To Convert an Unbeliever
Scripture Reading 1:
Scripture Reading 2: Acts 9:1-18
Introduction:
We have discussed a sermon on Pentecost and witnessed how the church began. We have seen Christian Fellowship in action. We have decided that the pattern holds to the fact that we should heed God rather than men and have seen that despite what the world throws at us we can and must rejoice in our suffering for Jesus. We swerved a little bit and took a look at what it means to fall and be raised once more. This evening we are going to spend some time on Conversion with a lesson I call, “To Convert an Unbeliever.”
[Slide]
In Matthew 28 the Apostles were given what is referred to as “The Great Commission” in which Jesus told them to “Go out into all of creation and make disciples…” (My paraphrase). We have to understand that this commission was indeed given to the Apostles. We however are not tasked with “making disciples” if you will…in other words it isn’t our job to convert. We are told however that we are to proclaim.
It’s okay…I am completely used to people looking at me sideways when I say that. My home congregation is used to this sort of thing from me by now but when I started they used to look at me like I had three heads.
What we need to understand is that it isn’t us doing the converting; it is the power of the Word that converts. It isn’t the act of proclamation that converts a soul, but rather the conviction of God’s Word, the acceptance of responsibility for sin and the humility of heart to recognize that they need to be redeemed. Until a person is convinced and acknowledges their need for salvation conversion cannot take place. This requires a “Come to Jesus Moment” if I can use that expression. It’s an “ah-ha!” moment where it all clicks and comes together to produce repentance.
So do we have our part to play in this grand symphony of souls? Absolutely…but we need to be careful that we do not overstate our role. Let’s begin this evening by reading the account of Saul (later to be known as the Apostle Paul) being converted to Christ.
[Slide]
I. Paul’s Conversion (Acts 9:1-18)
A. Things We Notice
There are a handful of things I would like you to notice about Saul’s conversion which I believe to be fundamental to any conversion.
[Slide]
a. Saul was a Skeptic/Unbeliever.
He was certainly NOT a believer in Christ though he was a believer in the great I AM. There are plenty of people out in our communities today like this. They believe in God but perhaps they don’t fully believe in Christ. There are folks who want to believe in a god but they don’t know which god to believe in. The God of the Bible; the god of Islam; perhaps the god of the giant flying spaghetti monster…the point is they are not quite sure what they believe in and I would contend that it’s okay. I’m not saying they’re going to heaven nor am I saying that there is validity in any other god; but we all have to start somewhere and at least they are not completely dismissive right out the gate.
Saul believed in Jehovah, but he did not believe in Christ. So for all intent and purpose we will declare Saul a “skeptic and unbeliever” just for the sake of our lesson and we can discuss the nuances of the terminology later at Tom’s house on Friday if we disagree.
[Slide]
b. Saul had a “come to Jesus moment”
There came a point when Saul was persecuting Christ’s church and then something happened that changed everything for him. We read in Romans 10:17 that “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ…” THAT is what Saul responded to!
Now one might say that Saul had an advantage over the believer of today because Christ spoke directly to him. I would challenge this notion because when Christ’s word convicts a soul in text it can be just as powerful.
[Slide]
How many times has the trajectory of one’s entire life been changed by the written word of God? The Scriptures have the power to alter the future course of an entire family for generations to come! Don’t ever sell the Bible short because out of every book ever written, be it a “spiritual,” philosophical, theological book, the BIBLE has done more to change the lives of those who read it, study it, obey it and live it than any other book in history. That in and of itself ought to cause us to reconsider its legitimacy if we doubt it at all, because the proof is in the pudding and if it were just a book of lies, fables or good ideas it would be like every other bookin the world of that sort. It would have its day and then fade into the background to be replaced by the next book of spiritual philosophy. But the results are clearly evident.
For instance:
i. Islam has remained relatively localized and has frankly changed nothing for the good even in the local area where its impact is most felt. Its expansion was the result of bloodshed and conquest because that is what it promotes.
ii. Hinduism also remained regional in its impact and it is a minority religion as far as its global practice is concerned when compared to Christendom and even Islam. (Not Saying It’s Gone)
[Slide]
iii. As mentioned in our first lesson of this series Christianity has changed and reshaped the world. Even unbelievers follow Christ’s “Golden Rule.” The very concept of “God given free will” and “liberty” is a direct result of Scripture. The moral standards by which we have conducted ourselves for generations can be traced back to Scripture.
So do not sell the Power of the Written Word short because:
[Slide]
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
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c.Saul Could Not Deny the Truth
The proof of what Saul found could not be denied. The evidence was overwhelming. He is seeing the proof of Christ in that Jesus did do something miraculous to get Saul’s attention. We don’t have to work miracles to proclaim the Word effectively and perhaps facilitate the saving of a soul. We really just need to proclaim and use the evidence that is all around us.
i. Please understand that I did not design this lesson to convert you as the title might have you guess.
ii. This lesson is designed to whet your appetite a little bit so that you come to these good brethren here seeking to know more.
iii. And it is also designed to help an already converted soul in their proclamation of the Gospel to those who they are working with.
iv. So it is very likely that you may not be converted by the lesson. I believe there is much more about living faithful that you will need to know that I will not be sharing with you in this lesson or our final lesson tomorrow night.
B. Saul’s Heart is Convicted
a.A Preacher is Sent to Proclaim
Ananias is hesitant but he goes as he is instructed to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus to the Saul. He says in verse 17:
“Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
b. Saul Responds to the Gospel Call
Saul now realizes the error. He has been persecuting the very people whom he is supposed to be in fellowship with. This Jesus is indeed the Messiah after all and despite his prior zeal and lust for persecution, he is now baptized and receives the H.S.
II. Proving the Bible with the Bible
We have just talked about some of the cursory things that I believe point to the legitimacy of the Scriptures, but now let’s look at a couple of things that help firm things up for me.
A.David’s Prophecy of the Crucifixion
a.The Crucifixion of Christ
[Slide: Matthew 27:27-50]
Suffocation, loss of body fluids and multiple organ failure; the weight of the body pulling down on the arms makes breathing extremely difficult. In addition, the heart and lungs would stop working as blood drained through the wounds. Crucifixion was invented by the Persians around 300-400 BC. It was later developed by the Romans into a punishment for the most heinous of crimes. The upright wooden cross was the most common technique used at that time and the time that it took the victims to die would depend on how they were crucified.
Thieves were often tied to the cross and would survive for several days because they would have been able to support their weight with their hands and legs. Someone nailed to a crucifix with their arms stretched out on either side of them could expect to live no more than 24 hours. Seven-inch nails were driven through the wrists so that the bones could support the body’s weight. The nail would sever the median nerve, which not only caused immense pain but would have paralyzed the victim’s hands.
The feet were nailed to the upright post so that the knees were bent at roughly 45 degrees. Once the legs gave out, the weight was transferred to the arms, gradually dragging the shoulders out of their sockets. The elbows and wrists would follow shortly afterward. By now the arms would be about six or seven inches longer than they were before the process began. The victim would have no choice but to bear his weight on his chest. He would immediately have trouble breathing as the weight caused his rib cage to life up and force him into an almost perpetual state of inhalation. The resulting lack of oxygen in the blood would cause damage to tissues and blood vessels, allowing fluid to diffuse out of the blood into tissues, including the lungs and the sac around the heart. The result is that the lungs would become stiffer and make breathing even more difficult, and the pressure around the heart would impair its pumping.
We are told in 1 Corinthians 2:16 that we have “…the mind of Christ…” so we really want to know is what Jesus was thinking and feeling on that cross as He suffered and died. We find this in Psalm 22.
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b. Foretelling in Psalm 22
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Let’s consider this:
i. verse 1 “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”
ii. Verse 6-8 “I am a worm and not a man…”
iii. Verse 12 “Bulls of Bashan…”
iv. Verse 14-15 “I am poured out like water…”
v. Verse 16-18 dogs, evil doers, piercing, counting all my bones, dividing his garments…
c. David’s Time
In David’s time the form of execution was stoning not crucifixion. It hadn’t even been invented yet. So how would a man be able to describe in such detail the affects of crucifixion? How would they be able to quote Jesus 1000 years before He was even born?
B. He is Risen
[Slide]
Psalm 23
Conclusion:
These things may not convince you now that the Bible is legit. But I hope that they will help you to see just a bit of the evidence that I believe supports the legitimacy of the Bible.
Invitation:
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