What is a True Christian? #1

by Loy Clements
(Springhill, LA. U.S.A.)

Text: Philppians 2:7

Introduction: What is a true Christian is the question that is most asked by unbelievers. For a long time I didn't have an answer for them. I had my religious ideals; but they want truth...not someone's ideals.

Since we're human and don't know everything, let us be smart enough to go to the One who knows it all; let us go to God for the answer! "A true Christian is someone that looks like Christ."

That seemed simple enough to me; but I found out I was a million miles away from the true path as a Christian who really reflects the true nature of Christ. Our families, and friends are not looking for some kind of religion; they are looking for reality!

They are searching for the One True God. I have discovered that a majority of people in the church have not been preachers of the gospel.
In our text one of the first things we notice about Jesus is that He is humble, and makes no reputation for Himself.

It is good for the church to perform self examination of themselves from time to time, both as a church congregation, and individually. When was the last time we checked our humility and our love gauge?

He "made Himself of no reputation:
This phrase can be translated "He emptied Himself." (Newson Study Bible). When was the last time we emptied ourselves, so the Lord could refill us with Himself?

The Sripture says "Although He remained fully divine, Christ took on a human nature with its temptation, humiliation, and weaknesses, yet He was without sin." The full life study Bible says:
"But stripped Himself (of all privileges and rightful dignity), so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that order He became like men and was born a human being." (Amplified Bible).

"He stripped Himself of His Glory, and took on Him the nature of a bondservant by becoming a man like other men." (The new testament in modern day speech).

"When the time came, He set aside the priviledge of diety and took on the status of a slave, and became human." (The message Bible).

I. True Christians are anointed to help.

Luke 3:22 "And the Holy Spirit decended in a bodily form upon Him, and a voice came from Heaven, which said, Thou art My beloved Son, in Thee I am well pleased."

Acts 10:38 "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil, for God was with Him."

Jesus didn't have anything available to Him in the time He walked the earth other than His body. The church doesn't have anything now in this time except its body.

To be anointed menas that as Christians we have the burden removing, yoke destroying, power of God at our beckoned call! Even if you only were born-again two minutes ago, this anointing is available to you.

This means victory in the mist of a storm isn't dependant upon the ability of human flesh. A true Christian is totally dependent upon the Spirit of God to live His life through them.

II. True Christians are totally surrendered to the Spirit of God.

This is what being a Godly Vessel is all about. Apart from God's Spirit, it is impossible for the will of God to be accomplished in someone's life.

Isaiah 10:27 "And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke off of thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing."

The Person of the Holy Spirit in a Christian's life is the anointing the Christian is to live under. To walk in the Spirit is to walk free from the lust of the flesh.

Galatians 5:16 "This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Paul informs us the lust of the flesh is the combination of flesh and mind coming together against the desires of the Spirit.

Ephesians 2:3 "Among whom also we had our converstion in times past in the lust of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind"

Acts 11:26 "Thou hast made known to me the way of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenence."

Conclusion to part one: A true Christian depends on the Holy Spirit's desire to help. When a true Christian sees someone hurting like the good Samaritan did, the true Christian will run to them to give aid. As Christians let us give healing to the broken hearted

Luke 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor: he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering eyes to the blind, to set at liberty them that are buuised."

Let us be true blue Christians and see the world come into the knowledge of God's Son. The next "True Christian" lesson will be on the work of the word by the power of God. Be looking for it on my blog, and grow into the image and likeness of Christ. Amen.

Note from Mark: You are right. I think many unbelievers ask, "What is a true Christian?" We need to show them. I look forward to part #2.