Characteristic of Real Christians

Texts: Acts 11:22-26; 26:27-29; 1 Peter 4:15-16

Introduction:
  I. Disciples were called Christians.  Name given by God.  
     Denotes belonging to Christ.
 II. One has to will to become a Christian.  Agrippa’s will not 
     strong enough.
III. It is a privilege to suffer as a Christian.
 IV. A Christian is one who has heard the Gospel, believed the 
     Gospel, and has been baptized. Acts 18:8  Paul later speaks 
     of these as being sanctified in Jesus Christ, and called to 
     be saints. 1 Corinthians 1:2
     (A) A Christian is one who has been purified from past sins 
         through obedience to the Gospel. Romans 6:17-18; 1 
         Peter 1:22; Hebrews 5:9
     (B) One who has failed to obey the Gospel is not a 
         Christian and has nothing to look forward to except 
         punishment. 1 Peter 4:17; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10.
     (C) A Christian is a new creature, the old things having 
         passed away with all things becoming new in Christ 
         Jesus.  2 Corinthians 5:17; We are Baptized into 
         Christ. Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27

Body:
  I. A Characteristic of a true Christian is that they continue 
     steadfastly in the Lord’s service after having obeyed the 
     first principles of the Gospel.
     A. Acts 2:42
     B. 1 Corinthians 15:58
     C. Luke 9:62
     D. 2 Peter 2:20-21
     E. Christianity is more than a passing fancy.

 II. Another characteristic of a true Christian is they 
     diligently study the Bible.
     A. Peter tells us that we are to “be ready at all times to 
        give an answer to every man that asketh you reason of 
        the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” 1 Peter 
        3:15
     B. 2 Timothy 2:15
     C. 1 Timothy 4:13
     D. Paul constantly uses the statement “I would not have you 
        ignorant” in his writings.
     E. People of today read everything but the Scriptures.
     F. Daily Bible readers.

III. Another characteristic of a true Christian is that he lives 
     what he teaches.
     A. Oftentimes shame and contempt are brought upon the 
        Church because some who profess to be Christians do not 
        practice what they teach.
     B. Romans 2:21-22
     C. Christians are to be a light for Christ. Matthew 5:13-16
     D. We are to be examples to those who are not Christians. 1 
        Timothy 4:12

 IV. Another characteristic of a true Christian is that they 
     contend earnestly for the faith. Jude 3

  V. Another characteristic of a true Christian is that they do 
     not dodge their responsibility in the Lord’s work.
     A. God expects every Christian to use their talents in His 
        service. Matthew 25:14-30
     B. In Isaiah 6:8, The Lord asked who could be send to 
        deliver a message to the people.  Isaiah said, “here am 
        I send me.”  Many today would say, “Lord, here am I, but 
        I am busy, or that is just out of my line, send the 
        other person.”

 VI. Unselfish.

Conclusion:
  I. May God help each of us to become a Christian if we have 
     not already done so.
 II. May God help each of us to shoulder our responsibility and 
     do the work the Lord expects to be done in his vineyard.
III. There is no better time to begin than now, the beginning of 
     1953.
 IV. “Behold now is the accepted time, today is the day of 
     salvation.”