cfc-clp talk 3 what it means to be a christian (ronie coloma - brunei)03.24.2012

Couples for ChristChristian Life Program (CLP)Talk 3

What it means to be a Christian

What is the meaning of Christian?

A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity which is based on the life and teachings of Jesus."Christian" derives from the Greek word Christ, a translation of the Biblical Hebrew term Messiah.

Misconceptions about Christianity

Christianity is reduced to a mere religious system.

set of doctrines set or religious practices knowing and reading a lot about God doing multiple services for God


Christianity is a mere moral system.

sets of do’s and don'ts set of rules of right or wrong avoiding things that can lead you to hell


Christianity is a social or humanitarian system.


Christianity is a social or humanitarian system. equating Christianity to humanitarianism


Christianity is a social or humanitarian system. some who does good and is kind always smiles and is friendly never gets angry tries to please everyone

What is Christianity?

Essence of Christianity is union with God


Essence of Christianity is union with God. loving, personal relationship with God


Essence of Christianity is union with God.

Everything else we do (viz misconceptions above) merely expresses this relationship


Important truths about Christianity. relationship initiated by God out of His mercy and love for us base our life in His “word”


Important truths about Christianity.Eph 2:4-8 : But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions —it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—.


Important truths about Christianity. we became new creation participate in the very life of Christ


Important truths about Christianity.

2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Gal 2:20:I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.


Important truths about Christianity. we take on the nature of God: holiness.


Important truths about Christianity.Colossians 3:5-10Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Practical implications of being Christian

We can trust in God our Father. (Matt 7:9-11):Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”.

Practical implications of being a Christian

God has a plan for us and it is good(Jer. 29:11-13)For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

We can stop worrying. Luke 12:22-31Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens:


They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? "Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

We are to be brothers and sisters to one another.


(Luke 12:16-21)And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops."Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." 'But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."


Look to things that will enrich us for our eternal life rather than for this earthly life.

What should our goal be?. Phil .3:14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.


What should our attitude be?


Because God is our Father and He loves us and cares for us. Hebrews 13: 5-6 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence,“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”


God is committed

to help us andprovide for us.

Be peaceful at all times.


We have peace and joy in spite of circumstances.


A Christian is a person who has given his life to God and lives for God and God's plan, according to the will of Jesus. Being a Christian means putting our lives in the service of another.


Conclusion

Christian love is difficult It is impossible

without God’s help God’s gift - Holy Spirit

Conclusion

We as Christians, we are the most fortunate and privileged of people. God will care for us.

We can count on His Word. We can count on Him completely.

Put your lives now completely in God's hands.

Perfect Example

The Challenge

Question: Are you willing to be a true Christian?

cfc-clp talk 3 what it means to be a christian (ronie coloma - brunei)03.24.2012

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