INTRODUCTION: Everything about Christ and his teaching was distinctive.  See
Matthew 7:28,29.  Jesus meant that his religion to be distinctive.
 

BODY
 

  I.    IT HAS A DISTINCTIVE MESSAGE-DIRECT FROM GOD.

        A.      It is a divine revelation.

                1.      Galatians 1:11,12- But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel
which was preached by me is not according to man.  12 -  For I neither received
it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus
Christ.

                2.      Ephesians 3:1-3

        B.      It is God's power to save.

                1.      Romans 1:16
 

II.     IT IS DISTINCTIVE BECAUSE IT ENABLES A PERSON TO SEE HIMSELF AS HE REALLY
IS.

        A.      It acts like a mirror.

                1.      James 1:23-25   For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he
is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;  24 -  for he observes
himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.  25 -  But
he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a
forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he
does.

                2.      Through it we can see how far we have to go.

        B.      It teaches us not to be satisfied.

                1.      Philippians 3:13 -  Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended;
but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching
forward to those things which are ahead,                I press toward the mark for the prize
of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

                2.      Hebrews 6:1 -  Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary
principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the
foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
 

III.    IT IS DISTINCTIVE BECAUSE IT PLACES SUPREME IMPORTANCE ON EVERY SOUL.

        A.      No other religion has reached across racial and geographical lines like
Christianity.

                1.      Hindu-India

                2.      Islam-Middle East

        B.      Christianity's marching orders dictate that we make converts of all people.

                1.      Mark 16:15

        C.      Christ died for every man.

                1.      Hebrews 2:9 -  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the
angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the
grace of God, might taste death for everyone.

                2.      Therefore all can be inheritors of eternal life.

        D.      This means that an all-out effort must be made toward the lost.

                1.      1 Corinthians 9:22 -  to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the
weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
 

 IV. IT IS DISTINCTIVE BECAUSE OF IT'S CONDUCT TOWARD IT'S ENEMIES.

        A.      Some would object to this.

                1.      They look at so-called Christians.

                2.      Just because some who profess Christianity don't live it doesn't mean that
it is wrong.
 

        B.      It's distinction- loving ENEMIES.

                1.      Luke 6:27-29    But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to
those who hate you, 28 -  bless those who curse you, and pray for those who
spitefully use you. 29 -  To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the
other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic
either.

                2.      Romans 12:19-21   Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place
to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. 
20 -  Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a
drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."  21 -  Do not
be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

                3.      If we love only our friends what have we done?

                        a.      Luke 6:32,33-  But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to
you? For even sinners love those who love them.  33 -  And if you do good to
those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the
same.

        C.      Can we love people more even when they love us less?

                1.      When we realize the value of their souls.

                        a.      Mark 8:36, 37 -  For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole
world, and loses his own soul?  37 -  "Or what will a man give in exchange for
his soul?

                2.      When we realize that the same Lord who loved us when we were his enemies,
loves those who would wrong us.

                        a.      John 3:16

                        b.      Romans 5:8 -  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while
we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
 

  V.    CHRISTIANITY IS DISTINCTIVE IN THAT IT'S FOLLOWERS ARE TOLD TO FIND JOY 
IN SUFFERING AND SACRIFICE.

        A.      We can rejoice like the apostles.

                1.      Acts 5:41 -  So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing
that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.

        B.      We can be happy like Paul.

                1.      Acts 16:22-23, 25 -  Then the multitude rose up together against them; and
the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with
rods.  23 -  And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into
prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. ...But at midnight Paul and
Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to
them.

                2.      2 Corinthians 12:10 -  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in
reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For
when I am weak, then I am strong.

        C.      We can rejoice like James.

                1.      James 1:2 -  My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various
trials, 3 -  knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
 

CONCLUSION: In Acts 4:13, the people "took knowledge of them that they had been
with Jesus."  Can people see something different about us and "take note that we
have been with Jesus?"
 
 

Copyright 1999 by Grady Scott may be reproducted for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.