Historical Posts
Come and Go Christians
Come and Go Christians are Indefensible.
I have real trouble understanding the “revolving door mentality” which seems to pervade the thinking of so many. I refer to these people as “come and go Christians”. I see it all the time, and everywhere I go. The “turnover” in congregational membership is astonishing. Please know that I do not have in mind those who, after much thought and prayer, leave one congregation for another for just cause. I’m more concerned with those who move from congregation to congregation (or sometimes church to church), always critical of the last place they were, and soon to be critical of where they are now.
I’m just as puzzled by those who seem to be conscientious, but then over time fade to the sidelines and eventually are altogether gone. These folks no longer have an interest in spiritual matters and the salvation of their souls. To what do we attribute this mindset of “come and go Christians”?
Some folks have an unrealistic and hypercritical attitude! They are looking for the perfect church, but given that the church is made up of imperfect people, their search is never satisfied. Even if a perfect church existed, she would cease to be such the moment these hypercritical Christians identified with her!
Some folks have a mistaken view of what the church ought to be. They are searching for someone to raise their kids, plan their social calendar, tickle their ears, and satisfy their desirers. Rather than nourish the soul, they want the church to cater to their personal desires. When they don’t find what they want, they become “come and go Christians”.
Some folks make up their mind about what the church should be and do, how God ought to be worshiped, and what ought to be taught and practiced from the pulpit, without ever consulting the word of God. “I think” carries greater weight with them than “God says.” Yet, God is to be worshiped in “spirit and truth” (John 4:24). The word (Bible) is to be preached (2 Timothy 4:2). God, not men, is to be pleased (Galatians 1:10).
Some folks are not converted to start with. They go through the motions as long as mom and dad, or grandma and grandpa are around, but as soon as they are out of the picture, they are gone, too! Demas is not the only one whose attraction to the world caused him to forsake the church (2 Timothy 4:9).
The Bible is very clear regarding the need for faithfulness. Faithful does not mean sinless. We are not perfect, but we can be faithful. Paul charged the Christians at Corinth: “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). The attitude of “come and go christians” seen so often in religion is indefensible. That same philosophy, if adopted at work would soon lead to the loss of employment. In the church, it can lead to the loss of the soul!
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Galatians 01:11-24 Paul’s Remarkable Conversion – powerpoint
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Galatians-01-11-24-Pauls-Remarkable-Conversion.pdf
Galatians-01-11-24-Pauls-Remarkable-Conversion.pptx
Text: Galatians 1:11-24
Introduction
1. In writing to the churches in Galatia, Paul set out to prove that
a. His apostleship came from Jesus, not man – Galatians 1:1
b. His gospel came by revelation from Jesus, not man – Galatians 1:11-12
2. In doing so, he revealed remarkable facts about his conversion
a. Which not only substantiates his claims regarding his gospel and apostleship
b. But also provides evidence for our faith in Jesus as the Son of God
3. The latter half of the first chapter of Galatians reveals pertinent facts concerning Paul
Body
I. BEFORE AND AFTER HIS CONVERSION
A. BEFORE HIS CONVERSION
1. He persecuted the church – Galatians 1:13
a. In Jerusalem – Acts 8:1-3
b. And beyond – Acts 9:1-2
c. Something he believed he ought to do – Acts 26:9-11
2. He was advancing in Judaism – Galatians 1:14
a. As a scholar, trained at the feet of Gamaliel – Acts 22:3; cf. 5:34
b. In social standing, advancing beyond many of his contemporaries
1) Holding positions of religious power – Acts 26:12
2) Which likely included access to financial power
c. He was on the ‘fast track’ of success among his peers!
3. He was zealous for his ancestral and religious traditions – Galatians 1:14
a. Proud to be a Hebrew – Philippians 3:4-5
b. Proud to be a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee – Philippians 3:5; Acts 23:6
1) A conservative sect of the Jews – Acts 26:4-5
2) Noted for their opposition to Jesus during His ministry Matthew 12:14
c. With such a religious background, he was naturally prejudiced against Jesus – Acts 26:9
B. AFTER HIS CONVERSION
1. He had limited contact with the apostles – Galatians 1:15-20
a. He did not see them for three years after his conversion
b. Even then, it was for was for just fifteen days – cf. Acts 9:26-30
c. Even then, he saw only Peter, and James the Lord’s brother
2. He was unknown by face to the churches of Judea – Galatians 1:21-24
a. He spent ten years in Syria and Cilicia – cf. Acts 9:30
b. Those in Judea only heard about him
c. Though they came to glorify God in him – cf. Acts 9:31
II. EXPLANATIONS FOR HIS CONVERSION
A. PERHAPS THERE WAS AN ULTERIOR MOTIVE
1. Could it have been wealth?
a. He had that with the Jews
b. He left it for the poverty of following Christ – 1 Corinthians 4:11-12; Acts 20:33-34
2. Could it have been fame?
a. He had that with the Jews
b. Consider what he experienced as a Christian – 1 Corinthians 4:10,13
1) Regarded as foolish and weak, even by other Christians
2) Viewed as the filth of the world by those in the world
3. Could it have been power?
a. He had that with the Jews
b. Compare this with what he suffered as a Christian – 2 Corinthians 11:24-28
4. Indeed, no ulterior motive can be found to explain Paul’s conversion
B. PERHAPS HE WAS DECEIVED
1. Then who deceived him?
a. Friends would not, for he was their champion against the Christians
b. Christians could not, because of his persecution against them
1) Putting them into prison, chasing them into other towns – Acts 8:3; 9:1-2
2) Even after his conversion, many feared him – cf. Acts 9:26
2. His testimony does not allow for the possibility of deception
a. He claimed to receive his gospel from Jesus, not man – Galatians 1:11-12
b. He claimed to see Jesus raised from the dead – 1 Corinthians 15:8
3. The empirical nature of his testimony precludes the possibility of deception
C. PERHAPS HE WAS MAD
1. Such was the conclusion of Festus, the governor – Acts 26:24
2. Others have tried to explain his conversion in psychological terms
a. That his intense persecution of Christians gave him a guilt-ridden conscience
b. That combined with the heat on the road to Damascus, he became delirious and only thought he saw Jesus!
3. Yet consider the testimony of Paul
a. He had a clear conscience regarding persecuting the Christians – Acts 23:1
1) It was something he thought he should do – Acts 26:9
2) He did it out of ignorance, for which he knew he received mercy – 1 Timothy 1:13
b. He said he saw Jesus more than once
1) Not just on the road to Damascus!
2) But on other occasions as well – Acts 18:9-10; 22:17-21; 23:11; 2 Corinthians 12:8-9
4. Read his epistles, do they seem like letters written by a mad man?
D. THE ONLY PLAUSIBLE EXPLANATION: HE SAW JESUS!
1. The explanation given by Paul himself
a. Before the Jerusalem mob – Acts 22:1-16
b. Before King Agrippa and Festus the governor – cf. Acts 26:12-23
2. It is the only explanation that explains his conversion
a. Why he was willing to forego wealth, fame, and power
b. Why he was willing to suffer poverty, shame, and persecution
3. As he said “I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision…” – Acts 26:19
Conclusion
1. “Paul’s Remarkable Conversion” is best explained by
a. His own testimony that it was the resurrected Jesus who appeared to him
b. Not once, but continuously throughout the rest of his life
c. Serving as one of the greatest evidences for the resurrection of Jesus!
2. What will you do with Paul’s remarkable conversion?
a. If you do not yet believe in Jesus, may it spark further investigation into the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ!
b. If you already believe in Jesus, may it move you to glorify God! – Galatians 1:24
3. One of the best ways to glorify God is to give heed to the words of His servant Paul
a. Who would have us come to know and obey the One he saw on the road to Damascus
b. Who has written of the true life and liberty that Jesus offers to all who believe and obey
4. Through such evidence as Paul’s remarkable conversion, God has given testimony to the resurrection of Jesus. Have you responded to this evidence with the obedience of faith?
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Galatians 01:13-14 Conversion of Saul
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Text: Galatians 1:13-14
Introduction
1. Fundamental to the Christian faith is the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…
a. If Christ was not raised, our faith is in vain – cf. 1 Corinthians 15:14, 17
b. If Christ was not raised, the apostles were liars – cf. 1 Corinthians 15:15
2. One evidence for the resurrection is the transformation that took place in the lives of those who knew Jesus…
3. An amazing transformation that took place was that in the conversion of Saul of Tarsus…
a. A devout Pharisee, persecutor of Christians
b. Who became Paul the apostle, persecuted by his Jewish brethren
Body
I. SAUL’S FORMER MANNER OF LIFE
A. HE PERSECUTED THE CHURCH…
1. In Jerusalem – Acts 8:1-3
2. And beyond – Acts 9:1-2
— Something he believed he ought to do – Acts 26:9-11
B. HE WAS ADVANCING IN JUDAISM…
1. As a scholar, trained at the feet of Gamaliel – Acts 22:3; 5:34
2. In social standing, advancing beyond many of his contemporaries
a. Holding positions of religious power – cf. Acts 26:12
b. Which likely included access to financial power
C. HE WAS ZEALOUS FOR HIS TRADITIONS…
1. Proud to be a Hebrew – Philippians 3:4-5
2. Proud to be a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee – cf. Acts 23:6
a. A conservative sect of the Jews
b. Noted for their opposition to Jesus during His ministry- Matthew 12:14
— With such a religious background, he was naturally prejudiced – Acts 26:9
[Yet this prejudiced, prominent Pharisee, fierce in his opposition to Jesus and His church, became one of the most influential Christians of all time. How did this happen? Let’s examine several…]
II. SAUL’S CONVERSION
A. PERHAPS THERE WAS AN ULTERIOR MOTIVE…
1. Could it have been wealth?
a. He had that with the Jews
b. He left it for the poverty of following Christ – cf. 1 Corinthians 4:11-12; Acts 20:33-34
2. Could it have been fame?
a. He had that with the Jews
b. Consider what he experienced as a Christian – cf. 1 Corinthians 4:10, 13
1) Regarded as foolish and weak, even by other Christians
2) Viewed as the filth of the world by those in the world
3. Could it have been power?
a. He had this with the Jews
b. Compare this with what he suffered as a Christian – cf. 2 Corinthians 11:24-28
— Indeed, no ulterior motive can be found to explain Saul’s conversion
B. PERHAPS HE WAS DECEIVED…
1. Then who deceived him?
a. Friends would not, for he was their champion against the Christians
b. Christians could not, because of his persecution against them
1) Putting them into prison, chasing them into other towns- Acts 8:3; 9:1-2
2) Even after his conversion, many feared him – cf. Acts 9:26
2. His testimony does not allow for the possibility of deception
a. He claimed to receive his gospel from Jesus, not man – Galatians 1:11-12
b. He claimed to see Jesus raised from the dead – 1 Corinthians 15:8
— The empirical nature of his testimony precludes the possibility of deception
C. PERHAPS HE WAS MAD…
1. Such was the conclusion of Festus, the governor – Acts 26:24
2. Others have tried to explain his conversion in psychological terms
a. That his intense persecution of Christians gave him a guilt-ridden conscience
b. That combined with the heat on the road to Damascus, he became delirious and only thought he saw Jesus!
3. Yet consider the testimony of Saul (Paul)
a. He had a clear conscience regarding persecuting the Christians – Acts 23:1
1) It was something he thought he should do – Acts 26:9
2) He did it out of ignorance, for which he knew he received mercy – 1 Timothy 1:13
b. He said he saw Jesus more than once
1) Not just on the road to Damascus
2) But on other occasions as well – Acts 18:9-10; 22:17-21; 23:11; 2 Corinthians 12:8-9
— Read his epistles, do they seem like letters written by a mad man?
D. THE ONLY PLAUSIBLE EXPLANATION: HE SAW JESUS…!
1. This is the explanation given by Paul (Saul) himself
a. Before the Jerusalem mob – Acts 22:1-16
b. Before King Agrippa and Festus the governor – cf. Acts 26:12-23
2. It is the only explanation that explains his conversion
a. Why he was willing to forego wealth, fame, and power
b. Why he was willing to suffer poverty, shame, and persecution
— As he said “I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision…” – Acts 26:19
Conclusion
1. The conversion of Saul is best explained by…
a. His testimony that it was the resurrected Jesus who appeared to him
b. Not once, but continuously throughout the rest of his life
— Serving as one of the greatest evidences for the resurrection of Jesus!
2. What is the significance of the resurrection of Jesus?
a. For the unbeliever, it verifies…
1) The fact of His deity – cf. Romans 1:4
2) The fact of final judgment – cf. Acts 17:30-31
b. For the believer, it verifies…
1) The adequacy of our justification (Jesus’ blood does cover our sins) – cf. Romans 4:25
2) The hope for our own resurrection – cf. 1 Corinthians 15:20-22
3. God has born witness to the resurrection of Jesus from the dead through such evidence as the conversion of Saul
4. Have you responded to this evidence with the obedience of faith?
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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How Do People Respond to the Gospel? Acts 02:41-42
Text: Acts 2:41-42
Lesson Aims
- For the Christian to gain knowledge of how differently people will respond to the gospel.
- To be prepared with joy, to be set for the defense of the gospel of Jesus Christ – 1 Peter 3:15
- Gain understanding that the Word of God is a powerful force and when it is proclaimed and you will have various responses to it – Hebrews 4:12
Read These Lesson Texts
ACTS 4:1-4 (PRIESTS, CAPTAIN OF TEMPLE, SADDUCEES & PEOPLE);
ACTS 13:4-12 (SERGIUS PAULUS); ACTS 26:1-29 (PAUL, FESTUS, AGRIPPA,)
(1) Grieved/Believed
(2) False prophet Bar-jesus not happy / deputy believed
(3) Paul obeyed, Festus didn’t believe the message of Paul, King Agippa almost persuade to be a Christian.
How Do People Respond When Hearing the Message of Salvation?
READ PARABLE OF SOWER EXPLANATION, MATTHEW 13:18-23
(SEED RECEIVED BY THE WAY SIDE)
Some hear the Word of God, may not understand it fully, or the devil plants thoughts of doubt and disbelief in one’s mind of What God says through traditions, worldly values, or false doctrine.
Others hear the Word of God and receive it with joy but they are not rooted and grounded enough in the Word of God to grow properly. Ass a result, when it is time to put your faith in God into action they fall away through trials and suffering.
(SEED RECEIVED IN STONY PLACES)
In (Acts 5:1-11), Ananias and Sapphira are examples of Christians who were not rooted and grounded in the truth. Therefore they followed temptation and paid the price.
A number of people hear the Word of God, yet their love for money and the world causes them to be with odds with God – James 4:4.
(SEED RECEIVED AMONG THORNS)
These worldly vises choke the Word of God – Matthew 19:23-26; I Timothy 6:6-10
(SEED RECEIVED IN GOOD GROUND)
There will be some people who receive and obey the Word of God and will endure temptations to the end. As a result, they will obtain the crown of life that God will give them (James 1:12). (SEED RECEIVED IN GOOD GROUND)
How Much Effort?
How hard is it to become a Christian, according to the New Testament pattern?
Compare this to becoming a denominational member!
How Do People Respond…
Do people accept that repentance and baptism are necessary elements of accepting God’s salvation?
Repenting of your sins is not an easy task to embark on but is necessary. If you want to have a right relationship with God and draw closer to being saved, you must be willing to repent – Acts 17:30-31; Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38
Repentance signifies to change one’s mind or purpose – 2 Corinthians 7:9-10
This change of mind occurs when you learn that your behavior or actions are contrary to God’s Word. As a result, you work at aligning your life to God’s standard to the best of your ability. Therefore, your change of thoughts leads to changes of action – Acts 26:9-11
What is the common response to the necessity of repentance in God’s plan of salvation?
Why are people not willing to lose their life to save it? – Mark 8:34-37
Baptism is required
Baptism is necessary for your salvation just as the other works of faith are necessary for salvation such as:
– Confession of Jesus as the Son of God (Matthew 10:32-33; Romans 10:9-10)
– Hearing the gospel message (Romans 10:17)
– Repenting of past sins (Luke 13:3)
– Having faith in God (Hebrews 11:6)
How do people respond to the Word of God when it clearly says baptism is one of the necessary components for one’s salvation?
See Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:28; Acts 22:16; I Peter 3:21, plus all of the 9 examples of conversion in the book of acts include baptism!
Metanoeo (verb): “to perceive afterwards” (meta, “after,” implying “change,” noeo, “to perceive;”
2 Corinthians 7:10 …Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation
Baptizo (verb): “to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk) to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one’s self, bathe to overwhelm”
Romans 6:1-4
Notice that all nine of these conversions recorded in Acts included Baptism
1. Pentecost – Acts 2:36-39
2. The Samaritians – Acts 8:5-13
3. The Ethiopian Eunuch – Acts 8:26-40
4. Saul of Tarsus – Acts 9:1-22; Acts 22:3-16
5. Cornelius – Acts 10:1-48
6. Lydia – Acts 16:13-15
7. Philippian Jailer – Acts 16:22-34
8. The Corinthians – Acts 18:1-8
9. The Ephesians – Acts 19:1-5
Content by Harry (Andy) Anderson Jr.Return to the Home Page