SFC - Clp talk 3 what it means to be a christian

CFC-SINGLES FOR CHRISTCHRISTIAN LIFE PROGRAM

TALK 3

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A

CHRISTIAN

MISCONCEPTIONS OR INCOMPLETE NOTIONS ABOUT

CHRISTIANITY CHRISTIANITY IS REDUCED TO A

MERE RELIGIOUS SYSTEM A set of doctrines to believe in, like

the Apostles Creed. A set of religious practices. Knowing or reading a lot about God Doing a lot for God.


CHRISTIANITY CHRISTIANITY IS A MERE MORAL

SYSTEM. A set of do's and don'ts; a set of

rules regarding right and wrong. Avoiding those things that can

make you go to hell.


CHRISTIANITY CHRISTIANITY IS A SOCIAL,

HUMANITARIAN SYSTEM. Equating Christianity with

humanitarianism.. A Christian is someone who does

good and is kind. He is a nice man or woman who always smiles, is friendly, never gets angry, and tries to please everyone.


CHRISTIANITY CHRISTIANITY IS AN ESCAPE

FROM THE REALITIES OF LIFE, AN OPIUM OF THE POOR AND THE OPPRESSED. It is for the weak, for those who

cannot cope with life.

WHAT IS CHRISTIANITY?

THE ESSENCE OF CHRISTIANITY IS UNION WITH GOD, MADE POSSI-BLE THROUGH THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST.

SOME IMPORTANT TRUTHS ABOUT CHRISTIANITY.

IT IS A RELATIONSHIP INITIATED BY GOD, OUT OF HIS MERCY AND LOVE FOR US Ephesians 2:4 -8. But God, who is rich in

mercy, because of the great love he had for us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ (by grace you have been saved), raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God;


Titus 3:3-7. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deluded, slaves to various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful ourselves and hating one another. But when the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.


IT IS A RELATIONSHIP INITIATED BY GOD, OUT OF HIS MERCY AND LOVE FOR US Since God is the source of Christianity,

its truths are enduring and unchanging. They cannot be reduced or watered

down to suit man's fancy or convenience.

We have to take the Word of God as is and base our life on it


IN CHRISTIANITY, WE BECOME A NEW CREATION AND PARTICIPATE IN THE VERY LIFE OF CHRIST. 2 Corinthians 5:17 So whoever is in

Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.

Galatians 2:20 Yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me


IN CHRISTIANITY, WE BECOME A NEW CREATION AND PARTICIPATE IN THE VERY LIFE OF CHRIST. We enter into the same relationship that

Jesus has with the Father. Our identity changes and we become sons and daughter of God.

Galatians 4:4-7 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption. As proof that you are children, God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.


WE TAKE ON THE NATURE OF GOD: HOLINESS. Colossians 3:5-10 Put to death, then, the

parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry. Because of these the wrath of God is coming [upon the disobedient]. By these you too once conducted yourselves, when you lived in that way. But now you must put them all away: anger, fury, malice, slander, and obscene language out of your mouths. Stop lying to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed, for knowledge, in the image of its creator.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS OF BEING A CHRISTIAN

IF GOD IS OUR FATHER, TRUST HIM! Jeremiah 29: 11-13. For I know well

the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the LORD—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope. When you call me, and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart.

God's plan for us, whatever it is, is the best.


OUR FATHER KNOWS OUR NEEDS AND HE WILL PROVIDE FOR US. In fact, He is providing for us right

now (Tick off blessings) Who do you think is providing for

you?


Luke 12: 22-31- He said to [his] disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life and what you will eat, or about your body and what you will wear. For life is more than food and the body more than clothing. Notice the ravens: they do not sow or reap; they have neither storehouse nor barn, yet God feeds them. How much more important are you than birds! Can any of you by worrying add a moment to your lifespan? If even the smallest things are beyond your control, why are you anxious about the rest?


Luke 12: 22-31- Notice how the flowers grow. They do not toil or spin. But I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass in the field that grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? As for you, do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not worry anymore. All the nations of the world seek for these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these other things will be given you besides.


SINCE WE ALL HAVE THE SAME FATHER, WHAT DOES THAT MAKE OF US? BROTHERS AND SISTERS!


AS CHRISTIANS, WE LEARN THAT LIFE ON THIS EARTH IS TEMPORARY. THEREFORE, DO NOT INVEST YOURSELF HERE. Philippians 3:8 - More than that, I even

consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish, that I may gain Christ.


WHAT SHOULD OUR GOAL BE?. Philippians 3:14 -I continue my pursuit

toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus..

WHERE DO WE REALLY BELONG?. Philippians 3:20 -But our citizenship is in

heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

WHAT SHOULD OUR ATTITUDE BE AS CHRISTIANS?

Be peaceful at all times.


Hebrews 13: 5-6 Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never forsake you or abandon you.” Thus we may say with confidence: “The Lord is my

helper, [and] I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?”

CONCLUSION

We are the most fortunate and privileged of people. For God Himself is our Father

We can count on His Word Put your lives now completely in

God's hands, and experience the tremendous peace of Christ flowing into your lives and into your family.

Spiritual

SFC - Clp talk 3 what it means to be a christian