Getting it Straight What being a Christian is all about Believer Worshipper Follower (Disciple) Giver (Sharer) Belonger Reconciler

4 insights ConsolidateConsolidate “Build upon” Spiritual maturity is a journey not a destination InnovateInnovate What is God doing? 2Corinthians 5:17 (GWT) DeliberateDeliberate Implications Intentional DedicateDedicate Wholehearted “Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence”

Don’t be unwise Satan’s weaponsSatan’s weapons Pride Unbelief Fear Primary tacticsPrimary tactics Accusation: “accuser of the saints” (Revelation 12:10) Deception: “father of lies” (John 8:44) What God saysWhat God says “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness” (2Peter 1:3) “The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1John 4:4) Don’t buy the lie!

What do we believe? The TrinityThe Trinity – Father | Son | Holy Spirit The BibleThe Bible – 66 books | 40+ authors | 1,600 years SinSin JesusJesus Holy SpiritHoly Spirit JudgmentJudgment ChurchChurch – Universal | Local BaptismBaptism “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life” John 5:39-40 (NIVUK) “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23 (NIVUK) BIBLE B Best I Instruction s B Before L Leaving E Earth

What do we believe? PrayerPrayer WorshipWorship WitnessWitness ForgivenessForgiveness GivingGiving DiscipleshipDiscipleship “…choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” Joshua 24:15 (NIVUK) “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” John 14:6 (NIVUK)

But there’s more! “So we continue to preach Christ to each person, using all wisdom to warn and to teach everyone, in order to bring each one into God’s presence as a mature person in Christ” “So we continue to preach Christ to each person, using all wisdom to warn and to teach everyone, in order to bring each one into God’s presence as a mature person in Christ” Colossians 1:28 (NCV) “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” “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 (J.B. Phillips) “A belief is something you will argue about. A conviction is something you will die for!” Howard Hendricks

10 Roadblocks 1. Believing that we can’t make a difference or thinking we’re alone in the task 2. Not allowing the Holy Spirit to lead and direct us every day 3. Being reluctant to step out in faith 4. Focusing on our limitations instead of the power of God 5. Not proclaiming the name of Jesus and sharing His love and grace 6. Criticising others – including those in the church 7. Refusing to forgive or not asking for forgiveness 8. Adhering to the world’s thinking rather than what God says 9. Neglecting to pray 10. Not sharing the great things God has done for us