The document discusses what it truly means to be a Christian. It argues that Christianity is not just a religious system of beliefs, moral system of dos and don'ts, or social/humanitarian system. Rather, the essence of Christianity is union with God through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a relationship initiated by God's mercy and love, not by human works. In Christianity, believers become a new creation and participate in Christ's life. The goal is to seek God's kingdom and not worry about earthly things, as God provides for all needs. As children of God, Christians are brothers and sisters and their real citizenship is in heaven.

1. TALK 3
WHAT IT MEANS
TO BE A
CHRISTIAN

2. 
CHRISTIANITY IS REDUCED TO A
MERE RELIGIOUS SYSTEM
A set of doctrines to believe in, like the
Apostles Creed.
 A set of religious practices.
 Knowing or reading a lot about God
 Doing a lot for God.


3. 
CHRISTIANITY IS A MERE MORAL
SYSTEM.
A set of do's and don'ts; a set of rules
regarding right and wrong.
 Avoiding those things that can make you go
to hell.


4. 
CHRISTIANITY IS A SOCIAL,
HUMANITARIAN SYSTEM.
Equating Christianity with
humanitarianism..
 A Christian is someone who does good and
is kind. He is a nice man or woman who
always smiles, is friendly, never gets angry,
and tries to please everyone.


5. 
CHRISTIANITY IS AN ESCAPE FROM
THE REALITIES OF LIFE, AN OPIUM
OF THE POOR AND THE
OPPRESSED.

It is for the weak, for those who cannot
cope with life.

6. 
THE ESSENCE OF CHRISTIANITY IS
UNION WITH GOD, MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE DEATH AND
RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST.

7. 
IT IS A RELATIONSHIP INITIATED BY GOD,
OUT OF HIS MERCY AND LOVE FOR US

Ephesians 2:4 -8. But God, who is rich in mercy,
because of the great love he had for us, even when
we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to
life with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
raised us up with him, and seated us with him in
the heavens in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come
he might show the immeasurable riches of his
grace in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For by
grace you have been saved through faith, and this
is not from you; it is the gift of God;

8. 
Titus 3:3-7. For we ourselves were once foolish,
disobedient, deluded, slaves to various desires
and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful
ourselves and hating one another. But when the
kindness and generous love of God our savior
appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we
had done but because of his mercy, he saved us
through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the
holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us
through Jesus Christ our savior, so that we might
be justified by his grace and become heirs in
hope of eternal life.

9. 
IT IS A RELATIONSHIP INITIATED BY GOD,
OUT OF HIS MERCY AND LOVE FOR US
 Since God is the source of Christianity, its truths
are enduring and unchanging.
 They cannot be reduced or watered down to suit
man's fancy or convenience.
 We have to take the Word of God as is and base
our life on it

10. 
IN CHRISTIANITY, WE BECOME A NEW
CREATION AND PARTICIPATE IN THE VERY
LIFE OF CHRIST.


2 Corinthians 5:17 So whoever is in Christ is a new
creation: the old things have passed away; behold,
new things have come.
Galatians 2:20 Yet I live, no longer I, but Christ
lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live
by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and
given himself up for me

11. 
IN CHRISTIANITY, WE BECOME A NEW
CREATION AND PARTICIPATE IN THE VERY
LIFE OF CHRIST.
We enter into the same relationship that Jesus has with
the Father. Our identity changes and we become sons
and daughter of God.
 Galatians 4:4-7 But when the fullness of time had come,
God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive
adoption. As proof that you are children, God sent the
spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba,
Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if
a child then also an heir, through God.


12. 
WE TAKE ON THE NATURE OF GOD:
HOLINESS.

Colossians 3:5-10 Put to death, then, the parts of you
that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil
desire, and the greed that is idolatry. Because of these
the wrath of God is coming [upon the disobedient]. By
these you too once conducted yourselves, when you
lived in that way. But now you must put them all away:
anger, fury, malice, slander, and obscene language out
of your mouths. Stop lying to one another, since you
have taken off the old self with its practices and have
put on the new self, which is being renewed, for
knowledge, in the image of its creator.

13. 
IF GOD IS OUR FATHER, TRUST HIM!
 Jeremiah 29: 11-13. For I know well the
plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the
LORD—plans for your welfare and not for
woe, so as to give you a future of hope.
When you call me, and come and pray to
me, I will listen to you. When you look for
me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek
me with all your heart.
 God's plan for us, whatever it is, is the best.

14. 
OUR FATHER KNOWS OUR NEEDS AND
HE WILL PROVIDE FOR US.
 In fact, He is providing for us right now
(Tick off blessings)
 Who do you think is providing for you?

15. Luke 12: 22-31- He said to [his] disciples, “Therefore
I tell you, do not worry about your life and what
you will eat, or about your body and what you will
wear. For life is more than food and the body more
than clothing. Notice the ravens: they do not sow or
reap; they have neither storehouse nor barn, yet God
feeds them. How much more important are you than
birds! Can any of you by worrying add a moment to
your lifespan? If even the smallest things are
beyond your control, why are you anxious about the
rest?

16. Luke 12: 22-31- Notice how the flowers grow. They
do not toil or spin. But I tell you, not even Solomon
in all his splendor was dressed like one of them. If
God so clothes the grass in the field that grows
today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he
not much more provide for you, O you of little
faith? As for you, do not seek what you are to eat
and what you are to drink, and do not worry
anymore. All the nations of the world seek for these
things, and your Father knows that you need them.
Instead, seek his kingdom, and these other things
will be given you besides.

17. 
SINCE WE ALL HAVE THE SAME FATHER,
WHAT DOES THAT MAKE OF US?
BROTHERS AND SISTERS!

18. 
AS CHRISTIANS, WE LEARN THAT LIFE
ON THIS EARTH IS TEMPORARY.
THEREFORE, DO NOT INVEST YOURSELF
HERE.

Philippians 3:8 - More than that, I even consider
everything as a loss because of the supreme good
of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I
have accepted the loss of all things and I consider
them so much rubbish, that I may gain Christ.

19. 
WHAT SHOULD OUR GOAL BE?.


WHERE DO WE REALLY BELONG?.



Philippians 3:14 -I continue my pursuit toward the
goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ
Jesus..
Philippians 3:20 -But our citizenship is in heaven,
and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus
Christ.
WHAT SHOULD OUR ATTITUDE BE AS
CHRISTIANS?
Be peaceful at all times.

20. Hebrews 13: 5-6
Let your life be free from love of money
but be content with what you have, for he
has said, “I will never forsake you or
abandon you.” Thus we may say with
confidence: “The Lord is my helper, [and]
I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to
me?”

21. 


We are the most fortunate and privileged of
people. For God Himself is our Father
We can count on His Word
Put your lives now completely in God's
hands, and experience the tremendous peace
of Christ flowing into your lives and into
your family.