Audio version of the Message:
2 Corinthians 5:21b “… in him (Christ) we might become the righteousness of God.”
According to an estimate, 17% of Americans attend church a week. This translates to ~ 250 million Americans not attending church. How can we practically pray for God’s mercy on our nation? It must begin by coming back to the overarching theme of the Bible, which Paul regards as of 1st importance, and that’s the gospel of Jesus (1 Cor 15:3,4). Last week, the lecture was entitled “The Gospel.” Briefly, the Gospel is Grace, & Grace is 1-way Love (while Law is 2-way Love). Today, the lecture is titled “A Christian,” where we’ll answer the following questions:
1) What is a Christian?
2) How does a Christian grow?
3) How does a Christian live?
4) What is the ultimate paramount goal/direction of a Christian, of Grace?
What is a Christian?
• Unless you truly know that you can do nothing, you will do nothing (John 15:5).
• Until you know that you can’t build Jesus’ church, you’ll never build Jesus’ church (Mt 16:18; Ps 127:1).
• Until you realize that God only does whatever pleases Him, you’ll keep trying to get what you want (Ps 135:6).
• A Christian is not just nice but new, not happy but holy, not just good but godly.
• Being a Christian is not what you do … Not what you believe but …Who you are (Exodus 3:14).
• You’re a Christian when you know that you never sought God, but he sought you (John 4:23; 15:16).
• 1 Thessalonians 1:5 “…our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power…”
• 1 Thessalonians 2:13 “…when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.”
• “Simul iastus et peccator” (Latin) (Romans 3:10-12,23; 1 Corinthians 5:21)
How does a Christian grow?
2 Corinthians 3:18 “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another…”
2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.”
Titus 2:11,12 “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”
How does a Christian live?
Galatians 2:20
1 Peter 4:11 “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
Philippians 2:13
What is the ultimate paramount goal/direction of grace?
What does God really want of you? What is man’s chief end or purpose? (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Romans 8:29 “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…”
Theme/Thrust of West Loop
1. Gospel Transformation
2. Church Planting