INTRODUCTION: THE BIBLE TALKS ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN LIFE BEING A "NEW LIFE."

(2 CORINTHIANS 5:17) WHAT IS THE CHRISTIAN LIFE?

BODY

I. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A LIFE OF FAITH.

A. Faith- What we live by.

1. Hebrews 11:1

2. Romans 1:17 - For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

3. 2 Corinthians 5:7 - "(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)"

B. Faith comes from the study of God's word.

1. Romans 10:17

C. It is that which enables us to win over the world.

1. 1 John 5:4-5 "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world; our faith. 5- Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"

2. It is this faith in the risen Christ that gives us great spiritual power.

a. Luke 17:6 - "So the Lord said, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you."

A. A requirement to become a Christian.

1. Acts 2:38

2. Acts 17:30 - ""Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,"

B. A continuing way of life.

1. Acts 8:13-24

2. Revelation 2:5 - ""Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place; unless you repent."

3. Revelation 3:19- "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."

A. We must abound in good works.

1. 1 Corinthians 15:58

B. We need to be on the lookout for good works.

1. Titus 3:1 - "Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work,"

2. Galatians 6:10 - "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the
household of faith."

3. Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

IV. IT IS A LIFE FREE FROM FEAR AND DREAD.

A. We must learn to lean on the Lord.

1. Proverbs 3:25, 26 - "Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; 26 - For the LORD will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught."

B. God commands "Fear not"

1. Matthew 10:28-31

2. Hebrews 13:5, 6 - "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 6- So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?""

C. Christians can have confidence in their relationship with the Heavenly Father.

1. Ephesians 3:12 - "in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him."

2. Hebrews 4:16 - "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

3. 1 John 4:17 - "Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world."