Message Summary
Today the word “Christian” is used rather flippantly. It is used to describe all manner of persons who, when it comes right down to it, are not Christians in any real sense of the word. The title “Christian” was first used of the disciples in Antioch more than likely by the unbelievers in that town (Acts 17:26). I’m lead to ask, why were they called this? What did they do that looked like Jesus Christ? We are told to things: (1) they were speaking and preaching the word of God; and (2) what they spoke and preached was Jesus and his gospel (17:19–20).

A little further in chapter 17, we are told that the believers in Antioch send relief to Judea for a famine that would come to the land. So Christ-likeness is not only proclamation of the gospel, but the living out of that gospel. It is teaching about Jesus and living like Jesus. The new church in Antioch certainly had needs. Yet, they took up a collection to help fellow believers in Jerusalem. They expressed their union with Jesus through words, and love and good deeds.

Passages for Discussion
The following set of passages and questions are all related to 1 John:

1 John 2:5b–6 By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

1. What is the means by which we may know that we are in Christ? (1) Saying we abide in Jesus and (2) walking in the manner in which he walked.
2. What does walking like Jesus look like? How did he walk? Ask for specific examples, such as, obedience to God, faith and trust in God, loving God and others, sacrificial living, humility, etc. See also 1 John 3:14–18.
3. Are we able to walk as Jesus walked? How is this possible? We’ve been saved: 1 John 1:7; 2:1–2. We have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us: John 14:16, 17, 26; 1 John 2:27.
4. When we fail to walk as Jesus walked what can we do? See 1 John 1:9.

1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.

1. What is the purpose that Christians are to abide in Jesus?
2. Who is coming again and what is he coming to do? In part, to judge all wickedness (see 1 John 2:18–27).
3. Why is it possible for Christians to have confidence at Christ’s second coming? See 1 John 2:1–2; Romans 3:21–26.

Application
Today’s study has focused the means by which we may know that we abide or remain in Christ. If one is not careful one could slowly head toward legalism, which denies the very truth of the gospel. We serve Jesus and seek to walk like Jesus, by the power of the Spirit, in accordance with the Scriptures, because we love him. We seek to walk like Jesus so that all attention and glory and honor might be directed toward him. Let us pray for our walk, our lives to look so much like Jesus that those around us will recognize and calls us Christians like those first believers in Antioch were called.

The following are a few steps that may help one to cultivate a desire to abide in Christ:
1. Read the Gospels to see how great the grace of God toward you is. Understanding the gospel is important, but it is insufficient on its own. The gospel has to get down deep into your soul. It must not only affect the head but the heart too. Only then will you begin to obey God and his commandments because you love him and you want him to receive all the glory.
2. If you struggle with assurance of salvation, make it a point to pray this week asking the Lord to confirm your salvation. Remember, we will know by the fruit we bear. And if you do not believe you are saved, repent and believe that Jesus is the eternal Son of God who came to bear your sin and shame, so that you might become the righteousness of God in him. Now tell someone of your new life in Christ.

Further Study
For more on abiding in Christ you could read:
1. The Gospel According to John by D. A. Carson. This commentary is a great resource for those who wish to study John 15, “The Vine and the Branches.”
2. Seeing and Savoring Jesus by John Piper. In this easy short read, Piper writes with the hope that you will see Jesus for who he really is and come to enjoy him above all else. This book can be downloaded for free at http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/OnlineBooks/ByTitle/