WEARING THE NAME CHRISTIAN

 INTRO:
   A. I Pet. 4:16, "Yet if any man suffer as a.."
      (1) As a Christian we are to bring glory to God.
      (2) This is not done by simply saying, "I am a 
          Christian".
      (3) This is done through conduct & attitude.

    B. The name "Christian" is found only 3 times in the 
       New Testament.
      (1) I Pet. 4:16
      (2) Acts 11:26, "And the disciples were called 
          Christians first in Antioch."
      (3) Acts 26:28, "And Agripa said to Paul, 
          You almost persuaded me to become a Christian."

   C. The Denominational World Wears The Name, 
      But:
      (1) Contrary to Christ's prayer in John 17:20, 
          "Neither pray I for these alone."
      (2) Contrary to Paul's plea that we speak the same 
          things (I Cor. 1:10)
      (3) Contrary to the Teaching of Eph. 4:4-6 "one body, 
          Spirit, Hope, Lord, Faith, Baptism, God."
      (4) It is impossible for the Denominational World to 
          truly wear the name of Christ, Which is Christian, 
          "Is Christ Divided?"

   D. Thus, this lesson is directed to "Christians" of a 
      true sort and "only Christians", members of the Church 
      of our Lord.  That Blood bought body of believers.
      (1) We need to understand that "Christian" is the
          right and only name that we should wear.
      (2) Yet some don't realize the significance of 
          "wearing that name."
      (3) The Aim of this lesson is to cause us to look 
          closer at the responsibilities that go with this 
          great name.

 I. A CHRISTIAN IS MORE THAN A:
   A. baptized person     D. There are many of
   B. Church member          these in the world
   C. Weekly worshiper       but FEW Christians!

II. WHAT IS INVOLVED IN WEARING THE NAME
    "CHRISTIAN"?
   A. The name:
      (1) Many names in the world that hold dishonor. 
          (thief, drunk, liar)
      (2) There are names that are looked upon with honor. 
          (president, American)
      (3) The name "Christian" is the greatest & most 
          distinguished name of all, Isa. 56:5 & Isa. 62:2
      (4) We have been named with a name that can have no 
          greater Honor.  It is an Honor to wear this great 
          name given by God & which contains within it the 
          name of our great brother (Jesus Christ).
      (NOTICE: I Pet 4:16 again with Acts 5:41, "And they 
      departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing 
      that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his 
      name."
      (5) Early Christians were proud of their name. It is 
          sad to see one today who has opportunity to 
          profess that grand & noblest of names and yet is 
          ashamed to do so.

   B. There are Great Blessings When We Wear The Name 
      "Christian".
      (1) Consider Eph. 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father 
          of our Lord Jesus Christ..."
          Blessings include: (forgiveness, prayer, 
          fellowship, help, worship...)

   C. There is the Promise of Heaven to Those Who Wear the 
      Name Christian, and Only to Them.
      (1) John 8:24 "I said therefore to you that you shall 
          die in your sins, for if you don't believe that I 
          am he, you shall die in your sins".
      (2) Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people. 
          Only Christians are making the preparations 
          needed. (My Prayer is that each of you is doing 
          some preparation)

   D. Along with Honor, Blessing & Promise, There 
      Is Responsibility in Wearing The Name Christian".
      (1) For Example "American"
          Accept the constitution.
          practice our democracy.
          be law abiding.
          fighting for this country.
      (2) There are duties as well that we have when we wear 
          the name Christian.
      As a Disciple we must Learn.
      As a Follower we must Imitate.
      As a Child of God we must Obey.
      As a Servant we are to be Loyal
      We are to fear God & Keep His Commandments.
      When we have done all that is commanded to do we then 
      must say "We have done that which was our duty to do." 
      Luke 17:10
      (3) There is a great difference in wearing the name 
          and being a Christian.

III. HOW CAN WE DETERMINE IF WE ARE "CHRISTIAN" OR MERELY 
     WEARING THE NAME?
   A. Did you become a Christian from conviction or 
      convenience? (Family, Prestige, Pressure) 
   (1) If so, Your Just wearing the name.

   B. Are you separated from the world in your Recreation, 
      Language, Literature, Habits & Morals?

   C. Are you devoted to the Church?
      (1) Does the Church come 1st in your life for you 
          cannot have Christ without His Church?  Mt. 6:33 
          "Seek ye 1st the..."
      (2) Do we love the brethren or have no time for them? 
          John 13:34, "love one another"

   D. Do you attend all the services of the Church because 
      you want to or a minimum standard that you have deemed 
      acceptable?

   E. ASK, "Do I give liberally of Miserably?"
      (1) If Liberally = Christian
      (2) If miserably = wearing the name

   F. Do you appreciate strong preaching that is Bible 
      Centered or are you offended when truth and error are 
      pointed out?

   G. Are you growing in the Christian graces?
      (1) II Pet 1:5ff these include knowledge.
      (2) Are you unconcerned with Christian growth and 
          development?

   H. Are you trying to save the lost according to your 
      opportunity and ability or is there little care for 
      telling others about Jesus?

CONCLUSION:
   A. Wearing the name Christian is something we do 
      Voluntarily. II Cor. 12:15, "And I will very gladly 
      spend and be spent for you".
   B. Wherever we go, if we are a Christian we must act like 
      one.
      (1) Christ cannot be taken off and put back on as we 
          do a garment for the occasion.
   C. Christianity is a Daily and Hourly Commitment.
      (2) Luke 9:23, "If any man will come after me, let him 
      deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow 
      me."
   D. Remember, That not all who wear the name will go to 
      Heaven.
      (1) Only those who try to live up to the name. 
      (though we cannot)
  E.  Ask yourself, "Am I wearing the name of Christ as I 
      should"?  "Am I seeking to be more like Jesus each 
      day?"


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