“What Is a Healthy Church Member?: True Conversion” - Cameron Jungles - Sun AM, October 13, 2013

“What Is a Healthy Church Member?: True Conversion” (Eastside Baptist/Sun AM/October 13, 2013)

 

Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that,

if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. (1 Tim. 3:14-15, NIV)

 

“What Is a Healthy Church Member?”

 

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:41-42, NIV)

 

Main Idea

A healthy church member is one who has been genuinely converted.

 

1.  True conversion is a gracious work of God’s Spirit.

 

"Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. "

(Jn. 3:3, NIV)

Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

(Jn. 3:5-6, NIV)

The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

(Jn. 3:8, NIV)

 

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. (Tit. 3:4-7, NIV)

 

As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." (Rom. 3:10-12, NIV)

 

2.  True conversion manifests a biblical response to the gospel.

 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (Jn. 3:16, NIV)

 

He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household." (Acts 16:30-31, NIV)

 

If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. (Rom. 10:9-10, NIV)

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

(Rom. 10:13, NIV)

 

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!" (Mk. 1:14-15, NIV)

 

I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Lk. 5:32, NIV)

 

Repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Lk. 24:47, NIV)

 

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:37-38, NIV)

 

In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. (Acts 17:30, NIV)

 

I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. (Acts 20:21, NIV)

 

First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. (Acts 26:20, NIV)

 

3.  True conversion results in a changed life.

 

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (2 Co. 5:17, NLT)

 

Don't you know that the unjust will not inherit God's kingdom? Do not be deceived: No sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, or any kind of homosexual, no thieves, greedy people, drunkards, verbally abusive people, or swindlers will inherit God's kingdom. And some of you used to be like this. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Co. 6:9-11, CSB)

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Gal. 5:22-23, NIV)

 

Main Idea

A healthy church member is one who has been genuinely converted through the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit, evidenced by a biblical response to the gospel and a changed life.