IntroductionIntroductionIn 1951 a man died and left in his will In 1951 a man died and left in his will

$75,000 for those who were $75,000 for those who were fundamentally Christians. fundamentally Christians.

Based on the testimony, the Judge declared Based on the testimony, the Judge declared that a Christian can believe almost that a Christian can believe almost anything or nothing and gave the anything or nothing and gave the

money to charity. money to charity.

What a shame that the infallible, inerrant, What a shame that the infallible, inerrant, and inspired standard of God’s word and inspired standard of God’s word

wasn’t opened to define who is a wasn’t opened to define who is a Christian!Christian!

In this lesson, we will give three reasons In this lesson, we will give three reasons why you should be a Christian & remain why you should be a Christian & remain

faithful!faithful!

To Wear the Grandest To Wear the Grandest NameNameIn the context of a Messianic prophecy, In the context of a Messianic prophecy,

Isaiah said concerning God’s people, Isaiah said concerning God’s people, “And you will be “And you will be called by a new namecalled by a new name

which the mouth of the LORD will which the mouth of the LORD will designate.” designate.” (Isa. 62:2) (Isa. 62:2)

The Lord would give the name, not men. The Lord would give the name, not men.

Was the new name believers, saints, Was the new name believers, saints, disciples, faithful, or some other name? disciples, faithful, or some other name?

No!No!

““The disciples were The disciples were first called Christiansfirst called Christians at at Antioch” Antioch” (Acts 11:26)(Acts 11:26)

The Greek word for “called” (The Greek word for “called” (chrematizo)chrematizo) means by a divine oracle. means by a divine oracle.

To Wear the Grandest To Wear the Grandest NameName

Disciples of Christ should not call Disciples of Christ should not call themselves by a man’s name no matter themselves by a man’s name no matter

how great. (apostle- how great. (apostle- Paul or PeterPaul or Peter, , forerunner of Christ- forerunner of Christ- John the Baptist, John the Baptist, any saint, or religious leader- any saint, or religious leader- Martin Martin

Luther, John Calvin, John WesleyLuther, John Calvin, John Wesley))

Some will argue that there’s nothing in a Some will argue that there’s nothing in a name. But does it matter whether the name. But does it matter whether the right name is signed on a check, your right name is signed on a check, your

name is in the will, or if your wife name is in the will, or if your wife submits to wear your name? submits to wear your name?

Since the name of Christ is above every Since the name of Christ is above every name let us not be ashamed to wear the name let us not be ashamed to wear the grandest name! grandest name! (Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Peter (Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Peter

4:15-16)4:15-16)

To Have the Greatest To Have the Greatest InfluenceInfluence

You are the salt of the earth and the light of You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. So let it shine! the world. So let it shine! (Matthew (Matthew

5:13-16) 5:13-16)

Godly people are to the human race what Godly people are to the human race what salt is to food- the element that salt is to food- the element that

preserves it from destruction. preserves it from destruction. (Genesis (Genesis 18:24-32)18:24-32)

Look at the spread of the gospel from just a Look at the spread of the gospel from just a few disciples to a multitude of people in few disciples to a multitude of people in a short period of time! a short period of time! (Acts 2:41; 4:4; (Acts 2:41; 4:4;

14:1)14:1)

Because you are a Christian, you have a Because you are a Christian, you have a greater power to influence souls to greater power to influence souls to

eternal life than the President, a eternal life than the President, a Governor, or Congressman.Governor, or Congressman.

To Have the Greatest To Have the Greatest InfluenceInfluence

You can have more influence than the You can have more influence than the richest man, the greatest athlete, the richest man, the greatest athlete, the

most acclaimed actor, as you share the most acclaimed actor, as you share the unsearchable riches of Christ with others unsearchable riches of Christ with others

as Paul did. as Paul did. (Eph. 3:7-8)(Eph. 3:7-8)

Prayer is powerful and the gospel changes Prayer is powerful and the gospel changes lives. lives. (Eph. 3:20-21; Rom. 1:16; 1 Tim. (Eph. 3:20-21; Rom. 1:16; 1 Tim.

2:1-4)2:1-4)

The gospel can change a drunk into The gospel can change a drunk into sobriety, the sexually immoral into sobriety, the sexually immoral into purity, a blasphemer to a gospel purity, a blasphemer to a gospel

preacher, & a murderer into a saint! preacher, & a murderer into a saint! (1 (1 Cor. 6:9-11; 1 Tim. 1:12ff; Acts 2:42ff)Cor. 6:9-11; 1 Tim. 1:12ff; Acts 2:42ff)

There is joy in repentance!There is joy in repentance!(Lk. 15:7; Js. (Lk. 15:7; Js. 5:19-20)5:19-20)

To Meet the Highest To Meet the Highest ChallengeChallenge

Ambitious people love a great challenge! Ambitious people love a great challenge! (becoming a Navy Seal, (becoming a Navy Seal,

winning a gold medal, climbing a winning a gold medal, climbing a mountain, running a marathon)mountain, running a marathon)

The call of the gospel leads us to a higher, The call of the gospel leads us to a higher, nobler, demanding, but more rewarding nobler, demanding, but more rewarding

life. life. (Philippians 3:14)(Philippians 3:14)

Think of the many saints who met the Think of the many saints who met the highest challenge of serving God! highest challenge of serving God! (1 (1

Sam. 17:49; Dan. 3:16-19,28; 6:7,22-24; Sam. 17:49; Dan. 3:16-19,28; 6:7,22-24; Hebrews 11)Hebrews 11)

We must be willing to deny ourselves, take We must be willing to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Jesus! up our cross and follow Jesus! (Luke (Luke

9:23-25)9:23-25)

To Meet the Highest To Meet the Highest ChallengeChallenge

We must restrain our fleshly appetites, We must restrain our fleshly appetites, sacrifice our wills, and practice His sacrifice our wills, and practice His

precepts so that we will be useful in His precepts so that we will be useful in His service. service. (Ps. 119:9-11; (Ps. 119:9-11;

Rom. 12:1-2; 2 Tim. 2:21)Rom. 12:1-2; 2 Tim. 2:21)

It is the highest challenge but it has the It is the highest challenge but it has the greatest reward not only in this life but greatest reward not only in this life but also the life to come. also the life to come. (Mark 10:28-30)(Mark 10:28-30)

So let us run with endurance the race that So let us run with endurance the race that is set before us all the way to the finish is set before us all the way to the finish line as we fix our eyes on Jesus. line as we fix our eyes on Jesus. (Heb. (Heb.

12:2-3)12:2-3)

ConclusionConclusionWhy should you be a Christian and remain Why should you be a Christian and remain

faithful to the Lord? faithful to the Lord?

To wear the grandest name! To wear the grandest name!

To have the greatest influence! To have the greatest influence!

To meet the highest challenge! To meet the highest challenge!

This would not be possible without the This would not be possible without the loving sacrifice of Jesus for your sins! loving sacrifice of Jesus for your sins!

(Heb. 2:9)(Heb. 2:9)

To become a Christian, we must obey Him! To become a Christian, we must obey Him! (Heb. 5:8-9; Luke 6:46; 2 Thess. 1:7-9)(Heb. 5:8-9; Luke 6:46; 2 Thess. 1:7-9)