Disappointments New Christians Face

2002006

Subject: helping new Christians mature

Introduction:

A. Whole crop of new young Christians around here! Great!

1. Great joy in this – 2 Jhn. 4; 3 Jhn. 3-4

2. hope all Christians here are growing & prospering in their spiritual life.

B. Unfortunately – not all Christians grow as they should. Lk. 8:13-14

1. some become overwhelmed by problems & disappointments.

2. so go so far as to give up completely!

C. Older; mature Christians need to be reminded of their responsibilities to help young Christians.

1. Too often, we neglect responsibilities in this area.

2. Then wonder why/even get mad at young Christians for giving up or remaining weak!

3. Gal. 6:1-2; Rom. 15:1-2

4. Doing so will allow us to help ourselves.

5. We need to be aware that new Christians often experience:

I. Same weaknesses as before conversion.

A. Acts 8 – Ethiopian Eunuch obeyed gospel. His excitement drips off the page. Why?

1. Had forgiveness of sin – his slate had been wiped clean!

2. He knew he was the Lords & the Lord was His master!

B. But…temptations still come!

1. Jesus warned – Lk. 8:13

2. Mature Christians need to help by teaching new converts!

a) Rom. 12:1-2; Col. 3:5-11 – about being transformed!

b) 1 Jhn. 1:9; 2:1; Phil. 2:12-13 – about the forgiveness of God!

II. Imperfection seen in older Christians.

A. Too often they see inconsistency in brethren. We must probe ourselves w/the questions that Paul asked in Romans 2:21-24.

B. They could be subject to ill treatment by bro/sis… 3 Jhn. 9 Diotrephes – loved the preeminence of brethren.

1. may not always see this type of problem – but – in our relationships w/others we must guard against being superficial.

2. Need to combat this tendency by being genuine in our relationships.

C. We need Christians who earnestly follow Paul’s admonition in 1 Tim. 4:12.

1. Who stand up & take responsibility when they sin. Js. 5:16

2. who help others see that Christians are constantly growing & being transformed.

3. who help others see that everyone is subject to mistakes – but press on like Paul did – Phil. 3:12-14.

III. Trials/Temptations

A. Even though come to Christ – still live in world & exposed to sin & temptation.

1. Jhn. 17:11-16 – Jesus prayed for the continued faithfulness of his disciples after His death.

2. Sometimes trials/temptations – choke new Christians to death.

B. Might experience discouragement from old friends who put them down – 1 Cor. 15:33

C. What can be done?

1. All need to set example by putting God first – Mt. 6:33

2. Demonstrate our love for God – 1 Jhn. 2:15-17

3. Be their friend – Js. 4:4 – get to know them!

IV. False conceptions about prosperity.

A. 1 Pet. 1:6-9 – need to understand that all problems will not just go away!

B. Encourage others to be prepared for adversity!

1. 2 Tim. 3:12

2. Acts 14:21-22

V. Negative preaching.

A. This frowned upon in today’s world. I’m OK; You’re OK has permeated all aspects of society.

B. Acts 20:27 – this does not negate our responsibility to preach the whole counsel of God!

1. We must not cut any corners or smooth things over. We CANNOT & WILL NOT!

2. some will reject the Lord when clear lines are drawn.

C. Needs to be balance w/our teaching/preaching.

1. our focus need not be on constantly reminding ourselves as to how right we are and how everyone else is wrong!

2. But yet we need not get hung up on accentuating the positive w/no regard for the negative;

3. There = need for balanced preaching & teaching.

Conclusion:

A. Christians usually go through 4 stages of growth.

1. ball of fire – immediately after conversion.

2. reality – as trials; temptations; disappointments come

3. up & down – as they determine their zeal.

4. steadfastness 1 Cor. 15:58; Phil. 4:18

B. How can one get to stage 4?

1. Having realistic expectations.

2. Being converted to Christ.

C. Have you been converted?



Disappointments New Christians Face 2002006 Subject: helping new Christians mature Introduction: A. Whole crop of new young Christians around here! Great! 1. Great joy in this – 2 Jhn. 4; 3 Jhn. 3-4 2. hope all Christians here are growing & prospering in their spiritual life. B. Unfortunately – not all Christians grow as they should. Lk. 8:13-14 1. some become overwhelmed by problems & disappointments. 2. so go so far as to give up completely! C. Older; mature Christians need to be reminded of their responsibilities to help young Christians. 1. Too often, we neglect responsibilities in this area. 2. Then wonder why/even get mad at young Christians for giving up or remaining weak! 3. Gal. 6:1-2; Rom. 15:1-2 4. Doing so will allow us to help ourselves. 5. We need to be aware that new Christians often experience: I. Same weaknesses as before conversion. A. Acts 8 – Ethiopian Eunuch obeyed gospel. His excitement drips off the page. Why? 1. Had forgiveness of sin – his slate had been wiped clean! 2. He knew he was the Lords & the Lord was His master! B. But…temptations still come! 1. Jesus warned – Lk. 8:13 2. Mature Christians need to help by teaching new converts! a) Rom. 12:1-2; Col. 3:5-11 – about being transformed! b) 1 Jhn. 1:9; 2:1; Phil. 2:12-13 – about the forgiveness of God! II. Imperfection seen in older Christians. A. Too often they see inconsistency in brethren. We must probe ourselves w/the questions that Paul asked in Romans 2:21-24. B. They could be subject to ill treatment by bro/sis… 3 Jhn. 9 Diotrephes – loved the preeminence of brethren. 1. may not always see this type of problem – but – in our relationships w/others we must guard against being superficial. 2. Need to combat this tendency by being genuine in our relationships. C. We need Christians who earnestly follow Paul’s admonition in 1 Tim. 4:12. 1. Who stand up & take responsibility when they sin. Js. 5:16 2. who help others see that Christians are constantly growing & being transformed. 3. who help others see that everyone is subject to mistakes – but press on like Paul did – Phil. 3:12-14. III. Trials/Temptations A. Even though come to Christ – still live in world & exposed to sin & temptation. 1. Jhn. 17:11-16 – Jesus prayed for the continued faithfulness of his disciples after His death. 2. Sometimes trials/temptations – choke new Christians to death. B. Might experience discouragement from old friends who put them down – 1 Cor. 15:33 C. What can be done? 1. All need to set example by putting God first – Mt. 6:33 2. Demonstrate our love for God – 1 Jhn. 2:15-17 3. Be their friend – Js. 4:4 – get to know them! IV. False conceptions about prosperity. A. 1 Pet. 1:6-9 – need to understand that all problems will not just go away! B. Encourage others to be prepared for adversity! 1. 2 Tim. 3:12 2. Acts 14:21-22 V. Negative preaching. A. This frowned upon in today’s world. I’m OK; You’re OK has permeated all aspects of society. B. Acts 20:27 – this does not negate our responsibility to preach the whole counsel of God! 1. We must not cut any corners or smooth things over. We CANNOT & WILL NOT! 2. some will reject the Lord when clear lines are drawn. C. Needs to be balance w/our teaching/preaching. 1. our focus need not be on constantly reminding ourselves as to how right we are and how everyone else is wrong! 2. But yet we need not get hung up on accentuating the positive w/no regard for the negative; 3. There = need for balanced preaching & teaching. Conclusion: A. Christians usually go through 4 stages of growth. 1. ball of fire – immediately after conversion. 2. reality – as trials; temptations; disappointments come 3. up & down – as they determine their zeal. 4. steadfastness 1 Cor. 15:58; Phil. 4:18 B. How can one get to stage 4? 1. Having realistic expectations. 2. Being converted to Christ. C. Have you been converted?