A Biblical Understanding of Conversion and Evangelism
What Is A Healthy Church? • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Opening Question:
Opening Question:
What comes to mind when you hear the word “conversion”? Do you think people can truly change?
Today’s lesson will explore what the Bible teaches about conversion (a spiritual change initiated by God) and evangelism (sharing the gospel with others). We’ll also discuss how a healthy church supports these processes.
Today’s lesson will explore what the Bible teaches about conversion (a spiritual change initiated by God) and evangelism (sharing the gospel with others). We’ll also discuss how a healthy church supports these processes.
Key Scripture:
Key Scripture:
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
- This verse sets the foundation: conversion is God’s work, not ours.
Part 1: Understanding Conversion – God’s Work in Us
Part 1: Understanding Conversion – God’s Work in Us
1: Humans Need Conversion Because of Sin
1: Humans Need Conversion Because of Sin
The Bible teaches that all humans are born spiritually dead and under God’s wrath due to sin, a state called “total depravity.” We are naturally rebellious and unable to obey God without His intervention.
Scripture Support:
Scripture Support:
And you were dead in your trespasses and sins
as it is written:
There is no one righteous, not even one.
This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed.
Use the analogy of a leopard unable to change its spots—humans cannot change their sinful nature on their own, just as a leopard cannot change its appearance.
2: Conversion is God’s Work, Not Ours
2: Conversion is God’s Work, Not Ours
Conversion is a radical change from spiritual death to life, initiated by God through Christ and the Holy Spirit. It involves being “born again” and reconciled to God, a process we cannot achieve through self-effort.
Scripture Support
Scripture Support
Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
but as for me, I will sacrifice to you
with a voice of thanksgiving.
I will fulfill what I have vowed.
Salvation belongs to the Lord.
Against you—you alone—I have sinned
and done this evil in your sight.
So you are right when you pass sentence;
you are blameless when you judge.
Why is it important to recognize that conversion is God’s work? How does this change the way we approach sharing our faith?
Why is it important to recognize that conversion is God’s work? How does this change the way we approach sharing our faith?
3: Conversion Involves Turning and Trusting**
3: Conversion Involves Turning and Trusting**
Conversion is a process of turning away from sin and trusting in Jesus as the substitute for God’s justice. This change, enabled by the Holy Spirit, leads to new actions that align with God’s will.
Conversion is a process of turning away from sin and trusting in Jesus as the substitute for God’s justice. This change, enabled by the Holy Spirit, leads to new actions that align with God’s will.
Scripture Support
Scripture Support
who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can such faith save him?
Share the story of Nicodemus (John 3), who asked Jesus how to be converted, and Jesus’ response about being born again.
Part 2: Understanding Evangelism – Our Role in Sharing the Gospel
Part 2: Understanding Evangelism – Our Role in Sharing the Gospel
4: Evangelism is Sharing the Gospel, Not Converting
4: Evangelism is Sharing the Gospel, Not Converting
Evangelism is the act of sharing the good news about Jesus—His death and resurrection as the way for sinners to be reconciled to God. While only God can convert, we are called to share the message faithfully.
Evangelism is the act of sharing the good news about Jesus—His death and resurrection as the way for sinners to be reconciled to God. While only God can convert, we are called to share the message faithfully.
Scripture Support
Scripture Support
Therefore, since we know the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade people. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your consciences.
Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful things, not acting deceitfully or distorting the word of God, but commending ourselves before God to everyone’s conscience by an open display of the truth.
Ezekiel 37 (referenced broadly): God alone gives life to dry bones, illustrating that only He can bring spiritual life.
The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by his Spirit and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. He led me all around them. There were a great many of them on the surface of the valley, and they were very dry. Then he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”
I replied, “Lord God, only you know.”
He said to me, “Prophesy concerning these bones and say to them: Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Lord God says to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you will live. I will put tendons on you, make flesh grow on you, and cover you with skin. I will put breath in you so that you come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.”
So I prophesied as I had been commanded. While I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. As I looked, tendons appeared on them, flesh grew, and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man. Say to it: This is what the Lord God says: Breath, come from the four winds and breathe into these slain so that they may live!” So I prophesied as he commanded me; the breath entered them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, a vast army.
Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Look how they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope has perished; we are cut off.’ Therefore, prophesy and say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them, my people, and lead you into the land of Israel. You will know that I am the Lord, my people, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I am the Lord. I have spoken, and I will do it. This is the declaration of the Lord.’ ”
The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, take a single stick and write on it: Belonging to Judah and the Israelites associated with him. Then take another stick and write on it: Belonging to Joseph—the stick of Ephraim—and all the house of Israel associated with him. Then join them together into a single stick so that they become one in your hand. When your people ask you, ‘Won’t you explain to us what you mean by these things?’—tell them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: I am going to take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel associated with him, and put them together with the stick of Judah. I will make them into a single stick so that they become one in my hand.’
“When the sticks you have written on are in your hand and in full view of the people, tell them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: I am going to take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them into their own land. I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel, and one king will rule over all of them. They will no longer be two nations and will no longer be divided into two kingdoms. They will not defile themselves anymore with their idols, their abhorrent things, and all their transgressions. I will save them from all their apostasies by which they sinned, and I will cleanse them. Then they will be my people, and I will be their God. My servant David will be king over them, and there will be one shepherd for all of them. They will follow my ordinances, and keep my statutes and obey them.
“ ‘They will live in the land that I gave to my servant Jacob, where your ancestors lived. They will live in it forever with their children and grandchildren, and my servant David will be their prince forever. I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be a permanent covenant with them. I will establish and multiply them and will set my sanctuary among them forever. My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people. When my sanctuary is among them forever, the nations will know that I, the Lord, sanctify Israel.’ ”
Share the story of the Muslim man who had dreams of Jesus directing him to a Christian minister, who then shared the gospel, leading to his conversion. This shows God’s role in preparing hearts and our role in sharing.
5: How to Evangelize – Share the Cost, Urgency, and Worth
5: How to Evangelize – Share the Cost, Urgency, and Worth
When sharing the gospel, we should convey three truths about following Jesus: it is costly, urgent, and worth it. This ensures we present the gospel honestly and boldly.
When sharing the gospel, we should convey three truths about following Jesus: it is costly, urgent, and worth it. This ensures we present the gospel honestly and boldly.
Scripture Support
Scripture Support
Luke 9:62 (Cost)
But Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Luke 12:20 (Urgency)
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?’
John 10:10 (Worth)
A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.
John 21:19 (Jesus’ call to Peter, despite the cost.)
He said this to indicate by what kind of death Peter would glorify God. After saying this, he told him, “Follow me.”
Encourage participants to practice sharing these three points with a partner: “Following Jesus is costly, urgent, and worth it—here’s why…”
Encourage participants to practice sharing these three points with a partner: “Following Jesus is costly, urgent, and worth it—here’s why…”
6: Evangelism Must Center on the Gospel
6: Evangelism Must Center on the Gospel
Evangelism is not about sharing personal testimonies, defending the faith, or doing good works unless these include the gospel message about Jesus and an invitation to trust Him.
Evangelism is not about sharing personal testimonies, defending the faith, or doing good works unless these include the gospel message about Jesus and an invitation to trust Him.
Scripture Support
Scripture Support
John 1:13 (revisited): Salvation is through God’s work in Christ.
who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. You are being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials
What are some ways we might share the gospel without manipulating or pressuring others?
What are some ways we might share the gospel without manipulating or pressuring others?
3: The Role of a Healthy Church in Conversion and Evangelism
3: The Role of a Healthy Church in Conversion and Evangelism
7: A Healthy Church Demonstrates the Gospel Through Community
7: A Healthy Church Demonstrates the Gospel Through Community
A healthy church is marked by a biblical understanding of conversion and evangelism. Its unity, love, and collective witness demonstrate the transformative power of the gospel, making it more persuasive to non-Christians.
A healthy church is marked by a biblical understanding of conversion and evangelism. Its unity, love, and collective witness demonstrate the transformative power of the gospel, making it more persuasive to non-Christians.
Scripture Support
Scripture Support
John 13:35 (implied in the text)
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
James 2:14 (revisited): A changed life in the church community reflects true conversion.
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can such faith save him?
The author prays that non-Christians would see the church’s unity and care, prompting them to consider the gospel. A church full of converted people offers evidence of Jesus’ power.
8: True Growth Comes from God Through His People
8: True Growth Comes from God Through His People
The only true growth in a church is the growth that comes from God through converted people. Evangelism and conversion lead to a church that reflects God’s work, not human effort.
The only true growth in a church is the growth that comes from God through converted people. Evangelism and conversion lead to a church that reflects God’s work, not human effort.
Scripture Support:
Scripture Support:
Jonah 2:9 (revisited):
but as for me, I will sacrifice to you
with a voice of thanksgiving.
I will fulfill what I have vowed.
Salvation belongs to the Lord.
1 Peter 1:3-6 (revisited): The hope of the resurrection fuels the church’s witness.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. You are being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials.
Encourage the group to reflect on how their church can better demonstrate the gospel through love, unity, and a focus on conversion.
Encourage the group to reflect on how their church can better demonstrate the gospel through love, unity, and a focus on conversion.
Conclusion and Application
Conclusion and Application
Summary of Key Points
Summary of Key Points
1. Conversion is necessary because of our sinful state (Eph. 2:1, Rom. 3:10).
1. Conversion is necessary because of our sinful state (Eph. 2:1, Rom. 3:10).
2. Conversion is God’s work, not ours, involving turning and trusting (John 3:5, Jonah 2:9).
2. Conversion is God’s work, not ours, involving turning and trusting (John 3:5, Jonah 2:9).
3. Evangelism is sharing the gospel, not converting others (2 Cor. 5:11, Ezek. 37).
3. Evangelism is sharing the gospel, not converting others (2 Cor. 5:11, Ezek. 37).
4. We evangelize by sharing the cost, urgency, and worth of following Jesus (Luke 9:62, 12:20, John 10:10).
4. We evangelize by sharing the cost, urgency, and worth of following Jesus (Luke 9:62, 12:20, John 10:10).
5. Evangelism must center on the gospel message (John 1:13, 1 Pet. 1:3-6).
5. Evangelism must center on the gospel message (John 1:13, 1 Pet. 1:3-6).
6. A healthy church demonstrates the gospel through its community and grows through God’s work (John 13:35, Jonah 2:9).
6. A healthy church demonstrates the gospel through its community and grows through God’s work (John 13:35, Jonah 2:9).
Closing Challenge:
Closing Challenge:
Personal: This week, identify one person in your life to share the gospel with, using the three points: following Jesus is costly, urgent, and worth it. Pray for an opportunity to share.
Personal: This week, identify one person in your life to share the gospel with, using the three points: following Jesus is costly, urgent, and worth it. Pray for an opportunity to share.
Church: As a group, discuss one way your church can better demonstrate the gospel through unity and love to non-Christians in your community.
Church: As a group, discuss one way your church can better demonstrate the gospel through unity and love to non-Christians in your community.
Closing Prayer
Closing Prayer
Pray for the group to grow in their understanding of conversion and boldness in evangelism. Ask God to work through the church to draw others to Himself, and for opportunities to share the gospel with those who need to hear it.
