I am a Christian because… – Audio

SPEAKER 02 : 0:00

Have you ever really thought about the word Christian? Why should one become a Christian? Today, we’re going to consider the statement, I am a Christian because… and we’ll fill in the blank. That’s coming up on the International Gospel Hour broadcast. Stay with us.

SPEAKER 03 : 0:23

Hi, this is Jay Webb for International Gospel Hour. For 90 years, churches of Christ have proclaimed God’s Word through International Gospel Hour. You are about to listen to another Bible-based lesson with Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour, starting now.

SPEAKER 02 : 0:46

Well, greetings to everyone, and we appreciate you being with us today. We’re grateful for our listening audience. We’re thankful to hear from so many of you from time to time. As a matter of fact, if you or as you are listening to our broadcast, let me give you our toll-free number at 855-444-6988. just give us a quick call and let us know where you’re listening to our broadcast. We’d love to know where our listeners are calling from. Just give us a call. Tell us the radio station, if you would, or maybe the podcast site of which you’re listening to our program. You can hear us over 30 to 35 different podcast platforms. And so if you’re into podcasting, keep listening to us right here where you listen to our broadcasts. But if you’re unable to listen to us here, then we’re available 24-7 there at your favorite podcast platform. Friends, let’s ask the question again. Have you ever really thought about the word Christian? The word is mentioned three times in the Scriptures, in Acts 11 and verse 26, where the disciples were called Christians, first at Antioch. In Acts 26 and 28, when Agrippa told Paul, almost you persuade me to be a Christian. And in 1 Peter 4 and verse 16, Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but rather let him glorify God on his behalf. The word Christian simply signifies an inherent of Jesus, one who follows Christ. We recall the prophecy of Isaiah in Isaiah 62 and verse 2 where the Gentiles shall see your righteousness and all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name which the mouth of the Lord will name. Our passages with the word Christian. Reflect the time the Gentiles were obedient to the gospel, and indeed for the great commission to continue throughout all the world. Matthew 28, 19, Mark 16, 15, and 16, Luke 24, 44-47, and John 20, 21-23. Let’s continue some thought about the word Christian. If I were to be asked why I am a Christian, I certainly need to be ready with an answer. For as Peter said in 1 Peter 3.15, But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. To be ready to give a defense or an answer. To be able to respond appropriately. Why I am a Christian. Well, we’re going to consider that in a few moments. We’re going to talk about I am a Christian because… But before we do that, we’ve got a very special periodical giveaway. Absolutely free from here at International Gospel Hour. And here is our Jay Webb with the details.

SPEAKER 03 : 3:52

Courtesy of our friends at ApologeticsPress.org, we at International Gospel Hour have a limited supply of Valor and Virtue, a Christian apologetics magazine for teens. It is a great resource for any age, but especially for the challenging teen years. Get your free copy today by calling toll-free at 855-444-6988. Leave your name and address and just say Valor. That’s it. Again, that’s 855-444-6988. Leave your name and address and just say Valor. You can also request it through our website at internationalgospelhour.com. Click on the contact tab and leave us your name and address and put Valor in the message box. We will send you a copy while supplies last. So get yours quickly.

SPEAKER 02 : 4:45

I am a Christian, friends, because Jesus is the Son of God. No one else can make that claim. In Matthew 16, verses 16 and 17, when Jesus was asking, Who do people say that I am? Well, they were reasoning with him that some say you are Elijah, some say Jeremiah or one of the prophets. But then when he asked, But whom do you say that I am? Peter said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. And the answer from Jesus in Matthew 16, 17 was, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father which is in heaven. Then Jesus went on to promise to build his church. And how the things bound on earth would be bound in heaven, and loosed on earth would be loosed in heaven. The authority would come from Christ, the Son of God. In Acts 8 and verse 37, what was the confession the eunuch made? I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and then he was baptized into Jesus Christ. In Matthew 27 and verse 54, the declarative words of the centurion, Truly this was the Son of God. You think about a centurion with authority and to make that statement? Absolutely amazing. Friends, do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God? Are you willing to allow that belief to move you toward Christ? This is one reason I am a Christian. And we regrettably live in a world today where less and less people embrace the authority of Jesus Christ. The world throughout the years has continued to come against Him in many ways. We have stood. We have spoken. Maybe we’re not speaking loud enough. But we, or rather I am a Christian, and anyone should be a Christian because Jesus is the Son of God. On Him we will trust. Second, I am a Christian because of the love that I have with and for other Christians. In John 13, 35, Jesus said, By this shall all men know you are my disciples, if you have love one for another. And in Hebrews 13, verse 1, the Hebrew writer simply said, Let brotherly love continue. Friends, there is a relationship of fellow Christians. I love to assemble with the church, and I love to see fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. And I think of some of my lowest moments in life when they were with me, and my highest moments of rejoice when they are with me. To be brothers and sisters in Christ is a fellowship that is reserved only for the Christian. And we are able to help one another. When there are individuals that say, give me Jesus but not the church, they’re going to miss it all. You can’t do it that way. The story is told of a horse pulling contest where the first place horse moved a sled weighing 4,500 pounds. The runner up pulled 4,000 pounds. So the owners of the two horses wondered how much they could pull together. So they put the first and second place horse together and found out they could pull 12,000 pounds. Now you would think if one pulled 45 and one pulled 4,000, well they could pull 8,500. Not only that, but even more. Which shows us how it is a need to team up with one another. I am a Christian because of the love that I have with and for other Christians who And that tells me how important the church is. Those who are the called out assembly. Individuals that are called through the gospel. 2 Thessalonians 2 and verse 14. Individuals that do not join the New Testament church, but they are added to the church upon their obedience to the gospel. Acts 2 verses 37 through 47. Dear friends, thirdly, I am a Christian because I have assurance of my obedience. not upon the good works that I have done, but because of the salvation that I place my trust in Christ. Friends, when I understand that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God, Romans 10, 17, would it not stand to reason that I would go to the Word of God to see faith? how I need to obey the Christ and His death upon the cross. My faith then brings me, of course, to believing in Christ. Is it enough just to believe only? Friends, we would submit to you in light of Scripture, no, because there were those that believed in Him in John 12, 42 and 43, but they failed to confess Him. Would their faith alone be a saving faith? What about the demons in James 2 and verse 19? James says you believe there is one God, you do well. The devils believe and tremble. And James is bringing forth there that your faith should move you in obedience. Jesus commanded repentance and if I believe in Christ and I’m going to believe in his teaching of Luke 13, 3 and 5, I’m also going to confess him as he commanded in Matthew 10, 32 and 33. And I’m going to be baptized into Christ because Jesus did teach in Mark 16, 16, He that believes and is baptized shall be saved. It is amazing how we can discuss such elements as faith, repentance, and confession and never get any kind of reply against it. But when you mention baptism and its necessity as the scriptures teach, it is amazing how people rise up against that. But friends, I can only go by the words of Christ. In Mark 16, 16, and the teaching of Peter in Acts 2 in verse 38, and 1 Peter 3, 21, and the teaching of Paul in Romans 6, 3-6. And then I need to embrace the words of John in 1 John 1, 7-10. To walk in the light as he is in the light. That is an assurance that we can have. Friends, do you have that assurance? Do you have the assurance that that you are obedient to Christ and you’re a Christian. Very quickly, here is our J-Web with our Bible study course by mail.

SPEAKER 03 : 11:37

Our well-received Bible study course by mail is available to everyone absolutely free. Would you like to try it? All you do is call us toll-free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name, address, and just say, Home Study. That’s it. That’s all you have to do. You may also go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com. Click on the Contact tab and leave us the same information, name, address, and type Home Study in the message box. At your own pace, you can study the Bible in your own home. Again, it’s free. Give it a try. And it’s from your friends here at International Gospel Hour.

SPEAKER 02 : 12:16

Friends, let us help you in your decision to become a Christian with our Bible study course, and we’ll mail that to you very quickly. But for now, I’m so glad you joined me for our study today from here, from the International Gospel Hour. Thank you and join me again very soon. I’m Jeff Archie, and friends, keep listening.

SPEAKER 03 : 12:37

God be with you till we meet again.