1. What it means to be a
Christian

2. 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?

3. Hindrances to Growing as a
Christian

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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: Simplify your life – get rid of clutter! Physical and spiritual!
Hindrances to
Growing as a
Christian

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. An Improper Mindset Some think, I’m invincible – 1 Corinthians 10:12
“Cheap grace” – a term attributed to Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Many appeal to God’s grace to excuse their sinfulness - Romans 6:1-2, 1 John 1:7
Hindrances to
Growing as a
Christian

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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…?”

22. Is anything hindering you from growing as you a Christian?