ADVANCED
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CHRISTIANS WHO ARE WE?
Many Christians have not yet come to realize their importance to God. Many still see themselves as poor, unworthy, sinners, unfit to ask God for anything or to come into His presence. It is true that by our own natural flesh and bones we were not more than that. But through the love and mercy of God, and by the shed blood of Jesus we have become much more than that. If we as Christians are going to live victoriously on this earth, we must begin to see ourselves as God sees us. Our image of ourselves must be based on God’s image of us as recorded in His Word. I. Who can truthfully be called a Christian? A. First used at Antioch – Acts 11:26 1. Christians – Greek is Christianos, means followers of Christ. B. Who are disciples – John 8:31 1. Believe – Greek is Pisteuo, means rely on for salvation, to put one’s trust in. C. Paul as an example – Acts 9:21-28 1. Paul was an enemy until he was converted (saved) then he became a disciple. 2. All who call themselves Christians are not truly living as followers of Christ. In the above passage Paul was not accepted by the apostles as a Christian until Barnabas came forth and stood with him. Later when Paul’s life style was that of one professing Christianity, Paul was accepted as a Christian based on his own lifestyle. D. Test of Discipleship – Matt. 10:37-39, Luke 14:26-27, 33 1. Hate – Greek is miseo, means love less II. As Christians we A. Are brought with a price – I Cor. 6:20, I Cor. 7:23 1. The price – I Pet. 1:18-19, Acts 20:28 2. Benefits a. A New Testament – Heb. 9:11-22, Matt. 26:28 b. Justified by His blood – Rom. 5:8-10 c. The blood cleanses – I John 1:7 d. We overcome by the blood of Christ – Rev. 12:10-11 e. Blood brings us near to God – Eph. 2:11-13 f. Blood yields redemption – Rom. 3:23-25 g. Blood sanctifies – Heb. 10:29 h. Everlasting life – John 6:53-56 B. Are chosen and called – I Peter 2:9-10, Gal. 3:28 1. Chosen by God – Eph. 1:4-5, II Thess 2:13, I Tim. 2:4 2. Chosen by Christ – John 15:16 3. Called by God a. unto holiness – I Thess. 4:7, I Peter 1:16 b. unto peace – I Cor. 7:15, Heb. 12:14, Rom. 12:18 c. unto His kingdom and glory – II Pet. 1:3, I Thess 2:11-12
d. to
obtain glory – II Thess. 2:14 e. unto
eternal life – I Tim. 6:12 4. Results
and Benefits a. must
walk worthy – Eph. 4:1-3 b. must
make sure – 2 Pet. 1:5-10 c. have
liberty – Gal. 5:13 d. spirit works to bring all things to my benefit - Rom. 8:26-30
1. How – Gal. 3:6-8, Rom. 4:6-12, Gen. 12:3, Gen. 17:1-20
1. Promised
by God – II Cor. 6:16-18, I Cor. 6:16-17 2. How
– I John 4:15-16 3. The Church – Eph. 2:19-22
1. Promised by God – II Cor. 6:16-18 2. How – Rom 8:14-16, Gal. 3:26, Gal. 4:4-5 a. the rebirth brings Spiritual leading – John 3:3-6 b. receiving Christ – John 1:12-13, (John 4:4, Eph. 3:15)
1. How – by being now sons and daughters of God a. brothers and sisters of Christ – Matt. 12:48-50 b. Gal 4:4-7 2. Benefits a. John 3:35, I Cor. 15:24-28, John 16:15, Heb. 1:2, I Pet. 1:3-4, Acts 26:16-18 G. Are The Righteousness of God in Christ – II Cor. 5:21 1. Man’s Righteousness – Is. 64:6 2. Promised by God – Is. 61:11 3. How – Jer. 33:14-16, I Cor. 1:30, Rom. 4:5-6, Rom. 4:20-25 4. Benefits a. Sin has no dominion – Rom. 6:12-14, Rom. 6:18-19 b. Redeemed
from curse of the Law – Gal. 3:13
d. I Pet. 3:12, I John 5:14-15
1. How – reborn spirit (John 3:3-6), but mind must be renewed (Rom. 12:1-2) a. II Cor. 3:18 b. John 3:30 c. Rom 6:3-6, Gal. 3:27 d. Eph. 4:22-24 e. Col 3:1-17
a. Become servants of righteousness – Rom. 6:17-18 b. Changed into image of God _Heb. 1:3 c. Christ lives through us – Gal 2:20
1. Offer spiritual sacrifices – I Peter 2:5, Heb. 13:15-16 2. Have access to God – Eph. 2:18 a. Christ the high priest – Heb. 4:14 b. Must come to God through Christ – John 14:6
1. God works in us – Phil. 2:13 2. God is faithful in His work – Phil. 1:6 3. God is holy and merciful in His work – Ps. 145:9, 17 4. God’s work is a. perfect – Deut. 32:4 b. honorable and glorious – Ps 111:3 c. marvelous – Ps. 139:14, Rev. 15:3
a. God rejoices in His work – Ps. 104:31 b. We glorify God – Is. 60:21
1. Given ability – Phil. 4:13 L. Have The Mind of Christ – I Cor. 2:16 1. What is the mind (will) of Christ – John 5:30, Matt. 26:39 2. A growth process – II Peter 3:18 a. Must learn of Christ – Matt. 11:28-39 b. Must follow Christ’s example – John 13:15 c. Must press towards the goal – Phil 3:12-16
1. One body, many members – Rom. 12:5, I Cor. 12:12-26, I Cor 6:15 2. Benefit a. All things under feet – Eph. 1:20-23, Eph 2:6 N. Are Ambassadors for Christ – II Cor 5:20 1. How – Matt. 28:19-20, John 17:18 2. Benefits a. Matt 10:1-15 b. Luke 10:1-20 c. Mark 16:15-18
1. Benefit – I Cor. 3:21-23 III. Exhortation Section II is only a partial list of the titles or positions which God has bestowed upon or given to the believer. The Bible warns that knowledge puffs up, or makes one become proud. It is important that we see ourselves as God sees us, as portrayed in His Word. However, it is essential that we always bare in mind that apart from the blood of Christ we are as filthy rags. We must never think that we are important to God because of who we are fleshly, our position in life, color, financial or social status, or any other such reason. We must always remember that our sufficiency is of God (II Cor. 3:5) and that without Christ we are and can do nothing (John 15:5). Finally we are told in II Peter 1:2-4, that we have been given all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Christ and the Word. It is up to us to use these gifts and apply this knowledge. Remember that God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us (Eph. 3:20-21). Christians let’s be who God says we are.
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