The Doctrine of Conversion
Text: Matthew 18:3
INTRODUCTION: To enter heaven a condition is required: conversion. The consequence for failing to comply with this condition is you won’t be allowed to enter in.
I. CONVERSION IS NECESSARY. IN ORDER TO BE SAVED, THERE MUST BE A CHANGE IN US.
• Our hardened hearts must be changed into humble hearts in order to enter heaven. (A child is a symbol of humble dependence on God) Why? because heaven is a place where Jesus is Lord. (Col. 1:15-20) But a hardened heart will not allow Jesus to be Lord, so how can a person whose heart is not changed enjoy heaven? (Rom. 10:9) Satan was cast out of heaven because he was too proud to accept that someone else was Lord instead of him.(Isa. 14:12-15)
• A humble heart implies repentance (a change of mind), acknowledging our sinfulness before God and acknowledging his greatness and graciousness. (Job 42:5-6) (Ps. 109:21-22) Repentance also means turning away from our sins and turning towards God. (Acts 3:19)
• This does not compromise the teaching that salvation by faith alone because true faith is a penitent faith. Faith and repentance are two sides of the same coin. Can you truly believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for you and your heart not be melted by the sight? (Mark 1:15)
• This has implications for our understanding of eternal security. For a person to be saved and yet continue in sin with impunity is an impossible combination because Jesus promised to save his people from their sins and not in their sins. (Matt. 1:21) Without holiness no one will see the Lord. (Heb. 12:14) Nothing defiled will enter heaven. (Rev. 21:27; I Cor. 6:9-11) If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation.(II Cor. 5:17)
• Jesus preached: Repent and believe the gospel. Mark 1: 15; II. Cor. 7:10; Rom. 2:4, 5
II. CONVERSION IS A MYSTERY. GOD IS THE ONE WHO PRODUCES THIS CHANGE IN US.
• We can’t produce this change in ourselves by our own strength or will power. “Can the leopard change his spots?” (Jer. 13:23; Matt. 19:24-26)
• “Convert us to yourself and we shall be converted.” (Lam. 5:21)
• “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Ps. 51:10)
• “Born not of the will of man, but of the will of God” (John 1:13) “The wind blows where it pleases” (John 3:8)
• “I will take away the heart of stone, and replace it with a heart of flesh.” (Ezek. 11:19-20; Ezek. 36:26)
• Faith and repentance are gifts of God (Eph. 2:8; Acts 11:18; II Tim. 2:25)
III. CONVERSION IS A RESPONSIBILITY. WE ARE THE ONES WHO MUST EXERCISE FAITH AND REPENTANCE.
• We are commanded to repent and believe. Acts 17:30; Isa. 55:7; Ezek. 33:11
• How do we reconcile the mystery of conversion with our responsibility in conversion? Ans.: Mark 9:24; Ex: the man with the withered hand; also Acts 14:9, 10; Phil. 2:12, 13; John 1:12, 13
CONCLUSION:
• Conversion is necessary: there must be a change.
• Conversion is a mystery: God is the author of this change.
• Conversion is a responsibility: it is our duty to repent and believe.
INTRODUCTION: To enter heaven a condition is required: conversion. The consequence for failing to comply with this condition is you won’t be allowed to enter in.
I. CONVERSION IS NECESSARY. IN ORDER TO BE SAVED, THERE MUST BE A CHANGE IN US.
• Our hardened hearts must be changed into humble hearts in order to enter heaven. (A child is a symbol of humble dependence on God) Why? because heaven is a place where Jesus is Lord. (Col. 1:15-20) But a hardened heart will not allow Jesus to be Lord, so how can a person whose heart is not changed enjoy heaven? (Rom. 10:9) Satan was cast out of heaven because he was too proud to accept that someone else was Lord instead of him.(Isa. 14:12-15)
• A humble heart implies repentance (a change of mind), acknowledging our sinfulness before God and acknowledging his greatness and graciousness. (Job 42:5-6) (Ps. 109:21-22) Repentance also means turning away from our sins and turning towards God. (Acts 3:19)
• This does not compromise the teaching that salvation by faith alone because true faith is a penitent faith. Faith and repentance are two sides of the same coin. Can you truly believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for you and your heart not be melted by the sight? (Mark 1:15)
• This has implications for our understanding of eternal security. For a person to be saved and yet continue in sin with impunity is an impossible combination because Jesus promised to save his people from their sins and not in their sins. (Matt. 1:21) Without holiness no one will see the Lord. (Heb. 12:14) Nothing defiled will enter heaven. (Rev. 21:27; I Cor. 6:9-11) If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation.(II Cor. 5:17)
• Jesus preached: Repent and believe the gospel. Mark 1: 15; II. Cor. 7:10; Rom. 2:4, 5
II. CONVERSION IS A MYSTERY. GOD IS THE ONE WHO PRODUCES THIS CHANGE IN US.
• We can’t produce this change in ourselves by our own strength or will power. “Can the leopard change his spots?” (Jer. 13:23; Matt. 19:24-26)
• “Convert us to yourself and we shall be converted.” (Lam. 5:21)
• “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Ps. 51:10)
• “Born not of the will of man, but of the will of God” (John 1:13) “The wind blows where it pleases” (John 3:8)
• “I will take away the heart of stone, and replace it with a heart of flesh.” (Ezek. 11:19-20; Ezek. 36:26)
• Faith and repentance are gifts of God (Eph. 2:8; Acts 11:18; II Tim. 2:25)
III. CONVERSION IS A RESPONSIBILITY. WE ARE THE ONES WHO MUST EXERCISE FAITH AND REPENTANCE.
• We are commanded to repent and believe. Acts 17:30; Isa. 55:7; Ezek. 33:11
• How do we reconcile the mystery of conversion with our responsibility in conversion? Ans.: Mark 9:24; Ex: the man with the withered hand; also Acts 14:9, 10; Phil. 2:12, 13; John 1:12, 13
CONCLUSION:
• Conversion is necessary: there must be a change.
• Conversion is a mystery: God is the author of this change.
• Conversion is a responsibility: it is our duty to repent and believe.
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