Conversion.

Steve Gentry

[0:08] Alright, go ahead and have a seat. [0:10] Welcome to Village Church. [0:12] You know, I really believe that I could wear board shorts and a tank top and get less [0:18] comments than when I wear a jacket. [0:20] And I don’t know what that says about me and I don’t know what that says about you, [0:25] but it must mean something.

[0:27] So next week, get ready for the board shorts and tank top, I guess. [0:30] I don’t know. [0:32] Maybe this will be the win. [0:33] It’s cold, whatever. [0:34] I wanted to wear a jacket. [0:36] None of your business.

[0:39] If you have a bob, go ahead and open to Acts chapter 3. [0:42] We’re going to be there in verse 17 in just a minute. [0:45] But before we get into that, for probably the last year, we’ve been kind of taking [0:51] inventory of our building needs, of what we really enjoy, what we don’t enjoy. [0:57] We’re so grateful that a few years ago, God made this possible where this could become [1:03] a permanent facility for us.

[1:05] But there are a few things about this building that we believe we could steward better for [1:12] God’s glory. [1:13] There are some updates that we believe need to be made to give everyone a better experience, [1:19] specifically those who do not call Village Church home. [1:23] In the foyer, it’s a little too narrow. [1:27] It’s a little small.

[1:29] So before and after the service, we want people to have the freedom to connect and feel like [1:34] they can stop and have a conversation. [1:36] But as you’ve probably experienced after the service, you really just got to get through [1:41] there to be able to breathe. [1:43] And so we have been talking with our members for a few months, and we’ve been working [1:46] with an architect.

[1:47] And if I could just get that up on the screen really quick. [1:49] This is a picture of what we want to do here to the building. [1:56] And I’m going to point out a few keys to it. [1:59] But before we do that, to let you know, we’ve been working with the bank to see how we [2:04] can accomplish all this. [2:05] And by God’s grace, the really good news is that our building is worth more than we paid

[2:11] for it and way more than we owe on it. [2:14] And so we can leverage some of that to our benefit, but we do not desire to go into [2:20] deep debt to make any changes. [2:22] Of course, we want to stay financially strong, be good stewards of God’s money. [2:27] And in working with the bank, we know that to make the changes that we want, we know [2:32] we’re going to need at least $100,000.

[2:35] But I want to tell you why we believe that that is really not a huge leap for us with [2:43] the amount of people and the amount of giving that we do have, but also why it’s worth [2:47] it. [2:47] And I just want to point out a few things. [2:49] First thing I want you to see up here is that the foyer that we’re proposing is really [2:55] around two thirds larger than what we currently have.

[2:59] It’s quite an expansion. [3:01] And so what we’re talking about doing is really gutting the office wing that we have right [3:05] now and turning that all into foyer space. [3:08] That’s going to create two entry points into this auditorium. [3:13] And it’s also going to have us right on this side to build another bathroom. [3:20] And that’s a great need if you’ve ever had to use the bathroom here.

[3:23] You usually have to wait in line. [3:26] And so what we want to do is to build a bathroom that will have three stalls on each side, [3:31] the women’s and the men’s side. [3:33] And what that will help us do is two things. [3:35] Number one, it will clear up a lot of congestion. [3:37] And then during the service time, we will have the ability to completely close off

[3:43] the village kids section so that the adults and the kids won’t be vying for bathroom [3:49] space. [3:50] And it’s just kind of will give us a little another extra measure of security for our [3:54] kids that we’re not changing the bathrooms as they are right now. [3:58] But what we’re doing is adding bathrooms on the other side. [4:00] And we think that would be great.

[4:02] We’re also adding another entry door a little further down, which will give us two entry [4:07] points into the building, which we think will be great for flow. [4:12] And also one huge headache that we’ve always had, if you’re if you are handicapped, our [4:18] handicap parking, this wasn’t our doing, we inherited this when we bought the building. [4:22] The only handicap space we have right now is in the back. [4:25] And so that makes an entryway number one kind of unsecure because we usually keep that door

[4:30] locked. [4:31] But it’s also a headache and it’s just not enjoyable if you have to use that parking. [4:35] What we want to do is we’re going to clear out some space on this end of the building [4:39] to add handicap parking on this side. [4:42] And with the new entry door, it will be close enough to where you will be able to as a handicap [4:47] person be able to enter into the front of the building rather than come through an

[4:52] unsecure location, have to knock and us be like, oh, no. [4:55] And so so that’ll be a lot easier. [4:58] You come in during the service, it’s a little weird, but it’ll be a way more convenient, [5:02] a way better experience for those who need to use the handicap parking area. [5:08] Another thing that you’ll notice is that this room will be changed a lot. [5:12] We want to turn this room sideways.

[5:14] And that means that we’re going to push the entryway back on that side to make it completely [5:20] flush on this wall, have two modes of entry to where you will be entering into the back [5:24] of the auditorium. [5:26] And that’s without really expanding the square footage of our building, because we’re going [5:30] to keep the exact same shell, no changes there. [5:33] It’ll add about 50 seats to prepare for future growth.

[5:38] And it will make it a much more comfortable format to turn this room sideways, have the [5:43] stage against that wall, looking out so that you can come in at the complete back of the [5:48] auditorium. [5:49] And that’ll free up a lot of space as well. [5:51] And we believe that that will make this building just way more user friendly and give everyone [5:59] specifically on Sunday morning, because that’s what this is going to impact the most, a

[6:04] far better experience, specifically if you’ve never been here before. [6:08] Now, if you call Village Church home, you’re just used to the way that things are. [6:12] But I tell you that right now, our foyer is really a pinch point, specifically if you [6:17] are new here and the experience could be so much better. [6:19] And we believe that God has given us a responsibility to this building to be good stewards of doing [6:25] with it the best that we can.

[6:27] And we believe that this will really enhance the worship experience a great deal for those [6:34] who call Village Church home, as well as those who have never been here before. [6:39] The front of the building where you enter, we’re going to have two different doors, [6:43] but we’re also going to add a lot of windows to let in a lot of natural light into the [6:48] foyer space as well. [6:49] And we just believe it’s going to be great.

[6:51] So here’s what I need from you. [6:54] With the amount of giving units that we have or givers that we have at Village Church, [6:59] $100,000 is not an audacious enterprise. [7:03] Usually when churches enter into any type of building or, you know, quote unquote, [7:09] capital campaign, if you have a background with churches, there’s usually multimillion [7:14] dollar capital campaigns.

[7:16] We are in no way entering into a season of that at all. [7:21] What we are going to do is that we need to raise $100,000 in order to be able to begin [7:28] the construction with this. [7:29] I would love it if we could raise more than that, but that’s the bare minimum that we [7:34] need to not change our financial status a lot and to refinance the loan with the bank [7:39] to do all of these needs.

[7:41] So what I need you to do is this week, go home if you’re an individual or if you are [7:48] a family, if you’re an individual, I want you to pray over your finances. [7:52] If you are a family, I’m going to ask you to gather with your family, talk this through, [7:56] pray over your finances. [7:58] And we’re going to give you a couple of options that we think could be strategic for you [8:03] because we know everyone is in a different state financially speaking.

[8:07] For some of you, you’re looking for a year-end gift to give for tax purposes and you want [8:14] to be generous. [8:16] And so we’re going to tell you, we believe as a church that the local church is the [8:22] primary outlet for where your giving should go because this is home base from whence the [8:27] gospel goes out into the world. [8:29] And so we’re committed to the primacy of the local church in your life for that purpose.

[8:34] And if you’re looking for a year-end gift, we’re going to ask that you give it to Village [8:38] Church. [8:39] It will be tax deductible. [8:41] We’re going to ask that you do that. [8:42] For some of you, you’re really pinched right now and you’re waiting for tax season. [8:47] Well, we’re going to ask you to, when your taxes come in, for you to pray and set an

[8:54] amount of those taxes and when your tax return comes in, whether it be January, February, [8:58] March or April if you’re a procrastinator, that you will designate a portion of that [9:03] or all of that or however much you want to of that to Village Church. [9:08] For some of you, a one-time gift just isn’t really in the cards because of the margin [9:13] that you have in your life right now or lack thereof. [9:16] And for those of you, we’re going to say, hey, maybe you could commit with us over the

[9:20] next 10 months to commit to giving $50 a month, $100 a month, $200, $250, $500. [9:30] Or if God just puts you in a good place and blesses you, $1,000 a month for the next 10 [9:36] months towards this. [9:38] And so next Sunday, we’re going to have some cards that we’re going to give out and we’re [9:40] going to ask you to make pledges. [9:42] And the purpose for that is so that we can kind of look at it and say, here’s where

[9:48] we’re going to be over the next few months with monies that have been designated to this [9:53] building. [9:54] And we’ll be able to make some wiser decisions based on that. [9:58] And so we’re going to ask you that next week. [10:01] And so we just want you to pray and look at your finances this week to say, what can we [10:06] do?

[10:06] And we’re going to ask you to commit to that next Sunday so that we will know how to forecast [10:11] this. [10:12] Also, just to be clear, we’re asking that this be above and beyond your regular gifts [10:18] that you give to your village church. [10:20] One of the things that I’ve been so thankful for over the last 10 years is the generosity [10:24] of the people who call Village Church home.

[10:26] You guys blow me away with your generosity. [10:29] And we have never had a lot of fears where that is concerned. [10:33] And trust me, we have sought to be transparent. [10:35] We’ve sought to be good stewards of everything that you’ve given. [10:38] And we think that this is a reflection of that, that we’re able to enter into this [10:43] raising really what is a smaller amount of money than most people would have to raise.

[10:47] And we’re going to ask you to, in this season, partner above and beyond, make some sacrifices [10:52] so that we can push the mission of Jesus forward here as a church family. [10:57] And so get ready for that next Sunday. [10:59] Please pray this week and see what God would move you to do. [11:03] Now, we are in the midst of a series called Regenerate. [11:07] And so what we’re really talking about, if I get down to brass tacks, we’re talking

[11:10] about what it looks like to become a Christian. [11:12] What are all of the elements involved? [11:15] First two weeks, we talked about the 15,000 foot view of regeneration, or in other words, [11:18] from God’s perspective, and that God initiates the work of redemption in your life, that God [11:26] makes you alive to faith in Jesus Christ and gives you the ability to put your faith in [11:32] Jesus that you are spiritually dead and God, by the power of his spirit, makes you spiritually

[11:37] alive so that you can put your faith in Jesus Christ. [11:40] Last week, we took a 15 foot view of the work of the gospel in your life, that you have to be born [11:47] again. And Jesus was talking to Nicodemus in John 3. And Nicodemus was so confused when Jesus said, [11:55] you have to be born again. And he was thinking in the physical room, he says, I need to enter [11:58] into my mother’s womb once again. And Jesus said, no, you’re talking physical. I’m talking [12:04] spiritual. You need to come alive through faith and God will give you that ability through the

[12:10] power of the Holy Spirit. Today, I want to start to turn and talk about the choice that you [12:17] make for faith in Jesus Christ. And so I want to combine the elements of God’s work to initiate [12:24] with what we’re going to be talking about over the next two weeks, your responsibility to have [12:29] faith, your responsibility to repent of your sins and talk specifically about the topic of [12:35] conversion. What does it mean to convert to faith in Jesus Christ? Because when I begin to talk about [12:43] topics like regeneration, I usually feel the same questions. And that is, if God is the initiator,

[12:52] if it is God who intervenes in my spiritual death, gives me spiritual life, He chooses me, [13:00] why at the end of every service do you tell people to go out into the foyer and talk to someone [13:08] about placing their faith in Jesus Christ? Why would I say both things? Aren’t they contradictory? [13:14] And I want to tell you, number one, no, they’re not contradictory at all because the Bible doesn’t [13:18] contradict itself. It tells us both things. But what I want to do specifically today is talk to [13:25] you about how those two realities work together, that God makes you alive in Christ. He does all of

[13:34] work and He gives you the responsibility of placing your faith in Jesus Christ. And I think [13:41] the apostle Peter in Acts chapter three and the sermon that he gives to the nation of Israel or [13:47] to Hebrews that he says need to convert to Christianity, I believe he does a great job [13:53] of talking to that here starting in verse 17. He says, now brothers, I know that you acted in [13:59] ignorance because ignorant is something that everyone wants to be called. I mean, am I right? [14:06] I mean, I’ve been called ignorant so many times in my life by so many different people and so

[14:10] many different places over so many different issues. And in every one of them, I wasn’t [14:14] thankful for that proclamation. But Peter looks to these, this crowd and he says, your problem [14:23] is that you are ignorant. That is why you killed Jesus. [14:29] It is because you were ignorant of the work that God wanted to do through him. And if you had [14:35] spiritual life, if you had real faith, you wouldn’t have done that. But you did. And he says, [14:43] as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets that his Christ

[14:49] would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, [14:56] that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, that he may send the [15:00] Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all [15:06] things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. Moses said, the Lord God [15:12] will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever [15:18] he tells you. Becoming a Christian is often referred to as conversion. And what the apostle

[15:28] Paul is telling a Hebrew audience, a very religious audience, is that your religion is worthless [15:35] until you convert from your sins. Number one, this morning conversion is turning from your sin [15:41] to trust Christ. Conversion is turning from your sin to trust Christ. And so the apostle in those [15:48] passages, he really tells us two things. First, he looks to those people and he says, repent [15:54] therefore and turn again. He’s saying, you are going in the wrong direction and you need to turn [16:03] and go to Christ. The second thing that he’s telling this audience is that this is not a

[16:10] actionary movement that God has made. Instead, God has been working all of history to this moment [16:20] so that you can turn from your sin and trust Jesus Christ. Because this is not an audience [16:28] that is unfamiliar with the things of God. For the most part, in a Hebrew culture, every single one [16:34] of them would have been raised memorizing most of the Old Testament, specifically at least the first [16:40] five books. And so they were completely familiar. So when he starts talking about the prophets, [16:45] they’re tracking with him. When he starts talking specifically about Moses, and they would look at

[16:50] Moses as the great patriarch because he acted really in much of his life in three ways. He was [16:56] a prophet, he was a priest, and he was a king. And so they looked at Moses and they say, man, [17:01] Moses is the ultimate of what we would hope to be. And then he quotes him in saying, he said that one [17:06] like him would come from amongst the brethren of Israel so that they could turn from their sin [17:12] and have a real relationship with God. But he’s looking at this audience and he’s saying, [17:19] the one thing that all of you have that you share in common, a great need for conversion.

[17:27] You know, the book of Acts is really a book about conversion. [17:31] Story after story from Acts 1 to Acts 28. And I know that we’re in Acts 29 church, [17:37] but there’s only 28 chapters. The rest you got to figure out on your own. But the key here is an [17:43] understanding that the whole book is just a narrative of conversions. That from Acts 1, [17:48] he looks to the apostles and he tells them, he says, go and you will be my witnesses in Judea, [17:54] Samaria, the ends of the earth. And in Acts chapter 3, they’re starting in home base.

[17:59] They’re in Jerusalem. And then by the time you get to Acts 28, you’ve got the apostle Paul. [18:04] And he is seeking to take this message of everyone’s need to convert to the ends of the [18:11] earth. And at that time, the ends of the earth to his understanding was Spain. And so that’s why he [18:18] tells the church at Rome towards the end of the book of Romans. He says, I want to stop off in [18:22] Rome so that I can get equipped by you to go further. I need to take the gospel to Spain. [18:27] And the message was the same in every single area. Even if it had some differences,

[18:33] he looked to the crowd and he said, all of you need to turn from your sin and trust in Christ. [18:42] One of the things that every follower of Jesus shares in common, if you are really a Christian, [18:49] is that you turn from your sins and you trust in Christ. If you have not done that, then you [18:55] are not a Christian. And this audience is such a great example of that because they were so [19:03] religious. They had all of the right activities. They had all of the sacrificial mindsets. [19:10] They desired God, but they lacked a key element in that they were committed to their work rather

[19:20] than God’s work. They were more interested in what they could do for themselves and for God [19:29] more than they were interested in what God could do for them. Friend, you will not do so much work [19:38] in your life. You will not be so religious in your life. You will never be so obedient to God [19:45] in your life that you don’t need to convert. Your works are not what God is looking for. [19:54] Because God is interested in getting the glory. He is not interested in you getting the glory. [19:59] God wants to be responsible for your conversion and many of you are trying to be converted

[20:08] without conversion. You see, conversion is the conscious act of a regenerate person [20:15] in which he or she turns to God in repentance and faith. You see, in Lamentations 521, [20:23] Jeremiah notes that there is a need in every one of us to be restored to God. And God must [20:31] initiate that work. God must begin that work because God wants to be responsible for your [20:41] redemption. He doesn’t want you to claim responsibility because you cannot be responsible [20:48] for it. You do not possess the ability to convert yourself. You see, the audience here needed

[20:57] to turn from sin that they weren’t even sure they had. They thought they were born to the [21:04] right family. They thought that they had done the right activity. They thought that they could do [21:10] so much good in their life that it would outweigh all of the bad in their life. Friend, you won’t [21:17] do it. You won’t do it. Because for most of us, when we think about righteousness, we think about [21:24] the wrong standard. We think about the person sitting next to us. You see, most of you are [21:29] convinced there’s at least someone in this room that you are more righteous than. And you’re

[21:34] probably right, except for the one of you that is the least righteous. And if you’re wondering, [21:39] is that me? Yes. But the key is, is that God doesn’t measure your need for him in your life [21:49] by the person sitting next to you. God doesn’t measure your goodness by the way you would measure [21:56] your goodness. And you might say to yourself, as bad as I am, there’s that one person that I saw [22:02] on the news last week. I’m not as bad as that guy. You know, God doesn’t care about that.

[22:08] Because the way in which God measured your righteousness is by God. And I’ll tell you [22:16] right now, that is an audacious standard. It is a terrifying standard, if you really think about [22:24] it. Because I have not done so much good that I’m as good as God. Because here’s why. God is perfect, [22:33] and I am not. I will admit to you this much, I’ve at least sinned one time. I’m not admitting to [22:41] more right now. But I’ll admit to that one. And you know what that one makes me? A sinner. And [22:48] God’s standard, that means I’m imperfect compared to his perfection. Because any flaw

[22:56] is an imperfection, and God has none. God is completely perfect. And so I do not measure up. [23:03] So no matter how much good I do, no matter how much sacrifice I make, no matter how many [23:10] Bible verses I memorize, no matter how much time I spend in prayer, I’ve got at least that one [23:17] imperfection looming over my head to where when I stand before God, he will be able to look at me [23:23] and say, you ain’t me, bro. You haven’t reached my standard. And so the apostle is looking to this [23:30] crowd and he’s saying, one thing all of you must understand is that you need conversion. Do you know

[23:40] your need? That’s one thing that everyone that’s a Christian has to know, is that you need to turn [23:49] from your sin. You need Christ to forgive you of your sin, because he is the one that has done the [23:56] work to forgive you. He is the one that has done the work to give you a perfect righteousness. He [24:03] is the one that rose from the dead to have power over the ultimate judgment, which is death, [24:11] so that you can have the life of God inside of your own. But you can’t convert yourself, [24:17] and neither could this audience. If conversion was possible on your own, this audience would have

[24:24] been able to do it even more than you would be able to do it. But the apostle Peter looks to them [24:29] and say, you can’t. You need to repent. You need to turn to faith in Jesus Christ. Those who knew [24:38] the story of God still needed to convert from their sin to trust in Christ. You see, conversion [24:47] happens when it all fits together, and you understand your need. You understand God’s work, [24:55] and you turn from your sin to trust in his work more than you trust in your sin, [25:00] and more than you trust in your own work. And that’s something that all of the book of Acts,

[25:06] and all of the scripture builds to tell the story of. You see, because in the book of Acts, [25:12] chapter 16, another message of conversion is happening. And he looks to the audience, [25:17] and he says, believe. And he’s talking about, there’s a moment when you believe in Christ, [25:23] as you have never done before. And that is the moment where you are converted in Romans 10, [25:29] nine. He says that you must call out to the Lord. And when you do, when you place your faith in [25:36] Jesus, he will redeem you. You must convert from your sin and trust in Jesus. Number two,

[25:45] God must convert us, and we must turn from him. Now, here’s where some of you feel some tension. [25:51] I don’t, because it makes sense to me when I really think about my need. If I have need, [25:58] and like we said in the first week, our need is so great, you can call what I am spiritually dead. [26:04] And there is no more needy person than a dead person, because a dead person cannot do anything [26:09] for him or herself. It’s impossible. You can’t. And so God looks down through history and plans [26:19] a great move of redemption. I want you to look in the text. In verse 19, he says something very

[26:25] interesting. He looks to the crowd and he says, here’s what you must do. Repent therefore, [26:30] turn again, that your sins may be blotted out. Then look down in verse 23. And it shall be that [26:37] every soul who does not listen to that prophet, he’s talking about Jesus, and he’s talking about [26:42] the message of the gospel, shall be destroyed from the people. And so here’s the key. Very [26:49] important. He says, here’s what God expects of you. God expects that you will turn from your sin [26:55] and that you will trust Christ. And then he warns you. If you do not turn from your sin,

[27:02] if you do not trust Christ, then you will fall under the fiery wrath and judgment of God. [27:10] And so that puts us in a pickle. God has told us what we need to do. He’s told us what’ll happen [27:18] if we don’t do it. But what’s the problem? I don’t have the ability to do what I need to do. [27:24] So what’s my answer? Look further. He says in verse 24, he says, all the prophets who have spoken [27:32] from Samuel and those who came after him also proclaim these days. You are the sons of the [27:38] prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, in your offspring

[27:43] shall all the families of the earth be blessed. I mean, he throws the whole Old Testament at them. [27:49] In verse 26, God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first to bless you by what? [27:59] Turning every one of you from your wickedness. He says, you need to turn from your sin and [28:05] trust in Christ. If you don’t turn from your sin and trust in Christ, you will fall under the fiery [28:10] judgment of God. Thanks be to God that he does the work so that we can turn and trust Christ. [28:19] He gives all the credit in verse 26, all of the power in verse 26, all of the ability in verse 26

[28:26] to God to convert us to faith in Jesus. And so you might ask, if verse 26 is true, [28:37] then why make the command of verse 19?

[28:43] And I say there’s no tension there because of the order by which salvation happens, and the order [28:48] is very important. God does the work to convert us. Remember the book of Ezekiel. He takes a heart [28:56] of stone. He replaces it with a heart of flesh. He takes what does not have life and he gives it life. [29:02] In Ephesians chapter 2, you were dead in your trespasses and sins. Verse 4, but God made you [29:11] alive in Christ Jesus. So God does this regenerating work inside of you. And at the moment of [29:20] regeneration, which for many in the crowd in Acts chapter 3, was during that sermon,

[29:28] he makes you alive. And once he makes you alive, you have the ability then and only then [29:36] to obey him and repent and turn to faith in Christ. That’s the order. That’s what Peter is [29:45] talking about here. There’s the command. There’s the inability to obey the command. And there is a [29:51] God who gives you the strength and the power to respond to his command. The key is in understanding [30:01] your ability and God’s grace. You are incapable. You are unable. But thanks be to God that he is [30:13] to make us alive in Christ so that we can turn to him and trust in the life saving work of the

[30:23] gospel of Jesus. In Acts chapter 26, the apostle Paul is standing before a king and he’s giving [30:29] him his testimony. What an amazing testimony it is because the testimony of the apostle Paul [30:33] is really a big picture of what regeneration looks like. Because Paul was not looking for God. [30:43] Paul was going the opposite direction that God was on. He’s on a horse on a road literally heading [30:50] to persecute Christians for their faith. And God literally intervenes in the life of the apostle [30:59] Paul to the extent where he knocks Paul off of his horse. I mean, that’s some intervention.

[31:05] And God through Jesus, I mean, this is a Christophany. He looks to Paul and he says, [31:09] Paul, first time he’d ever heard the voice of God. He says, why are you persecuting me? [31:15] And in that moment, the apostle Paul looks and he says a very important word, Lord.

[31:25] God literally intervened, made him alive in Christ. He turns from his sin, trusts in Jesus [31:32] because he says, Lord, Paul is saved. And he’s telling the king, he says, God saved me. Verse [31:38] 18 of 26, so that I could go preach the gospel to the Gentiles to open their eyes so that they may [31:48] turn from darkness. You see, Paul’s saying, God’s given me a mission to go and preach because it’s [31:54] through the preached word that God reaches down and he regenerates and then gives people the ability [32:00] to obey him by responding to the gospel. Then last week, just to review a little bit in John

[32:07] 3, verse 6, Jesus looks to Nicodemus and he says, that which is born of the flesh is flesh, [32:13] that which is born of the spirit, excuse me, is spirit. And he says, your problem is you are [32:18] physically alive, but you need a miraculous work of the Holy Spirit to make you spiritually alive. [32:25] Then John 3, 16, he looks and he says, really in the original language, it goes like this, [32:31] God in this way loved the world to the extent that he sent his own son so that anybody that [32:39] believes in Jesus will have eternal life. See, verse 6 is God’s regenerating power. Verse 16

[32:50] is what you are capable of once God gives you that power. He not only gives us a command, [32:58] and this is why God is so gracious. He never commands you to do something that he will not [33:03] give you the ability to obey. In verse 6, he talks about getting the ability to obey. [33:12] Then in verse 16, he says, now that I’ve made you capable, believe. See, the work of the gospel [33:20] is that God does the work, and it’s only after God does his work that there’s any work that I’m [33:28] even capable of doing. God does not want you to believe the lie that you can be dependent on

[33:36] yourself. And the way that he shows that is that the gospel is his strength, his power, his ability, [33:45] his work, his fulfillment, his completion, his spirit into your life.

[33:54] No part of it’s dependent on you. It’s all about God. And so when we get all bent out of shape, [34:04] and we fight and we say, but what about my will? What about me? What about my part? I had faith. [34:10] I believed.

[34:14] Friend, what you’re doing is you’re trying to rob God of his glory. [34:18] You’re trying to have an ability that you don’t have. You are lessening the reality of your sin. [34:27] Your sin doesn’t make it difficult to follow Jesus. Your sin makes it impossible [34:36] to follow Jesus. And without God’s gracious intervening work, you won’t. You won’t follow [34:45] him. You won’t convert. The gospel is good news, because the good news is not only does God have [34:52] the power to intervene, but God does. And when God gives you that ability, you come alive to

[35:01] faith in Jesus. And there’s never been a person that God has made alive that has said, no, thank you.

[35:09] Every single person that God makes alive in Christ, then and only then, sees the beauty [35:16] of the gospel of Jesus. Hears the wonder of the proclaimed word of Jesus. And then hears the very [35:24] important command, repent therefore and turn again to faith in Jesus Christ. And when God has [35:33] made you alive, you hear that command, you want to obey that command. And because of what God has [35:38] done in your work, you will, you can, and you must choose faith in Jesus Christ. God converts you, [35:49] you turn. That’s the order by which it works. Number three this morning, true conversion only

[35:55] happens once in the life of a believer. True conversion only happens once. There’s a wonderful [36:01] aspect of what conversion is, because there are many, many things about the Christian life [36:07] that you will do over and over and over. I mean, nobody goes to the Bible once and that’s all that [36:14] you need. Nobody prays once and that’s all the prayer that you need. Nobody enters into a [36:22] relationship of discipleship once, meets at Starbucks at 6 a.m., has one conversation about [36:27] discipleship in Jesus Christ, finishes that cup of coffee and says, I’m discipled. We’re done here.

[36:34] I got it. Nobody does that. There are so many aspects of the faith that just rhythms, repetition [36:41] over and over. But here’s the key. Here’s the good news about Jesus Christ. Once you’ve been [36:46] converted by Jesus, you never need to be converted again. That’s a wonderful thing, [36:51] because Paul’s talking to an audience in Acts chapter 3 verses 17 through 26 of people who [36:57] their entire life was about rhythm. Their entire life was about repetition. Their entire life was [37:03] about this sacrifice on this day of this week, of this month, of this year, this festival, at this

[37:11] time, for this purpose, for this meaning, this rest, at this moment, for this time, for this [37:17] meaning. This high priest enters into this holy place, enters into this holy of holies every time, [37:23] this time of the year, to offer the sacrifice, sprinkle blood here, sprinkle blood there, [37:28] sprinkle blood everywhere, over and over and over and over. But the apostle Peter enters into that [37:36] repetition, enters into that lifestyle in Acts chapter 3, and he puts a stop, and he says, [37:43] friend, that repetition is not what God is going to use to convert you to faith. You need the once

[37:51] for all remedy. You need the once for all solution. You need the fulfilled, complete work that God [38:02] has done to fulfill every single one of those rhythms, every single one of those repetitions, [38:09] so that you will not come to God and wonder on any given day, based on any given attitude, based on [38:17] any given action, and have to think to yourself, am I still converted? Instead, the apostle Peter [38:26] offers them what the book of Hebrews calls a better sacrifice, a better covenant, a better path, [38:35] and he says, repent and turn, and that’s it. You will never have to turn again, because you will

[38:46] be following Jesus the rest of your life. You see, friends, the most dangerous thing that you can be [38:54] in this world when it comes to religion is what I’d like to call an unconverted Christian, [39:01] and the danger is that some of you may be struggling with that very thing. [39:06] You do all of the things you’re supposed to do. I mean, you’re here. That’s a good thing.

[39:14] You could be here and sit there every single week, and I wish you would. That’d make me feel [39:20] better about myself, but you could do that, and it can be completely worthless. Go to your Bible [39:28] every day. Pray every day. Sacrifice every day. Give all the time, and all of it be for nothing [39:38] if you don’t do that primary initiatory aspect of what it means to actually become a Christian. [39:48] You will not rhythm your way into Christianity. You will not routine your way into Christianity. [39:56] You will not obey your way into Christianity, work your way into Christianity. You need the once

[40:04] for all action of turning from your sin and trusting in the cross of Jesus Christ for all time, [40:14] because this is not about an activity that you commit yourself to. This is about experiencing [40:22] the power of God in your life. That is what conversion is. You see, the Apostle Paul was [40:31] not going, and the Apostle Peter was not going in order to tell people to add a new routine into [40:39] their lives. He was not saying, you’ve got this great thing going, and I’ve got something that [40:46] will make it even better. I’ve got something that will make the routine even more fulfilling to you.

[40:51] No, he was coming in, and he was saying, I know what you’ve been doing, and I want to tell you [40:58] what God was working all of that to, because if you miss this moment, if you miss conversion, [41:06] you have missed the point of everything God was working towards in the prophets. [41:12] You miss what God was doing in everything that Moses did as he led the nation through the [41:18] wilderness to the promised land. You miss everything God was working towards in the [41:23] Old Testament. You miss the picture that God was painting through every sacrifice,

[41:28] through every festival, through every sacrifice, through everything God was doing, because [41:33] everything God was doing leads to this moment where you can look to Jesus and you can say, [41:41] you are enough to save me, not just today, but to save me for the rest of eternity.

[41:53] In John chapter 10, Jesus looks to the crowd and he says, I will give them eternal life.

[42:07] That’s a wonderful statement. That’s the good news of Jesus Christ, but it’s very corrective [42:14] for many of us, because Jesus is looking to them and he’s saying, you’re looking in all of the [42:23] wrong places, because many of you are looking for eternal life in what you are doing. You’re looking [42:30] for eternal life in what you’re practicing. You’re looking for eternal life in what you can earn for [42:36] yourself, and Jesus looks to the crowd and he says, you need to look for eternal life in me, [42:43] and in nowhere else. Then he continues and he says, I give them eternal life and they will

[42:50] never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father who has given them to me is [42:56] greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one. [43:03] I’m not afraid of sin. I’m not afraid of evil. I have no fear of wickedness. I’m not afraid of death.

[43:14] And that’s an uncommon security. That’s an uncommon confidence.

[43:20] And some of you may say, that’s an arrogant attitude. [43:24] And I would tell you, it would be an arrogant attitude [43:28] if the reason that I don’t fear those things had anything to do with me. [43:33] But I don’t fear those things because of something that I have or a power that I can make happen or [43:41] an ability that I have. I don’t fear those things because of what Jesus says in that passage, [43:47] because of what Peter says in Acts chapter three, because Jesus looks to the crowd and he says,

[43:51] I’m going to give you eternal life. And if it comes from Jesus, then there’s no power. [43:58] There is no enemy. There is no ability that I have to undo anything that he has done. [44:08] You may kill me, but you will never take my faith.

[44:15] You may ruin my life on this world, but you will never take the security that I have because of [44:23] what Jesus has done in regenerating me and commanding me and in turning me to himself [44:31] and awakening me to the beauty and grandeur of the gospel of Jesus Christ. [44:37] And when he did that, he tells me, he says, Steve, when you come alive to me, I hold you in my hand [44:44] and no one can ever take you out of my hand, not even you.

[44:53] See, God, through the power of the cross of Jesus Christ, he not only says, wake up, [44:58] he says, wake up and walk because you have a life that is completely new, [45:05] completely sealed and completely guaranteed for all eternity.

[45:12] So when Peter looks to that crowd and he says, turn from your sin, trust in Christ, [45:18] he’s looking to a crowd because he’s experienced that conversion and he knows their need because [45:24] he knows his own need. Because those who are converted will take conversion to everyone around [45:30] them. Not because of anything spectacular about you or me, but because of something amazing about [45:38] what God does by his grace through his own hand. Every week, we reflect on the power of the gospel [45:50] through communion. And I know for some of you that communion is a practice that you

[45:58] haven’t done every week. It’s something that you do every once in a while. But I think it’s vital [46:04] that as often as possible when we gather, that we are confronted by the elements of communion. [46:11] And here’s why. Because the bread represents the broken body of Jesus that he was beaten [46:20] that he was bruised, he was ridiculed, he was humiliated for all to see. The cup, it represents [46:31] his shed blood because his hands were nailed to the cross, his feet nailed to the cross, a crown of [46:39] thorns, really long thorns pierced his skull, the word tells us when they drove it in there, a spear

[46:48] driven into his side. When blood leaves the body, it represents life leaving the body. [46:58] And when we eat of the bread and we drink of the cup, we’re confronted with the reality [47:05] of God initiating salvation for all who believe. And it represents when I eat and when I drink, [47:15] it represents the life of Jesus being in my life. That he sacrificed himself so that I could be [47:25] forgiven of sins past, present, and future. He rose from the dead so that I could have a life [47:32] and relationship with God. And every time I eat and drink, I proclaim to everyone around me,

[47:40] I trust in Jesus and he is enough.

[47:47] But here’s what I don’t want. I don’t want you because everyone else is coming and eating and [47:54] drinking while you are sitting there thinking to yourself, I don’t know if I have faith. [47:59] I don’t know if I’ve really been converted. I don’t know if I’ve ever experienced the life of [48:05] God in my own life. I don’t want you to get up and proclaim something that’s not true.

[48:12] I don’t want you to lie to me. I don’t want you to lie to anyone else. I want you to be [48:16] honest today. And if that’s you, instead of eating and drinking, I do want to ask you to do something. [48:22] I want to ask you to step out into the foyer or someone will be able to take you aside and pray [48:27] with you, answer any questions that you might have, could tell you to choose faith in Jesus [48:35] Christ because God is waking you up to the glory of his gospel. But if you’re in here today and [48:43] you’re like me right now and you’re just thinking in your head, thanks be to God, I have been

[48:48] converted. Thanks be to God. I do know Christ and I want to follow him. I want to obey him. [48:56] And it’s all because of him and it’s none because of me. Then in just a moment, I’m going to tell [49:01] you, get up, eat, drink and profess to everyone that you know Christ when you’re ready.