Gospel Transformation

Introduction

Old Southern Gospel song “Thanks to Calvary” I am not the man that I used to be – talks about going to the bar, don’t come here anymore, talks about going home to his son who is scared and hides behind the door and says I am not the man that I used to be, we don’t live here anymore—that guy no longer lives here. Why? Because the gospel transforms people completely. They have a new heart. Does not mean we are perfect, but our heart’s desire is to live for Jesus and live like Jesus. I have a new identity—my sins are all pardoned my guilt is all gone. Saved, glory I’m saved, saved by the blood of the crucified one. The handwriting of the ordinances that was against us he took out of the way, nailing it to his cross. Do you believe that? No sin held against you, no guilt – Jesus took it. So what did this look like for the people who listened to Peter’s sermon that first Pentecost after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. There are four new things that occurred to and for these people.

A new Confession

First, there was a New Confession. How did this happen? They had heard Peter preach, and had fallen under conviction by the work of the Spirit (when he comes he will convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgement). This is a very forceful way of saying convicted because Luke records that they were--literal translation “stabbed to the heart.” They sustained damage in our vernacular. When the word of God gets ahold of someone, and does its job – like a fire and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces—the person on the receiving end will never be the same. The word of God is living and power and sharper than a two-edged sword – God sees through our mask all the way to our hearts. He knows our thoughts, he knows our motives-all the reasons we do and say the things we do and say. He knew the reasons these people come to the temple that day, he knew what they were thinking when they demanded Jesus be crucified, he knew what they were trying to hide from everyone else. And he, through the spirit cut through all of that and pierced their hearts.

What was the result of that conviction? When they heard that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah and had died because of them—what must we do? This cry would be echoed by the Philippian jailor in 16:31. And, quite honestly should be echoed by us as we encounter God’s word. Ok God, I see you as you really are—the Lord, the Savior, the One who sacrificed himself for the rebel who wanted you dead so I could make the decisions I wanted to make, to decided what was good and evil for myself—I really wanted to be my own god. Now I see you in your Word and I see myself for what I am, but you are the Great God and Savoir Jesus Christ-you are the exalted one, worthy of worship—you are of ultimate value.

So what shall I do? Peter’s answer is Repent. Peter hearkens back to the judges, the prophets, John the Baptist, and Jesus himself with this answer. The call to rebellious people has always been the same. Completely change your mind about some things, especially about your response to Jesus. Many times in the NT repentance is represented as a gift from God Acts