Christianity Is A Life-Changing Experience Lesson 6 Series

A. A CONVERSION EXPERIENCE

1. Conversion is one of the most misunderstood of all religious terms:

a. Secular use: “Something that is changed from one use to another” ~Webster.

b. Sports use: Extra point after touchdown.

c. Math use: The reduction of a mathematical expression by clearing of fractions.

d. Religious use: “A decision to adopt a religion.”

e. Biblical use: “A voluntary change by the sinner of his mind, emotions and will in which he turns from sin to Christ as Savior.

2. Conversion is what a person does; regeneration (being born again) is what God does. Illustration of a door with two sides.

3. Three parts of conversion:

a. Intellect: a person must know (1) they are a sinner, (2) they are under condemnation, but (3) Christ died for them. “Except ye be converted . . . ye shall not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:3).

b. Emotion: “Their hearts were hardened lest . . . they be converted” (Isa. 6:10, ELT).

c. Will: Repent ye therefore and be converted” (Acts 3:19).

You don’t have the power to believe in God, until you make a choice to believe in Him.

B. A FAITH EXPERIENCE

1. Faith is both simple and complex. It is as simple and quick as a drowning man reaching for a rope. It is as complex as the total inner person setting in motion all his facilities to activate all the judicial machinery of Heaven to accept all the benefits God has for him.

2. Faith is more than knowing about God. “The devils believe and tremble” (James 2:19).

a. Faith is more than calling to God. “Not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom” (Matt. 7:21).

b. Faith is more than doing something for God. “Lord have we not prophesied in Thy name . . . in Thy name done many mighty works? . . . I never knew you” (Matt. 7:22-23).

3. Saving faith is belief in the right thing. “Believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 16:31).

a. Saving faith is belief from the total inner person. “If thou believeth with all thy heart” (Acts 8:37).

b. Saving faith turns from sin. “Ye sorrow to repentance, for ye were made sorry after a godly manner . . . For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of, but the sorrow of the world worketh death” (2 Cor. 7:9-10).

c. Saving faith is based on the Bible. “Faith cometh . . . by the Word of God” (Rom. 10:17).

d. Saving faith is knowing God will save you. “Faith is knowing we will receive what we hope for and being certain of what we do not see” (Heb. 11:1, ELT).

C. BORN AGAIN EXPERIENCE (REGENERATION)

1. Summary. It is a change of the heart, wrought by the Holy Spirit, based on the scriptures that gives the person eternal life and a pre-disposition to do God’s will.

2. The door illustration. The human side is what you do (called conversion), the divine side is God’s work (called regeneration).

3. Regeneration is not what you do, but what the Holy Spirit does in you. “Born of the spirit” (John 3:6, 8).

4. Being born again by faith in Christ. “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God” (1 John 5:1).

5. Being born again when Christ indwells. “As many as received Him . . . were born . . . of God” (John 1:12-13).

6. Being born again gives eternal security. Aorist tense used in John 3:5, 7. “Born once and for all of water and the spirit” (3:5, ELT).

7. Being born again through scriptures. “New birth through the word of truth” (John 1:18, ELT).

8. Being born again changes our desire towards sin. “Whosoever is born of God sinneth not (continually)” (1 John 5:18).

D. A NON-EXPERIENTIAL ACTION - JUSTIFICATION

1. By faith we are declared righteous before God. “Being justified by faith.”

2. We do not become righteous but receive Christ’s perfection. “We are made the righteousness of God in Christ” (2 Cor. 5:21).

3. We can do nothing to get it. “But to him who does not work but believes on (Christ) Him who justifies” (Rom. 4:5).

4. Our new acceptance by God should change our daily experience. “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:2, 17).

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.