Sermon Tone Analysis

*What does a Christian look like?*

1 John 2:3-6

 

So – what does a Christian look like?

*SLIDE*

Can you pick out a Christian from a crowd?

*SLIDE*

What does one see in a Christian?

*SLIDE – GET OUT OF HELL FREE CARD*

Well, I believe all the right stuff.

\\ I’ve said all the right words.

\\ I’ve prayed all the right prayers.

\\  So I got all I want from Christianity.

\\ \\

So is this the mark of follower of Jesus?

Is salvation a get out of hell fee card?

Is avoiding hell salvation?

If this is all there is to being a Christian and \\ If we don’t care for church- we dislike worship, don’t like to pray, etc., \\ \\ I image heaven will be quite miserable

* *

*SLIDE - BLIDERS*

How about Christian who goes through life with blinders on.

\\ Believes in Jesus – got his get out of Hell Free Card \\ \\ Living a cozy life – not aware of what is happening to his neighbor \\ \\ Live safely and not venturing into any confrontation \\ \\ Attend all the services – even tend nursery or do kid’s church, \\ \\ Do good things in the community – \\ \\ Not a bad person- “I’ve never hurt any body – its not like I’m thief or a murderer or anything.

The word “Christian has many cogitations depending on your perspective: \\ Muslim \\ Atheist \\ Agnostic \\ Don’t like that word – “Christian”  Let’s use the phrase, “followers of Jesus” or “Christ Followers.”

Does the world say, “There goes a Christian” when they see you?

And how do you know if you are aChristian?

\\ Did you say the right words?

\\ Do you do good things?

\\ Perhaps because you are just a nice person?

I guess the important question to ask – what does God see?

What does the Bible say?

 

*SLIDE – 1 JOHN 2:3-6*

1 John 2:3-6

3 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.

4 The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

5 But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him.

This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

NIV

 

*SLIDE_ We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.*

* *

A mark of a follower of Jesus is knowing Him.

\\ Do you know Jesus?

Not knowing About Jesus, but knowing Him personally.

\\ Big difference between knowing about someone and knowing them personally.

\\ \\ I know Ellen – and a lot more than just about her \\ I know about Jimmy Dolittle – but never met the man

 

How do we know Jesus?

*If we obey His commands?*

As we obey him – lives are changed \\ – there are miraculous changes in lives that occur overnight \\ - Mostly there are changes that occur over time as Jesus is followed

 

Obedience produces change

 

A man from the back mountains of Tennessee found himself one day in a large city for the first time standing outside an elevator.

He watched as an old, haggard woman hobbled on, and the doors closed.

A few minutes later the doors opened and a young, attractive woman marched smartly off.

The father hollered to his youngest son, "Billy, go get your mother."

*SLIDE John 14:15*

 

"If you love me, you will obey what I command.

NIV

 

! SLIDE John 14:21-24

21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me.

He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

\\ \\ 22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?" \\ \\ 23 Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.

My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

24 He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.

These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

\\ NIV

\\ *SLIDE- NAUGHTY KID*

As a parent with some naught kids – I can very well understand these commands

 

*SLIDE **John 15:10-13      Jesus Sets the Example*

10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.

11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

NIV

* *

*SLIDE – 1 JOHN 2:4*

*The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.*

Liar – a pretty rough term

 

Matt 7: 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

NIV

 

We should be examining our own fruit – are we producing fruit that comes with obedience?

*SLIDE Matt 7:21-23*

21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?'

23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you.

Away from me, you evildoers!'

NIV

 

I have come across people who would almost boast to me about how they USED to be a Sunday School teacher, but now when you look at them, they are not even a part of a local Church.

\\ We have more information in the public about the problems drugs, tobacco, alcohol and sexually transmitted diseases, yet the knowledge of these bad things in themselves does not change much as far as behavior, there needs to be more to change a life.

Why in the world would a person even consider starting to smoke, or take that first hit of meth?

People continue to search for a God of comfort only, \\ one that makes little or no demands, \\ and one that they can take out of the closet of their minds for the sake of convenience.

\\ They want a god that will serve them, \\ rather than repenting and yielding in obedience to Him whom Jesus Christ has revealed.

*SLIDE – 1 JOHN 2:5*

*5 But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him.*

Some Translations will have – “Love of God”

God’ love – or – our love for God  - either way and both

 

As we go about obeying the word of God, \\ we learn of Him – \\ He works through us \\ Others see Him in us \\ We love Him more \\ His love is perfected in us.

There is an old hymn         byRev.

J. H. Sammis

 

When we walk with the Lord

in the light of His Word,

what a glory He sheds on our way!

While we do His good will

He abides with us still,

and with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey—for there’s no other way

to be happy in Jesus—but to trust and obey

*SLIDE – 1 JOHN 2:6*

*This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.*