Text: 1 Corinthians 15:19
In the previous lesson, we talked about the demands of discipleship. Many are unwilling to do what is required to be a disciple. Furthermore, they do not understand why ANYONE would do this. So in this lesson, we are going to answer this question: Why would anyone be a Christian?
Christians Have Hope
- This world can seem hopeless (Ecclesiastes 1:14) – yet if we follow Christ, we have hope
- Hope beyond this life – Jesus came to earth in order to take away the fear of death (Hebrews 2:14-15); those who are baptized into Christ have the hope of defeating death (Romans 6:3-5, 8-9)
- This world is full of trouble (Job 14:1) – none of us will escape this (Ecclesiastes 5:16-17)
- Anything we might gain is temporary and uncertain (1 Timothy 6:17) – God offers “life indeed” (1 Timothy 6:19); the effort we put forth to gain the things of this world is ultimately meaningless (Proverbs 23:4-5)
- Hope for the resurrection – without this, being a Christian would not be worth it (1 Corinthians 15:19); Jesus is “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25); those in Christ have hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14)
Christians Have a Purpose
- People want their lives to have meaning – many spend their lives trying to find it and never do
- We know where we came from – we were made by God (Psalm 100:3), in His image (Genesis 1:26-27); everyone can trace their origin back to God’s work in creation (Acts 17:26)
- We know why we are here – we are here because it is God’s will for us to be here (Revelation 4:11); He wanted “a people for His own possession” (Titus 2:14)
- We know what we are to be doing – our purpose is to fear God and obey Him (Ecclesiastes 12:13); everything we do must be done in His name (Colossians 3:17)
- We know where we are going – Jesus told His apostles He was preparing a place for them (John 14:1-6); the reward was not just for them, but for all who seek after Him (2 Timothy 4:8; Hebrews 11:6)
Christians Have a Community
- Humans are social creatures – we need to feel a sense of belonging; we have this as Christians
- Brethren who love one another – this was to be a defining characteristic of disciples (John 13:34-35); this love is “the perfect bond of unity” (Colossians 3:14); this holds us together
- Brethren who will encourage/help one another (Hebrews 3:12-13) – as members of the same body, we are to care for and sympathize with one another (1 Corinthians 12:25-27)
- Our brethren may let us down at times (Acts 9:26; 13:13; 15:36-39; Galatians 2:11-13; 2 Timothy 4:10, 16) – but this is simply because no one is perfect (Romans 3:23)
- We have a “like precious faith” (2 Peter 1:1, KJV) – because of this, we strive for unity (Ephesians 4:1-6)
Christians Have Jesus
- Christians are followers of Christ Jesus – He is the reason why we become Christians
- The one who was willing to leave heaven for us (2 Corinthians 8:9) – He humbled Himself by taking the form of a servant (Philippians 2:5-8)
- The one who was willing to suffer death on the cross for us (John 10:17-18) – He was willing to do this “while we were yet sinners” (Romans 5:8); totally undeserved
- The one who was willing to call us brethren (Hebrews 2:11) – we can be counted as His brethren if we do the will of God (Matthew 12:46-50)
- The one who is returning to bring us with Him to heaven (John 14:2-3) – when He comes, we will “always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17)
Conclusion
- Everyone looks for a reason for hope, a sense of purpose, and a community where they belong
- Christians have this (hope, purpose, community) – only better than what we would have in the world
- Christians also have more… Jesus – there is no better thing we can be than a Christian
