SFC - Clp talk 3 what it means to be a christian
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Transcript of 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.
MISCONCEPTIONS OR INCOMPLETE NOTIONS ABOUT
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.
MISCONCEPTIONS OR INCOMPLETE NOTIONS ABOUT
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.
MISCONCEPTIONS OR INCOMPLETE NOTIONS ABOUT
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;
SOME IMPORTANT TRUTHS ABOUT CHRISTIANITY.
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.
SOME IMPORTANT TRUTHS ABOUT CHRISTIANITY.
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
SOME IMPORTANT TRUTHS ABOUT CHRISTIANITY.
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
SOME IMPORTANT TRUTHS ABOUT CHRISTIANITY.
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.
SOME IMPORTANT TRUTHS ABOUT CHRISTIANITY.
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.
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS OF BEING A CHRISTIAN
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?
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS OF BEING A CHRISTIAN
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?
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS OF BEING A CHRISTIAN
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.
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS OF BEING A CHRISTIAN
SINCE WE ALL HAVE THE SAME FATHER, WHAT DOES THAT MAKE OF US? BROTHERS AND SISTERS!
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS OF BEING A CHRISTIAN
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.
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS OF BEING A CHRISTIAN
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.
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS OF BEING A CHRISTIAN
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.