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Changes
in Life
Examples
of Conversion
G.
Campbell Morgan told about a Christian woman who was struggling with an
important issue. She was hesitant
to give her life fully to Jesus.
The woman said to Morgan
"I know I will have to do all the things
I most dislike
but I am determined to be a real Christian."
A
year later
Morgan was visiting in her town and spoke with her again. "Do you recall
" she inquired
"what I said to you when I dedicated my life to Christ?" He told her he did. As she looked at him
the light of God
appeared to be on her face. She
exclaimed
"But it's been so different
Dr. Morgan! I began to follow Christ
feeling that I
would have to do all the things that were contrary to my desires
but now I do
what I want every day because God has made me pleased with the things that
please Him!" ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical
Preaching》
Conversion
Example of
Luis Palau tells of a woman
in Peru whose life was radically transformed by the power of Christ.
Conversion
Example of
The discovery of Christ and
the company of Christ is the key to happiness. There was a Japanese criminal
called Tockichi Ishii. He was utterly and bestially pitiless. He had brutally
and callously murdered men
women
and children in his career of crime. He was
captured and imprisoned. Two Canadian ladies visited the prison. He could not
be induced even to speak
he only glowered at them with the face of a wild
beast. When they left
they left with him a copy of the Bible in the faint hope
that he might read it. He read it
and the story of the crucifixion made him a
changed man. Later
when the jailer came to lead the doomed man to the
scaffold
he found not the surly
hardened brute he expected
but a smiling
radiant man
for Ishii
the murderer
had been born again. The mark of his
rebirth was a smiling radiance. The life that is lived in Christ cannot be
lived other than in joy.— William Barclay
Conversion
Example of
Augustine was in Milan when
God touched his heart and changed his life. He then left his former life of license
(he even had an illegitimate son). When he returned home
his former girl
friend called to him: “Augustine
Augustine
it is I.” He turned and said:
“Yes
but it is not I.” ──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations
for Biblical Preaching》
Eternal Security
It is said that D.L. Moody
was once accosted on a Chicago street by a drunk who exclaimed
“Aren’t you Mr.
Moody? Why
I’m one of your converts!” Said Moody in reply
“That must be true
for you surely aren’t one of the Lord’s.”
The gospel promises not only
forgiveness of sins but also new life. When a person receives this new life
his or her life should begin to show some changes. ──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
"A NEW CREATION"
INTRODUCTION
1. According to 2 Co 5:17
a great change takes place in the life of one who is a Christian: Therefore
if anyone is in Christ
he is a new creation; old thingshave passed away; behold all things have become new.
2. But what does this change mean? a. What position does this "new creation" hold in the eyes of God? b. What type of life is he or she to lead? c. How does this change affect his or her relationship to things pertaining to one's old way of life? [In Paul's epistle to the Ephesians
we find the answers to suchquestions. Note first of all that a Christian is described as...] I. SITTING WITH CHRIST IN HEAVENLY PLACES - Ep 2:6
A. OUR FORMER CONDITION... 1. We were dead in sin - Ep 2:1 2. We were quite active
walking and following after: a. The world b. Satan c. The flesh - cf. Ep 2:2-3 B. OUR CURRENT CONDITION... 1. Out of love
mercy and grace
we who were dead are now alive! - Ep 2:4-5; cf. Ro 5:6-8 2. Now we are blessed to be: a. Raised with Christ - Ep 2:6a ; cf. Co 2:12; 3:1 b. Seated with Him in "heavenly places" - Ep 2:6 3. Definition of "heavenly places" a. Lit.
"the heavenlies"
found only in Ephesians - Ep 1:3
20;2:6; 3:10; 6:12
b. Various explanations often given: the church
heaven proper
the spiritual realm 1) The church is ruled out by Ep 3:10 2) Heaven proper is ruled out by Ep 6:12 c. Most likely refers to the "spiritual realm" as contrasted to the physical realm 1) In the spiritual realm
we enjoy blessings in Christ - Ep1:3
2) In the spiritual realm
Christ rules at God's right hand - Ep 1:20 3) In the spiritual realm
we sit with Christ - Ep 2:6 4) In the spiritual realm
principalities and powers learn of God's wisdom by the church - Ep 3:10 5) In the spiritual realm
we wrestle against spiritual wickedness - Ep 6:12 4. Compare our position with Christ in the "heavenly places" a. Christ is seated at God's right hand - Ep 1:20 b. We are seated together with Christ! - Ep 2:6 5. Our position with Christ certainly warrants a proper frame of mind - Co 3:1-2 a. We are to seek those things above b. We are to set our minds on thing above [As "A New Creation
" sitting with Christ in heavenly places ought toaffect the way we think. But also the way we behave
for as "A NewCreation" we are to be...] II. WALKING IN MANNER WORTHY OF OUR CALLING - Ep 4:1
A. THE PURPOSE OF OUR CALLING... 1. To be holy and without blame - cf. Ep 1:3-4 2. To be His beloved children through adoption - cf. Ep 1:5 B. A WALK WORTHY OF OUR CALLING... 1. Is one in which we "walk in love" - Ep 5:1-2 a. As beloved children
imitating their Father b. Following Christ's own example of sacrifice 2. Is one in which we "walk as light" - Ep 5:3-14 a. Living lives holy and without blame b. As light exposing the deeds of darkness by way of contrast 3. Is one in which we "walk as wise" - Ep 5:15-17 a. Understanding that time is short b. Understanding the will of the Lord [Walking in "love"
as "light"
as "wise"
will not be withoutcontroversy in the midst of a dark
perverted world (cf. 2 Ti 3:12).And so "A New Creation" is to be...]