What does it mean to be a Christian?

1
What does it mean to be a Christian?

• It must mean to be Christ-like! (Gal
  220)

2
What does it mean to be a Christian?

• Galatians 220 (NKJV) - I have been crucified
  with Christ it is no longer I who live, but
  Christ lives in me and the life which I now live
  in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God,
  who loved me and gave Himself for me.

3
What does it mean to be a Christian?

• The Sanhedrin faced some men that stood up to
  them in a powerful way! (Acts
  413)

4
What does it mean to be a Christian?

• Acts 413 (NKJV) - Now when they saw the
  boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that
  they were uneducated and untrained men, they
  marveled. And they realized that they had been
  with Jesus.

5
What does it mean to be a Christian?

• These men had not followed a path of development
  that the world respected.

6
What does it mean to be a Christian?

• These men had not followed a path of development
  that the world respected.
• There was a power in these men that could only
  have been found in Jesus Himself.

7
What does it mean to be a Christian?

• These men had not followed a path of development
  that the world respected.
• There was a power in these men that could only
  have been found in Jesus Himself.
• Jesus had radically changed these men from what
  there were.

8
What does it mean to be a Christian?

• They often failed and gave their opponents
  opportunity. (Lk 937-41)

9
What does it mean to be a Christian?

• Luke 940-41 (NKJV) - So I implored Your
  disciples to cast it out, but they could not. 41
  Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and
  perverse generation, how long shall I be with you
  and bear with you? Bring your son here.

10
What does it mean to be a Christian?

• They were slow to learn and overcome their
  prejudices. (Lk 943-45)

11
What does it mean to be a Christian?

• Luke 943-45 (NKJV) - And they were all amazed
  at the majesty of God. But while everyone
  marveled at all the things which Jesus did, He
  said to His disciples, 44 Let these words sink
  down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about
  to be betrayed into the hands of men.

12
What does it mean to be a Christian?

• 45 But they did not understand this saying, and
  it was hidden from them so that they did not
  perceive it and they were afraid to ask Him
  about this saying.

13
What does it mean to be a Christian?

• They battled with pride. (Lk 946-48)

14
What does it mean to be a Christian?

• Luke 946-48 (NKJV) - Then a dispute arose among
  them as to which of them would be greatest. 47And
  Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart,
  took a little child and set him by Him, 48 and
  said to them, Whoever receives this little child
  in My name receives Me and whoever receives Me
  receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least
  among you all will be great.

15
What does it mean to be a Christian?

• They were easy to become angry and act
  unmercifully. (Lk 954-56)

16
What does it mean to be a Christian?

• Luke 954-56 (NKJV) - And when His disciples
  James and John saw this, they said, Lord, do You
  want us to command fire to come down from heaven
  and consume them, just as Elijah did? 55 But He
  turned and rebuked them, and said, You do not
  know what manner of spirit you are of. 56 For the
  Son of Man did not come to destroy mens lives
  but to save them. And they went to another
  village.

17
They had learned the meaning of authority

• In the baptism of John. (Mk 1130)

18
They had learned the meaning of authority

• Mark 1130 (NKJV) - The baptism of Johnwas it
  from heaven or from men? Answer Me.

19
They had learned the meaning of authority

• Anyone who accepted the Baptism of John had also
  to accept that he was a prophet!

20
They had learned the meaning of authority

• Anyone who accepted the Baptism of John had also
  to accept that he was a prophet!
• An understanding of authority causes you to
  approach the scriptures in a certain
  way. (Deut 42 1232 Rev 2218-19)

21
They had learned the meaning of authority

• Deuteronomy 42 (NKJV) - You shall not add to
  the word which I command you, nor take from it,
  that you may keep the commandments of the LORD
  your God which I command you.

22
They had learned the meaning of authority

• Deuteronomy 1232 (NKJV) - Whatever I command
  you, be careful to observe it you shall not add
  to it nor take away from it.

23
They had learned the meaning of authority

• Revelation 2218-19 (NKJV) - For I testify to
  everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of
  this book If anyone adds to these things, God
  will add to him the plagues that are written in
  this book 19 and if anyone takes away from the
  words of the book of this prophecy, God shall
  take away his part from the Book of Life, from
  the holy city, and from the things which are
  written in this book.

24
They had learned the meaning of authority

• Controversies over baptism today can be resolved
  through an understanding of
  authority!

25
They had learned the meaning of authority

• In the teachings of Jesus. (Mt 2818-20)

26
They had learned the meaning of authority

• Matthew 2818-20 (NKJV) - And Jesus came and
  spoke to them, saying, All authority has been
  given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go
  therefore and make disciples of all the nations,
  baptizing them in the name of the Father and of
  the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them
  to observe all things that I have commanded you
  and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of
  the age. Amen.

27
They had learned the meaning of authority

• His entire ministry was focused on this point.

28
They had learned the meaning of authority

• His entire ministry was focused on this point.
• His future ministry would depend upon men that
  accept His authority as expressed through the
  written word. (Jn 1613)

29
They had learned the meaning of authority

• John 1613 (NKJV) - However, when He, the Spirit
  of truth, has come, He will guide you into all
  truth for He will not speak on His own
  authority, but whatever He hears He will speak
  and He will tell you things to come.

30
They had learned the meaning of authority

• Authority will produce a careful appeal to Book,
  Chapter and Verse. (Col 317)

31
They had learned the meaning of authority

• Colossians 317 (NKJV) - And whatever you do in
  word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord
  Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through
  Him.

32
They had learned the meaning of authority

• In the stands of Jesus. (Jn 213-17)

33
They had learned the meaning of authority

• John 213-17 (NKJV) - Now the Passover of the
  Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
  14 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen
  and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing
  business. 15 When He had made a whip of cords, He
  drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep
  and the oxen, and poured out the changers money
  and overturned the tables.

34
They had learned the meaning of authority

• 16 And He said to those who sold doves, Take
  these things away! Do not make My Fathers house
  a house of merchandise! 17 Then His disciples
  remembered that it was written, Zeal for Your
  house has eaten Me up.

35
They had learned the meaning of authority

• Authority will show the purpose of God.

36
They had learned the meaning of authority

• Authority will show the purpose of God.
• Jesus stood upon that authority and would not
  yield.

37
They had learned the meaning of authority

• Those who objected had yet to understand the
  right source of authority. (Jn 218-21)

38
They had learned the meaning of authority

• John 218 -21 (NKJV) - So the Jews answered and
  said to Him, What sign do You show to us, since
  You do these things? 19 Jesus answered and said
  to them, Destroy this temple, and in three days
  I will raise it up. 20 Then the Jews said, It
  has taken forty-six years to build this temple,
  and will You raise it up in three days? 21 But
  He was speaking of the temple of His body.

39
They had learned the meaning of character

• Their calling to follow Jesus tested their
  character. (Lk 958-62)

40
They had learned the meaning of character

• Luke 958-62 (NKJV) - And Jesus said to him,
  Foxes have holes and birds of the air have
  nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His
  head. 59 Then He said to another, Follow Me.
  But he said, Lord, let me first go and bury my
  father. 60 Jesus said to him, Let the dead bury
  their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom
  of God.

41
They had learned the meaning of character

• And another also said, Lord, I will follow You,
  but let me first go and bid them farewell who are
  at my house. 62 But Jesus said to him, No one,
  having put his hand to the plow, and looking
  back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

42
They had learned the meaning of character

• Jesus taught his disciples to stand on their own.

43
They had learned the meaning of character

• Jesus taught his disciples to stand on their own.
• Relationships will be a great test for you!

44
They had learned the meaning of character

• Some problems men face are not easily solved
  because of the fear of disappointing others. (Jn
  1242-43 920-23)

45
They had learned the meaning of character

• John 1242-43 (NKJV) - Nevertheless even among
  the rulers many believed in Him, but because of
  the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they
  should be put out of the synagogue 43 for they
  loved the praise of men more than the praise of
  God.

46
They had learned the meaning of character

• John 920-23 (NKJV) - His parents answered them
  and said, We know that this is our son, and that
  he was born blind 21 but by what means he now
  sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do
  not know. He is of age ask him. He will speak
  for himself.

47
They had learned the meaning of character

• 22 His parents said these things because they
  feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already
  that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he
  would be put out of the synagogue. 23 Therefore
  his parents said, He is of age ask him.

48
They had learned the meaning of character

• They faced the Sanhedrin without fear of
  compromise.

49
They had learned the meaning of character

• They faced the Sanhedrin without fear of
  compromise.
• They were not afraid to answer by a simple lesson
  on authority. (Acts 417-21)

50
They had learned the meaning of character

• Acts 417-21 (NKJV) - But so that it spreads no
  further among the people, let us severely
  threaten them, that from now on they speak to no
  man in this name. 18 So they called them and
  commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in
  the name of Jesus.

51
They had learned the meaning of character

• But Peter and John answered and said to them,
  Whether it is right in the sight of God to
  listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For
  we cannot but speak the things which we have seen
  and heard. 21 So when they had further
  threatened them, they let them go, finding no way
  of punishing them, because of the people, since
  they all glorified God for what had been done.

52
They had learned the meaning of character

• Their understanding of authority and the God
  behind that authority gave them
  confidence and purpose!

53
They had learned the meaning of character

• Their understanding of authority and the God
  behind that authority gave them
  confidence and purpose!
• Sadly most churches of Christ have long since
  left any teaching on authority.

54
They had learned the meaning of character

• Their understanding of authority and the God
  behind that authority gave them
  confidence and purpose!
• Sadly most churches of Christ have long since
  left any teaching on authority.
• When authority is neglected then character in
  neglected.

55
They had learned the meaning of character

• Ex. How can we get the Elders to attend on
  Wednesday night?

56
They had learned the meaning of character

• Ex. Moral issues are ignored such as dress,
  drinking and divorce.

57
They had learned the meaning of character

• Ex. Moral issues are ignored such as dress,
  drinking and divorce.
• The lost battles over small issues have
  compromised the foundation!

58
They had learned how to deal with their hearts

• They had to overcome pride. (Mk 1037, 39-45)

59
They had learned how to deal with their hearts

• Mark 1037 - They said to Him, "Grant us that we
  may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on
  Your left, in Your glory."

60
They had learned how to deal with their hearts

• Mark 1039-45 (NKJV) - They said to Him, We are
  able. So Jesus said to them, You will indeed
  drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism
  I am baptized with you will be baptized 40 but
  to sit on My right hand and on My left is not
  Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is
  prepared.

61
They had learned how to deal with their hearts

• 41And when the ten heard it, they began to be
  greatly displeased with James and John. 42 But
  Jesus called them to Himself and said to them,
  You know that those who are considered rulers
  over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their
  great ones exercise authority over them.

62
They had learned how to deal with their hearts

• 43 Yet it shall not be so among you but whoever
  desires to become great among you shall be your
  servant. 44 And whoever of you desires to be
  first shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son
  of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,
  and to give His life a ransom for many.

63
They had learned how to deal with their hearts

• Pride comes from abundance, achievements and
  blessings, that is why it is so dangerous.

64
They had learned how to deal with their hearts

• Knowledge is good, but watch for pride. (1 Cor
  81-2)

65
They had learned how to deal with their hearts

• 1 Corinthians 81-2 (NKJV) - Now concerning
  things offered to idols We know that we all have
  knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.
  2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he
  knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if
  anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.

66
They had learned how to deal with their hearts

• One may have some understanding of authority but
  use the scriptures to glorify themselves.

67
They had learned how to deal with their hearts

• One may have some understanding of authority but
  use the scriptures to glorify themselves.
• Do you look down on your brethren because of
  their ignorance?

68
They had learned how to deal with their hearts

• One may have some understanding of authority but
  use the scriptures to glorify themselves.
• Do you look down on your brethren because of
  their ignorance?
• Be careful at who you put into positions of
  responsibility. (1 Tim 36)

69
They had learned how to deal with their hearts

• 1 Timothy 36 (NKJV) - not a novice, lest being
  puffed up with pride he fall into the same
  condemnation as the devil.

70
They had learned how to deal with their hearts

• The same attitude that is manifested within the
  home will be manifested within the church.

71
They had learned how to deal with their hearts

• The same attitude that is manifested within the
  home will be manifested within the church.
• Pride will enslave and destroy other people.

72
They had learned how to deal with their hearts

• The same attitude that is manifested within the
  home will be manifested within the church.
• Pride will enslave and destroy other people.
• The apostle Paul needed help to avoid pride. (2
  Cor 127)

73
They had learned how to deal with their hearts

• 2 Corinthians 127 (NKJV) - And lest I should be
  exalted above measure by the abundance of the
  revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to
  me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be
  exalted above measure.

74
They had learned how to deal with their hearts

• They learned patience and longsuffering. (2 Tim
  224-26)

75
They had learned how to deal with their hearts

• 2 Timothy 224-26 (NKJV) - And a servant of the
  Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able
  to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting
  those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will
  grant them repentance, so that they may know the
  truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses
  and escape the snare of the devil, having been
  taken captive by him to do his will.

76
They had learned how to deal with their hearts

• They showed this even when dealing with their
  enemies. (Acts 317-19)

77
They had learned how to deal with their hearts

• Acts 317-19 (NKJV) - Yet now, brethren, I know
  that you did it in ignorance, as did also your
  rulers. 18 But those things which God foretold by
  the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ
  would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. 19 Repent
  therefore and be converted, that your sins may be
  blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come
  from the presence of the Lord,

78
They had learned how to deal with their hearts

• Many try to intimidate and run over another
  rather than to patiently teach.

79
They had learned how to deal with their hearts

• Many try to intimidate and run over another
  rather than to patiently teach.
• Names and labels are used against those who do
  not line-up. (Jn 934)

80
They had learned how to deal with their hearts

• John 934 (NKJV) - They answered and said to
  him, You were completely born in sins, and are
  you teaching us? And they cast him out.

81
They had learned how to deal with their hearts

• Social pressure is used instead of an appeal to
  Christs authority. (Jn 922, 34)

82
They had learned how to deal with their hearts

• John 922 (NKJV) - His parents said these things
  because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had
  agreed already that if anyone confessed that He
  was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue.

83
They had learned how to deal with their hearts

• John 934 (NKJV) - They answered and said to
  him, You were completely born in sins, and are
  you teaching us? And they cast him out.

84
They had learned how to deal with their hearts

• Some will approach a subject by saying there are
  several people who are going to
  leave if you do not.

85
They had learned how to deal with their hearts

• Some will approach a subject by saying there are
  several people who are going to
  leave if you do not.
• How long did Jesus work with these men until they
  developed? (Eph 431-32)

86
They had learned how to deal with their hearts

• Ephesians 431-32 (NKJV) - Let all bitterness,
  wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put
  away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to
  one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one
  another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

87
They knew what it meant to be tested

• Their calling to follow Jesus tested their
  character. (Lk 958-62)

88
They knew what it meant to be tested

• Their calling to follow Jesus tested their
  character. (Lk 958-62)
• In their calling their heart was revealed.(Lk
  527-28 1828-30)

89
They knew what it meant to be tested

• Luke 527-28 (NKJV) - After these things He went
  out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting
  at the tax office. And He said to him, Follow
  Me. 28 So he left all, rose up, and followed Him.

90
They knew what it meant to be tested

• Luke 1828-30 (NKJV) - Then Peter said, See, we
  have left all and followed You. 29 So He said to
  them, Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one
  who has left house or parents or brothers or wife
  or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God,
  30 who shall not receive many times more in this
  present time, and in the age to come eternal
  life.

91
They knew what it meant to be tested

• Who are you really loyal to?

92
They knew what it meant to be tested

• Who are you really loyal to?
• We can over time shift in our loyalty.

93
They knew what it meant to be tested

• Who are you really loyal to?
• We can over time shift in our loyalty.
• Look at how Jesus put them into difficult
  situations. (Lk 1831-34)

94
They knew what it meant to be tested

• Luke 1831-34 (NKJV) - Then He took the twelve
  aside and said to them, Behold, we are going up
  to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by
  the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be
  accomplished. 32 For He will be delivered to the
  Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit
  upon. 33 They will scourge Him and kill Him. And
  the third day He will rise again.

95
They knew what it meant to be tested

• 34 But they understood none of these things this
  saying was hidden from them, and they did not
  know the things which were spoken.

96
They knew what it meant to be tested

• Imagine hearing Jesus say this to you! (Jn
  666-70)

97
They knew what it meant to be tested

• John 666-70 (NKJV) - From that time many of His
  disciples went back and walked with Him no more.
  67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, Do you also
  want to go away? 68 But Simon Peter answered
  Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the
  words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to
  believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son
  of the living God.

98
They knew what it meant to be tested

• 70 Jesus answered them, Did I not choose you,
  the twelve, and one of you is a devil?

99
They knew what it meant to be tested

• Jesus knew that these situations will produce
  spiritual growth.

100
They knew what it meant to be tested

• Look at how they responded under pressure! (Acts
  540-42)

101
They knew what it meant to be tested

• Acts 540-42 (NKJV) - And they agreed with him,
  and when they had called for the apostles and
  beaten them, they commanded that they should not
  speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41
  So they departed from the presence of the
  council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy
  to suffer shame for His name. 42 And daily in the
  temple, and in every house, they did not cease
  teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

102
They knew what it meant to be tested

• They did not pray for the destruction of their
  enemies.

103
They knew what it meant to be tested

• They did not pray for the destruction of their
  enemies.
• They kept teaching patiently. Are you doing this?

104
They knew what it meant to be tested

• They did not pray for the destruction of their
  enemies.
• They kept teaching patiently. Are you doing this?
• Who have you been with?

105
They knew what it meant to be tested

• Some are loyal to a paper and men that write in
  them.

106
They knew what it meant to be tested

• Some are loyal to a paper and men that write in
  them.
• When the editor and his friends change their
  views their followers do to.

107
They knew what it meant to be tested

• Others may follow a family or a local church.

108
They knew what it meant to be tested

• Others may follow a family or a local church.
• Those who have been with Jesus will show it by
  their fruits. (Jas 313-17)

109
They knew what it meant to be tested

• James 313-17 (NKJV) - Who is wise and
  understanding among you? Let him show by good
  conduct that his works are done in the meekness
  of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and
  self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie
  against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not
  descend from above, but is earthly, sensual,
  demonic.

110
They knew what it meant to be tested

• 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist,
  confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But
  the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then
  peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of
  mercy and good fruits, without partiality and
  without hypocrisy.