What does a Christian look like?

1 John 2:3-6

So – what does a Christian look like?

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Can you pick out a Christian from a crowd?

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What does one see in a Christian?

SLIDE – GET OUT OF HELL FREE CARD

Well, I believe all the right stuff.
I’ve said all the right words.
I’ve prayed all the right prayers.
So I got all I want from Christianity.

So is this the mark of follower of Jesus?

Is salvation a get out of hell fee card?

Is avoiding hell salvation?

If this is all there is to being a Christian and
If we don’t care for church- we dislike worship, don’t like to pray, etc.,

I image heaven will be quite miserable

SLIDE - BLIDERS

How about Christian who goes through life with blinders on.
Believes in Jesus – got his get out of Hell Free Card

Living a cozy life – not aware of what is happening to his neighbor

Live safely and not venturing into any confrontation

Attend all the services – even tend nursery or do kid’s church,

Do good things in the community –

Not a bad person- “I’ve never hurt any body – its not like I’m thief or a murderer or anything.

The word “Christian has many cogitations depending on your perspective:
Muslim
Atheist
Agnostic
Don’t like that word – “Christian” Let’s use the phrase, “followers of Jesus” or “Christ Followers.”

Does the world say, “There goes a Christian” when they see you?

And how do you know if you are aChristian?
Did you say the right words?
Do you do good things?
Perhaps because you are just a nice person?

I guess the important question to ask – what does God see?

What does the Bible say?

SLIDE – 1 JOHN 2:3-6

1 John 2:3-6

3 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4 The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

NIV

SLIDE_ We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.

A mark of a follower of Jesus is knowing Him.
Do you know Jesus? Not knowing About Jesus, but knowing Him personally.

Big difference between knowing about someone and knowing them personally.

I know Ellen – and a lot more than just about her
I know about Jimmy Dolittle – but never met the man

How do we know Jesus?

If we obey His commands?

As we obey him – lives are changed
– there are miraculous changes in lives that occur overnight
- Mostly there are changes that occur over time as Jesus is followed

Obedience produces change

A man from the back mountains of Tennessee found himself one day in a large city for the first time standing outside an elevator. He watched as an old, haggard woman hobbled on, and the doors closed. A few minutes later the doors opened and a young, attractive woman marched smartly off. The father hollered to his youngest son, "Billy, go get your mother."

SLIDE John 14:15

"If you love me, you will obey what I command.

NIV

SLIDE John 14:21-24

21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?"

23 Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
NIV

SLIDE- NAUGHTY KID

As a parent with some naught kids – I can very well understand these commands

SLIDE John 15:10-13 Jesus Sets the Example

10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. NIV

SLIDE – 1 JOHN 2:4

The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Liar – a pretty rough term

Matt 7: 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

NIV

We should be examining our own fruit – are we producing fruit that comes with obedience?

SLIDE Matt 7:21-23

21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

NIV

I have come across people who would almost boast to me about how they USED to be a Sunday School teacher, but now when you look at them, they are not even a part of a local Church.

We have more information in the public about the problems drugs, tobacco, alcohol and sexually transmitted diseases, yet the knowledge of these bad things in themselves does not change much as far as behavior, there needs to be more to change a life. Why in the world would a person even consider starting to smoke, or take that first hit of meth?

People continue to search for a God of comfort only,
one that makes little or no demands,
and one that they can take out of the closet of their minds for the sake of convenience.
They want a god that will serve them,
rather than repenting and yielding in obedience to Him whom Jesus Christ has revealed.

SLIDE – 1 JOHN 2:5

5 But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him.

Some Translations will have – “Love of God”

God’ love – or – our love for God - either way and both

As we go about obeying the word of God,
we learn of Him –
He works through us
Others see Him in us
We love Him more
His love is perfected in us.

There is an old hymn byRev. J. H. Sammis

When we walk with the Lord

in the light of His Word,

what a glory He sheds on our way!

While we do His good will

He abides with us still,

and with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey—for there’s no other way

to be happy in Jesus—but to trust and obey

SLIDE – 1 JOHN 2:6

This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

Live in Him in some translations says “Abide in Him”

SLIDE - John 15:4-5

4 " Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. NASU

SLIDE -John 13:15

15 "For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. NASU

SLIDE -John 15:10-11

10 " If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. 11 " These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. NASU

Obeying commandments – walking as Jesus walked – we do have a word for this – its called Discipleship.

So what does a Christian, a follower of Jesus look like?

A life marked by obedience

Not Bible Study – though it is not to be ignored - it is important.

Not going to church – thought a n obedient follower of Jesus is active in worship

But by living a life 24/7 - walking as Jesus walk – obedient to all his words – not jus those that are convenient.

Following Christ – becoming more like Him – How

A central theme of Obedience
– Jesus set the example
- He was obedient to the death – the death on a cross
- Obedience is a 24/7
– partial or part time obedience is disobedience

But complete obedience demands a trust and reliance on Him.

Christians - By Maya Angelou