2. Introduction No long introduction.
Why? Because being a Christian is very serious business!
“Christianity is not a patty-cake, patty cake religion.” 1 Pet. 1:13

3. The Seriousness of Being a Christian 1 Peter 1:13

4. Seriousness of Being a Christian
Greatness of God
He is our Creator: Gen. 1:1; Jn. 1:1-3
Creation demonstrates His great power: Heb. 11:3; Psa. 33:6; 19:1; Neh. 9:32; Eph. 3:20
His great power should humble us: Job 42:3-6
God died for us! Matt. 1:23; Jn. 1:1-3; Rom. 5:8
Seriousness of Being a Christian

5. Seriousness of Being a Christian
What God Has Done For Us
We are the pinnacle of His creation: Gen. 1:26-27; Psa. 8:1-9
All physical blessings: Matt. 6:25-33; Jas. 1:17
Spoken to us: Rom. 1:20; Heb. 1:1-2; 1 Cor. 2:9-13; Eph. 3:1-5
All spiritual blessings: Eph. 1:3; Rom. 5:6-8; Jn. 1:1-3; Rom. 6:23; Heb. 1:3; Col. 1:19-22; Heb. 3:1; 2 Pet. 1:3-4; 1 Jn. 1:3; 1 Cor. 10:13; Heb. 4:15-16; Psa. 9:2
Seriousness of Being a Christian

6. He Has Given Us Great Responsibilities
Righteous living: Acts 17:30; 1 Pet. 1:15 Col. 3:1-10; Lk. 9:23; Matt. 5:6
Relationships with others: Col. 3:12-15; Phil. 2:1-4
Family: Eph. 5:25; 6:4; 1 Tim. 5:8; Eph. 5:22; Titus 2:4-5; Eph. 6:1-3
Neighbor: Mk. 12:31; Lk. 10:30-37
Brethren: 1 Pet. 1:22; Jas. 5:19-20; Gal. 6:1-2; 1 Jn. 3:16- 19; Jas. 2:14-17; Matt. 25:31-46
Worship: Jn. 4:24; Rev. 4:2-11; Heb. 10:25
Preaching the gospel: Matt. 28:19-20; 1 Tim. 2:4; 1 Cor. 3:9
Seriousness of Being a Christian

7. Seriousness of Being a Christian
What Is At Stake
Our soul is our most valuable possession! Matt. 16:26
Personal judgment: Heb. 9:27; 2 Cor. 5:10-11; Rom. 14:10-12; Rev. 20:11-15
Eternal life vs. eternal destruction: Matt. 25:31-46; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; Mk. 9:43ff
Seriousness of Being a Christian

8. Conclusion Being a Christian is serious! Heb. 10:19-31
Contemplate the day of judgment: 2 Cor. 5:10; Heb. 10:25-26; Rev. 20:15; Heb. 10:29
The time to change is now! Heb. 10:30-31, 32-34, 35-39