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"DISAPPOINTMENTS NEW CHRISTIANS
FACE"
INTRODUCTION
1. There is great joy in seeing new Christians grow
in the faith
- 2
Jn 4; 3 Jn 3-4
2. Unfortunately not all new Christians grow as they
should - cf. Lk 8:
13-14
3. Problems and disappointments often overwhelm them
and some even
fall away
4. This ought to concern older Christians
for we
have a responsibility
to
those who are young in the faith - Ga
6:1-2; Ro 15:1-2
[This lesson is designed to help us understand and
deal with some of
the disappointments that new Christians face.
For example
a problem that is troubling to some
is...]
I. SAME WEAKNESSES AS BEFORE (Disappointed
with themselves)
A.
MANY BECOME CHRISTIANS WITH JOYFUL ANTICIPATION - Ac 8:39
1. Excited about
forgiveness of sins
2. " " the chance to start over
3. " " the help God is going to give them
to change
B.
BUT WHEN THEY SOON DISCOVER...
1. That the
temptations are just as strong as before (sometimes
even stronger!)
2. They can
easily be discouraged and overcome - cf. Lk 8:13
C.
HOW CAN WE HELP?
1. By teaching
them that "transformation" is an on-going process
- Ro 12:1-2; Co 3:5-11
2. By reminding
them of God's willingness to forgive and provide
strength - 1 Jn 1:9; 2:1; Ph 2:12-13
[A stumblingblock to many new Christians is...]
II. IMPERFECT CHRISTIANS (Disappointed by
their brethren)
A.
THEY WITNESS INCONSISTENCY IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS...
1. They see
those who do not practice what they preach
2. It really
hurts when seen in those they had looked up to
3. But this
problem is not a new one - Ga 2:11-14
B.
ILL TREATMENT BY CHRISTIANS...
1. May occur in
Bible classes
business meetings
at work
at
play
2. Where harsh
words can be devastating to those new in the faith
C.
WHAT CAN WE DO?
1. First
set
better examples! - cf. 1 Ti 4:12
2. Confess wrong
when it occurs
3. Help the new
Christian realize that older Christians are ALSO
going through the process of "transformation" - cf. Ph
3:12-14
[Then there is the problem of...]
III. TRIALS AND TEMPTATIONS (Disappointed by
the world)
A.
SUCH AS PLEASURES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE WORLD...
1. Often drawing
the new Christian away (e.g.
job
family
hobbies)
2. Choking them
to the point of unfruitfulness - Lk 8:14
B.
AND DISCOURAGEMENT BY UNCOVERTED FRIENDS...
1. Who want them
to come back to the things of the world
2. As Paul warned in 1 Co
15:33-34
C.
WHAT CAN WE DO?
1. Demonstrate
what it means to "seek first the
- Mt 6:33
2. Make it clear
by our own example who it is we love the most
(i.e.
not our jobs
hobbies
etc.) - 1 Jn 2:15-17
3. Develop close
friendships with new Christians IN THE LORD
a. Friendships centered around Christ and His work
b. Not just social interests
[Due to much misinformation about the Christian life
a problem some
new Christians have is...]
IV. FALSE CONCEPTIONS ABOUT PROSPERITY
(Disappointed by lack of
success)
A.
THINKING THAT NOW ALL OUR PROBLEMS WILL GO AWAY...
1. An idea
propagated by the "gospel of health and wealth"
teachers
2. But such is
not always the case
even as it was in the days of
the first century - 1 Pe 1:6-9; Ja 1:2-4
B.
WE NEED TO PREPARE NEW CHRISTIANS FOR POSSIBLE ADVERSITY...
1. Even as Paul
did - Ac 14:21-22; 2 Ti 3:12
2. This need is
especially great because Satan often strikes
hardest when one is new in the faith
[Finally
there is often the problem of...]
V. TOO MUCH "NEGATIVE" TEACHING
(Disappointed by their preachers)
A.
SUCH AS CONSTANTLY EXPOSING DENOMINATIONAL ERRORS...
1. Certainly
there is a place for learning about those in error
- 2 Ti 4:1-2; Ac 20:27
2. But there can
be dangers involved in doing so...
a. If it is done in an arrogant
self-righteous spirit
b. If it is done to make us feel good or superior
c. If it is done to the exclusion of learning what WE need to
do
3. If we are not
careful
it can create carnal Christians
given
to strife and envy
B.
WHEN "NEGATIVE" TEACHING IS CALLED FOR...
1. It should be
done:
a. For the purpose of trying to understand and teach those in
error
b. Out of love for those in error
2. It should be
done as Paul did it...
a. With prayer for their souls - Ro 10:1
b. With recognition for their accomplishments - Ro 10:2-3
3. It should be
done with the qualities mentioned in 2 Ti 2:24-26
CONCLUSION
1. There may be other disappointments new Christians
face
but I have
found these to be quite common
2. Finally
it may help to quickly point that
Christians generally go
through four stages of spiritual growth...
a.
The "ball of fire" stage
following their conversion to Christ
b.
The "reality" stage
when the disappointments start to come in
c.
The "up and down" stage...
1) Here
people
either grow through it to the next stage...
2) Or they fall
away
or become apathetic (i.e.
"pew-warmers")
d.
Finally
those who persevere reach the stage of "steady as she
goes"
where growth is progressive and steady:
"But the path of the just is like the shining sun
That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day." - Pro 4:18
3. To reach that stage where we will grow steadily...
a.
We need to have REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS of problems to come
b.
We need to be sure we are CONVERTED TO CHRIST
not the church
teacher
or
friend
Have YOU been converted to Jesus Christ...?
－－《Executable
Outlines》