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What it means to be a

What it means to be a. Christian. In this study we will notice: What is a Christian? Becoming a Christian What hinders me from becoming a Christian? Growing as a Christian What hinders me from growing? The Christian and the body of Christ The Christian and others Am I done yet?.

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What it means to be a

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  1. What it means to be a Christian

  2. In this study we will notice: • What is a Christian? • Becoming a Christian • What hinders me from becoming a Christian? • Growing as a Christian • What hinders me from growing? • The Christian and the body of Christ • The Christian and others • Am I done yet? What it means to be a Christian What it means to be a Christian?

  3. Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

  4. Galatians 5:7, “You ran well. What hindered you from obeying the truth?” • Luke 8:7, 14, the “thorny ground” choke out the word • Hebrews 2:1, give the more earnest heed lest we drift away Hindrances are a danger Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

  5. To grow He must be first! He has influence in all we do • Many have divide loyalties –seeking to compartmentalize God • Matthew 6:33 • Luke 12:16-21, “Fool” • Joshua 24:15-19 God is not my priority Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

  6. What kind of changes have you made in your life? • Do you want to just barely make it to heaven? Cf. 1 Peter 4:18 • As long as He is not first, you will grow as you should God is not my priority Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

  7. We live in materialistic times. Prosperity comes with its troubles • Often it is accompanied by sins including rejecting God – cf. John 3:18-20 Materialism Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

  8. Warning! • James 4:4, 1 John 2:15-17 -Worldliness • Matthew 6:24, you cannot serve 2 masters • Colossians 3:5, covetousness is idolatry (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:11) • James 4:13-17 Materialism Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

  9. Proverbs 30:8-9, Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches— Feed me with the food allotted to me; Lest I be full and deny You, And say, “Who is the LORD?” Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God. Materialism Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

  10. Many Christians not growing because of things:- Keeps us from giving- Debt (Proverbs 22:7, Romans 13:8)- Affects how we view others- Do we hesitate before helping- What do we trust more? • Matthew 19:21-22 Materialism Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

  11. Luke 8:14, cares, riches and pleasures of this like choke out the word and we become unfruitful • To overcome materialism - Contentment – 1 Tim. 6:9-10- Simplify your life – get rid of clutter! Physical and spiritual! Materialism Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

  12. Perhaps a bigger challenge than materialism is time management • We live in such busy times – many choices that keep us going from sunrise to sunset.- Inventions to “save time” seem to make us busier than ever!- Time more valuable than money Distractions Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

  13. Ephesians 5:15-16 – we are to redeem the time • Luke 10:40-42, Martha was distracted with much serving • 1 Corinthians 7:35, …that you may serve the Lord without distraction Distractions Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

  14. Distractions can:- Affect our growth in knowledge- Affect how much we pray- Affect how well we get to know our brethren- Affect how we support the church- Cause us to fail to pause to examine where we are Distractions Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

  15. To overcome distractions:- Simplify your life (1 Thessalonians 4:11)- Make time for God! Matthew 22:37- Learn to balance your time- Realize you can’t do everything Distractions Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

  16. Some think, I’m invincible – 1 Corinthians 10:12 • “Cheap grace” – a term attributed to Dietrich Bonhoeffer in 1937. Many appeal to God’s grace to excuse their sinfulness - Romans 6:1-2, 1 John 1:7 An Improper Mindset Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

  17. Fellowshipping error – we must stand for truth – 1 Corinthians 16:13, 2 Thessalonians 2:15 • We must withstand error! Ephesians 5:112 John 9-11 An Improper Mindset Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

  18. Fellowshipping error can:– affect our standing with God- lead to a softened stand for truth- lead others into error (cf. Revelation 2:14-15, 2:20; Note: Both told to repent – 2:16, 22 • 2 Peter 3:17, beware lest you fall from your own steadfastness An Improper Mindset Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

  19. Dealing with improper mindsets:– Change your way of thinking – Colossians 3:2- Be humble- Romans 11:20- Spend time studying God’s word!- Bring every thought into captivity An Improper Mindset Hindrances to Growing as a Christian

  20. How do we deal with hindrances? 1) Give God reverence2) Set your mind on things above3) Learn self-control4) Give diligence5) Occasional examination6) Take it one day at a time

  21. We need to seek to be the good soil! Luke 8:15 That means getting rid of the “weeds” and “rocks” Hebrews 2:1-3, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation…?”

  22. Is anything hindering you from growing as you a Christian?

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