## FAT Christians

## Proverbs 28:25

One of the things that we may have gotten over the holidays is an unwanted possession. FAT! New Year’s Eve often brings resolutions concerning diets and determination to lose pounds. But tonight, I want to say that we need to be FAT Christians in 1996!

Note: Psa. 92:13-14 and Pro. 28:25

I am not talking about being fat physically although many of us are dealing with that problem as well. I am talking about our growth in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is not a matter of our genetics or our education. It should not be evaluated on the basis of how "good" we are or how much we've kept from certain sins. Jesus selected His disciples and related to them on the basis of their attitudes.

God wants us to be FAT Christians in 1996.

I. "F" -- faithful

1. A disciple loves Christ's person.

a. The men and women that followed Christ enjoyed His company.

b. They were loyal to Him and wanted to be like Him.

c. "He that hath my command- ments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." (John 14:21)

2. The religious leaders liked His teaching, but they hated Jesus, the person.

3. The multitudes liked what He gave them, but they had no desire to learn to be like Him.

4. A true disciple wants Jesus.

a. He follows from the heart, not from duty.

b. He wants internal changes in his character so he can know God better and serve Him more effectively.

c. Are we faithful to God?

d. Is He at the center of our lives?

II. "A" -- available

1. A disciple pays a price to serve Christ's purposes.

a. He sacrifices personal agendas (e.g., business, hobbies, family - - his very life desires) to be around those who are like Christ.

b. He counts the cost of following Christ -- and pays it as the need arises:

c. Note: Luke 14:25-33

2. Occasional involvement in church programs will not produce real change in character.

a. Change comes from rubbing shoulders with those who have become more like Jesus.

b. Such opportunities are valuable and rare; they require sacrifices to take advantage of them

c. When there's a choice between our will and God's will, God's way, and being with God's people how far are we willing to go?

III. "T" -- teachable

1. A disciple submits to Christ's training process.

a. God uses: challenging circumstances and truth from His Word to make us and mold in us Christ-like character.

b. cf Luke 6:40

2. The disciple is open regarding his lack of knowledge, skills, and character.

a. He wants challenges that will help him reach his goal.

b. He is willing to let go of his own way of dealing with things, his own ideas, in order to develop new convictions.

c. Do we have anything to learn from Christ?

3. Let’s determine to remain teachable.

God wants us to be FAT Christians! Faithful; Available, and Teachable.