What being a Christian is all about! Acting Being Living

It’s all about faith “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God” – Hebrews 11:8-10 (NIVUK)

It’s all about faith “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God” – Hebrews 11:8-10 (NIVUK)

Recap Believer Worshipper Follower Giver Belonger Reconciler

Believer Articles of Faith The Trinity The Bible Sin & Judgment Church Baptism(s) Prayer Witness Believer Articles of Faith First step in the journey towards spiritual maturity “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” - Romans 3:23 (NIVUK)

Worshipper What or who do we worship? Ourselves and/or Families Famous people and lifestyles Careers and status Money and possessions Worship informs and reinforces our choices Values Spending Words | Thoughts | Actions “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all His demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity” – Romans 12:2 (Phillips)

Giver More than just financial giving Direction of giving Attitude rather than amount Time | Talents | Testimony Direction of giving 3 characteristics of giving Cheerfully | Regularly | Sacrificially “For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: they gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us” – 2Corinthians 8:3-5 (NIVUK)

Giver Contentment The Law of Sowing & |Reaping The grace to accept what we have The Law of Sowing & |Reaping “Be careful and guard against all kinds of greed. Life is not measured by how much one owns” – Luke 12:15 (CEV) “Seek first God’s kingdom and what God wants. Then all your other needs will be met as well” – Matthew 6:33 (NCV) [Remember] this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings – 2Corinthians 9:6 (Amplified)

Follower Following is a tough ask Fan | Follower | Friend Influence and control Fan | Follower | Friend Friends are close Friends are personal Friends are faithful Let us run the race that is before us and never give up. We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back – Hebrews 12:2-3 (NCV)

Belonger Different parts, functions, gifts, service, working – all for the common good We in this together – dependent on each other – better off complementing one another 2 problems: Comparison Self-sufficiency

The Challenge Reconcile – “draw together” Rewind Revealed Recognise Refuse Return Reflection Re-evaluation Repentance Restitution Reversal Responsibility Re-establish Relationship Reaffirm Repair Renew Realign Rebuild Regret The Challenge Reconcile – “draw together” Resolving | Restoring | Reuniting Solution – the process of finding an answer Resolution – bringing closure “God…reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” – 2Corinthians 5:18 (NIVUK) “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” – John 13:35 (NIVUK)

The Challenge Make your choices today Now is the time – don’t delay Believe and be saved Be reconciled with God and others Belong and get involved Give to and receive from God Live with Jesus as your friend Become a 24/7 worshipper Now is the time – don’t delay “Now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation” 2Corinthians 6:2 (NIVUK)