WHAT MAKES A CHRISTIAN?
PART I
Regeneration - new birth, new life, new spirit, new mind, new soul, a new disposition, a new outlook on life!
l. It's Necessary - We can't stay in the flesh and live! (John 3:7; Galatians 6:15)
2. It's Purpose - New life! (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:24)
3. It's Agent - Holy Spirit! (John 6:63; 14:16-17)
4. It's Instrument - God's Word! (1 Peter 1:23; John 5:24)
5. It's Means - We are born of God! (1 John 5:1; Galatians 3:26; John 1:12-13)
6. It's Results - No longer slaves to sin! (1 John 3:9-10; Romans 6:22)
7. It's Manifestation - Obedience & Sacrifice! (1 John 5:1-2; 1 John 3:16)
WHAT MAKES A CHRISTIAN?
PART II
Justification - "the act of pronouncing righteous, an acquittal (released from an obligation), the establishment of a person as just by acquittal from guilt.
1. Sin made us rotten! (Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:9-12)
2. God made us right! (Romans 3:21-24; 8:33)
3. Jesus made it happen! (1 Peter 3:18)
4. Grace made it known! (Ephesians 2:4-5)
5. Faith made it possible! (Acts 13:38-39; Romans 5:1-2)
6. Resurrection made it true! (Romans 4:25; 5:4-9)
7. Works made it show! (Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:4-8)
WHAT MAKES A CHRISTIAN?
PART III
Conversion - To be converted; to abandon the sinner's lifestyle and embrace Christ's lifestyle; the old life has passed away; and all things become new (Acts 26:17-18). Examples: The Ethiopian treasurer (Acts 8:26), Paul (Acts 9), Lydia (Acts 16:13), the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:19-34). In the New Testament two words describe this turning "episstrepho" - to turn about and turn towards and "metanoeo" - a renewal of mind and heart (Matthew 18:3); a total transformation.
1. Conversion is needed - Why, because without Jesus we are trapped in sin, our lives are in chaos, we are in crisis with no means of escape (Acts 3:19). We have to be changed, transformed from sinner to saint.
2. Conversion is Given - (Colossians 1:13-14; 1 Peter 2:24-25) Conversion is a product of God's unconditional grace; it is the action of the Holy Spirit upon us by which we are moved to respond to Jesus in faith! The Holy Spirit also works in us, to purify us, to mold us in the image of Christ!
3. Conversion is an Event - It is a life changing experience; it is turning your back on Satan and turning your life over to God's control! It means accepting Christ not only as Savior but as Lord of your life! (Acts 2:37-47)
4. Conversion is a Process - Conversion is a new beginning; an ascent to Christ-like-ness; a continuous process of "being saved" (I Corinthians 1:18). It involves a lifetime of cleansing, renewing and turning (Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:22-24); conversion will never be completed in this life but will be finished when we see Jesus (I John3:2)
WHAT MAKES A CHRISTIAN?
PART IV
Redemption - means "to buy back" and set free!
1. We were slaves! - Satan owned us, sin ruled us and our flesh condemned us! (John 8:34 & Romans 6:20)
2. We were helpless! - We had no way
of escape, no means to buy our freedom, no one to plead our case!
(Psalms 49:7-13)
3. We were given a Redeemer! - God
stepped forward and gave us His son as the Redeemer of all mankind!
(Psalms 111:1-10 & Luke 1:67-69)
4. We were purchased! - Jesus bought us back from Satan and the power of sin by His own blood! (Ephesians 1:7 & Hebrews 9:12-15)
5. We were sealed! - We were given a new "brand", a new Master and a new freedom - (freedom from fear of punishment of God's wrath); we were given a guarantee! (Ephesians 1:13-14 & Hebrews 7:18-26)
6. We were cleansed! - We were cleansed from the stain of sin, from the stench of death! (Titus 2:11-15 & I John 1:9)
7. We were saved from "The Curse"! - We were delivered from the "curse" of the law! (Galatians 3:10-14 & Revelation 22:1-5)
WHAT MAKES A CHRISTIAN?
PART V
Salvation - Deliverance or preservation; from the spiritual side it means eternal deliverance by God from the bondage and penalty of sin. In essence, we are saved from sin's corruptive and corrosive power. We are also saved from the wrath of God brought upon sinners!
How are we saved from the bondage and penalty of sin?
1. We are saved from sin's past! We don't have to carry our sins around with us; we are forgiven! We are free from the bondage of the past with its guilt and shame! (Psalms 32:1-2 & Jeremiah 31:33-34 & Micah 7:18-19)
2. We are saved from sin's pressure! We don't have to give in to sin! We were given the power of God to choose not to sin! Sinners have no choice; Saints do! If we do sin it's because we want to, not because we have to! What about what Paul says in Romans 7:14-18? Paul was speaking of his past before Jesus! This same man wrote in: (Romans 6:1-7 & 8:1-9 & Galatians 5:18-25)
3. We are saved from sin's presence! When we do sin, we are given a formula for cleansing ourselves called - confession, repentance, and forgiveness! We don't have to bear with these sins or let them accumulate! (2 Chronicles 7:14 & Psalms 32:1-5 & 1 John 1:9)
4. We are saved from sin's penalty! Sinners must be punished, sins must be paid for and the penalty is death. The one who brings this punishment is God! As believers, we are saved from God's wrath! (Romans 2:5-8 & 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 & 5:9-10
WHAT MAKES A CHRISTIAN?
PART VI
Sanctification - In the O.T. three
words are used: 1. "qadas" a verb, to be holy, to separate, to set
aside for God's use, to consecrate, to make sacred, a special possession belonging to God;
2. "qodes" a noun, to be a holy thing, things or people belonging to
God, sacred things given to God: 3. "qados" an adjective, describing
someone who is holy most often describing God!
In the N.T. two words are used: 1. "hagiasmos" a noun,
describing separation to God, separation of believers from evil things and ways, something
brought about by obedience, a divine act of God; 2. "hagiazo" a verb,
describing cleansing and consecration, turning away from things that dishonor God!
Types of sanctification:
The Sabbath (Genesis 2:3)
The First Born (Exodus 13:2)
The Altar and the Holy Garments (Exodus 29:44 & 28:2)
The Holy Mountain (Exodus 19:23 & 2 Peter 1:18)
What are we sanctified for?
1. We are sanctified for God's use! We were not saved and separated for our own purpose! We have been sanctified to God's service! To serve His will and His interests! (Romans 8:28; Philippians 2:13; Hebrews 914 & 13:20-21)
2. We are sanctified for worship! Just as God had Moses sanctify those tabernacle utensils and furnishings that they may be worthy to be used in worship, we are cleansed and purified so that we can worship God! (Exodus 19:10-11 & Hebrews 10:10-25)
3. We are sanctified for an example! Example of what? God's mercy, love, compassion, grace, forgiveness, redemption and God's character. That's why it's so important to keep ourselves "separate" from the evils of this world. (Romans 12:1-2 & I Corinthians 6:11-20)
WHAT MAKES A CHRISTIAN?
PART VII
Intro: Every concept we have discussed so far: Regeneration, Redemption, Conversion, Justification, Salvation, Sanctification, were designed and put into motion by God for three reasons: the repair, the restoration and the enhancement of our relationship with our Creator, our God and Father! The final element of God's great plan for mankind's recreation is the topic of today's message.
Perfection - The words "Perfect" and "Perfection" have different meaning in the New Testament Greek: Teleois, meaning "accomplished", "complete", "mature" or "full grown"; Pleero, meaning "full"; Katarizo, meaning "thoroughly adjusted", "repaired", "joined together", "united" or "restore". When we see the real meaning of the word we can begin to see how we can be made "perfect"!! Now, "absolutely perfection" belongs to God alone, but He can make us perfect! Why??!!, Because!!
1. God is Perfect! (Job 37:14-24 & Matthew 5:48)
2. Jesus is Perfect! (Hebrews 2:9-10 & 5:7-9 & 7:26-28)
3. We need to be made perfect! (Hebrews 10:11-14 & 1 Corinthians 13:9-13 & I John 4:15-18)
4. We need to practice perfection! - Pursue maturity!! through quiet times, prayer, Bible study, church attendance, sharing your faith, serving one another etc... (II Corinthians 13:9-11)
Conclusion: (Matthew 19:16-26)