FOM Notes

What Is Christian?
Part 1 of 3 in the series “One Way”

September 6, 2009 Pastor Scott Oldenburgh

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6

THE ESSENTIALS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH

· A(dmit) and r(epent)

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.”

John 1:8

“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’ ”

Acts 2:38

· A(sk)

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:9

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”

Revelation 3:20

· T(ruth) and f(aith)

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Ephesians 2:8-9

“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Romans 10:9

A Denominational Reality à While the essentials are non-negotiable, they are practiced through a variety of (traditions) (i.e. – (money))

Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist, Assembly of God, Episcopal, Pentecostal, Adventist, Bible, Church of Christ, Evangelical, Church of God, Non-Denominational*, Catholic*, etc . . .

DENOMINATIONAL CAUTIONS

ê It is fully possible for someone to go to church and never become a (Christian)

ê No denomination is going to be (right) about everything

ê When the titles of our denominations put us in (opposition) to one another, something is wrong

ê When tradition overtakes God’s (movement) there is a problem

A PEOPLE TRUTH

Statistics tell us that (70) % of people consider themselves to be Christians

If that statistic is accurate then there are approximately:

(15,000) people in Mansfield that need to be reached

(2,000) people in Kennedale that need to be reached

(60,000) people in South Arlington that need to be reached

The Mission For All Churches à There are enough (people) for every church to reach its capacity!

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

John 3:16-17