Who is a Faithful Christian? Philippians 3:12-16

12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. – NKJV 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. – NKJV 2

3 “Full of Faith” “A man full of faith and the Holy Spirit,” Acts 6:5“A man full of faith and the Holy Spirit,” Acts 6:5 “For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.” Acts 11:24“For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.” Acts 11:24 “A man full of faith and the Holy Spirit,” Acts 6:5“A man full of faith and the Holy Spirit,” Acts 6:5 “For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.” Acts 11:24“For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.” Acts 11:24

The Question of The Lesson Who Is A Faithful Christian? 4

5 One is not a faithful Christian merely because… He believes something about Jesus He believes something about Jesus John 12:42-43; James 2:19 John 12:42-43; James 2:19 He is religious - Acts 8:26-39 He is religious - Acts 8:26-39 He is moral - Acts 10:1-2, 22 He is moral - Acts 10:1-2, 22 He is sincere - Acts 26:9-11 (Phil. 3:4-6) He is sincere - Acts 26:9-11 (Phil. 3:4-6) He has been “baptized” - Acts 19:1-5 He has been “baptized” - Acts 19:1-5 He is a member of a church - Eph. 4:4 He is a member of a church - Eph. 4:4 He is faithful in attendance - Isa. 1:11 He is faithful in attendance - Isa. 1:11

6 One is not a faithful Christian merely because… He believes something about Jesus - John 12:42-43; James 2:19 He believes something about Jesus - John 12:42-43; James 2:19 “That He lived / Good teachings / Prophet / Contributed to humanity....” “That He lived / Good teachings / Prophet / Contributed to humanity....” JW’s, LDS, Oneness Pentecostals… JW’s, LDS, Oneness Pentecostals… Must believe truth about Jesus - Jno. 1:1-3; Matt. 16:13-16 (1 Jno. 2:22-23; 4:2-3) Must believe truth about Jesus - Jno. 1:1-3; Matt. 16:13-16 (1 Jno. 2:22-23; 4:2-3) Obedient faith - Acts 6:7; Jno. 6:28-29 Obedient faith - Acts 6:7; Jno. 6:28-29

7 One is not a faithful Christian merely because… He is religious - Acts 8:26-39 He is religious - Acts 8:26-39 So are Muslims, Hindus and Jews - Acts 17:22-23 So are Muslims, Hindus and Jews - Acts 17:22-23 “Go to church…pay my ‘tithe…’” (Lk. 18:9-12) “Go to church…pay my ‘tithe…’” (Lk. 18:9-12) Christians are religious - Acts 2:42 Christians are religious - Acts 2:42 Object of our religion is God, not self - Matt. 6:1; Jas. 1:26-27 Object of our religion is God, not self - Matt. 6:1; Jas. 1:26-27

8 One is not a faithful Christian merely because… He is moral - Acts 10:1-2, 22 He is moral - Acts 10:1-2, 22 Moral Hindus, Buddhists, Mormons, etc. Moral Hindus, Buddhists, Mormons, etc. False standard upon which to base salvation - Acts 11:14 False standard upon which to base salvation - Acts 11:14 Christian chooses to live morally as a matter of faith - Phil. 4:8 Christian chooses to live morally as a matter of faith - Phil. 4:8

9 One is not a faithful Christian merely because… He is sincere - Acts 26:9-11 (Phil. 3:4-6) He is sincere - Acts 26:9-11 (Phil. 3:4-6) Satan’s lie: “Just be sincere!” Satan’s lie: “Just be sincere!” Cannot be a Christian without it - 1 Pet. 2:1 Cannot be a Christian without it - 1 Pet. 2:1 But, sincerity doesn’t wash away sins or keep us from sinning But, sincerity doesn’t wash away sins or keep us from sinning

10 One is not a faithful Christian merely because… He has been “baptized” - Acts 19:1-5 He has been “baptized” - Acts 19:1-5 A baptism can be invalid (John’s baptism) A baptism can be invalid (John’s baptism) Proper method? (immersion) - Rom. 6:4 Proper method? (immersion) - Rom. 6:4 Proper purpose? Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16; Gal. 3:27 Proper purpose? Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16; Gal. 3:27 Proper result? Acts 2:41, 47; 1 Cor. 12:13 Proper result? Acts 2:41, 47; 1 Cor. 12:13

11 One is not a faithful Christian merely because… He is a member of a church - Eph. 4:4 He is a member of a church - Eph. 4:4 “Church of your choice” is not in Bible “Church of your choice” is not in Bible “Church is not important” - Eph. 3:10-11; Acts 20:28 “Church is not important” - Eph. 3:10-11; Acts 20:28 Obeying truth puts you into Christ’s church- Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 12:13 Obeying truth puts you into Christ’s church- Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 12:13 Christians are not added to the churches of men! Christians are not added to the churches of men!

12 One is not a faithful Christian merely because… He is faithful in attendance - Isaiah 1:11; Amos 5:21-24 He is faithful in attendance - Isaiah 1:11; Amos 5:21-24 Must properly worship God - John 4:23-24 Must properly worship God - John 4:23-24 Must not forsake the assembling - Heb. 10: Must not forsake the assembling - Heb. 10: But, we can be present & be spiritually dead - 1 Cor. 11:30 But, we can be present & be spiritually dead - 1 Cor. 11:30

13 One is a faithful Christian because… He is saved from past sins - Eph. 1:7 He is saved from past sins - Eph. 1:7 Has obeyed Christ’s plan of salvation - Acts 2:40-41; 10:34-35, 48 Has obeyed Christ’s plan of salvation - Acts 2:40-41; 10:34-35, 48 Are you a Christian? Are you a Christian? Are you a faithful Christian? Are you a faithful Christian?

14 One is a faithful Christian because… He lives faithfully in the present - Titus 2:11-12; Romans 6:4; Luke 6:46 He lives faithfully in the present - Titus 2:11-12; Romans 6:4; Luke 6:46 Disciples - Acts 11:26 Disciples - Acts 11:26 Full of faith - Acts 6:5; 11:24 Full of faith - Acts 6:5; 11:24 Religious, moral, sincere & active, obedient & walk in good works - Eph. 2:10; Heb. 5:9 Religious, moral, sincere & active, obedient & walk in good works - Eph. 2:10; Heb. 5:9 Are you a faithful Christian? Are you a faithful Christian?

15 One is a faithful Christian because… He is sacrificial and lives for heaven - Lk. 9:23; 14:33; Phil. 3:7-16, 20 He is sacrificial and lives for heaven - Lk. 9:23; 14:33; Phil. 3:7-16, 20 Christ is first in his life! Christ is first in his life! He sacrifices all to put Jesus first! He sacrifices all to put Jesus first! Are you a faithful Christian ? Are you a faithful Christian ?

16 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the For you are all through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. “SONS OF GOD” ROMANS 8:14 GALATIANS 3:26-27