WHY BE A CHRISTIAN?
By David J. Riggs
Intro.
A. Most people think if you have money, you have all the
advantages in life. The disciples so thought - Mark 10:23-27.
B. Jesus showed that riches can be a distinct disadvantage - Mark
10:23-31.
C. We want to show that the real advantages in this life are to
those who are following Christ.
I. Our Faith and Hope are in God.
A. 1 Pet. 1:20-21
1. We believe we are made in the image of God. Gen. 1:26-27.
We will give an account to our Maker.
2. Believing that man evolved from animals (organic evolution)
doesn't give man much dignity.
B. We continue to build on our faith - Jude 20-21.
II. An Inward Satisfaction.
A. There is a personal satisfaction in knowing we are what God
wants us to be.
1. God wants all to honor His Son. John 5:22-23
2. We do this by wearing His name, becoming Christians. Acts
11:26; 1 Pet. 4:16; Acts 26:28-29.
3. Our inward spirits bear witness with the H.S. that we are
children of God. Rom. 8:16-17. Our spirits testify that we
have done what the H.S. revealed.
B. There is something very gratifying in the inner-self in knowing
that we are pleasing to our Creator.
III. Forgiveness of Sins.
A. One must receive remission of sins before he can become a
Christian in the first place.
1. John 8:24 - Many will die in their sins - but they don't
need to.
B. Christians continue to have the blessings of forgiveness. 1
John 1:9; 2:1-2; Acts 8:22
C. Think of the great relief to know that every sin we've ever
committed has been forgiven.
IV. The Blessing of Prayer.
A. There is help in time of need. Heb. 4:16; 10:21-22
1. It is the Christian that has access to the Father. Eph.
2:18
B. Would the person who fails to honor the Son by becoming a
Christian have access? Prov. 28:9
V. An Inner Joy.
A. 1 Pet. 1:8 - "Joy inexpressible" words cannot describe it, nor
can it be exhausted with words. One must experience it for
himself. "And full of glory" - full of honor and praise,
having a sense of dignity and greatness.
B. 1 Pet. 2:3-5 - "have tasted" - since you have experienced the
delights of the Lord, continue to come to Him.
VI. A Blessing to Society.
A. Christians are like salt and light. Matt. 5:13-16
B. Employers have learned that Christians make better employees.
1. If you were hiring someone, would you rather have a
Christian or a worldly person working for you?
VII. Able to Cope with Hardships.
A. There is a certain amount of adversity and hardship that comes
to all. Eccl. 9:11-12; Job 14:1-2
B. The Christian can have an inward peace. Phil. 4:6-7
C. One of the messages of the book of Revelation is that when God
brings plagues upon the wicked, it will not hurt those who have
the seal of God in their foreheads.
VIII. Membership in a Local Congregation.
A. Here we study God's word and increase our knowledge in His
will.
B. Here we have help and encouragement toward a common goal.
C. There are some members in the local churches who are
hypocrites, but also there are some of the best people in the
world.
IX. Makes a Better Family Member.
A. A Christian makes a better husband, wife, father, or mother.
B. Generally, children of Christian parents are better children.
C. No greater heritage can be passed down, than Christianity.
X. Manifold Blessings in this Life.
A. Mark 10:29-30
B. Matt. 7:7-11
XI. Because of the Heavenly Reward.
A. In the age to come, eternal life. Mark 10:30
B. Everlasting joy. Rev. 21:4
C. The reward will far outweigh the price. Rom. 8:18; 2 Cor. 4:16
1. There remains a rest for the people of God. Heb. 4:9-11
XII. To Avoid Eternal Punishment.
A. Jesus solemnly warned against it. Mark 9:43-48; Luke 12:3-4.
B. There is a great day of wrath coming when the adversaries will
be destroyed. Rom. 2:5; 1 Thess. 1:10
C. We are to fear. Heb. 10:31
1. The fear of the Lord causes one to depart from evil. Prov.
16:6
Concl.
A. Are there advantages to being a Christian? Yes, Many! It pays
to be a Christian.
1. Let us avail ourselves of the blessings.
B. None of these blessings can be yours unless you are a
Christian.
1. You must be baptized into Christ. Gal. 3:26-27; Rom. 6:3-4
C. Let us who are Christians remain steadfast so that we can
continue to enjoy the blessings. 1 John 1:7; 1 Cor. 15:58
Chart
Why Be A Christian?
Our Faith and Hope are in God
An Inward Satisfaction
Forgiveness of Sins
The Blessing of Prayer
An Inner Joy
A Blessing to Society
Able to Cope with Hardships
Membership in a Local Congregation
Makes a Better Family Member
Manifold Blessings in this Life
Because of the Heavenly Reward
To Avoid Eternal Punishment