Sunday, 15 March 2009

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  The Almost Christians (taken from a John Wesley sermon preached in 1741)

  
  Primary Text – Acts 26 (especially verse 28)(KJV)

  
  Thesis – Being a Christian is far more than just
  
  1)The Almost Christian
  - what makes an “Almost Christian?”
  - The “Almost Christian” might appear to be a Christian – in fact, one might be sitting next to you right now, or stand in line with you at the Grocery store, or be a part of your family.
  - The “Almost Christian” can have all forms of all virtues.

  • they might be very honest

  • they might be very knowledgeable of scriptures

  • they might attend seminary, and be seeking after the wisdom of God

  • they might teach in a church, and tell others about the Gospel

  • they might volunteer at the homeless mission, and offer charity to the poor.

  • The “Almost Christian” Doesn't even have to attend a Christian (or any) church

    • Many pagan, or heathen, or heretical authors teach similar things to what God asks His people for.

    • Plato taught that we need to be honest

    • Buddha taught the value of prayer

    • Mormons staunchly oppose the abortion of infants.

    • Adolf Hitler was known to not drink alcohol or smoke tobacco.

  - The point is you can do all of the following – be truthful, read the Bible, go to Church, teach sunday school, go to seminary, help the needy and the poor, pray, oppose abortion, and never drink or smoke – and still not be a Christian. All of these things can be a part of your lifestyle – and none of these things will make you a Christian – no matter how astutely you observe these and other standards.
  
  2)The Altogether Christian
  - If all of these things together make only for an “Almost Christian,” then what makes for an Actual Christian?

  - Is there one single thing that makes an “Actual Christian” actually a Christian?
  - There are 4 absolutely essential steps to being a “Actual Christian.”

  1)Love God (Matthew 22:37-38)

  2)Love your neighbor (Matthew 22:39)

  3)Faith in God and His Son's message (romans 3:21-28)
  4)Repentance – turning from your old ways to God's new plans and intentions for your life. (acts 3:19-20).
  
  3) Those are the differences between the Almost Christian, and the Actual Christian.
  -The actual Christian is only observably different in a few, impossible to know ways.

  - But, more importantly, we need to remember that we should never think of ourselves as Christians in any way because of what we do. We are not Christians by virtue of our attitude or disciplines or virtues. We are Christians because of our love, faith, and repentance.
  - The virtues of the Almost Christian are identical to those of the Altogether Christian. So, don't try to witness to a non-Christian by talking about the higher morality of Christians – because to the naked eye, they can seem to be virtually identical.
  - Most of all, we should know that what makes us Christians is available to us by God's love, not our own abilities. God gives us the opportunity to be in relationship with Him – he does the work, he provides the grace, he does almost all of it. Our job, to be Christians, is to love, have faith, and repent.
  
  And that's what makes someone “Actually” a Christian.
  
  Amen.

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