Becoming A Christian
GTCOTR/ss082502
Turn To Acts 13
Point #85 from my 156 point sermon: A quote from John Osteen which I heard several years ago:
“Sitting in church won’t make you a Christian anymore than sitting in a garage will make you a car.” Pastor John Osteen
John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Acts 11:26 … And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Well maybe we should look at the church in Antioch
I. Acts 13:
1 ¶ Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
II. Some Distinguishing Characteristics Of A Christian
A. Sets Time Aside To Serve God
1. Ministered: leitourgeo (li-toorg-eh’-o)
a) to serve the state at one’s own cost
a1) to assume an office which must be administered at one’s own expense
a2) to discharge a public office at one’s own cost
a3) to render public service to the state
b) to do a service, perform a work
2. Prayer, Teaching, Worship or Other Physical Needs of The Church
B. Rules Their Flesh
1. 1 Corinthians 9:27 I keep my body under subjection …
2. Galatians 5:24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
C. Hears The Voice Within The Voice
1. John 10
A. My sheep hear My voice
B. My sheep know My voice
C. My sheep follow me
D. My sheep will not follow a stranger’s voice
E. My sheep can tell the difference between My voice and the voice of a stranger
2. John 15:26 The (Holy Ghost) Comforter will testify of Me
3. John 5:39 The scriptures testify of Me
4. Revelation 19:10 True prophecy testifies of Me
D. Prepares Himself & Obeys
1. Fasted and prayed, then laid hands on and sent away.
2. 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show yourself approved …
A. Just like John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus
B. Just like Jesus is in heaven preparing a place for us
C. We must accept preparation for service as a part of our reasonable responsibility
III. What Does It Take To Be A Christian - (Christ Like)
A. Set Aside Time For Kingdom Service
B. Take Control Of Your Appetites
C. Learn To Distinguish The Voice Of God
1. His Word
2. His Will
3. His Way
D. Prepare Yourself For Greater Service
1. Mentally
2. Physically
3. Spiritually
One can know about God by seeing where He has been and what He has done. But one cannot know Him without being where He is and involved in what He is doing.
The Christian is not called to preserve where God has been, but pursue where He is going.
Instead of sitting and staring up the steps, we must arise and step up the stairs.
The Church is not a refrigerator to cool off and preserve ministry, but an incubator to heat up and birth ministry.
The reason they were called Christians first at Antioch, is because the church was full of people who were
People of His presence (The family of Christ)
People of His purpose (The force of Christ)
People of His passion ( The Bride of Christ)
Set Aside Time For Kingdom Service
Take Control Of Appetites
Learn To Distinguish The Voice Of God
Prepare Yourself For Greater Service
