Receive the Gospel
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Session One: Receive the Gospel
Session One: Receive the Gospel
So the first step of discipleship is to “receive the gospel” …this is the starting point for any disciple of Jesus.
What are various words or phrases people use for “becoming a Christian?”
What we’re talking about here is becoming a Christian (slide/question) … “conversion, accepting Christ, getting saved…” lots of ways we refer to this, but at the heart of it is our response to Jesus and what he’s done! It is receiving the gospel.
Paul, one of the early church leaders wrote a to a church in the city of Corinth (modern day Greece) and he said…
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.
… looking back on the events of Jesus’ life says, “I want to remind you of this gospel that you received”—this is where I’m getting this action step of receiving the gospel—the good news is something to receive it’s the beginning point.
Paul makes it very clear that the good news is about Jesus and how he died for our sins, according to the scriptures—Hebrew Bible—and was raised! And all of our leaders and over 500 other men and women saw him before he ascended into heaven… Paul says. So they’ve received this gospel. But what we after in this first session is to show you more of what that looked like. So it’s clear in all of our minds what it means for us to receive the gospel.
So… To begin a life of discipleship… a person must begin with receiving the gospel. We’re going to begin by looking at Jesus and how he spoke of this beginning point? We’re going to begin by looking at Jesus and how he spoke of this beginning point?
We’re going to begin by looking at Jesus and how he spoke of this beginning point?
Read .
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
So Jesus came announcing the gospel… verbal message! And he says 3 things about it, these are the first words of Jesus in Mark’s account. Remember we’re considering what does Jesus say about this beginning point of discipleship… Jesus says two things have happened… and then gives us a response!
The time is fulfilled.
Read your Bible... leaning forward.
and the kingdom of God is at hand;
Another way to say this, “God is real… and life with him is good… so some come and get in on it!”
Another way to say this… God is real… and life with him is good… so some come and get in on it!
…repent and believe in the gospel...
repent and believe in the gospel...
The time is fulfilled… What time? What needs to be fulfilled? Well… all of the passages in the Hebrew Bible saying that a savior is coming. So the waiting is over! You ever wait for something for a long time and then the waiting is over? There’s a relief… good news… no more waiting! So a part of the gospel, is understanding that Jesus is coming to fulfill a longing in God’s people. He came as a fulfillment of hope. BTW, the scriptures are a book of hope. A good principle to remember in your Bible reading is, “Read the Bible leaning forward.” So time is fulfilled… what else?
and the kingdom of God is at hand; …”the kingdom of God,” what does that mean? A kingdom is a territory with people in that territory/land who are ruled by a King. This Kingdom is God’s. Jesus is announcing that it is “at hand” / literally comes near/draws near (perfect tense). This is how he starts off his ministry talking about the good news. And this is a relief for anyone hearing the message feeling the weight of life… Anyone feeling oppressed, depressed, or stressed. In other words… relief is at hand. A just ruler is here! There’s a new king on the block… a new order for life is here! God’s rescue operation for the world has been enacted… evil will be confronted… and there is an open invitation to all to live under God’s rule and follow Jesus. Another way to say this… God is real… and life with him is good… so some come and get in on it!
The time is fulfilled… What time? What needs to be fulfilled? Well… all of the passages in the Hebrew Bible saying that a savior is coming. So the waiting is over! You ever wait for something for a long time and then the waiting is over? There’s a relief… good news… no more waiting! So a part of the gospel, is understanding that Jesus is coming to fulfill a longing in God’s people. He came as a fulfillment to hope. BTW, the scriptures are a book of hope. A good principle to remember in your Bible reading is, “Read the Bible leaning forward.” So time is fulfilled… what else?and the kingdom of God is at hand; …”the kingdom of God,” what does that mean? A kingdom is territory with people in that territory/land who are ruled by a King. This Kingdom is God’s. Jesus is announcing that it is “at hand” / literally comes near/draws near (perfect tense). This is how he starts off his ministry talking about the good news. And this is a relief for anyone hearing the message feeling the weight of life… Anyone feeling oppressed, depressed, or stressed. In other words… relief is at hand. A just ruler is here! There’s a new king on the block… a new order for life is here! God’s rescue operation for the world has been enacted… evil will be confronted… and there is an open invitation to all to live under God’s rule and follow Jesus. Another way to say this… God is real… and life with him is good… so some come and get in on it! repent and believe in the gospel… This is our response to the announcement. First, we repent. Repentance is turning from self/sin to God. It isn’t just confessing sin/admitting wrong. It’s changing directions. Forget what you think you know about God and life. Repentance is radical. It registers on life’s richter scale of change/shakes things up. It isn’t simply adding a little religion/morality to your life. It’s being so overwhelmed by this news of God’s kingdom at hand… that a change is produced. We turn away from living life just for ourselves… and we put our faith in this gospel. We believe in it. We believe it is real. God is doing something new and Jesus is the one leading this movement. We decide… “yea I’m in!” And this movement of the gospel has spread around the globe from Jerusalem all the way to Bremerton, Wa… and if you came here this am thinking you were just coming to church… that’s true but you are coming to so much more… you’ve come to participate in the kingdom of God… this gathering/us together as a people/are a dwelling place for God according to … we are an expression of the Kingdom… a visible demonstration to all of Bremerton that the Kingdom of God has come… Welcome to the Kingdom! It’s here. Fellow believers in Jesus… you are a part of so much more than you realize. So these are the things Jesus begins with. A look back/time is fulfilled. A present reality change/Kingdom of God is at hand… And he calls people to respond to repent and trust in the good news. God is real! So Jesus announced the good news in this way… and people began joining him… eventually after his death and resurrection others joined as well. Many received the gospel. But what did it did look like? Today when we think about a person becoming a Christian we have certain narratives in mind/stories. Dramatic conversion story… the person who grew up in a Christian home… or perhaps someone who was at a church service and went forward. But, what did it look like in NT times for people to receive the gospel and become disciples?When I first became a Christian I went to a church that emphasized a similar experience… they basically said to receive the gospel/become a christian you have to come down the aisle in a church service and pray a special prayer and then you were now, “saved.” But as I read the Bible and talked to others I realized… this look a lot of different ways. So I want to show you 5 types of conversion stories… different ways people received the gospel… try to think about how you may relate to these…The “Not Yet” Believer - This is someone who is going about their business… not really interested in Jesus… the things of God… but the Lord interrupts their lives. Somehow the gospel message intersects with their story in a way that no one could’ve come up with. Some of you have this story. You were minding your own business, doing you, enjoying a life of sin… and things got interrupted. An example of this is in . Jesus was doing ministry… tired and sat down by a well… ; -42So this woman was going about her regular life/getting water… the equivalent to going to the grocery store perhaps… and she meets Jesus. And Jesus offers her living water… he offers her something more than the relational pain she was in (multiple husbands/divorce?/now she’s living her boyfriend). He exposes her sin and offers her grace… and then he does something absolutely show stopping… he reveals that he is the Messiah. The Jewish Rabbi to the Samaritan woman! Boom!She believes… she becomes one of the first preachers of the gospel and goes and tells her town and they believe! Jesus interrupted her story… her conversion didn’t happen in a church… but out by the well… in the Safeway parking lot. This is one example of what conversion looks like. Some of us have stories like this. The “Religious” - This is someone who is interested in the things of God. Has a Bible, goes to church sometimes… isn’t an against the things of God, but just needs some help in grasping the gospel message. Through the years, we’ve had many folks like this come to our church. Maybe you can relate to this next story of a woman named Lydia who meets Paul and Timothy as they were traveling. - A woman named LydiaSo Lydia… this urbanite/presumably single or widowed… business owner… was a worshipper of YHWH. But she didn’t have the full picture of the gospel. She believed in God, but she needed more. So what did it look like for her to receive the gospel? Notice there’s three things here. 1 Paul spoke the good news to her. 2 The Lord opened her heart. 3 She made a decision to be baptizedSometimes Christians divide over how salvation works… is it all God’s choice and his work in a heart or is it all a person’s choice/response… interesting here we see it’s both. And it required someone/Paul to speak the gospel to Lydia. So this is another way some people receive the gospel. They’re already in church or coming to a bible study and by hearing the gospel clearly explained… it makes sense/God opens their heart… and they become Christians. The “Seeker” - This is someone who is seeking God, but maybe frustrated. Someone who is reading a Bible… maybe just started going to church, but doesn’t get it. This is a little like the last one, but I still think it’s worth mentioning. The example is of an Ethiopian Eunuch. … This man was the head of the Dept of Treasury… on the Cabinet… on the cabinet of the queen… and he was reading / seeking but couldn’t understand… Explain the passageSo how did this man receive the gospel? He was reading/seeking but he needed help. He was curious… his heart was open… but he was frustrated and so God used Phillip… and he too believed was baptized. So here’s an example of a seeker… some of you began this way… reading the Bible/asking questions and you got help and are now following Jesus! The “Christian Kid” - There are many kids who grow up in Christian homes and they hear the gospel at home and at church and believe. There may be a time of testing/struggle (doesn’t have to be) in HS or College… but they build on what they were taught and keep growing in Christ. There’s an example of this type of conversion in the NT… Timothy had that story… Paul wrote to him when he was a young pastor and said…5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. (ESV) Timothy grew up learning the scriptures from his mom and grandma. There’s no big conversion story with him. He just grew slowly and believed what he was taught. BTW… it seems like Timothy’s father wasn’t a Christian. When Luke records how Paul met Timothy he says, 1 Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. (ESV)Timothy grew up learning from his mom/grandma in the midst of a potentially difficult situation b/c his dad never went to church with them. Some of you relate to this… fathers as well… But here’s the point… many of you have this story… this is how you’ve received the gospel. From a parent or maybe both parents… and this is glorious. Be encouraged in your faith… This was your starting point as disciples of Jesus! The “Processor” - I don’t have one passage for this… but I’m referring to the 12 disciples. If you’re familiar with their story… you know things were very up and down for them. One moment they seemed cool with Jesus… the next they were failing. They all ran away at the cross except for John and the women disciples.So when did they really receive the gospel? Even as Jesus appeared after his resurrection and ascended into heaven in , it says that some doubted. I’m not sure exactly when the 12 actually received the gospel… but I know that they did… all except Judas. I bring this up b/c some of us have stories of process. We don’t know the exact moment… but at some point we realize… “I think I’m a Christian now… I’m following Jesus… I’m repenting of my sin.” Yea… I’m in! So there’s 5 ways that people received the gospel… which one do you most relate to? How did you receive the gospel? All of these look a little different don’t they? But they all have some things in common.A presentation of the gospel. The gospel is shared. The good news that Jesus is the Messiah and Lord of the World… the King… bringing a new kingdom… he went to the cross… “like a lamb to the slaughter” to pay for sin… but 3 days later he rose from the dead and offers salvation to all who would believe in him! The gospel message is spoken and heard… A response from the hearer. Those who receive the gospel get honest about their sin and their need. And those who receive the good news believe it/accept it/trust it!A promise from God. Our response isn’t the end of the conversation… as we receive the gospel God promises salvation.“…if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved,” . It’s as simple as that! While the Bible is a big book… theology can be complex… the promise of salvation isn’t! Have you received the gospel? If not… we invite you to confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord (King… Kingdom of God is near) repent of your sin… believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead!If you have received the gospel… You can relate to one of those 5 stories or a combination of them. For a homework assignment… I want you to spend this week remembering your story. My encouragement to you is to actually write it down. On the study guide/paper copies/online. This is one of the most basic things that you know/have!Close with this… while the gospel is a gift that we receive and don’t earn… like we earn a paycheck. It’s important to note that receiving something isn’t an entirely passive thing. There is some part we play in receiving a gift. To receive something we have to reach out and taking hold of that which was offered. I may have to let go of something I’m holding onto… in order to grab what’s being offered. Some of you need to let go of something… in order receive… your hands are full. You’re holding onto sin… sinful lifestyle you think will bring you life… but it won’t. Or your holding onto the idea that you don’t need God/still trusting in your self. So as you think about receiving the gospel… think about this as well… for those of you…We invite everyone to the table… Communion/Giving 1 Song this am… Pray
and the kingdom of God is at hand; …”the kingdom of God,” what does that mean? A kingdom is territory with people in that territory/land who are ruled by a King. This Kingdom is God’s. Jesus is announcing that it is “at hand” / literally comes near/draws near (perfect tense). This is how he starts off his ministry talking about the good news. And this is a relief for anyone hearing the message feeling the weight of life… Anyone feeling oppressed, depressed, or stressed. In other words… relief is at hand. A just ruler is here! There’s a new king on the block… a new order for life is here! God’s rescue operation for the world has been enacted… evil will be confronted… and there is an open invitation to all to live under God’s rule and follow Jesus. Another way to say this… God is real… and life with him is good… so some come and get in on it! repent and believe in the gospel… This is our response to the announcement. First, we repent. Repentance is turning from self/sin to God. It isn’t just confessing sin/admitting wrong. It’s changing directions. Forget what you think you know about God and life. Repentance is radical. It registers on life’s richter scale of change/shakes things up. It isn’t simply adding a little religion/morality to your life. It’s being so overwhelmed by this news of God’s kingdom at hand… that a change is produced. We turn away from living life just for ourselves… and we put our faith in this gospel. We believe in it. We believe it is real. God is doing something new and Jesus is the one leading this movement. We decide… “yea I’m in!” And this movement of the gospel has spread around the globe from Jerusalem all the way to Bremerton, Wa… and if you came here this am thinking you were just coming to church… that’s true but you are coming to so much more… you’ve come to participate in the kingdom of God… this gathering/us together as a people/are a dwelling place for God according to … we are an expression of the Kingdom… a visible demonstration to all of Bremerton that the Kingdom of God has come… Welcome to the Kingdom! It’s here. Fellow believers in Jesus… you are a part of so much more than you realize. So these are the things Jesus begins with. A look back/time is fulfilled. A present reality change/Kingdom of God is at hand… And he calls people to respond to repent and trust in the good news. God is real! So Jesus announced the good news in this way… and people began joining him… eventually after his death and resurrection others joined as well. Many received the gospel. But what did it did look like? Today when we think about a person becoming a Christian we have certain narratives in mind/stories. Dramatic conversion story… the person who grew up in a Christian home… or perhaps someone who was at a church service and went forward. But, what did it look like in NT times for people to receive the gospel and become disciples?When I first became a Christian I went to a church that emphasized a similar experience… they basically said to receive the gospel/become a christian you have to come down the aisle in a church service and pray a special prayer and then you were now, “saved.” But as I read the Bible and talked to others I realized… this look a lot of different ways. So I want to show you 5 types of conversion stories… different ways people received the gospel… try to think about how you may relate to these…The “Not Yet” Believer - This is someone who is going about their business… not really interested in Jesus… the things of God… but the Lord interrupts their lives. Somehow the gospel message intersects with their story in a way that no one could’ve come up with. Some of you have this story. You were minding your own business, doing you, enjoying a life of sin… and things got interrupted. An example of this is in . Jesus was doing ministry… tired and sat down by a well… ; -42So this woman was going about her regular life/getting water… the equivalent to going to the grocery store perhaps… and she meets Jesus. And Jesus offers her living water… he offers her something more than the relational pain she was in (multiple husbands/divorce?/now she’s living her boyfriend). He exposes her sin and offers her grace… and then he does something absolutely show stopping… he reveals that he is the Messiah. The Jewish Rabbi to the Samaritan woman! Boom!She believes… she becomes one of the first preachers of the gospel and goes and tells her town and they believe! Jesus interrupted her story… her conversion didn’t happen in a church… but out by the well… in the Safeway parking lot. This is one example of what conversion looks like. Some of us have stories like this. The “Religious” - This is someone who is interested in the things of God. Has a Bible, goes to church sometimes… isn’t an against the things of God, but just needs some help in grasping the gospel message. Through the years, we’ve had many folks like this come to our church. Maybe you can relate to this next story of a woman named Lydia who meets Paul and Timothy as they were traveling. - A woman named LydiaSo Lydia… this urbanite/presumably single or widowed… business owner… was a worshipper of YHWH. But she didn’t have the full picture of the gospel. She believed in God, but she needed more. So what did it look like for her to receive the gospel? Notice there’s three things here. 1 Paul spoke the good news to her. 2 The Lord opened her heart. 3 She made a decision to be baptizedSometimes Christians divide over how salvation works… is it all God’s choice and his work in a heart or is it all a person’s choice/response… interesting here we see it’s both. And it required someone/Paul to speak the gospel to Lydia. So this is another way some people receive the gospel. They’re already in church or coming to a bible study and by hearing the gospel clearly explained… it makes sense/God opens their heart… and they become Christians. The “Seeker” - This is someone who is seeking God, but maybe frustrated. Someone who is reading a Bible… maybe just started going to church, but doesn’t get it. This is a little like the last one, but I still think it’s worth mentioning. The example is of an Ethiopian Eunuch. … This man was the head of the Dept of Treasury… on the Cabinet… on the cabinet of the queen… and he was reading / seeking but couldn’t understand… Explain the passageSo how did this man receive the gospel? He was reading/seeking but he needed help. He was curious… his heart was open… but he was frustrated and so God used Phillip… and he too believed was baptized. So here’s an example of a seeker… some of you began this way… reading the Bible/asking questions and you got help and are now following Jesus! The “Christian Kid” - There are many kids who grow up in Christian homes and they hear the gospel at home and at church and believe. There may be a time of testing/struggle (doesn’t have to be) in HS or College… but they build on what they were taught and keep growing in Christ. There’s an example of this type of conversion in the NT… Timothy had that story… Paul wrote to him when he was a young pastor and said…5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. (ESV) Timothy grew up learning the scriptures from his mom and grandma. There’s no big conversion story with him. He just grew slowly and believed what he was taught. BTW… it seems like Timothy’s father wasn’t a Christian. When Luke records how Paul met Timothy he says, 1 Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. (ESV)Timothy grew up learning from his mom/grandma in the midst of a potentially difficult situation b/c his dad never went to church with them. Some of you relate to this… fathers as well… But here’s the point… many of you have this story… this is how you’ve received the gospel. From a parent or maybe both parents… and this is glorious. Be encouraged in your faith… This was your starting point as disciples of Jesus! The “Processor” - I don’t have one passage for this… but I’m referring to the 12 disciples. If you’re familiar with their story… you know things were very up and down for them. One moment they seemed cool with Jesus… the next they were failing. They all ran away at the cross except for John and the women disciples.So when did they really receive the gospel? Even as Jesus appeared after his resurrection and ascended into heaven in , it says that some doubted. I’m not sure exactly when the 12 actually received the gospel… but I know that they did… all except Judas. I bring this up b/c some of us have stories of process. We don’t know the exact moment… but at some point we realize… “I think I’m a Christian now… I’m following Jesus… I’m repenting of my sin.” Yea… I’m in! So there’s 5 ways that people received the gospel… which one do you most relate to? How did you receive the gospel? All of these look a little different don’t they? But they all have some things in common.A presentation of the gospel. The gospel is shared. The good news that Jesus is the Messiah and Lord of the World… the King… bringing a new kingdom… he went to the cross… “like a lamb to the slaughter” to pay for sin… but 3 days later he rose from the dead and offers salvation to all who would believe in him! The gospel message is spoken and heard… A response from the hearer. Those who receive the gospel get honest about their sin and their need. And those who receive the good news believe it/accept it/trust it!A promise from God. Our response isn’t the end of the conversation… as we receive the gospel God promises salvation.“…if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved,” . It’s as simple as that! While the Bible is a big book… theology can be complex… the promise of salvation isn’t! Have you received the gospel? If not… we invite you to confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord (King… Kingdom of God is near) repent of your sin… believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead!If you have received the gospel… You can relate to one of those 5 stories or a combination of them. For a homework assignment… I want you to spend this week remembering your story. My encouragement to you is to actually write it down. On the study guide/paper copies/online. This is one of the most basic things that you know/have!Close with this… while the gospel is a gift that we receive and don’t earn… like we earn a paycheck. It’s important to note that receiving something isn’t an entirely passive thing. There is some part we play in receiving a gift. To receive something we have to reach out and taking hold of that which was offered. I may have to let go of something I’m holding onto… in order to grab what’s being offered. Some of you need to let go of something… in order receive… your hands are full. You’re holding onto sin… sinful lifestyle you think will bring you life… but it won’t. Or your holding onto the idea that you don’t need God/still trusting in your self. So as you think about receiving the gospel… think about this as well… for those of you…We invite everyone to the table… Communion/Giving 1 Song this am… Pray
repent and believe in the gospel… This is our response to the announcement. First, we repent. Repentance is turning from self/sin to God. It isn’t just confessing sin/admitting wrong. It’s changing directions. This is radical… It’s like forget what you think you know about God and life. It isn’t just a slight shift. It registers on life’s richter scale of change/shakes things up. It isn’t simply adding a little religion/morality to your life. It’s being so overwhelmed by this news of God’s kingdom at hand… that a change is produced. We turn away from living life just for ourselves… and we put our faith in this gospel. We believe in it. We believe it is real. God is doing something new and Jesus is the one leading this movement. We decide… “yea I’m in!” And this movement of the gospel has spread around the globe from Jerusalem all the way to Bremerton, Wa… and when we come in here… we aren’t just “going to church,” we’ve come to participate in the kingdom of God… this gathering/us together as a people/are a dwelling place for God according to
18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
… we are an expression of the Kingdom… a visible demonstration to all of Bremerton that the Kingdom of God has come… Welcome to the Kingdom! It’s here.
So these are the things Jesus begins with. A look back/time is fulfilled. A present reality change/Kingdom of God is at hand… And he calls people to respond to repent and trust in the good news. God is real!
So Jesus announced the good news in this way… and people began joining him… eventually after his death and resurrection others joined as well. Many received the gospel.
What does it look like for people to repent and believe in the gospel?
Today when we think about a person becoming a Christian we have certain narratives in mind/stories. Dramatic conversion story… the person who grew up in a Christian home… or perhaps someone who was at a church service and went forward. But, what did it look like in NT times for people to receive the gospel and become disciples?
Today when we think about a person becoming a Christian we have certain narratives in mind/stories. Dramatic conversion story… the person who grew up in a Christian home… or perhaps someone who was at a church service and went forward. But, what did it look like in NT times for people to receive the gospel and become disciples?
When I first became a Christian I went to a church that emphasized a similar experience… they basically said to receive the gospel/become a christian you have to come down the aisle in a church service and pray a special prayer and then you were now, “saved.” But as I read the Bible and talked to others I realized… this look a lot of different ways. So I want to show you 5 types of conversion stories… different ways people received the gospel… try to think about how you may relate to these…
5 Types of Conversion stories
Types of Conversion stories
1 The “Not Yet” Believer
This is someone who is going about their business… not really interested in Jesus… the things of God… but the Lord interrupts their lives. Somehow the gospel message intersects with their story in a way that no one could’ve come up with. Some of you have this story. You were minding your own business, doing you, enjoying a life of sin… and things got interrupted. An example of this is in . Jesus was doing ministry… tired and sat down by a well…
;
7 A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” 11 The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” 13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” 17 The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” 19 The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”
27 Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?” 28 So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” 30 They went out of the town and were coming to him.
A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”
Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”
Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?” So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” They went out of the town and were coming to him.
39 Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his word. 42 They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”
Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”
From that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all the things that I have done.”
So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they were asking Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days.
Many more believed because of His word;
and they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.”
So this woman was going about her regular life/getting water… the equivalent to going to the grocery store perhaps… and she meets Jesus. And Jesus offers her living water… he offers her something more than the relational pain she was in (multiple husbands/divorce?/now she’s living her boyfriend). He exposes her sin and offers her grace… and then he does something absolutely show stopping… he reveals that he is the Messiah. The Jewish Rabbi to the Samaritan woman! Boom!
A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”
Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”
Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?” So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” They went out of the town and were coming to him.
So this woman was going about her regular life/getting water… the equivalent to going to the grocery store perhaps… and she meets Jesus. And Jesus offers her living water… he offers her something more than the relational pain she was in (multiple husbands/divorce?/now she’s living her boyfriend). He exposes her sin and offers her grace… and then he does something absolutely show stopping… he reveals that he is the Messiah. The Jewish Rabbi to the Samaritan woman! Boom!
She believes… she becomes one of the first preachers of the gospel and goes and tells her town and they believe! Jesus interrupted her story… her conversion didn’t happen in a church… but out by the well… in the Safeway parking lot.
This is one example of what conversion looks like. Some of us have stories like this.
Types of Conversion stories
2 The “Religious”
This is someone who is interested in the things of God. Has a Bible, goes to church sometimes… isn’t against the things of God, but just needs some help in grasping the gospel message. Through the years, we’ve had many folks like this come to our church. Maybe you can relate to this next story of a woman named Lydia who meets Paul and Timothy as they were traveling.
So putting out to sea from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and on the day following to Neapolis;
and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia, a Roman colony; and we were staying in this city for some days.
And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to a riverside, where we were supposing that there would be a place of prayer; and we sat down and began speaking to the women who had assembled.
A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.
And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
So Lydia… this urbanite/presumably single or widowed… business owner… was a worshipper of YHWH. But she didn’t have the full picture of the gospel. She believed in God, but she needed more.
So Lydia… this urbanite/presumably single or widowed… business owner… was a worshipper of YHWH. But she didn’t have the full picture of the gospel. She believed in God, but she needed more.
So what did it look like for Lydia to become a Christian?
1 She heard the gospel.
2 The Lord opened her heart.
3 She believed and was baptized.
Do we choose God or does God choose us? Yes
Sometimes Christians divide over how salvation works… is it all God’s choice and his work in a heart or is it all a person’s choice/response… interesting here we see it’s both. And it required someone/Paul to speak the gospel to Lydia.
So this is another way some people receive the gospel. They’re already in church or coming to a bible study and by hearing the gospel clearly explained… it makes sense/God opens their heart… and they become Christians.
Types of Conversion stories
3 The “Seeker”
This is someone who is seeking God, but maybe frustrated. Someone who is reading a Bible… maybe just started going to church, but doesn’t get it. This is a little like the last one, but I still think it’s worth mentioning. The example is of an Ethiopian Eunuch. This man was the head of the Dept of Treasury… on the Cabinet… on the cabinet of the queen… and he was reading / seeking but couldn’t understand… Explain the passage
… This man was the head of the Dept of Treasury… on the Cabinet… on the cabinet of the queen… and he was reading / seeking but couldn’t understand… Explain the passage
But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, “Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a desert road.)
So he got up and went; and there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he had come to Jerusalem to worship,
and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah.
Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot.”
Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
And he said, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this:
“He was led as a sheep to slaughter;
And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
So He does not open His mouth.
“In humiliation His judgment was taken away;
Who will relate His generation?
For His life is removed from the earth.”
The eunuch answered Philip and said, “Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself or of someone else?”
Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him.
As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?”
And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.
When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing.
Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:
“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter
and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he opens not his mouth.
In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.”
And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.
So how did this man receive the gospel?
Discuss at your table.
He was reading/seeking but he needed help. He was curious… his heart was open… but he was frustrated and so God used Phillip… and he too believed was baptized.
So here’s an example of a seeker… some of you began this way… reading the Bible/asking questions and you got help and are now following Jesus!
Types of Conversion stories
4 The “Christian Kid”
There are many kids who grow up in Christian homes and they hear the gospel at home and at church and believe. There may be a time of testing/struggle (doesn’t have to be) in HS or College… but they build on what they were taught and keep growing in Christ. There’s an example of this type of conversion in the NT… Timothy had that story… Paul wrote to him when he was a young pastor and said…
Timothy had that story… Paul wrote to him when he was a young pastor and said…
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.
Timothy grew up learning the scriptures from his mom and grandma. There’s no big conversion story with him. He just grew slowly and believed what he was taught.
I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.
Timothy grew up learning the scriptures from his mom and grandma. There’s no big conversion story with him. He just grew slowly and believed what he was taught.
BTW… it seems like Timothy’s father wasn’t a Christian. When Luke records how Paul met Timothy he says,
Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium.
Timothy grew up learning from his mom/grandma in the midst of a potentially difficult situation b/c his dad never went to church with them. Some of you relate to this… fathers as well…
But here’s the point… many of you have this story… this is how you’ve received the gospel. From a parent or maybe both parents… and this is glorious. Be encouraged in your faith… This was your starting point as disciples of Jesus!
Types of Conversion Stories
The “Processor”
When did the 12 disciples become Christians?
I don’t have one passage for this… but I’m referring to the 12 disciples. If you’re familiar with their story… you know things were very up and down for them. One moment they seemed cool with Jesus… the next they were failing. They all ran away at the cross except for John and the women disciples.
If you’re familiar with their story… you know things were very up and down for them. One moment they seemed cool with Jesus… the next they were failing. They all ran away at the cross except for John and the women disciples. So when did they really receive the gospel? Even as Jesus appeared after his resurrection and ascended into heaven it says that some doubted.
So when did they really receive the gospel? Even as Jesus appeared after his resurrection and ascended into heaven in , it says that some doubted. I’m not sure exactly when the 12 actually received the gospel… but I know that they did… all except Judas.
And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.
I bring this up b/c some of us have stories of process. We don’t know the exact moment… but at some point we realize… “I think I’m a Christian now… I’m following Jesus… I’m repenting of my sin.” Yea… I’m in! All of the disciples except Judas did go on to believe and follow Jesus.
The “not yet believer,” the “religious,” the “seeker,” the “christian kid,” the “processor.”
Which one of these do you relate to?
Though they are all different, they all contain 3 things.
A presentation of the gospel. The gospel is shared. The good news that Jesus is the Messiah and Lord of the World… the King… bringing a new kingdom… he went to the cross… “like a lamb to the slaughter” to pay for sin… but 3 days later he rose from the dead and offers salvation to all who would believe in him! The gospel message is spoken and heard…
A presentation of the gospel. The gospel is shared. The good news that Jesus is the Messiah and Lord of the World… the King… bringing a new kingdom… he went to the cross… “like a lamb to the slaughter” to pay for sin… but 3 days later he rose from the dead and offers salvation to all who would believe in him! The gospel message is spoken and heard…
1 A presentation of the gospel.
2 A response from the hearer.
A response from the hearer. Those who receive the gospel get honest about their sin and their need. And those who receive the good news believe it/accept it/trust it!
2 A response from the hearer.
3 A promise from God.
3 A promise from God.
The gospel is shared. The good news that Jesus is the Messiah and Lord of the World… the King… bringing a new kingdom… he went to the cross… “like a lamb to the slaughter” to pay for sin… but 3 days later he rose from the dead and offers salvation to all who would believe in him! The gospel message is spoken and heard…
Those who receive the gospel get honest about their sin and their need. And those who receive the good news believe it/accept it/trust it
Those who receive the gospel get honest about their sin and their need. And those who receive the good news believe it/accept it/trust it!
Our response isn’t the end of the conversation… as we receive the gospel God promises salvation.“…
Have you received the gospel?
if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved,” .
It’s as simple as that! While the Bible is a big book… theology can be complex… the promise of salvation isn’t!
If you have repented of your sin and believed the gospel you are a Christian. You are a follower of Christ.
Have you received the gospel?
.
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Homework:
1. Write out your story.
Step One: Write about your life before becoming a Christian.
1. Write about your life before becoming a Christian
Step Two: Write about the circumstances around how you heard the gospel and believed it.
Step Three: Write about what the Lord is doing in your life now.
Email me (rob@seasidechurch.com) your story by Sunday night 9/29.
2. Read “The Gospel” Doc
Pastoral Closing: While the gospel is a gift that we receive and don’t earn… like we earn a paycheck. It’s important to note that receiving something isn’t an entirely passive thing. There is some part we play in receiving a gift. To receive something we have to reach out and taking hold of that which was offered. I may have to let go of something I’m holding onto… in order to grab what’s being offered. Some of you need to let go of something… in order receive… your hands are full. You’re holding onto sin… sinful lifestyle you think will bring you life… but it won’t. Or your holding onto the idea that you don’t need God/still trusting in your self. So as you think about receiving the gospel… think about this as well… for those of you…
Close with this… while the gospel is a gift that we receive and don’t earn… like we earn a paycheck. It’s important to note that receiving something isn’t an entirely passive thing. There is some part we play in receiving a gift. To receive something we have to reach out and taking hold of that which was offered. I may have to let go of something I’m holding onto… in order to grab what’s being offered. Some of you need to let go of something… in order receive… your hands are full. You’re holding onto sin… sinful lifestyle you think will bring you life… but it won’t. Or your holding onto the idea that you don’t need God/still trusting in your self. So as you think about receiving the gospel… think about this as well… for those of you…
Resources:
Mere Christianity, CS Lewis; Basic Christianity, John Stott; Faith Mapping, Daniel Montgomery and Mike Cosper; The Explicit Gospel, Matt Chandler; Gospel—Centered Discipleship, Jonathan Dodson; Christ’s Call to Discipleship, James Montgomery Boice; The Jesus Creed, Scot McKnight
Basic Christianity, John Stott
Basic Christianity, John Stott
Faith Mapping, Daniel Montgomery and Mike Cosper
The Explicit Gospel, Matt Chandler
Gospel—Centered Discipleship, Jonathan Dodson
Christ’s Call to Discipleship, James Montgomery Boice
The Jesus Creed, Scot McKnight