My Responsibility to New Christians

1.   EMBRACE

      a.   As welcoming a new family member:

            i.   Make preparations

            ii.  Make sacrifices

      b.   Simeon & Jesus – Luke 2:28

      c.   Barnabas & Saul – Acts 9:26-31 Barnabas risked his reputation on Saul’s behalf.

      d.   Philemon & Onesimus:

            i.   Philemon 12, 17 receive = “take in as food”

            ii.  Philemon 15 receive = “hold on to”

      e.   Paul & Mark – Colossians 4:10 (cf 2 Timothy 4:11)

2.   EDUCATE

      a.   Matthew 28:20

      b.   1 Peter 2:2

            i.   1 Corinthians 3:1

            ii.  Hebrews 5:12-14

      c.   Educating new Christians involves more than giving them a new Bible and a copy of Leroy Brownlow’s “Why I Am a Member...”

3.   EMPATHIZE

      a.   Christians from a denominational background do not know why things are done the way they are (Casey and the anti’s).

      b.   Many do not have the biblical background / training to make proper application, even after reading the Scripture (G Posey)

      c.   Jesus exhibited this trait with His own disciples:

            i.   Luke 9:55 – “Shall we call down fire from heaven as Elijah?”

            ii.  John 14:5-11 – “Have I been with you so long . . .?”

            iii. Acts 1:6-8 – “Wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (cf John 6:14-15)

      d.   Consider the two-way empathy needed among new Jewish and new Gentile Christians in the first century! Law vs idolatry

4.   EMPLOY

      a.   Mark 13:34 – Jesus left EVERY man a job to do

      b.   Colossians 1:9-11

      c.   Matthew 25:14-30:

            i.   Each man charged according to his individual ability

            ii.  Each man’s work yielded greater ability

      d.   1 Corinthians 15:58

      e.   Ephesians 4:16

5.   EDIFY

      a.   Romans 15:1-3

      b.   Romans 14:19

      c.   1 Peter 2:5 – we are builded up (edified) a spiritual house

6.   EXHORT

      a.   From the Greek parakaleo – meaning “to call beside”

            i.   2 Corinthians 1:4

            ii.  1 Thessalonians 3:1-3

            iii. Hebrews 3:13

      b.   Also has the meaning of cheering on

            i.   2 Corinthians 9:5

            ii.  1 Thessalonians 4:1 – these were new Christians

            iii. Hebrews 3:13

            iv. Acts 14:22

            v.   Jude 3

7.   EXAMPLE

      a.   1 Corinthians 11:1

      b.   Philippians 3:17

      c.   1 Timothy 4:12

      d.   1 Peter 2:21 – hupogrammos – lit “to write under”