Valley Family Church Social Community
12 Things Every Christian Should Know
I have had a few people ask me to share a message that I delivered this last June at our Next Level program. The message is entitled "12 Things Every Christian Should Know". I have pasted it here for anyone who wants to read it or share it. I have tagged some people at random so if you know someone not on the list that would like it then pass it on.
12 Things Every Christian Should Know
Prepared by Matt McCarty for Next Level 2009
1. When you think you’ve arrived, think again.
1 Corinthians 8:2 “Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much.” NLT
-If you find yourself saying, “I’ve heard this before”, then it means you need to hear it again.
-Never get to the point in life where you think you know it all.
-The scriptures say that even Jesus GREW in wisdom and stature, even he was learning.
-When you realize you have a lot to learn and you humble yourself, that is when God says He can use you.
-He has no desire to use anyone that thinks they are so wise that they don’t even need Him.
2. If they crucified Christ, they’ll crucify you.
1 Thessalonians 2:6 “As for human praise we never sought it from you or anyone else.” NLT
-Brian Houston once said, “You are never as good as your fans say you are but you are never as bad as your critics say you are.”
-Don’t focus on what people think about you because their minds will change.
-Don’t seek the praises of men because you are not accountable to them but to God alone.
-The same people that were cheering and praising Jesus when He entered town screamed “Crucify Him” mere hours later.
-If they were willing to do that to Jesus who was perfect then they are willing to do that to you.
3. Never lose your sense of humor.
Nehemiah 8:10 “And Nehemiah continued, ‘Go and celebrate with a fest of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” NLT
-Life is going to throw you some curve balls and some hard times.
-God never promised us a perfect, pain free life.
-Keep your sense of humor even when the going gets tough.
-Learn to laugh and smile even in the face of adversity.
-The strength to push forward and the strength to succeed lies within the joy of the Lord.
4. Listen more than you talk.
James 1:19 “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” NLT
-Don’t be so quick to give your opinion or point of view.
-Don’t think you are the only one who needs to be heard and NEVER think your point of view is more important than anyone else’s.
-God gave us two ears and one mouth. He was trying to illustrate the importance of listening.
-We all have much to learn and learning comes by listening not speaking.
-If you think you have nothing left to learn then please review point number one.
5. Living for the moment is a bunch of junk.
2 Timothy 4:8 “And now the prize awaits me-the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on the day of His return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to His appearing.” NLT
-The world and the enemy want you to think that Carpe Diem is the way of life.
-The mantra is to live every moment as if it were your last even if it means compromising your beliefs or acting foolishly.
-Enjoy every moment but live for tomorrow.
-Wise people plan and strategize.
-Those who live for the moment are left in debt, divorced, hung-over and embarrassed.
6. Use your faith for others.
-Very simply put, don’t focus your faith on what YOU want or need.
-Use your faith as Jesus did.
-Use your faith to believe the captives set free, the sick healed and broken made whole.
-Use your faith for your family, your church, and your community.
7. Never compromise.
Galatians 6:9 “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” NLT
-The grass is NOT greener on the other side.
-Don’t give up on doing good because those that don’t still seem to get blessed.
-You don’t know what goes on in the private lives of those who don’t follow God’s plan and you DO KNOW the result of such a life.
-God’s promises always come through even though they may not come through when you think they should.
-Pay day may not come today, it may not come tomorrow, but it WILL come.
-Don’t compromise by giving up and don’t compromise because of what others may say or think.
8. Debates are for politicians.
Titus 3:9 “But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.” NIV
-You may never win someone to Christ by arguing with them.
-It is the LOVE of God that draws people to Him, not your ability to win an argument.
-God doesn’t need you to defend Him so don’t feel it necessary to do so.
-Debating with people about Christianity leads to anger, bitterness and a waste of time.
-Let His love and your life be the example.
9. Don’t underestimate the power of forgiveness.
Mark 11:25 “But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins too.” NLT
-Unforgiveness never hurts the other person.
-It’s like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.
-It will ruin your attitude and it will prevent you from receiving the promises of God.
-When you refuse to forgive you are saying that what another person has done to you is far worse than anything you have ever done to Jesus.
-When you won’t forgive you are saying that what another person has done to you is so bad that even Jesus dying on the cross couldn’t cover it.
-Let go.
10. Don’t forget what it’s all about.
Mark 16:15-18 “And then He told them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.
These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in My name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won't hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed."
-It’s not about programs or events.
-It’s not about buildings.
-It’s not about the speaker or the ministry.
-It’s not about church attendance.
-It’s about life change and eternity…never forget that.
11. Your actions speak louder than your words.
1 Peter 2:13-20 “For the Lord's sake, respect all human authority—whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.
It is God's will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. For you are free, yet you are God's slaves, so don't use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, and respect the king.
You who are slaves must accept the authority of your masters with all respect. Do what they tell you—not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel. For God is pleased with you when you do what you know is right and patiently endure unfair treatment. Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.”
-No one cares about what you say, they care about what you do.
-Don’t be a Sunday morning Christian where you say one thing at church but do something different on Friday night.
-People are watching you. They want something that is real. Show them how real Jesus is.
-What a person does screams so loudly that you won’t even be able to hear what they are saying.
-Your life and how you live it will either draw people to Jesus or push them away.
12. Quit complaining.
Philippians 2:14 “Do everything without complaining and arguing.”
-Like Nike says, Just do it.
-Stop the huffing and puffing and eye rolling.
-The last group of people that murmured were the Israelites and they ended up on a 40 year journey that should have taken a few days.
-Complaining and arguing brings strife and every sort of evil.
-Do everything with a joyful and respectful heart.
-If you can’t figure out why this one is important, please review number eleven.
12 Things Every Christian Should Know
Prepared by Matt McCarty for Next Level 2009
1. When you think you’ve arrived, think again.
1 Corinthians 8:2 “Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much.” NLT
-If you find yourself saying, “I’ve heard this before”, then it means you need to hear it again.
-Never get to the point in life where you think you know it all.
-The scriptures say that even Jesus GREW in wisdom and stature, even he was learning.
-When you realize you have a lot to learn and you humble yourself, that is when God says He can use you.
-He has no desire to use anyone that thinks they are so wise that they don’t even need Him.
2. If they crucified Christ, they’ll crucify you.
1 Thessalonians 2:6 “As for human praise we never sought it from you or anyone else.” NLT
-Brian Houston once said, “You are never as good as your fans say you are but you are never as bad as your critics say you are.”
-Don’t focus on what people think about you because their minds will change.
-Don’t seek the praises of men because you are not accountable to them but to God alone.
-The same people that were cheering and praising Jesus when He entered town screamed “Crucify Him” mere hours later.
-If they were willing to do that to Jesus who was perfect then they are willing to do that to you.
3. Never lose your sense of humor.
Nehemiah 8:10 “And Nehemiah continued, ‘Go and celebrate with a fest of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” NLT
-Life is going to throw you some curve balls and some hard times.
-God never promised us a perfect, pain free life.
-Keep your sense of humor even when the going gets tough.
-Learn to laugh and smile even in the face of adversity.
-The strength to push forward and the strength to succeed lies within the joy of the Lord.
4. Listen more than you talk.
James 1:19 “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” NLT
-Don’t be so quick to give your opinion or point of view.
-Don’t think you are the only one who needs to be heard and NEVER think your point of view is more important than anyone else’s.
-God gave us two ears and one mouth. He was trying to illustrate the importance of listening.
-We all have much to learn and learning comes by listening not speaking.
-If you think you have nothing left to learn then please review point number one.
5. Living for the moment is a bunch of junk.
2 Timothy 4:8 “And now the prize awaits me-the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on the day of His return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to His appearing.” NLT
-The world and the enemy want you to think that Carpe Diem is the way of life.
-The mantra is to live every moment as if it were your last even if it means compromising your beliefs or acting foolishly.
-Enjoy every moment but live for tomorrow.
-Wise people plan and strategize.
-Those who live for the moment are left in debt, divorced, hung-over and embarrassed.
6. Use your faith for others.
-Very simply put, don’t focus your faith on what YOU want or need.
-Use your faith as Jesus did.
-Use your faith to believe the captives set free, the sick healed and broken made whole.
-Use your faith for your family, your church, and your community.
7. Never compromise.
Galatians 6:9 “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” NLT
-The grass is NOT greener on the other side.
-Don’t give up on doing good because those that don’t still seem to get blessed.
-You don’t know what goes on in the private lives of those who don’t follow God’s plan and you DO KNOW the result of such a life.
-God’s promises always come through even though they may not come through when you think they should.
-Pay day may not come today, it may not come tomorrow, but it WILL come.
-Don’t compromise by giving up and don’t compromise because of what others may say or think.
8. Debates are for politicians.
Titus 3:9 “But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.” NIV
-You may never win someone to Christ by arguing with them.
-It is the LOVE of God that draws people to Him, not your ability to win an argument.
-God doesn’t need you to defend Him so don’t feel it necessary to do so.
-Debating with people about Christianity leads to anger, bitterness and a waste of time.
-Let His love and your life be the example.
9. Don’t underestimate the power of forgiveness.
Mark 11:25 “But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins too.” NLT
-Unforgiveness never hurts the other person.
-It’s like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.
-It will ruin your attitude and it will prevent you from receiving the promises of God.
-When you refuse to forgive you are saying that what another person has done to you is far worse than anything you have ever done to Jesus.
-When you won’t forgive you are saying that what another person has done to you is so bad that even Jesus dying on the cross couldn’t cover it.
-Let go.
10. Don’t forget what it’s all about.
Mark 16:15-18 “And then He told them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.
These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in My name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won't hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed."
-It’s not about programs or events.
-It’s not about buildings.
-It’s not about the speaker or the ministry.
-It’s not about church attendance.
-It’s about life change and eternity…never forget that.
11. Your actions speak louder than your words.
1 Peter 2:13-20 “For the Lord's sake, respect all human authority—whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.
It is God's will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. For you are free, yet you are God's slaves, so don't use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, and respect the king.
You who are slaves must accept the authority of your masters with all respect. Do what they tell you—not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel. For God is pleased with you when you do what you know is right and patiently endure unfair treatment. Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.”
-No one cares about what you say, they care about what you do.
-Don’t be a Sunday morning Christian where you say one thing at church but do something different on Friday night.
-People are watching you. They want something that is real. Show them how real Jesus is.
-What a person does screams so loudly that you won’t even be able to hear what they are saying.
-Your life and how you live it will either draw people to Jesus or push them away.
12. Quit complaining.
Philippians 2:14 “Do everything without complaining and arguing.”
-Like Nike says, Just do it.
-Stop the huffing and puffing and eye rolling.
-The last group of people that murmured were the Israelites and they ended up on a 40 year journey that should have taken a few days.
-Complaining and arguing brings strife and every sort of evil.
-Do everything with a joyful and respectful heart.
-If you can’t figure out why this one is important, please review number eleven.
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