What it means to be a Christian

What it means to be a Christian In this study we will notice: What is a Christian? Becoming a Christian What hinders me from becoming a Christian? Growing as a Christian What hinders me from growing? The Christian and the body of Christ The Christian and others Am I done yet? What it means to be a Christian?

Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

Hindrances are a danger Galatians 5:7, “You ran well. What hindered you from obeying the truth?” Luke 8:7, 14, the “thorny ground” choke out the word Hebrews 2:1, give the more earnest heed lest we drift away Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

God is not my priority To grow He must be first! He has influence in all we do Many have divided loyalties –seeking to compartmentalize God Matthew 6:33 Joshua 24:15-19 Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

God is not my priority What kind of changes have you made in your life? Do you want to just barely make it to heaven? Cf. 1 Peter 4:18 As long as He is not first, you will not grow as you should Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

Materialism We live in materialistic times. Prosperity comes with its troubles Often it is accompanied by sins – arrogance, greed, self-reliance, lack of contentment, even rejecting God – cf. John 3:18-20 Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

Materialism Warning! James 4:4, 1 John 2:15-17 -Worldliness Matthew 6:24, you cannot serve 2 masters Colossians 3:5, covetousness is idolatry (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:11) James 4:13-17 Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

Materialism Proverbs 30:8-9, Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches— Feed me with the food allotted to me; Lest I be full and deny You, And say, “Who is the LORD?” Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God. Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

Materialism Many Christians not growing because of things: - Keeps us from giving - Debt (Proverbs 22:7, Romans 13:8) - Affects how we view others - Do we hesitate before helping - What do we trust more? Matthew 19:21-22 Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

Materialism Luke 8:14, cares, riches and pleasures of this like choke out the word and we become unfruitful To overcome materialism - Contentment – 1 Tim. 6:6-10 - Simplify your life – get rid of clutter! Physical and spiritual! Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

Distractions Perhaps a bigger challenge than materialism is time management We live in such busy times – many choices that keep us going from sunrise to sunset. - Inventions to “save time” seem to make us busier than ever! - Time more valuable than money Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

Distractions Ephesians 5:15-16 – we are to redeem the time Luke 10:40-42, Martha was distracted with much serving Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

Distractions Distractions can: - Affect our growth in knowledge - Affect how much we pray - Affect how well we get to know our brethren - Affect how we support the church - Cause us to fail to pause to examine where we are Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

Distractions To overcome distractions: - Simplify your life 1 Thessalonians 4:11 - Make time for God! Matthew 22:37 - Learn to balance your time - Realize you can’t do everything Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

An Improper Mindset Some think, I’m invincible – 1 Corinthians 10:12 “Cheap grace” – a term attributed to Dietrich Bonhoeffer in 1937. Many appeal to God’s grace to excuse their sinfulness - Romans 6:1-2, 11, 1 John 1:7 Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

An Improper Mindset Fellowshipping error – we must stand for truth – 1 Corinthians 16:13, 2 Thessalonians 2:15 We must withstand error! Ephesians 5:11 2 John 9-11 Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

An Improper Mindset Fellowshipping error can: – affect our standing with God - lead to a softened stand for truth - lead others into error (cf. Revelation 2:14-15, 2:20; Note: Both told to repent – 2:16, 22 2 Peter 3:17, beware lest you fall from your own steadfastness Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

An Improper Mindset Dealing with improper mindsets: – Change your way of thinking – Colossians 3:2 - Be humble- Romans 11:20 - Spend time studying God’s word! - Bring every thought into captivity – 2 Corinthians 10:5 Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

Indifference, complacency Often the product of what we have addressed. We reach a point where we don’t care (as we ought to). It can lead to: - Spiritual neglect - Forsaking our brethren - Ongoing sin - A calloused heart Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

Indifference, complacency The Bible and apathy Romans 12:11, Titus 2:14 Revelations 3:15-16 Dealing with indifference: - Examine yourself - Repent – Revelation 2:4-5 - Renew your mind – Ephesians 4:23 Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

Weak churches The church is to be the pillar and ground of truth 1 Timothy 3:15, Ephesians 4:16 It is supposed to be our refuge A weak church can hinder growth - not taking a stand for truth - not holding us accountable - not teaching the whole counsel of God Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

Weak churches And if truth be known, is your weakness contributing to her weakness? This will NOT excuse you before God! (More in our next lesson) Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

How do we deal with hindrances? 1) Give God reverence 2) Set your mind on things above 3) Learn self-control 4) Give diligence 5) Occasional examination 6) Take it one day at a time

We need to seek to be the good soil! Luke 8:15 That means getting rid of the “weeds” and “rocks” Hebrews 2:1-3, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation…?”

Is anything hindering you from growing as you a Christian?