Reclaiming Christian
Acts 11:26 ESV “And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.”
“Christian” entered the language of the day to label men and women who were associated with, or followed, the teachings of Jesus Christ. People outside the church found this label to best describe those Luke calls “disciples.”
disciple n. -- a student who adheres to (and travels with) a teacher in a pedagogical relationship; especially used of students of spiritual leaders.
How are Christians to handle the inheritance we have in Christ?
Christians honor the inheritance as the driving force in their lives.
How are you honoring the inheritance of your salvation? What are you doing to keep the inheritance alive in you and in the community? Where are you investing the inheritance you have in the gospel? When people hear about you and your life, how would they describe you? What examples do you have where people might describe your faith in Christ Jesus and the love you have for all the saints?
Christians protect the inheritance from the influence of evil.
What are you doing to actively be filled with God’s spiritual wisdom and understanding? What steps can you take to begin filling the gaps of your life and your family where evil could creep in? What steps can you take to help the church body fill in gaps where spiritual wisdom and understanding are lacking? When you see your children and grandchildren, would you say they are protected physically? Would you say they are protected emotionally? Would you say they are protected spiritually? What would say about each of these areas in relation to children in our church?
Christians display the inheritance for others to see.
What do others see as you life your daily life? What fruit are you displaying? What fruit still needs developed in your life? Is your display an accurate reflection of what lives inside you or have you created a display that deceives others about what it inside?