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How do you identify yourself? By what you do or who you know? By relationships? All these things can change. Who are you... really? Let's take a look inside
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What Are You?
Different Responses
Defining “self”
• Not accomplished by saying what you do
• Nor is it done by naming your relationships
• Jobs and relationships can “change” – but WHAT you are (or WHO you are) should not change so easily.
Looking Inside
• Can be painful
• Encouraged by scripture
• 2 Corinthians 13:5
The Christian
• Needs to know WHAT he is
• While he is a child of God (relationship) – being a Christian is so much more
• The Christian is a transformed individual who is NO longer what he used to be
• A Christian is a NEW CREATURE
A Christian
• Not altogether defined by “what he does”
• However, there are certain things that Christians do
• Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them
If you are a Christian
• What really defines you?• What makes you what
you are – IN Christ?
A New Creature
• 2 Corinthians 5:17 Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new
To BE a Christian
• The old man of sin has to die
– Romans 6:11-12
• You have to be transformed
• You must learn to deny self
– Matthew 16:24
1 John 3:3-6
3. And every one that hath this hope set on him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 4. Every one that doeth sin doeth also lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. 5. And ye know that he was manifested to take away sins; and in him is no sin. 6. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither knoweth him
Romans 1:14-16
14. I am debtor both to Greeks and to Barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.
15. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you also that are in Rome.
16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Paul became a DEBTOR
vs. 14. I am debtor both to Greeks and to Barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish
• Paul’s debt was first and foremost to God
• 1 Timothy 1:15-17• And yet, Paul considered himself to be in
debt to ALL men
Paul was READY
vs. 15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you also that are in Rome
• What are you? A gospel preacher?
Ready – to what degree
• “as much as in me is”• 2 Corinthians 12:15
And I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls
Paul was BOLD
vs. 16 – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek”
• Paul prayed for boldness
• Ephesians 6:17-20
What are you, Paul?
• A prisoner? (sometimes)
• A preacher (always)
• Bold?
• Paul was NOT ashamed to preach the gospel – for it is the power of God to save those who believe
What are you? For Christ
• What have you become?
• Are you a new creature – transformed in spirit – obedient, selfless
• Do you feel the debt you owe?
• Are you ready to preach to others?
• Are you BOLD?
Are You Ready
• To become a Christian?• HEAR• BELIEVE• REPENT• CONFESS• BE BAPTIZED