Convert The Sinner

I. EXORDIUM:

Are you always ready to convert a sinner?

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To challenge us in this world, one of our priestly function is to lead a soul to the LORD.

IV. TEXT:

James 5:20 (Amplified Bible)

5:20 Let the [latter] one be sure that whoever turns a sinner from his evil course will save [that one’s] soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins [procure the pardon of the many sins committed by the convert].

James 5:20 (King James Version)

5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

V. THESIS:

Praise, worship and thank You very much LORD JESUS for You have given me the opportunity as an instrument to lead a sinner to You, so that it will cover and hide multitude of sins.

VI. TITLE:

Convert the sinner

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Author: uncertain. 3 prominent persons named James in the New Testament. Most probably, James who was called "the LORD's brother" wrote this epistle.

Galatians 1:19 (Amplified Bible)

1:19 But I did not see any of the other apostles (the special messengers of Christ) except James the brother of our Lord.

B. Date written: Before A.D. 49

C. Purpose: To challenge believers to possess an active faith which will produce real changes in a person's conduct and character.—Thompson Chain - Bible Book Outlines

D. To whom written: Jewish converts who lived outside the Holy Land; possibly also to the devout Jews of the dispersion,—James 1:1.—Thompson Chain - Bible Book Outlines

E. Main Theme: practical religion manifesting itself in good works, contrasted with mere profession of faith

F. Key words: faith and works

James 2:17 (Amplified Bible)

2:17 So also faith, if it does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up), by itself is destitute of power (inoperative, dead).

G. Key verses:

James 1:27 (Amplified Bible)

1:27 External religious worship [religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world.

James 2:26 (Amplified Bible)

2:26 For as the human body apart from the spirit is lifeless, so faith apart from [its] works of obedience is also dead.

VIII. MAIN BODY:

Convert, turns a sinner or "epistrepho" in Greek meaning:

1. to revert

2. to convert

3. to return

Sinner or "hamartolos" in Greek meaning:

1. sinful

2. sinner

Error or "plane" in Greek meaning:

1. objectively fraudulence

2. subjectively a straying from orthodoxy or piety

3. deceit, to deceive, delusion, error

Way or "hodos" in Greek meaning:

1. a road

2. a progress

3. a mode or means - a journey, highway

It's a blessing for everyone and anyone can do it, as long as he/she is in the LORD, and sincere in doing what the LORD commanded, he/she can convert any sinner from the error of his/her way. This whoever needs to be in the LORD and also a doer of the WORD, he/she can't give or teach what he/she doesn't have.

Matthew 10:8 (Amplified Bible)

10:8 Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely (without pay) you have received, freely (without charge) give.

Whatever you can give to this sinner, remember that it you have received it first coming from the LORD, there are no other source. John the Baptist realized this early in his ministry.

John 3:27 (Amplified Bible)

3:27 John answered, A man can receive nothing [he can claim nothing, he can take unto himself nothing] except as it has been granted to him from heaven. [A man must be content to receive the gift which is given him from heaven; there is no other source.]

A. You have save a soul from death

Save or "sozo" in Greek meaning:

1. to save, that is deliver or protect

2. heal, preserve, save, do well, be whole

Soul or "psuche" in Greek meaning:

1. breath, that is spirit

2. rational and immortal soul which makes us different from animals

3. heart, life, mind, soul

Death or "thanatos" in Greek meaning: death

"Let the [latter] one be sure that whoever turns a sinner from his evil course will save [that one’s] soul from death"

Proverbs 11:30 (Amplified Bible)

11:30 The fruit of the [uncompromisingly] righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise captures human lives [for God, as a fisher of men—he gathers and receives them for eternity].

Matthew 4:19 (Amplified Bible)

4:19 And He said to them, Come after Me [as disciples—letting Me be your Guide], follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men!