ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN? WHAT KIND?

1 PETER 1    

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Someone has said they know a lot of Artic river Christians- frozen at the mouth. Similar to lightning bug Christians- they just give off light occasionally. There are Alka-Seltzer Christians: after they are dropped into water they fizzle for a while and then disappear. Buzzard Christians only show up to church for funerals and feasts. Holiday Christians only show up to church on Christmas/Easter. These may be considered corny, clichéd, or even cruel but they do point out an interesting and important question- what kind of Christian are you?

The Bible divides people into two categories- saved and unsaved. It divides Christians into three categories- babes in Christ, carnal, and spiritual. Speaking then of those who are no longer babes in Christ the distinction is back to two, that is, a worldly Christian and a godly Christian. Another name for a godly Christian is a New Testament Christian- one who, as a Christian, tries to live according to the Word of God.

I. THE NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIAN IS A DEPENDENT CHRISTIAN

I am an independent Baptist, but I am a dependent Christian. I depend on God because…

 

1. God Saves Us [v. 1-3]

2. God Sets Us Up [v. 4]

 

3. God Secures Us [v. 5]

 

II. THE NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIAN IS A REAL CHRISTIAN

 

1.  A Real Christian with Troubles [v. 6-7]

 

2. A Real Christian with Trust [v. 8-9]

 

3.  A Real Christian with Testimonies [v. 10-12]

 

III. THE NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIAN IS A STRONG CHRISTIAN

 

1. The New Testament Christian is Sober-minded [v. 13]

(serious about the things of God)

 

2. The New Testament Christian is Spiritually-minded [v. 14-22]

 

3. The New Testament Christian is Scripture-minded [v. 23-25]