Lesson 10 - Emory church of Christ

“THE CHRISTIAN LIFE”
LESSON 10
INTRODUCTION:
	A.	The Christian system is made up of DOCTRINE and PRACTICE.
		1.	Doctrine is what is taught, learned, and believed.
		2.	The application of the doctrine to one’s own life is the practice of that doctrine.
	B.	The application of the doctrine leads one to the blessings given by God. In the Christian’s life, there is nothing more important than obeying God’s commandments.
	C.	Everyone who believes the doctrine and obeys its instructions begins enjoying the worship relationship and grows more and more into the likeness of Christ and on into perfection (Hebrews 6:1-9).

DISCUSSION:

I.	THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS ONE OF FAITH AND TRUST
	A.	I Timothy 4:10, 6:17
	B.	The Christian is justified by faith (Romans 5:1-2).
	C.	The Christian walks by faith (II Corinthians 5:7, Hebrews 10:37-39).
	D.	The Christian is guarded because of his faith (I Peter 1:5).
	E.	The Christian receives the end of his faith: the salvation of his soul (I Peter 1:9).

II.	THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A LIFE OF BLESSINGS AND PRIVILEGES
	A.	The blessing of sonship (I John 3:1-3).
	B.	The blessing of heirship (Romans 8:14-17, Galatians 4:4-7).
	C.	The privilege of praying (Matthew 6:9, 7:7-12, Philippians 4:4-7, I Thessalonians 5:16-18, I Peter 3:12). ONLY CHRISTIANS CAN CALL GOD THEIR FATHER!
	D.	The blessing of the assurance of God’s continual presence and care (I Peter 5:7).
	E.	The blessing of calmness that enables one to face life with confidence (Hebrews 13:5-6, James 4:7-8).

III.	THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A LIFE OF HOLINESS AND RIGHT CONDUCT
	A.	The Christian is an imitator of God (Ephesians 5:1-2).
	B.	The Christian is following Christ’s footsteps (John 8:12; I Peter 2:2).
	C.	The Christian has his standards set.
		1.	Matthew 5:48: “BE YE PERFECT EVEN AS YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN IS PERFECT.”
		2.	I Peter 1:15: “BE YE HOLY, EVEN AS I AM HOLY.”
		3.	I John 3:3: “PURIFY YOURSELF, EVEN AS HE IS PURE.”
	D.	The Christian is set apart as a vessel to God’s honor (I Corinthians 1:1-2, Hebrews 12:14, Ephesians 5:22-28).
	E.	The Christian’s body is the temple of Deity (I Corinthians 3:16-17, 6:19-20).

IV.	THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A LIFE OF CRUCIFYING THE FLESH IN ORDER TO FOLLOW AFTER THE SPIRIT
	A.	They become new creatures (II Corinthians 5:17).
	B.	They have put away the old man and have put on Christ (Romans 6:3-7, Galatians 3:26-27, Colossians 1:26-27).
	C.	In giving one’s self to Christ, Christ then dwells in him by faith (Ephesians 3:14-20, Colossians 1:26-27).

V.	THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A LIFE IN WHICH JESUS EXPECTS A COMPLETE CHANGE OF HEART
	A.	Jesus goes beyond the deed to the motive that causes the deed to be done.
		1.	Matthew 5:21-26 — killing is forbidden, but so is anger!
		2.	Matthew 5:27-30 — adultery is forbidden, but so is lust!
		3.	Matthew 5:43-48 — just loving friends is expanded to also loving our enemies!
		4.	Matthew 7:21-27 — just hearing is not enough, one must DO!
	B.	The above is just an example. In everything Jesus seeks conduct that comes forth from a change of heart (Matthew 12:33-36, 15:7-9, 15:18-20).

VI.	CONCLUSION
	A.	The development of the Christian is an on-going process.
	B.	It is a growing process.
	C.	Christian living is practical. It is best. It is a life of love, kindness, and a forgiving spirit. It is a life without grudges and without ungodly anger.
	D.	The beauty of the Christian life is that it is the only life that will prepare one for eternity in heaven (Hebrews 6:19-20).


QUESTIONS FROM LESSON TEN

		1.	Of what two things is the Christian life composed?
		2.	Explain these two things?
		3.	What is more important than obedience (I Samuel 15:22)?
		4.	What did Paul mean when he spoke of becoming a “new creature” (II Corinthians 5:17)?
		5.	To live the Christian life, what is to happen to one’s heart?
		6.	Explain Galatians 2:20?
		7.	How can we be holy?

Emory church of Christ

Growing in the Grace of the Lord

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