Conversion and Repentance

What is Conversion?

Conversion happens when we willing respond to the gospel call, in which we sincerely repent and put our trust (or believe) in Christ for our salvation.

1. Conversion is turning from “sin” to God.

1 Thess 1:9 For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God,

2. Conversion is a work from God.

• Phil. 1:6 “He who began a good work in you”

3. Conversion is a work of man

Ezek 33:11 “Turn, from your evil ways” – we have to turn from our sins only by Gods help.

**Conversion is both REPENTANCE and FAITH.

What is repentance?

Repentance comes from 2 words.

1. Metanoia- a change of mind

• 2 Cor 7:10 – For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.

2. Epistrepho-a total change of behavior

• 1 Thess. 1:9 – “…how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God.”

“Repentance is a heartfelt sorrow for sin, a renouncing of it, and a sincere commitment to forsake it and walk in ovedience to Christ.” (Grudem)

With that being said we can form 3 conclusion to what repentance includeds and with out these we have right to question if repentance existed.

1. Recognizing sin for what it is and what it does to us and also what it mean before a perfect and holy God.

2. Our hearts must be broken over our sin. This is the emotion aspect of repentance. We will have remorse for it’s personal consequences and grief for the offense against a perfect and holy God.

3. We will actively turn from the practice of sin and turn to obedience to God in total commitment. (See Luke 14:33)

Repentance comes from God.

Repentance is granted by God and from God can it only come from us. We can not repent on our own without Gods help.

2 Timothy 2:25 ^– with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth

Definition of Salvation

Salvation is the point Jesus came to the earth. We define salvation into 3 aspects.

1. A Gracious Act of God

“8For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” – Eph 2:8-9

2. A Deliverance [from Sin]

18and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness……….22But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life – Romans 6:18,22

3. A Relationship Restored

1Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ………..10For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. – Romans 5:1,10

Regeneration, use the word.

Titus 3:5 – “But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,5He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.”

Rarely do we hear of the word Regeneration. Paul uses it sparingly in his letters. It is a very packed word. This is a word we must be come familiar with as Christians.

Regeneration can be defined as the inner cleansing and renewal of the human nature by the Holy Spirit.

Now lets unpack this word. Naturally when I think of regeneration I think of something being made new out of something that previously existed. I think that is something important we should take note of. Us as humans left alone in our natural state are corrupt and dead in our sin (Eph 2:5). So in order to come into a right relationship with our creator we MUST be regenerated and made new (2 Cor 5:17).

Lets borrow some thoughts from Charles Hodge on regeneration:

1. Regeneration is an act of God. It is not simply referred to Him as its giver, and, in that sense, its author, as He is the giver of faith and of repentance. It is not an act which, by argument and persuasion, or by moral power, He induces the sinner to perform. But it is an act of which He is the agent. It is God who regenerates.

2. Regeneration is not only an act of God, but also an act of his almighty power. Agreeably to the express declarations of the Scriptures, it is so presented in the Symbols of the Protestant churches. If an act of omnipotence, it is certainly efficacious, for nothing can resist almighty power.

This is a powerful word that we should use whenever we can.

For more info on regeneration see:

John Piper – Finally Alive

Charles Hodge – Systematic Theology

Missions is not somthing we do, it is somthing we ARE

Missions is something we are. Let me explain. The Christian mind-set should be one of missions.  Regardless of it be small (coffee shop, store, work) or large (overseas, unreached people group). The reason why I say large and small is because of the impact it has on our lives. Obviously, going to a coffee shop and witnessing will not impact our lives as much as going overseas to Mexico.

Doing mission is not going to save us, it is an outward expression of what the Gospel has done in out own lives. Christ said:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:16)

This was a command. This is not something he suggested that we should do. While the local church should have a focus on their community they should also have a focus to reach the nations. We see this model throughout the NT. Paul traveled place to place finding Christians then establishing and church. If their were no Christians he would preach and call sinners to repentance and establish a Church that way.

Overseas or out of country mission projects are not for everyone.  Some are called to go and some are called to stay and hold the rope down for those who are going. We need to think about how we are contributing to the mission field. Are we supporting those through our church or another organization? Are we planning to go over seas or out of country? How we participate in missions is going to look different for each one of us. Pray that God would lead you regarding Missions, they need our help. As a guest speaker at my church said “You either go, send, or disobey.”

I am sure I could of expounded further on the topic of missions.

I have been shown mercy

While reading last night Paul’s letter to Timothy I was just struck by these few Gospel packed verses.

1 Timothy 1:12–16

12I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service,
13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief;
14 and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.
15 It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.
16 Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.

1. What he was before his conversion

• blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor

2. Expressed his gratefulness and amazement of the grace of Christ

• Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; 14 and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant

3. Converted for the sake of others and himself. This was also an encouragement to other to repent.

• 16 Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.

This was exactly the case in my conversion. I was shown mercy. I did not deserve it, but still God was merciful. Paul recognized his state of being before Christ. Isn’t it amazing to be able to look back at our lives like Paul and see where Christ has brought us from.

Mandates to preach the Word of God

God commands us to preach the Word. How will people know unless we preach. People do not need “Self Sermons” or “Sex Sermons”, if you can even call them sermons. They need Christ to be shown as supreme and glorious. The reason for a why church have become “relevant” is because “preachers” are not devoting themselves to sound doctrine and preaching the Word. Just like any trend, the seeker movement will die out and something else will take its place.

Matt. 28:19–20—“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
1 Tim. 4:13—“Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching.”
2 Tim. 2:2—“And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”
2 Tim. 4:2—“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.”
Titus 2:1—“But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.”

Who have I learned the most from?

I was thinking today and wondering who has impacted my learning the most during my Christian walk. I would have to say the media ministries of John MacArthur and John Piper. Due to both of their exegetical approaches to scripture. Both John MacArthur and John Piper have very different preaching styles. Their personalities come out differently when they preach and it is a great balance between the two.

John MacArthur is clear, concise, straight to the point, very bold, and uncompromising.

John Piper is passionate, bold, compassionate, and direct.

All of these qualities can be interchange between these two expositors.

My pastor also has helped me greatly in my learning. It has been about 6 months from switching from a none expository preaching church to an expository preaching church. The difference is night and day. I have learned more at the 6 months at this church than I have learned in the 10 years and that is not an over statement. Check out these two preachers they both have great websites.

John MacArthur
www.gty.org

John Piper
www.desiringgod.com