True Conversion: A Radical Transformation in Christ

 

Summary

Conversion is a profound and transformative journey that involves turning from sin to Christ in faith. This process is not merely a superficial change but a deep, spiritual transformation that affects every aspect of a person's life. Conversion is central to the Christian faith, and it is essential for churches to maintain a clear understanding of what it means to be truly converted. In today's world, the concept of conversion can be seen as offensive or intolerant, as it challenges the notion that people cannot fundamentally change. However, the Bible teaches that true conversion involves a radical turning to God from idols, serving Him in love, and awaiting the return of Jesus Christ.

The story of Langston Hughes highlights the danger of superficial conversions, where individuals may outwardly conform to religious expectations without experiencing genuine transformation. Similarly, Gina Welch's experience as an atheist infiltrating a church underscores the need for authentic conversion rather than mere participation in religious activities. True conversion is not about conforming to external standards but about a genuine change of heart and life.

Churches today face the challenge of balancing inclusivity with the need for genuine conversion. While it is important to welcome non-Christians and create a sense of belonging, it is equally crucial to maintain the integrity of the gospel message. This means being clear about the need for repentance and faith in Christ as the foundation of true belonging in the Christian community. The idea of "belonging before believing" can lead to confusion and a dilution of the gospel if not handled carefully.

Ultimately, conversion is a work of the Holy Spirit, and it is through the preaching of the Word and the sacraments that God brings about this transformation. Churches must be vigilant in ensuring that their practices and teachings align with the biblical understanding of conversion, fostering an environment where true spiritual change can occur.

Key Takeaways:

1. True Conversion Involves a Radical Turning to God: Conversion is not just a change in behavior but a profound turning from idols to serve the living and true God. It involves a complete reorientation of one's life towards God and His purposes. This transformation is evident in the lives of the Thessalonians, whose conversion was so profound that it was talked about far and wide. [19:27]

2. The Danger of Superficial Conversions: Stories like Langston Hughes' highlight the risk of individuals conforming outwardly to religious expectations without experiencing genuine heart change. Churches must be cautious of creating environments where people feel pressured to conform without true conversion. [13:24]

3. Balancing Inclusivity with Gospel Integrity: While it is important for churches to be welcoming and inclusive, they must also maintain the integrity of the gospel message. The idea of "belonging before believing" can lead to confusion if not handled carefully, as true belonging in the Christian community is rooted in genuine faith and repentance. [34:18]

4. Conversion as a Work of the Holy Spirit: True conversion is a miracle of the Holy Spirit, who brings about the transformation of the heart. It is through the preaching of the Word and the sacraments that God works to bring about this change, and churches must ensure their practices align with this biblical understanding. [31:43]

5. The Importance of Clarity in the Gospel Message: Churches must be clear about the need for repentance and faith in Christ as the foundation of true conversion. This clarity helps prevent the dilution of the gospel and ensures that the church remains distinct from the unbelieving world. [39:03]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:28] - Introduction and Denominational Roll Call
- [06:46] - Exploring Church Roles and Tenure
- [10:59] - The Importance of Conversion
- [12:20] - Langston Hughes' Story of False Conversion
- [13:56] - Gina Welch's Experience in a Church
- [15:09] - The Offense of Conversion in Modern Culture
- [17:39] - The Deep Longing for Change
- [18:54] - Conversion in 1 Thessalonians
- [21:20] - What is True Conversion?
- [22:35] - Historical Impact of Christian Conversion
- [24:34] - The Distinctive Character of Christians
- [26:46] - Invitation to Non-Christians
- [28:09] - How Conversion Happens
- [31:43] - The Role of the Holy Spirit in Conversion
- [34:18] - Belonging Before Believing Debate
- [39:03] - The Importance of Gospel Clarity
- [45:02] - Evangelism vs. Nurture in Church Services
- [50:44] - Evangelizing Roman Catholics

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Conversion

Bible Reading:
1. 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10
2. Acts 20:21
3. Mark 2:17

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Observation Questions:

1. According to 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10, what were the key elements of the Thessalonians' conversion that made it so noteworthy? How did their conversion impact others? [19:27]

2. In Acts 20:21, what two actions does Paul emphasize as necessary for conversion? How do these actions relate to each other?

3. How does the story of Langston Hughes illustrate the danger of superficial conversions? What was the outcome of his experience? [13:24]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of the Holy Spirit in conversion, and how is this supported by the Bible passages discussed? [31:43]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of "turning to God from idols" in 1 Thessalonians 1:9 relate to modern-day idols that people might need to turn away from in their conversion journey? [19:27]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the idea of conversion is offensive in modern culture, and how does this challenge the church's mission? [15:09]

3. How does the sermon address the balance between inclusivity and maintaining the integrity of the gospel message? What are the potential risks of prioritizing one over the other? [34:18]

4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of clarity in the gospel message, and how can this clarity prevent the dilution of the gospel? [39:03]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own conversion experience. Was it more of a gradual process or a dramatic change? How can you share your story to encourage others in their faith journey? [20:44]

2. Identify any "idols" in your life that might be hindering your full commitment to God. What steps can you take this week to turn away from these idols and serve the living and true God? [19:27]

3. How can you ensure that your church remains welcoming to non-Christians while also being clear about the need for genuine conversion? What specific actions can you take to support this balance? [34:18]

4. Consider the role of the Holy Spirit in your life. How can you be more open to the Spirit's work in transforming your heart and life? What practices can you incorporate to foster this openness? [31:43]

5. Think about a time when you felt pressured to conform to religious expectations without experiencing genuine heart change. How can you avoid this in your current faith journey and help others do the same? [13:24]

6. How can you engage in conversations about conversion with those who find the concept offensive or intolerant? What approach can you take to share the gospel message with love and respect? [15:09]

7. What specific steps can you take to ensure that the gospel message remains clear and undiluted in your church community? How can you contribute to maintaining this clarity in your personal interactions and church activities? [39:03]

Devotional

Day 1: Radical Reorientation Towards God
Conversion is not merely a change in behavior but a profound reorientation of one's entire life towards God and His purposes. This transformation involves turning away from idols and serving the living and true God. It is a deep, spiritual change that affects every aspect of a person's life, as seen in the lives of the Thessalonians, whose conversion was so profound that it was talked about far and wide. This radical turning to God is central to the Christian faith and is essential for churches to maintain a clear understanding of what it means to be truly converted. [19:27]

1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 (ESV): "For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come."

Reflection: What are the "idols" in your life that you need to turn away from to fully serve God? How can you begin this reorientation today?


Day 2: The Peril of Superficial Conformity
Superficial conversions pose a significant danger, as individuals may outwardly conform to religious expectations without experiencing genuine heart change. Stories like Langston Hughes' highlight the risk of individuals conforming outwardly to religious expectations without experiencing genuine transformation. Churches must be cautious of creating environments where people feel pressured to conform without true conversion. True conversion is not about conforming to external standards but about a genuine change of heart and life. [13:24]

Matthew 15:8-9 (ESV): "‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’"

Reflection: In what ways might you be conforming outwardly to religious expectations without experiencing genuine heart change? How can you seek a deeper, more authentic relationship with God?


Day 3: Inclusivity and Gospel Integrity
While it is important for churches to be welcoming and inclusive, they must also maintain the integrity of the gospel message. The idea of "belonging before believing" can lead to confusion if not handled carefully, as true belonging in the Christian community is rooted in genuine faith and repentance. Churches today face the challenge of balancing inclusivity with the need for genuine conversion, ensuring that their practices and teachings align with the biblical understanding of conversion. [34:18]

Galatians 1:6-7 (ESV): "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ."

Reflection: How can you personally contribute to creating a welcoming environment in your church while also upholding the integrity of the gospel message?


Day 4: The Holy Spirit's Transformative Work
True conversion is a miracle of the Holy Spirit, who brings about the transformation of the heart. It is through the preaching of the Word and the sacraments that God works to bring about this change. Churches must ensure their practices align with this biblical understanding, fostering an environment where true spiritual change can occur. The Holy Spirit's role is crucial in the process of conversion, as it is He who initiates and completes the work of transformation in a believer's life. [31:43]

Titus 3:5-6 (ESV): "He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior."

Reflection: In what ways have you experienced the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in your life? How can you be more open to His leading and guidance?


Day 5: Clarity in the Gospel Message
Churches must be clear about the need for repentance and faith in Christ as the foundation of true conversion. This clarity helps prevent the dilution of the gospel and ensures that the church remains distinct from the unbelieving world. The importance of clarity in the gospel message cannot be overstated, as it is essential for maintaining the integrity of the Christian faith and for guiding individuals towards genuine conversion. [39:03]

2 Corinthians 4:2 (ESV): "But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God."

Reflection: How can you ensure that your understanding and communication of the gospel message remain clear and undiluted? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of the gospel?

Quotes


I think Biblical faithfulness entails apparent exclusivity in our churches. I bring this up because I think that the common wisdom today among pastors is that that’s not the case. What I want to do first is confirm that we’re thinking the same Biblical thoughts about conversion. [00:11:05]

Friends, you can go to bookstores and find lots of accounts of people growing up in Christian churches and being around a witness to the gospel, who are not believers. And that’s not just something in literature from 70 years ago. Gina Welch has a very popular book out earlier this year called In the Land of Believers. [00:13:44]

Honestly, for many people today such hypocrisy however is, I think, less of a problem than the actual idea of conversion itself. Do you realize how offensive that idea is increasingly to people in the 21st century? It doesn’t seem civil. In fact, to some people it seems rude to the point of the intolerance. [00:15:10]

In one of Paul’s earliest letters in 1 Thessalonians, chapter 1, Paul refers to the conversion of the Thessalonians. In I Thessalonians, chapter 1, verse 8, he says, “Therefore, we do not need to say anything about it, for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. [00:19:02]

True conversion will always involve turning in faith to the true God from the false ones which we set up. True conversion will always involve serving in love God and for His glory those around us. And true conversion will always involve realizing that the final answers don’t come here, but that we, as Paul says here, wait. [00:20:22]

So what exactly is conversion? Well, most simply, it is the act of turning from sin to Christ in faith, turning from sin – what the Bible calls repentance – and to Christ. So you might want to look at Acts 20:21, as a good summary of this. [00:21:39]

Christian conversion has continued to create provocation to people around, provocations that give hope to them. Christians were unique in defending slavery, but they were in the lead in ending it. Christians have been the ones who have pioneered education, and care for the poor, the rights of women and minorities. [00:22:23]

But that’s where the problem comes in, human depravity. The very thing that makes us need to turn to God, our sin, also prevents us. So what are we to do? The answer to this is not to ignore our need, or to try to redefine it or soften it. What we need is to be converted. [00:29:54]

Many churches compromise at just this point in order to gain a sudden influx of members, but by so doing they usually doom themselves to losing the gospel and finally to extinction. Think carefully. Taking unconverted persons into communing membership in a Christian church will inevitably tend to obscure the gospel. [00:38:26]

Now, don’t misunderstand what I’m saying about conversion. Conversion need not be dramatic, emotional conversion created by well intended emotional manipulation, nor is conversion the mere assumption of your place in the family pew. Rather Christian conversion, being born again, being regenerated is… Christian conversion is a self-conscious owning of our sin and of our resolve to repent and trust in Christ. [00:42:44]

R.C. Sproul: I think this may be one of the greatest crises that face the church today, Mark, that this almost intoxicated desire to build our churches, to get people in there, and to accommodate the world, and to make people feel included when in the sight of God, they aren’t. [00:44:49]

R.C. Sproul: You know, in the early church, we know from early church history in the first century church, the pattern was kerygma followed by didache. The apostolic preaching in the market place, they preached the gospel. People responded. They repented. They believed. They were admitted into the church, and then subjected to catechetical instruction and preaching and teaching in the Word of God. [00:50:03]

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Transcript
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