Essentials Of Christianity: The ABC’s (Key)
Written By: Steve Shirley
A: Admitting you are a sinner.
B. Believing in Jesus Christ (by faith) (trust)
C. Confession
A: Admitting you are a sinner.
Why is it important to admit you are a sinner?
Because if we don’t admit we are a sinner, we don’t need a Savior.
The Bible shows us we are sinners in MANY verses:
(1 Jn 1:8) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
(1 Jn 1:10) If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
(Rom 3:23) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
(Rom 3:10) As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
(Ecc 7:20) For there is not a just man upon the earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
(Prov 20:9) Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
(1 Kin 8:46)(2 Chr 6:36) If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,)…
(Ps 130:3) If thou Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
Is there someone who is still not convinced they are a sinner? What can you say to convince them? Maybe showing what the Bible calls sin. Yes, most agree murder, rape, robbery, etc…. are sins, and they haven’t done that, so they are okay. What are some things the Bible calls sin that many people commit and they don’t realize are sinful? These are in alphabetical order. How many can you name?
| (Mt 5:22) Anger | (Mt 7:21) Evil Thoughts |
| (Phil 2:14) Arguing | (Mt 7:22) Foolishness |
| (Eph 4:30-31) Bitterness | (Mt 7:21) Fornication |
| (Mt 7:22) Blasphemy | (Lev 19:16) Gossip |
| (Rom 1:31) Breaking Promises | (1 Pet 2:1) Hypocrisy |
| (Phil 2:14) Complaining | (1 Cor 10:14) Idolatry |
| (Mt 7:22) Deceipt | (Mt 5:28) Lust |
| (Rom 1:30) Disobedient To Parents | (Ex 20:16) Lying |
| (Lk 1:18-20) Doubt | (Prov 21:4) Pride |
| (1 Pet 2:1) Envy | (Mt 6:14-15) Unforgiveness |
| (Eph 4:31) Evil Speaking | (Ps 101:3)(Isa 33:15) Watching Bad Things |
In addition, here are some other verses to consider.
If we keep the whole law but fail at just one, we are guilty of breaking them all (James 2:10).
If we know to do good and do not, it is sin (James 4:17).
All unrighteousness is sin (1 Jn 5:17).
Not believing in Jesus is sin (Jn 16:9).
Failing to pray for someone is sin (1 Sam 12:23).
If we do something that we think is wrong, it is sin, even if what we do is not actually a sin (Rom 14:23).
There are also sins of “omission.” These are things we have been commanded to do, but fail to do.
What are some of these? Let’s look at: (Mt 25:34-45)(Isa 58:7)(James 2:15-16) (Heb 13:2-3).
Feeding the hungry, Give someone thirsty a drink, Take in a stranger or the poor, Visit someone in prison, Clothe someone who has none
In addition to those, here are some other sins of omission.
If you are a Christian, your body is God’s temple, do you take care of it? (1 Cor 3:16-17)(1 Cor 6:19-20)
Do you fulfill the Great Commission? (Mt 28:19-20)
Do you do something that might hinder a Christian brother or sister? (1 Cor 8:1-13)
Love you neighbor as yourself? (Mt 19:19)(Mk 12:31,33)(Mt 22:39)(Lk 10:27)
Do you show partiality? (James 2:9)
Do you fail to trust in the Lord? (Prov 3:5-6)
Do you fail to gather with believers in church? (Heb 10:25)
Do you study to show yourself approved? (2 Tim 2:15)
Do you do good to those who hate you? (Lk 6:27)
Do you bless them that curse you and pray for them that use you? (Lk 6:28)
Do you give to everyone who asks of you? (Lk 6:30)
Do you treat others as you would want them to treat you? (Lk 6:31)
STILL NOT CONVINCED? If they are not, then they do not want Jesus and His payment for their sins, and cannot be a Christian at that time.
**Isn’t it remarkable Jesus passed every one of these tests and lived a perfect life?
B: Belief in Jesus.
All Christians agree that believing in Jesus is essential to salvation. However, what does belief in Jesus entail?
Does belief in Jesus mean that we simply have to believe He exists?
Let’s look at 3 different sections in the Bible:
(Jn 8:30-31, and the following verses to verse 59)
(Acts 8:12-24)
(James 2:14-26)
(Mt 8:29)(Mk 3:11)(Mk 5:7)(Lk 8:28)
Key believing verses: (Jn 3:16,18,36)(Jn 1:12)(Eph 1:13)(Heb 11:6)(Jn 8:24) (Rom 1:16)(Jn 6:29)(Acts 16:30)(Jn 5:24)(1 Tim 4:10)(Jn 11:25-26)(1 Cor 1:21) (Rom 3:22)(Rom 4:5)(Rom 9:33)(Jn 12:46)(Jn 20:31)
Belief and faith go hand in hand. What does the Bible tell us about faith? Let’s look at several places.
(Hebrews: Chapter 11) (Key verses: 11:1,6)
Other things about faith:
(Rom 12:3)(Eph 2:8)(Phil 1:29) Faith is a gift
(1 Jn 3:23) We are commanded to believe
(Rom 3:28,30)(Rom 5:1)(Gal 2:16) Justified by faith
(Jn 6:29) The work of God is that we believe in Jesus
(Acts 15:9) Our hearts are cleansed and purified by faith
(Heb 12:2) Christ is the author and finisher of our faith
(Gal 3:26) Children of God by faith
(Jn 16:9) It is a sin not to believe in Jesus
The common acronym: F.A.I.T.H. = Forsaking All I Trust Christ
C: Confession.
What does confession mean?
What must we confess?
Rom 10:9-10: He is Lord, He arose from the dead
Mt 10:32-33: Jesus said to confess Him before men
When we confess, do we say it or pray it?
Call upon the Lord: Rom 10:12-14, Acts 2:21