What is a Christian?

A Christian is someone…

1. SEEKING A PROMISE

Does life really have meaning?  A Christian is one who pursues significance.  Our longing for meaning is built into us so that we might be satisfied with nothing less than God.

“For God has set eternity in our hearts….”  -Solomon, in Ecclesiastes 3:11
 
God calls us long before we have the desire or ability to respond; our emptiness apart from God can only be filled when the relationship is restored.
 
“God has made us for Himself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in Him.”  -St. Augustine
 
In short, we begin to seek God because He first calls us.  He calls through relationships, life experiences, and His revealed truth in Creation and Scripture.
 
 “I came that they might have life — and have it abundantly.” -Jesus, in John 10:10
 

2. SEEING THE PROBLEM

A Christian is compelled toward this Promise, through a growing conviction of our Problem.
 
It is a universal problem.
“For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” -Paul in Romans 3:23

It is a personal problem.
“For the wages of sin is death” (Separation from God.) -Paul in Romans 6:23
 
We are powerless over the problem.
“Apart from me you can do nothing.” -Jesus

 
3. RECEIVING A SAVIOR

God has provided where we could not provide for ourselves.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever would believe in Him should not perish but shall have everlasting life.” -John 3:16    

To trust in Christ is to believe that God’s unmerited favor—GRACE—is ours for the asking.
 
“It is by grace that you have been saved through faith; And this not from yourself— It is a gift of God; Not by works so that no one can boast.” -Paul in Ephesians 2:8-10

4. FINDING PURPOSE

We are all called to Jesus.  Our response shows the evidence of that call.  Our response is summed up by the two GREATEST sayings of Jesus:

1.  The Great Command:  Love God - Love each other
2.  The Great Commission:  Make disciples throughout the world…

-Lead them to repent,
-Let them come alive through baptism,
-Receive them into fellowship,
-Teach them how to follow Jesus.

How do we do all that?
Simply by learning more about what it means to follow Him ourselves.

Then our lives extend the same invitation— “Follow me.” -Jesus

How to receive Christ
 

Admit your need—own up to your sin.
Be willing to turn and change—repent.
Believe that Jesus’ died in your place and rose to give you new life.
Invite Jesus into your life, surrendering all you are to Him.
Pray that the Holy Spirit would fill you and guide you.

What to pray—

Dear Lord Jesus,
I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness.
I believe that You died for my sins.  I want to turn from my sins.
Come into my heart and life.  Lead me to trust You as Savior
And to follow You as Lord.

In Your name,

Amen.