What's A Christian? Slides, 11/17/13

Now those who were sca,ered because of the persecu2on that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and An2och, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to An2och spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to An2och.

When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to An2och. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in An2och the disciples were first called Chris2ans.

Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to An2och. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Acts 11:19-‐30 (ESV)

WHAT’S A CHRISTIAN?

Is there enough evidence in your life to convict you? Acts 11:19-‐30

I.   CHRISTIANS CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY WHAT THEY SAY (vs. 19-‐21)

THEY SPEAK OUT!


II.   CHRISTIANS CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY THE GRACE THEY DISPLAY (vs. 22-‐26)

THEY STAND OUT!

A glad heart makes a cheerful face… Proverbs 15:13 (ESV)

•  Displayed in our countenance. •  Declared by our lives. •  Demonstrated in our RELATIONSHIPS.


II.   CHRISTIANS CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY THE GRACE THEY DISPLAY (vs. 22-‐26)

III.   CHRISTIANS CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY THEIR GENEROSITY (vs. 27-‐30)

THEY SHELL OUT!

But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Li,le children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

John 3:17-‐18 (ESV)

If you were on trial for being a Chris2an, would there be enough evidence to convict you?

What would the Judge & jury find?

•  Could they tell by what you said? •  Could they tell by Who they saw IN YOU?

•  Could they tell by your checkbook?

Spiritual

What's A Christian? Slides, 11/17/13