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What does it mean to become a Christian? Over the next 5 weeks I intend to preach a series of sermons which are connected to, and part of, our Confirmation Preparation Programme. We have seven adults and young people who are keen to explore their faith more, and to then affirm their faith in the Confirmation Service on July 10th. The Confirmation programme, amongst other things, will be covering some of the basic questions which people ask about our faith. And in the sermons for the next five weeks I will be addressing these questions. Now for those of you who are members of this church, assuming that you are endeavouring to live the Purpose Driven Life, as we explored that last year, then you will be seeking to fulfil God’s purpose for your life not only through Worship and Fellowship and Discipleship, but also through Mission and Evangelism. And if you are being outwardly focussed in your faith then that means that in all likelihood you will come across people who are going to ask you these very questions that our Confirmation programme will be exploring. Or, on the other hand, these may be questions which you yourselves want some more clarity about, before you make the move to the next level of commitment. So, in a nutshell, regardless of where you stand in your own faith at the moment, these questions will be relevant for you. Now obviously we cant cover in depth, in the space of 10 or 15mins , what can be covered in an hour and a half’s discussion session. So what I intend to share is at least some pointers which will help us consider the questions. So the first question we consider today is, “What does it mean to become a Christian?” Or perhaps in other words, - two further questions – 1.
“What is a Christian?
So lets look at the first question.- “What is a Christian? - because if we don’t get THIS right, then we will be confused on everything else that follows. Ask anyone in the street “What is a Christian? - and you will most likely get a great variety of answers. Anything from, “A person who lives a good moral life”, to “Someone who believes in God”, to “A Follower of Jesus”. I though I would see what would be found on the internet in answer to that question of “What is a Christian? - and on Answers.com ( an interesting web site) - it said – “A Christian is one who professes belief in Jesus as Christ, or who follows the religion based on the life and teaching of Jesus.” Obviously, central to what is a Christian, is the person of Jesus Christ. John Stott, a great Anglican evangelical preacher wrote in his book “Your Confirmation” that “Christianity is Christ!.” He said – “Christianity, is neither a Creed, nor a Code nor Ceremonies. Christianity is Christ!” The term “Christian” means “belonging to Christ”, or “The Christ-like ones”. We read in the bible that the followers of Jesus were first called Christians – “those who belonged to Christ” - at Antioch. So if a Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ, then we can address the next question which is :- 2. “How do I become a Christian?” How do I become a follower of Jesus, or how do I “belong” to Jesus? Well, there are probably as many different ways to become a follower of Jesus, as there are people. And probably each one of us who has come to be a follower of Jesus has done so in a way that is different from anyone else. So I would like to emphasize the fact that there is no ONE way to come to Jesus. There is no Right way, and there is no Wrong way. Most often though, we come to Jesus , or are in the process of coming closer to him, because of some particular need which we find Jesus has the answer to. This morning, to illustrate that, I would like us to look at the gospel reading, and the case of Zacchaeus , the chief tax collector. Now Zacchaeus lived in the city of Jericho, and it would be certain that Jesus had passed through that city many times before on his journeys from his home town in the region of Galilee, to Jerusalem, the capital city. We read that Zacchaeus was trying see Jesus , but he was a little man and could not see Jesus for the crowd, so he runs ahead of Jesus and climbs a sycamore tree, to see Jesus who was going to pass by. Apparently Zacchaeus had heard something about Jesus, and he was interested to find out more. And this is often the first stage in the journey of becoming a Christian – it begins when we hear or read, or learn from others, something which catches our attention, our interest in Jesus. It may well be something which connects to a personal need we have. It may be a deep seated need to know or experience God more; it may be a desire for a deeper friendship; it may be a need for healing; it may be a need for greater inner strength in a time of personal or family crisis. Very often, those extreme moments in our lives of personal need are the very moments that motivate us to get closer, or to take another look at Jesus, more than at any other time. There is nothing wrong with following your gut instinct at a time of deep need, in order to find an answer. So Zacchaeus, because he was small, goes ahead of Jesus and climbs a sycamore tree to get a better view. 2. Jesus responded to Zacchaeus’ inquisitiveness,- and I’m in no doubt at all that Jesus actually KNEW what was in Zacchaeus’ heart, and what his deepest need was! - and I would think that for Zacchaeus, his need was simply for a real genuine friend! Probably nothing more nor less than that. And who doesn’t need friends? Jesus’ response was to invite himself to Zacchaeus’s house. Jesus makes the similar offer to meet with each one of us today. He sees the needs in our hearts and he says – Murray – I want to come and stay with you today! David, Sam, Gayle, (Lurline) , Lynne, Betty – I want to come and stay with you today! We need never worry that we have to twist Jesus’ arm to come to us; or we have to earn his attention or his favour! He comes, even before we ask. Like the shepherd who goes out searching for the lost sheep– Jesus comes in search of us. The third stage in this mini-drama is where - 3. Zacchaeus responded to Jesus. “Zacchaeus”, the Bible says, “hurried down from the tree and welcomed Jesus with great joy into his home”. And this is really at the heart of how we become a Christian, a follower of Jesus. It’s basically a response, to Him. But notice, it didn’t just end there! Being a Christian is not just about a personal and private relationship with Jesus! It is personal – yes! But private – No! Immediately Zacchaeus had experienced something of the generosity and friendship and welcoming love of Jesus – Zacchaeus made a very public and courageous statement. He promised to give half his belongings to the poor, and if he had cheated anyone, he would give back four times as much. We have a word for this action, don’t we? It’s called repentance. It is doing what we can to put right the wrongs of the past, and to steer a new course. Becoming a Christian will invariably result in changes. Our priorities will change; our values will change, our goals and purpose in life will change. And that’s what true repentance is all about! Jesus acknowledged that commitment on the part of Zacchaeus to change, and so he said to him ;- “Salvation has come to this house, today.” So “What does it mean to become a Christian?” It means - 1) That I am a follower of Jesus Christ . And, 2) I become a follower of Jesus Christ , most likely, - a) When something catches my attention about him, b) When Jesus comes to meet me where I am, and c) When I respond to him with an open heart and an intention to clean up my life before Him. As a church, our mission is to help and encourage others to join us, as followers together of Jesus Christ. If you identify yourself with Zacchaeus, interested in knowing more about Jesus and perhaps even recognising your own need for Him, then make today the day when you welcome him into your life. |
