TRUE CHRISTIANITY

True Christianity

Matthew 16: 24 – 28

Mt 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

The world today doesn’t know what true Christianity is.
1. Some think it is being on a church roll.
2. Some think it is all that believe in God.
3. Some think it is no more than a social group.
True Christianity is a different life. True Christianity is a special life.
1. Matthew 16: 24 Jesus says it is a life surrendered to the Lord’s will.
2. Not our will by but his.
3. Romans 6: 18 Servants of righteousness.
18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
I. True Christianity is a Surrounded Life.
A. Job. 1: 10 Satin says to God, “You are protecting Job”.
Job 1:10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
God did not deny his protection. God aloud the devil to take all Job had, but he protected his life. A hedge of protection.
B. Ephesians 2: 6 – 10 The Christian life today is a surrounded life.
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
A Hedge of grace.
1. Titus 2: 11 – 15 Titus assures us we are redeemed by God’s grace.
Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
Titus encourages them and us to speak and exhort these things.
2. 1 John 4: 4 We are God’s children.
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
God dwells in us and we can overcome the world and it’s temptations through obeying God.
3. 1 John 2: 1 – 2 God’s grace covers the sins of the faithful.
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
It is Christ blood that removes our sins. Christ died once for all.
Not all will obey and be saved.
II. True Christianity is a Serving Life.
A. Many today want to be served, to be entertained.
B. John 13 Jesus washes his disciples feet to show them how to humble themselves to serve others. Peter said you will never wash my feet.
Jesus told him, If I don’t wash you, you will have no part with me.
Peter wants his feet, his hands and his head, all that needs to be washed.
C. John 13: 15 – 17 Jesus gives an example.
Joh 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
We must never forget we are here to serve. We will never be greater than Christ our savior. We should never think we are too good to serve one another. We must do our own serving. No one can serve for you.
III. True Christianity is a Spiritual Life.
A. Romans 8: 1 – 9 We are physical and spiritual. We are in the world, but not of the world.
Ro 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
A True Christian lives the spiritual life for God dwells with in. If we have not the Spirit of Christ we are not his and lost.

B. Galatians 2: 20 Paul says we must live after the Spirit.
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
C. 1 Peter 2: 11 – 12 Peter says to serve where you can and when we can. 11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Avoid fleshly lust, be honest with all, do good that God might be glorified.
D. Matthew 6: 33 Christ will reward the faithful servant.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
IV. True Christianity is a Shinning Life.
A. Matthew 5: 14 – 16 Jesus taught the multitude they must be a light.
Mt 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Does our life shine forth Christ?

B. We can hide our light with an ungodly attitude.
C. We can hide our light by being quiet, passive, going along with the world.
D. We can hide our light by justifying our sins with our own will.
Are you living a true Christian life? Jesus said one must hear and believe His word.
Jesus says one must repent of their sins, confessing Christ is the Son of God and to be baptized for the remission of their sins. Then and only then will Christ add one to His church. If your not a Christian today it is not too late. If you do not know what to do you can be taught. Are you willing to study Christ plan of salvation?

Are you a true Christian today? Have you fallen away? You can repent and obey Christ again. Do you need to come today? Will you obey Jesus Christ before it is too late.
Will you come now?