TITLE:  A Christian Is - -
TEXT:  1 Peter 4:15-17
PROPOSITION:  The Bible defines who is a Christian.
QUESTION:  What?
KEY WORD:  Qualities
SCRIPTURE READING:  Same

INTRODUCTION:

1. The term “Christian” is used in many ways today.
2. Most of these uses are wrong.
3. Word only used 3 times in Bible.
   1. Text – 1 Peter 4:16 – suffer as a C.
   2. Acts 11:26 – disciples called C first at Antioch
   3. Acts 26:28 – almost persuaded to be a C.

A CHRISTIAN IS:

A DISCIPLE

1. Acts 11:26 – Disciples called Christians first at Antioch
   1. Disciple = learner, pupil, student
   2. Most often used in religious sense
2. Not a disciple through dreams, visions, direct operation of HS
3. A disciple is a follower of Christ
   1. 1 Peter 2:21 – He left an example for us to follow
   2. The standard for conduct is NOT – world, law of Moses, philosophy

PERSUADED

1. Acts 26:28 – almost persuaded – is not enough
2. Persuaded that he can live the Christian life
   1. Denial of self – Matthew 16:24-26
   2. Love God above all – Luke 14:26-29
   3. Sacrifice anything that stands in the way – Philippians 2:7-8
3. Some are hard to persuade
   1. Many are just not interested
   2. Many are confused by all the contradictions
   3. Some are “set in their way”
   4. Some have emotional ties and won’t move when shown what is right

WILLING TO SUFFER

1. 1 Peter 4:15-16 – Don’t suffer for doing wrong, be willing to suffer for right
2. Suffering is all around us
   1. Suffering caused by physical world – disease and death
   2. Suffering caused by sinful living – foolish choices, doing evil
   3. Suffering caused by doing God’s will – 2 Timothy 3:12
3. We must be willing to suffer for our Lord – Acts 5:41

NOT ASHAMED

1. 1 Peter 4:16 – We must be ashamed of being a Christian
2. Mark 8:38 – Not ashamed of the word of Christ
3. Romans 1:16 – Not ashamed of the gospel

GLORIFES GOD

1. 1 Peter 4:16 – Glorify God in this name
2. Glorify God by:
   1. Being a disciple
   2. Worshiping – praising – praying
   3. Living a moral life

CONCLUSION:

1. Are you a Christian?
2. Is today the day you decide to put on Christ?