RESPONSIBILITIES OF BEING A CHRISTIAN
IN THE 20TH CENTURY

Bob Beadling

(Bob is a relatively new Christian, I baptized him a few years ago, but it was due to the influence of his Christian wife, Jennifer,  that he was being baptize. Since his baptism he has preached every opportunity afforded him. He has filled in for me while I have been on vacation. So I thought it only proper to encourage him to enter into cyberspace and fill in for me while I am on vacation again. Bob now lives in South Carolina so he can only fill in this time in cyberspace.)

Responsibilities of A Christian:

* As a person.
*As a teacher,
*As a parent.
*As a role model.

It's hard to conceive, even as a Christian, that a collection of 66 books that were written by so many different people, at so many different times in so many different locations so long ago could be the source for direction, guidance and proper living in this day and time. If we take a little time to read and study we can learn what the collection of biblical writers teach us about the responsibilities of being a Christian and we can also understand that the cohesion we see throughout the Bible is a result of the fact that although there were multiple writers, there was but one author.

I. What does the Bible teach us about the responsibilities of being a Christian as a person?

1. That we are his and should give to him unconditionally.

Jeremiah 24:7 'Then I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart.

2. That we should be content with what we have and not covet what other's have.

Hebrews 13:5

"Let your conduct be without covetousness, and be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

It does not matter to God if you have a dollar or a million dollars, when you are born in Christ you have his love forever.

3. That we are to love our neighbor.

Matthew 5:43 "You have heard that it was said 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy."

Romans 13:8-10 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, " You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet" and if there is any other commandment, are all surely summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

1 John 2:10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.

1 Peter 1:22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth the spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart.

The love and respect you give to God and your fellow man, or woman is obviously strongly regarded by God and should be automatic not forced and unnatural.

Jesus summed up the law in 2 commandments, love the Lord your God with all your heart and Love your neighbor as yourself

II. What does the Bible tell us about the responsibilities of teaching the Word of God?

Teaching the word of God bears a set of responsibilities all their own.

If you are not completely knowledgeable with the Bible you have to wonder if you are properly understanding the meanings of the scripture you are quoting. Since you have been given the responsibility of guiding the minds of your brothers and sisters you always have some apprehensions about being correct. The Bible can give you direction but only God can hear you when you pray that your saying the right thing and that you hope the congregation can't see you sweat.

1. That we are to teach others so that they may grow spiritually.

Romans 15:2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.

(To instruct so as to encourage moral improvement.)

Colossians 1:28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

2. He teaches us that our teachings should be accurate and beyond reproach the Bible also gives us examples of the wrong manner of teachings.

Titus 1:11 Whose mouth must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teachings things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. (does this bring to mind any televangelists?)

3. He tells us our teachings should not be limited in range but we should carry the word of God wherever we go for the salvation of all.

Mark 16:15 -16 And he said to them, " Go into all the world and preach the gospel

to every creature. 16 he who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned."

4. He tells us that we should teach from our hearts, and not just with words.

Colossians 2:16-17 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

The Bible teaches us that God through Jesus was the greatest teacher of all. The examples of his teaching, from his disciples asking him to teach them how to pray to his teachings through parables, are the guidelines we need for proper Christian lives.

III . What does the Bible tell us about being a Christian parent?

Being a parent involves more than just changing diapers, and being a Christian parent involves more than just bringing you children to church on Sunday.

Being a good Christian parent involves a positive home life, home study Bible teaching that get the children actively involved and interest in your child's prayer time. If in our active lifestyles this falls through the cracks, we need to ask ourselves where our priorities lie. Do our actions reflect that spiritual education is as important as secular education?

1. That we should never give up on a child, no matter what.

Luke 15:32 "it was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found." (The parable of the lost son.)

2. That patience and understanding are a must.

Luke 15:31 "And he said to him, 'son you are always with me, and all that I have is yours." (The parable of the lost son to the son who remained home.)

3. That you must give your child proper scriptural knowledge to carry with them.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

4. That you must teach your child respect and respect your child in turn.

Ephesians 6:1-4 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 "Honor thy father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise: 3 "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth." 4 And you, fathers do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training of the Lord.

5. That children are special to the Lord and should be taught that they are special in God's eyes.

Psalms 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is his reward.

Matthew 18:1-6 At the time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" And Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. "therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven and whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives me. " But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea."

Just as we need to be nurtured as a child when we become new Christians or as we work with new Christians, so we should also nurture a child who will become a Christian.

IV. What does the Bible tell us about being a model for fellow and future Christians?

Just as the apostles had the Lord Jesus Christ to look up to and follow, people in the community who are on the edge of spiritual enlightenment need to know that the decision to go to God is the right one, and need to have a role model to emulate at the beginning of their path.

1. That we are people that are and will be looked up to. We must lead by example.

1 Peter 5:1-5 The elders who are among you I exhort, I am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by constraint but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

John 13:14-15

"If I then, your lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done for you.

2. That we should do good works and be proud of them.

Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven."

3. That we should always be mindful of our words and actions.

Ephesians 5:18-19 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in you heart to the Lord.

1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

My wife always says that if people have to guess, or are surprised to learn that you are a Christian then you are doing something wrong. The Bible gives you all that is necessary to learn to do every thing right, but as Jesus was in fact the only perfect man you will fall short some times and then remember the following verses.

1 Peter 4:16. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. If you are suffering as a Christian or have decided today to bear the responsibilities involved then please come forward now.

Conclusion:

Thank you.