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 divide loyalties –seeking to compartmentalize God Matthew 6:33 Luke 12:16-21, “Fool” 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 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 including 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. 6:9-10 - 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 1 Corinthians 7:35, …that you may serve the Lord without distraction 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, 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 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?