In His Time

“Conversion In His Time”

by Joe Mack Cherry

I. Preface – Bringing Others to Christ

A. We are all called to bring others to Christ!

1. We are commanded to teach and admonish others.

a. Mk 16:15 – “preach the gospel to all creatures.”

b. Mat 28:19-20 – “go ye into world and make disciples of all nations.”

c. Jas. 3:1 tells us – “… we who teach will be judged more strictly.”

• Not only will we be judged on the validity of what we teach we will be judged on how we teach it.

2. Bringing others to Christ does not require a title such as teacher, preacher, evangelist, deacon, elder or pastor; it only requires a love for lost souls.

a. The beauty of the plan of salvation is that it is simple enough that people can share it accurately with others and it can be readily understood by the masses. However, the time it will take for someone to fully accept Christ is not a universal constant. We are not all the same and are not all traveling at the same speed toward Christ.

b. We don’t have to have a vast knowledge of the scriptures to lead others to Christ. We can use life stories to let others know how we came to Christ and what God has done for us. Let them see the gospel alive in your life. Yes, often we are the only gospel others ever see.

c. Don’t be afraid to ask for support from a brother or sister if you need it.

3. In bringing others to Christ, we must realize that the journey starts for them in a completely different place from where we (as seasoned Christians) are in the present.

a. I Cor. 7:20 Paul tells those who come to Christ, to come just as they are.

b. It isn’t our job to clean folks up to our standards and then bring them to Christ. It is simply to bring them to Christ and let Him work in them.

4. We have to have faith that the Spirit will guide the new convert to change what really needs to be changed over time.

B. It is paramount that we draw others to Christ in love.

1. Some preach/teach on the platform of fear.

a. Fear alone is not the best motivator.

b. This can lead to the wrong kind of conversion.

c. The purpose of the gospel is to bring others to Christ. It is not a weapon intended to scare Hell out of anyone. The Gospel is Good News!

2. I do believe conviction (Godly fear) can and does lead to true repentance. II Cor. 7:10

3. Phil. 2:12 – “ … work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

a. Salvation is a serious matter.

b. Salvation is also a very personal matter.

4. Love has the power to draw others. As we bring others to Christ, are we a group with which others would want to be associated? Do they feel the love here? YES!

a. A couple came to Homecoming in October and were very impressed with the fellowship after the service. A few weeks later they called desiring to be baptized and to become a part of God’s family here.

b. Due to timing issues, they ended up being baptized and placing membership at a Lord’s church elsewhere.

c. Would we have loved to have them here? Absolutely! Nevertheless, Green Ridge did its part in representing the love of God and the angels in heaven rejoiced when they were baptized. Those of us who found out later did the same.

C. A Sense of Urgency Should Always be Expressed but not to the point of oppression.

1. We have scriptures that speak to this very idea.

a. Psa. 95:7-8 – “Today, if you would only hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.”

b. Heb. 3:7-8 – the gist of this verse is that the more repentance is put off the easier it is to do again.

c. I Tim. 4:2 – One’s heart can become so seared that it is no longer convicted of its sins. This quickly leads to the final step.

d. Final Step – Rom. 1:28 we can reach a point of no return.

2. Some people use the sense of urgency to justify forcing others to Christ by any means they deem necessary.

a. The use of fearmongering or shame as a weapon to bring someone to Christ sets a bad precedence. Those who react out of fear are merely trying to dodge hell.

b. Dodging hell is not all there is to Christianity.

c. Fear can blind one to the power and purpose of the blood of Christ. If a “bad” fear drives one to baptism, it likely will return quickly bringing with it despair when the person realizes he/she can never measure up, so he quits even trying.