After Becoming a Christian… Now What Should I Do?
Introduction:
The moment we accept Christ as Lord and Savior is a moment of profound transformation. But it is not the end of the journey; it is the beginning of a new life, a life of continuous growth and dedication. Today, we will explore the practical steps we must take to live out our faith, to walk in "newness of life," and to press on toward the prize of our high calling.
I. Continue Steadfastly: The Foundation of Growth
A. Acts 2:42: Devoted to the Essentials:
• “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
• This verse highlights the pillars of early Christian life: learning God's word, sharing fellowship, remembering Christ's sacrifice, and communicating with God. We are called to this same devotion.
B. Acts 11:23: Purpose of Heart:
• “When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.”
• Our commitment must be intentional, driven by a heart that is fully devoted to the Lord.
II. Live No Longer for Yourself: The Shift in Allegiance
A. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15: Compelled by Love:
• “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”
• Christ's sacrifice demands a complete surrender of our lives. We are no longer our own; we belong to Him.
B. Matthew 10:34-39: Putting Christ First:
• Jesus challenges us to prioritize Him above all earthly relationships. This is not about hating our families, but about loving Christ supremely.
• Taking up our cross and following Him means embracing sacrifice and obedience, even when it is difficult.
III. Now’s the Time to Walk in “Newness of Life”: The Transformation Begins
A. Romans 6:4: Buried and Raised with Christ:
• “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
• Baptism symbolizes our death to sin and resurrection to a new life in Christ.
B. Romans 6:11: Dead to Sin, Alive to God:
• “Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
• We must actively choose to live for God, rejecting the pull of sin.
IV. Have a Totally Different Set of Priorities: The Heavenly Focus
A. Colossians 3:1-2: Seeking the Things Above:
• “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”
• Our focus must shift from earthly pursuits to eternal values.
B. Colossians 3:12-15: Putting on Christlike Qualities:
• We are to clothe ourselves with “tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another… But above all these things put on love.”
• These are the attributes of a life that is "alive in God."
C. Colossians 3:9-10: Conforming to Christ’s Image:
• “Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.”
• We are being transformed into the likeness of Christ.
D. 2 Corinthians 4:18: Focusing on the Unseen:
• “While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen 1 are eternal.”
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• Our perspective should be eternal, not temporal.
E. 1 Peter 2:1-3: Nourishing Ourselves with God’s Word:
• We must reject the wickedness of the world and embrace the pure milk of God’s word.
• We must know what to avoid, and what to embrace.
V. Make Worship an Absolute Priority: The Community of Faith
A. Hebrews 10:24-25: Assembling Together:
• “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
• We need the support and encouragement of fellow believers.
VI. Spend Much Time in Prayer: The Lifeline to God
A. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 & Hebrews 7:25: Constant Communication:
• We are to “pray without ceasing,” knowing that Christ “always lives to make intercession for them.”
• Prayer is our constant connection to the Father.
VII. Do As Much As You Possibly Can: The Zeal for God’s Work
A. 1 Corinthians 15:10 & 15:58: Abounding in the Lord’s Work:
• We are called to labor abundantly for the Lord, knowing that our work is not in vain.
• We must be steadfast and immoveable.
Conclusion:
The Christian life is a journey of continuous growth, a process of becoming more like Christ. It is a life of dedication, sacrifice, and unwavering faith. Let us press on, seeking the things above, and abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that our labor is not in vain. Amen.
