How Does One Become a Christian?

How Does One Become a Christian?
February 12, 2006
Introduction

WRITTEN BY A 12 YEAR-OLD-GIRL in Boston

Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule.
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.
If Scripture now the class recites
It violates the Bill of Rights.
Anytime my head I bow
Becomes a federal matter now.
The law is specific; the law is precise.
Praying out loud is no longer nice.
Praying aloud in a public hall
Upsets those who believe in nothing at all.
In silence alone we can meditate
And if God should get the credit-great!
They are bringing their guns; I don't dare bring my Bible,
To do so, might make me liable.
So, now Oh Lord, this plea I make;
Should I be shot in school, My soul please take.

This morning, we will not be dealing with the problem of guns, or violence, but we do want to look at the last statement of this 12 year old girl, “Should I be shot in school, My soul please take.” What is her hope, or what is our hope that the Lord will take and keep our souls when it comes our time to die, no matter how we die?

This morning, we want to take a look at two things. (1) What do I need to do to become a Christian, and (2) How am I to live once I become a Christian?

Body

I. To Answer the question of what it takes to enter the kingdom of God, let’s consider Jesus answer to Nicodemus.

(John 3:1-6 NKJV) "There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. {2} This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." {3} Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." {4} Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" {5} Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. {6} "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."
A. What does it mean to be born again?

1. It means to born of water -- That’s baptism -- being immersed -- placed under water.

B. Jesus meant a change on the inside with evidence of the change on the outside.

(John 3:7-8 NKJV) ""Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' {8} "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

1. There needs to be a changed life on the outside to witness to the change on the inside.

2. The changed life comes about because of true repentance.

(2 Cor 7:10 NKJV) "For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death."

3. Peter also spoke of the need of change--the need of repentance.

(Acts 3:19 NKJV) ""Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,"

II. Baptism has two very important parts as they merge together to be true baptism.

A. There must be the repentance and the willingness to change our lives and to do God's will. (of the Spirit) (John 3:5) Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

B. There must be the willingness to be baptized in water.

1. Paul speaks of baptism as a burial.

(Rom 6:1-6 NKJV) "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? {2} Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? {3} Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? {4} Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. {5} For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, {6} knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin."

C. Baptism is a burial, but how did we die?

1. We die voluntarily -- we choose to leave a life of sin.

(Acts 3:19 NKJV) ""Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,"

(2 Cor 7:10 NKJV) "For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death."

2. It doesn’t mean that we will live a perfect life and never sin.

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

3. On the other hand, it doesn’t mean that we are to be unconcerned about sinning since we cannot be perfect.

1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

4. Being baptized in water is our way of publicly proclaiming our desire to be a Christian and to live the Christian life.

I compare it to getting married. Most people who get married want a church marriage. You’re married in front of everyone. Baptism is similar: It is a public declaration that you want to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Like marriage, it is a way of showing commitment.

III. Once baptized, we are “raised to walk in newness of life.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

A. What kind of new life are we talking about?

(Eph 4:22-32 NKJV) "that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, {23} and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, {24} and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. {25} Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another. {26} "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, {27} nor give place to the devil. {28} Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. {29} Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. {30} And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. {31} Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. {32} And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you."

B. Jesus wants a committed life -- not a lukewarm devotion.

Revelation 3:16 “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

1. I’ve often heard coaches say they want their players to give 110%. -- As a math teacher, that always bothered me since 100% is absolutely all you have.
2. The Lord wants 100%-- He wants our all--He wants our commitment.

Conclusion

I. Today, you can become a Christian if you understand that Jesus Christ was and is the Son of God.

A. If you are willing to make that good confession before these witnesses
B. If you’re willing to die to the life you’ve been living, and you want to live God’s way.
C. Then truly -- you will be in good hands -- You won’t have to worry about an insurance company here on earth-- You’ll be in God’s hands, and in God’s favor.

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