The Real McCoy
Titus 2:1-8
I have always had a great interest in words and as well as an interest in the
origin of words and expressions.
I can remember “reading” the dictionary as a young man an trying to
incorporate as many new words into my everyday language as I could absorb.
Some of you knew I was strange, you just did not know how strange until now.
Several years ago I came across an etymology dictionary (word origins) that
is available on-line and I have used it extensively.
I also have a number of books and resources that I use that tell me the origin of
various expressions that we use.
Just recently someone used the expression
“The Real McCoy”
I knew that expression was related to an authentic or genuine article, but until
recently I had never looked it up to see how we came to use such an expression.
Like so many other expressions we use there are a number of possible origins
But it seems as though this expression came to be due to a boxer named
Norman Selby, who was known as “Kid McCoy” during the late 1800’s and
early 1900’s.
The story is that there were those who claimed to be McCoy in small boxing
arenas around the country and that in an encounter with a guy who did not
believe that Norman was really Kid McCoy, Mr. Selby ended up angrily
punching the man and knocking him cold…
Someone then remarked that he must in fact be “The Real McCoy”.
I do not know if that story is true, but I do know that as the welterweight champ
of the time, one of that marks of the man who was the “Real McCoy” would be
that he could, in fact, knock a man out with one punch.
Today I would like to take a look at some things that the Bible says are “Marks
of a True Christian”
That is… things that prove that we are the “Real McCoy”
I Thessalonians 5:17 is one of the shortest verses in the New Testament, it
simply says “pray without ceasing”.
There are many other examples in the Bible that support this idea.
So I submit to you that one of the marks of a true Christian is that a True
Christian will spend a great deal of time in prayer.
And as we look at each of these “Marks of Christianity” I would encourage
each of us to make personal application
In that light I ask you, do you spend a lot of time in prayer?
Do you “pray without ceasing” (that is)
Do you have a mindset of constant communication with God?
If one of the marks of a true Christian is the time they spend in prayer.
So then if we are “The Real McCoy” that is Real Christians, We will be a
praying people.
Number Two
According to the Bible
A Real Christian, a True Christian, is a diligent student of the Bible.
2nd Timothy 2:15 reads: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a
worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
A real Christian is a diligent student of the Bible
Unless we study we His word we do not have the approval of God and we
cannot “rightly divide” (that means, properly handle, understand and know)
We cannot know the truth, or be stewards of the truth if we do not spend time in
study of the truth.
John 17:17 says
“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”
I suggest to you that one of the marks of a True Christian is that they are those
who study and know the word of God.
So, again I ask… How much time do we spend in the study and reading of the
word of God?
Number Three
I suggest to you that:
A true Christian lives what he preaches.
You know the power of a Christian life and a Christian example is beyond
measure.
I suspect that more people are brought to God by great examples than by any
other method.
We cannot all be great speakers or lead the singing or perhaps even teach a
class, but we can all be great examples for God.
Jesus said it this way “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see
your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
And Paul writing to Titus says “in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of
good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,
sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be
ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.” Titus 2:7-8
A True Christian lives what he teaches
It is one of the marks that we are in fact “True Christians”
That we are the genuine article.
That we are indeed “The Real McCoy”
Number Next
A real Christian is constantly looking out for the salvation of others.
See… we have been saved, we have been redeemed, God has extended His
mercy to each of us, and it is God’s desire that all would come to Him.
And we have been saved to save others as well!
Every one of us is to be a soul winner for Jesus!
It is my job to Preach and teach the truth, and it is Lance’s job as well
But… it is also the job of each of the Elders, the Deacons and each of you as
well!
The words of Jesus in Matthew 28 and Mark 16 are not suggestions, they are
commands. We are to be a teaching, baptizing people for God. (Lance last
week)
James 5:19-20 says “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth,
and someone turns him back,
let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a
soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.”
We are people with a mission, that mission is to teach others about Jesus.
One of the marks of a True Christian is that they are actively teaching others
about God. At home, at school at work at the mall, on vacation and everywhere
they go.
Next,
Another mark of a true Christian is that when the Church assembles they will
be there!
Now understand, there are things that may from time to time hinder each of us
in this area.
People get sick, sometimes are scheduled to work etc.
But True Christians will habitually be at worship!
The times when they are not there will be a rarity…
Not as some who seem to rarely be here.
Hebrews 10:23-25 “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without
wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not
forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but
exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Real Christians, True Christians will be at every assembly that they can attend.
That is yet another mark of a genuine Christian.
I suggest too that
Real Christians have strong convictions founded upon God’s word!
If we believe in something we will fight for it…
We will defend it…
We will even die for it!
Now, we must never confuse our opinions with the word…
But we must know the truth, and we must stand up for it.
And we do that with our words, with our actions, and with our voting
privileges.
True Christians will talk with people about what God, through His word the
Bible, says about every issue, and we will not apologize for Gods words or
His plan.
Jude 3 says “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our
common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend
earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.”
Contend earnestly- that is stand up for, and speak up for, what God has said.
Abraham Lincoln is credited with saying:
“I am not interested in God being on my side, I am more interested in being on
God’s side, for God is always right”.
True Christians have convictions from the word of God
And they will stand up for them!
That is yet another mark of the True Christian!
Another identifying mark of the True Christian is Love.
As Christians we are to be a loving people!
We are commanded to love all mankind; even our enemies and especially we
are to love the Church, our Brethren.
We have a somewhat twisted idea about love at times
We tend to think of love as an “emotion”.
If that were the only definition of love…
How could God command us to feel an emotion?
The answer is that the love that we are to exhibit is not an emotion at all….
It is an attitude!
It is the desire for the best for others.
It carries the idea of wanting the best for them
Doing for them what they need, no matter the cost to ourselves
No matter how we “feel” (the emotion) about them at the time!
Jesus says it this way in John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you,
that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
By this (love) all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one
another."
And in 1John 4:20-21 we read “If someone says, "I love God," and hates his
brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen,
how can he love God whom he has not seen?
And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love
his brother also.”
One of the marks of a true Christian is the loving attitude they display toward
all men, and especially toward their Church family.
And another identifying mark of the “True Christian” is
that we are distinctive!
We are different than the rest of the world.
We are different than the denominational world!
We are a unique and special people set aside to serve God, to teach, and to be
an example to everyone that we meet!
As I have said before
Christianity is not for wimps
Christianity calls us to be different
Different from the world
Different from our natural, human emotions
Titus 2:14 says we are to be special, a peculiar, people.
The marks of a true Christian are not found in special clothing (except that it
will be modest)
a special haircut or a beard.
The mark of a true Christian is not that we avoid modern conveniences or
celebrate certain days
(except the Lord’s day)
The marks of a true Christian are in our absolute trust in God and His word and
our willingness to do exactly what He says to do.
When we exhibit these characteristics we will not be the “Real McCoy” ….
We will be Christians!
Finally
The true Christian endures to the end.
We can fall away!
There are those who teach that such is not possible,
The Bible says it is possible.
We must remain faithful to the end
Trusting God to keep His word.
“Faithful until death” Revelation 2:10
Bearing the marks of a true Christian.
Looking for the return of the “Blessed hope” of Titus Ch. 2
Blessed are those who do His commandments that they may have the right to
the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. Revelation 22:14
Only “True Christians”… Only the “Real McCoy”
will be allowed into Heaven.
Today we have looked at 9 Marks of a True Christian
9 characteristics that we need to exhibit each day
But we cannot bear the marks of a True Christian until we become a Christian.
The Bible tells us that we are to be baptized for the forgiveness of our sins
When we do that… we put on Christ.
Galatians 3:27 “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on
Christ.”
If you have never been immersed for forgiveness of your sins God calls
you today
And if you have been saved but are in need of the prayers of your Christian
family… you too are called today
Whatever your need, come now as we stand and sing.
Earl Ash
March 4, 2007 PM