns” in other words “belonging to the Lord” therefore becoming God’s own child that lives with God’s “own standard” as a foreigner. c. All it’s about this new birth, new creation, new direction is a way of life that is “LIVING BY THE WORD OF GOD” IN SHORT BY FAITH. GOD OWNS US (BELONGING TO GOD)

14. 2. Another great importance of our new name “CHRISTIANS” is about how prepared we are when it comes to SANCTIFICATION. a. How sanctified we are can be likened to how prepared we are when certain issues comes to mind: i . Death ii. 2nd coming of Christ iii. Judgement iv. Hell v. Heaven b. The words “Sanctify” and “sanctification” are translated from the Greek “ hagiazo ” c. This “ hagiazo ” simply means – to make holy, to set apart for special purpose. d. Other related words to sanctification include – holiness, saint, consecration.

15. I – THE PROGRESS OF SANCTIFICATION A. ALL CHRISTIANS ARE SANCTIFIED 1. Some think sanctification is all about “all at once” or in two stages” a. Eg. What the Wesleyan concept of “entire sanctification says” b. Others also says “once sanctified one can no longer sin” 2. The goodness is that the bible evidence suggests otherwise: a. Viewing what the Holy Spirit said about the Church of Corinth. i . …… sanctified in christ Jesus. I Cor. 1:2 ii. …... Who had been “sanctified”. I Cor. 6:11 “watch the tense of the statement” b. Yet many of these people were still “babes in Christ” and “carnal”. I Cor. 3:1-3

16. …....b. 1. They were filled envy, strife and divisions 2. They were acting carnally, as mere men. 3. Meaning, while Christians may not be perfect, they are still called “saints” a. Note the use of the word “saints” in addressing all Christians – Rom. 1:7, I Cor. 1:2, Philip. 1:1, Col. 1:2. b. Reason being that they have been “set apart” to be “God’s holy people”, it was appropriate to be called “saints” - cf. I Peter 2:5, 9, Rom. 12:1-2

17. I – THE PROGRESS OF SANCTIFICATION B. CHRISTIANS ARE ALSO “BEING SANCTIFIED” 1. Sanctification is an ongoing process a. Those in christ are being sanctifies – Heb. 2:11 b. it begins of conversation, and continues as we grow in the faith. c. as the Apostle Paul prayed – I Thes . 5;23 2. Thus Christians are to pursue sanctification (holiness) a. As the Hebrews were exhorted. Heb. 12:14, cf. Hebrews 2:1-5 b. As Paul commanded Corinthians – II Cor. 7:1 c. Reason: God is holy and……. I Pet.1:15-16

18. II – THE PROCESS OF SANCTIFICATION A. SANCTIFICATION IS THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 1. This is seen as the followings: a. Sanctified by the holy spirit – Romans 15:16 b. ……by the spirit of our God – I Cor. 6:11 c. ……by the spirit – II Thess. 2:13 d. The sanctifying work of the spirit – I Pet. 1;2 as seen in: i . Spiritual generation – Titus 3:5-6 ii. As described in our bodies – I Cor. 6:19-20 As seen in the strengthening of our inner man – Eph. 3:16

19. B. SANCTIFICATION IS ALSO THE WORK OF THE WORD OF GOD 1. What we have to note here is that sanctification is always tied in with the word of God. a. ……your word is truth – john 17:17 b. ……by the word – Eph. 5:16 2. The word of God is the instrument used by the spirit to help being sanctification – Eph. 6:17 Read the following: Romans 8:5, Galatians 5:16-22

20. CONCLUSION 1. II Corinthians 6:17-18 2. II Corinthians 7:11 All in the interest of we perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

21. ….ONE GUARDED BY THE POWER OF GOD INTRODUCTION 1. Reflecting on our previous lesson, a Christian is……… a. A person who has born again or reborn. b. One who God owns c. One set-apart for God’s own purpose. 2. This do not indicate a cool chop or a type of easy going (life without any challenge) a. What we need to think off: i . Present generation or world does not encourage godliness. From 0-100 we can confidently say over 85% want things in their own ways. ii. May are the people interested in the destruction of godly living.

22. 2. iii. Again, great majority do not buy into living Spiritually. 3. But we are Christians because, we always get and receive support in times of crises from the whose name wear as “Christians” CHRIST 4. Listen to what the apostle Peter wrote regarding our protection. I Peter 1:5. a. The Holy spirit through the apostle peter pointed out clearly that “Kept by the power of God through faith” b. A special military term is being employed here “to mount guard as a sentinel; figuratively, to hem in, protect (strong)

23. THIS IS THE CONFIDENCE WE HAVE AS CHRISTIANS….. RECEIVING SUCH A GUARD FROM THE MAKER OF ALL THINGS (GOD) SATAN’S GOAL: OUR DESTRUCTION A. OUR ADVERSARY…. 1. Satan is like a roaring lion – I Peter 5:8 a. Always moving b. Seeking whom he may devour 2. His Tricks a. He often times appears as an angel of light – II Cor. 11:14 b. Misleading many through false teaching – I Timothy 4:1-3 c. As seen in II Corinthians 11:15

24. I. SATAN’S GOAL: OUR DESTRUCTION B. What we need to do as Christians 1. THE CHRISTIAN NEED TO BE AWARE…. A. Some say there is no need to be concerned. a. E.g. “once saved Always saved” b. E.g. “the impossibility of apostasy” …..But this would make all the warning in the Bible pointless 2. The Bible warns about the danger of becoming hardened – Heb. 3:12-14 a. Hardened by “ the deceitfulness of sin” b. Who better equipped to harden us than he “who deceives the whole world – Revelation 12:9. The danger is real, the need to “resist him” (I PETER 5:9) who seeks our destruction in very real. But always remember we are not alone in our resistance, “the god of all grace” – I Peter 5:10. Ever ready to assist us.

25. II. GOD’S PROVISION – OUR SAFE KEEPING A. GOD IS OUR HELPER. 1. He provides Jesus Christ a. As our mediator – I Timothy 2:5 b. As our advocate – I John 2:1-2 c. As our merciful and faithful High Priest – Heb. 2:17-18 d. Whose blood cleanses us from our sins – I John 1:7-10 2. He provides other blessings designed to keep us safe a. Our congregational meetings for mutual edification - Hebrews 10:24-25, 3:12-13 b. The scriptures – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 c. Prayer – Philippians 4:6-7

26. 3. We have all these as a way of escape a. Help to avoid temptation Matt 6:13 , 26:41 b. Also to help overcome temptation (I Corinthians10:13) SOURCE OF OUR VICTORY – GOD 1. Our trust, confidence and victory comes from the power of God Phil. 4:13 2. He always provides the power that is always greater than the power of Satan Eph 3:16,20, 1 John 2:13 – 14 , 1 John 4:4 3. This victory comes through Jesus Christ 1 Corinthians 15:57 4. So therefore DO NOT RECEIVE THIS POWER IN VAIN 2 Corinthians 6:1

27. III – OUR DUTY – REMAIN FAITHFUL THE CHRISTAN’S SECURITY………. 1.WHAT THE SPIRIT TEACHES a. No one can snatch …………….. John 10:28-29 b. Nothing should separate ………. Rom 8:35-39 * These promises are for only believers (Christians) 2.The Bible teaches a believer can develop an evil heart – Hebrews 3:12 a. When this happens, the person depart from God. b. Again, he/she also depart from living Godly. Thus the warning to remain faithful – Rev 2:10

28. OUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS CHRISTIANS 1. Take to heart the many admonitions in scripture a. To take heed - 1 Corinthians 10:12 b. Gird up the lions of your mind -- 1 Peter 1:13 c. Discipline yourself – 1 Cor 9:27 d. Standfast in the faith – 1 Cor 16:13 e. Resist the devil James 4:7, 1 Pet 5:8-9 THINGS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF AND TO DO Daily prayer Daily Bible study Frequent association with (Good) fellow Christians Regularly attend congregational meetings Develop private personal spiritual time table to pray and to study

29. vi. Always get involved in the work of the church vii. Acceptance of correction, and repentance as necessary

30. CONCLUSION 1.There is always wars and battles to fight in our journey to heaven so remain strong Eph 6:10-13 and resist the devil 1 Peter 5:9-10 2.Never lose sight of the importance of our faith Read 1 Pet 5:9 and 1 Peter 1:5 3.Remain forever faithful Rev 2:10 PART 4 WE ARE SAVED TO SERVE BY HELPING SAVE OTHERS OUTSIDE THE VINEYARD.

31. WHO IS A CHRISTIAN? PART 4 ONE WHO IS SAVED TO SERVE

32. WHO IS A CHRISTIAN? PART 4 ONE WHO IS SAVED TO SERVE INTRODUCTION We here can testify that: being a Christian is of great importance and also comes with its numerous blessings a. We are “born again” “ A person reborn” b. one belonging to the Lord. “Special child” c. One consecrated to God “set apart to live a holy life” d. One who is guarded by the power of God. - she or he is NOT alone in his struggle against the power of Satan and the evil world in which we live.

33. Remember all these (above) comes with its own blessings, and each has its own responsibilities as well. There are obligations that comes with our new opportunities. Again, there are duties that comes with our new calling. Indeed, the Christian is a person who has been called to serve God….. a. We have been “saved to serve” cf. Heb. 9:14, 12:28 b. It is an individual responsibility. Rom. 12:1. Col. 4:17, II Tim. 4:5.

34. I – THE GREATNESS OF SERVANTHOOD A. BEING A SERVANT OF GOD IS A GREAT HONOR…… 1. Many great men of old wore the title during the Old Testament era. a. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Deut. 9:27 (They Served) b. Moses – I Kings 8:53 c. Joshua - Joshua 24:29 (servant of the Lord) d. Caleb – Numbers 14:24 (My servant) e. Job- Job 1:18 (My servant) f. Isaiah – Isaiah 20:3 (My servant) g. The Prophets – Jeremiah 7:27 (My servant)

35. 2. In the New Testament many writers referred to themselves as “servants” a. James 1:1 b. Paul – Romans 1:1, Phil. 1:1 c. Peter – II Peter 1;1 d. Jude – Jude 1 e. John – Revelation 1:1 B. JESUS CAME TO SERVE…… A. IT INVOLVES COMPLETE OBEDIENCE 1. Prophecy regarding His suffering servant – Isaiah 52:13, 53:12 2. He did not come to be served, but to serve – Matthew 20:28, Phil. 2:7 3. Read carefully, John 13:12-17

36. II – THE CONCEPT OF SERVANTHOOD A – IT INVOLVES COMPLETE OBEDIENCE I. In a slave-master relationship a. The slave knows no law, but his master word. b. He has no right of his own c. He is the absolute possession of his master. d. He is bound to give his master unquestioning obedience. 2. Does this describe our relationship to Christ? a. It should especially in the light of I Corinthians 6:19-20 b. We have to come to Jesus on His terms, not our own. Luke 6:46, Matthew 7:21

37. II – THE CONCEPT OF SERVANTHOOD B – IT INVOLVES ABSOLUTE HUMILITY 1. Otherwise, absolute obedience is not possible. For example, I Cor. 15;9-10, Eph. 3:8, I Tim. 1:15 2. Does this describe our relationship to Christ and His will? a. Jesus said it should – Luke 17:10 b. But if we murmur or complain about what Jesus tells us to do, can we really be considered “servant”

38. C. IT INVOLVES ABSOLUTE LOYALTY 1. We acquired our servanthood freely, it should therefore be expected that we: a. be loyal to Him first – Gal. 1:10 b. No need to think about anything of ours first, but the one and only creator we serve. 2. It is amazing how we claim to be servant of the Lord Jesus while: a. We still complain about doing his will. OR b. Even neglect or slothfully carry out His will.

39. 3. Yet some act as though they are being forced against their own will. a. They don’t “have to” serve the Lord through compulsion. i . It is really serious to see many Christians do so. ii. If we don’t serve Jesus, by default we serve Satan, and we are destined for hell. b. By His (God’s) grace we had salvation, and how dare we ever grumble or complain that He cause us to life of service in grateful appreciation.

40. III. HINDRANCES TO SERVANTHOOD. A. SERVICE TO THE WRONG MASTER… 1. Jesus warned we cannot serve both God and Mammon – Matt. 6:24 2. Serving the wrong things will render us fruitless – Luke 8:14 3. Paul made it plain; we can only serve the one we obey – Rom. 6:16 B. PLACING LIMITATION ON OUR SERVICE…. 1. some limit how, where and when they will serve: - What is required in this situation a. Humanity b. Unselfishness Read Acts 20:19, Philippians 2”3-4

41. CONCLUSION 1. Christians have been saved to serve. 2. We called to serve God and our lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 3. We will remain slaves to the world if we chooses NOT to serve Him – Romans 16”16a and end up being slaves and loosing Heaven with Hell as the ONLY OPTION – Romans 6:16b RIGHT SERVICE leads to RIGHTEOUSNESS – Romans 16:16c with assurance of eternal life – Romans 6:22. Just think about these!