Who is a Faithful Christian? Philippians 3:12-16

Who is a Faithful Who is a Faithful Christian?Christian?

Philippians 3:12-16Philippians 3:12-16

Philippians 3:12-16Philippians 3:12-1612 Not that I have already attained, or am already 12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,

14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.of God in Christ Jesus.

15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.reveal even this to you.

16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. – NKJVsame mind. – NKJV

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““Full of Faith”Full of Faith”

•““A man full of faith and A man full of faith and the Holy Spirit,” the Holy Spirit,” Acts 6:5Acts 6:5

•““For he was a good For he was a good man, man, full of the Holy full of the Holy Spirit and Spirit and of faith.” of faith.” Acts Acts 11:2411:24

•““A man full of faith and A man full of faith and the Holy Spirit,” the Holy Spirit,” Acts 6:5Acts 6:5

•““For he was a good For he was a good man, man, full of the Holy full of the Holy Spirit and Spirit and of faith.” of faith.” Acts Acts 11:2411:24

The Question of The LessonThe Question of The Lesson

Who Is A Faithful Christian?

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One is One is notnot a faithful Christian a faithful Christian merely because…merely because…

He believes something about JesusHe believes something about Jesus John 12:42-43; James 2:19John 12:42-43; James 2:19

He is religious - He is religious - Acts 8:26-39Acts 8:26-39 He is moral - He is moral - Acts 10:1-2, 22Acts 10:1-2, 22 He is sincere - He is sincere - Acts 26:9-11 (Phil. 3:4-6)Acts 26:9-11 (Phil. 3:4-6) He has been “baptized” - He has been “baptized” - Acts 19:1-5Acts 19:1-5 He is a member of a church - He is a member of a church - Eph. 4:4Eph. 4:4 He is faithful in attendance - He is faithful in attendance - Isa. 1:11Isa. 1:11

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He believes something about Jesus - He believes something about Jesus - John 12:42-43; James 2:19John 12:42-43; James 2:19 ““That He lived / Good teachings / Prophet / That He lived / Good teachings / Prophet /

Contributed to humanity....”Contributed to humanity....” JW’s, LDS, Oneness Pentecostals…JW’s, LDS, Oneness Pentecostals… Must believe truth about Jesus -Must believe truth about Jesus - Jno. 1:1-3; Jno. 1:1-3;

Matt. 16:13-16 (1 Jno. 2:22-23; 4:2-3)Matt. 16:13-16 (1 Jno. 2:22-23; 4:2-3) Obedient faith -Obedient faith - Acts 6:7; Jno. 6:28-29Acts 6:7; Jno. 6:28-29

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He is religious - He is religious - Acts 8:26-39Acts 8:26-39 So are Muslims, Hindus and Jews - So are Muslims, Hindus and Jews -

Acts 17:22-23Acts 17:22-23 ““Go to church…pay my ‘tithe…’”Go to church…pay my ‘tithe…’” (Lk. 18:9-12)(Lk. 18:9-12) Christians are religious - Christians are religious - Acts 2:42Acts 2:42 Object of our religion is God, not self -Object of our religion is God, not self - Matt. Matt.

6:1; Jas. 1:26-276:1; Jas. 1:26-27

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He is moral - He is moral - Acts 10:1-2, 22Acts 10:1-2, 22 Moral Hindus, Buddhists, Mormons, etc.Moral Hindus, Buddhists, Mormons, etc. False standard upon which to base salvation False standard upon which to base salvation

- - Acts 11:14Acts 11:14 Christian chooses to live morally as a Christian chooses to live morally as a

matter of faith - matter of faith - Phil. 4:8Phil. 4:8

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He is sincere - He is sincere - Acts 26:9-11 (Phil. 3:4-6)Acts 26:9-11 (Phil. 3:4-6) Satan’s lie: “Just be sincere!”Satan’s lie: “Just be sincere!” Cannot be a Christian without it - Cannot be a Christian without it - 1 Pet. 2:11 Pet. 2:1 But, sincerity doesn’t wash away sins or But, sincerity doesn’t wash away sins or

keep us from sinningkeep us from sinning

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He has been “baptized” - He has been “baptized” - Acts 19:1-5Acts 19:1-5 A baptism can be invalid (John’s baptism)A baptism can be invalid (John’s baptism) Proper method? (immersion) - Proper method? (immersion) - Rom. 6:4Rom. 6:4 Proper purpose? Proper purpose? Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16; Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16;

Gal. 3:27Gal. 3:27 Proper result? Proper result? Acts 2:41, 47; 1 Cor. 12:13Acts 2:41, 47; 1 Cor. 12:13

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He is a member of a church - He is a member of a church - Eph. 4:4Eph. 4:4 ““Church of your choice” is not in BibleChurch of your choice” is not in Bible ““Church is not important” - Church is not important” - Eph. 3:10-11; Eph. 3:10-11;

Acts 20:28Acts 20:28 Obeying truth puts you into Christ’s church- Obeying truth puts you into Christ’s church-

Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 12:13Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 12:13 Christians are not added to the churches of Christians are not added to the churches of

men!men!

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He is faithful in attendance - He is faithful in attendance - Isaiah 1:11; Isaiah 1:11; Amos 5:21-24Amos 5:21-24 Must properly worship God - Must properly worship God - John 4:23-24John 4:23-24 Must not forsake the assembling - Must not forsake the assembling - Heb. 10: Heb. 10:

24-25 24-25 But, we can be present & be spiritually dead But, we can be present & be spiritually dead

- - 1 Cor. 11:301 Cor. 11:30

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One One isis a faithful Christian a faithful Christian because…because…

He is saved from past sins - He is saved from past sins - Eph. 1:7Eph. 1:7 Has obeyed Christ’s plan of salvation - Has obeyed Christ’s plan of salvation -

Acts 2:40-41; 10:34-35, 48Acts 2:40-41; 10:34-35, 48 Are you a Christian?Are you a Christian? Are you a Are you a faithfulfaithful Christian? Christian?

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He lives faithfully in the present - He lives faithfully in the present - Titus 2:11-12; Romans 6:4; Luke 6:46Titus 2:11-12; Romans 6:4; Luke 6:46 Disciples - Disciples - Acts 11:26Acts 11:26 Full of faith - Full of faith - Acts 6:5; 11:24Acts 6:5; 11:24

Religious, moral, sincere & active, obedient Religious, moral, sincere & active, obedient & walk in good works - & walk in good works - Eph. 2:10; Heb. 5:9Eph. 2:10; Heb. 5:9

Are you a Are you a faithfulfaithful Christian? Christian?

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He is sacrificial and lives for heaven - He is sacrificial and lives for heaven - Lk. 9:23; 14:33; Phil. 3:7-16, 20Lk. 9:23; 14:33; Phil. 3:7-16, 20 Christ is Christ is firstfirst in his life! in his life! He sacrifices He sacrifices allall to put Jesus first! to put Jesus first! Are you a Are you a faithfulfaithful ChristianChristian??

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For as many as are For as many as are led by the Spirit of led by the Spirit of God, these are theGod, these are the

For you are all For you are all

through faith in through faith in Christ Jesus. For as Christ Jesus. For as

many of you as were many of you as were baptized intobaptized into Christ Christ have put on Christ.have put on Christ.

““SONS OF SONS OF GOD”GOD”

ROMANS 8:14ROMANS 8:14 GALATIANSGALATIANS3:26-273:26-27

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Who is a Faithful Christian? Philippians 3:12-16