INTRODUCTION

1. CONVERSION means: "to turn about or around" -- Matt. 13:15

2. The word implies a turning from and a turning to.

(1) I Thess. 1: 9 "How ye turned to God from idols"

(2) Acts 26:28 "Turn them from darkness to light"

3. "CONVERSION" is to change a thing or a person into something else.

4. Biblically, CONVERSION is the mental or moral change in man which begins with belief of the gospel, and ends

with obedience -- Mk. 16:16

5. CONVERSION is simply the gospel process of turning men to God.

6. The means of bringing about CONVERSION is the WORD -- Psa. 19:7; Rom. 1:16

7. After one is Converted he must live a CONVERTED LIFE.

8. Many who are Converted never live a CONVERTED LIFE.

I. THE CONVERT MUST FORGET THE THINGS BEHIND -- Phil. 3: 13 - 14

1. He must not look back longing for those things which appeal to the lust of the flesh -- Luke 9: 62

(1) Israel looked back to Egypt lusting for the flesh pots -- Ex. 16:3; Num. 11: 4, 5, 6

(2) The man who looks back and longs for the world won't long live a CONVERTED life -- Rom. 12: 9 "abhor

that which is evil"; Luke 9: 62

(3) Paul counted the things of the past refuse -- Phil. 3: 7 - 8

2. To forget the past one must have the attitude of Paul.

(1) Gal. 2: 20; 5:24; Col. 3:6

(2) Phil. 1: 21

II. TO LIVE A CONVERTED LIFE ONE MUST NOT PERMIT THE DESIRES OF THE FLESH TO CONTROL HIM.

1. We must bring our body into subjection -- I Cor. 9: 27; Rom. 6:12

2. The convert must assert his will over his flesh -- Rom. 8: 5 - 8; Col. 3:5

3. He does this by thinking on the right things -- Phil. 4:8; Prov. 4:23

III. TO LIVE A CONVERTED LIFE ONE MUST CONSTANTLY STUDY THE WORD OF GOD

1. II Tim. 2:15

2. Rom. 12:1 - 2

3. I Pet. 2:2

4. James 1: 22 - 25

5. Heb. 5: 12 - 14

6. Psa. 11: 1 - 2

7. Matt. 5:6

IV. TO LIVE A CONVERTED LIFE ONE MUST LOVE THE TRUTH

1. 2 Thess. 2:10

2. John 8:32

3. Prov. 23:23

4. Mat. 13: 45 - 46

V. TO LIVE A CONVERTED LIFE ONE MUST "COUNT THE COST" AND RESOLVE NOT TO BE MOVED.

1. Paul did not let the afflictions of life MOVE him -- Acts 20: 22 - 25

2. Some things that failed to move Paul:

(1) Persecution, bonds and afflictions -- Acts 20: 23

(2) Stoned at Lystra -- Acts 14: 19 - 22

(3) Whipped and put in prison at Philippi -- Acts 16: 19 - 24

(4) Discouragement caused by loss of his work -- Gal. 4:11

(5) False brethren -- 2 Cor. 11:26; Gal. 2:4

(6) Severe personal criticism -- 2 Cor. 10:10; I Cor. 4: 12 - 13

(7) Prisoner at Rome -- Acts 28: 16 - 31

3. Some of the things that move members of the church today:

(1) The desire to be POPULAR

1. Many won't stand up for the Lord; they will be moved before they will stand.

2. Luke 6:26; John 12: 42 - 43

(2) FRIENDSHIP of the world -- James 4:4

1. Worldly friends who curse, tell vulgar jokes, and drink -- I Cor. 15:33

(3) FALSE BRETHREN -- 2 Cor. 11: 26

1. They are pretended friends who abuse confidence

2. They spy upon conduct -- Gal. 2:4

3. They use every possible opportunity to expose and destroy.

4. They are brethren who will fail you -- II Tim. 4:10

5. Mischief makers

(4) FALSE DOCTRINE

1. Many are carried with every wind of doctrine -- Eph. 4:14; Gal. 1: 6

(5) LOVE OF MONEY

1. I Tim. 6:6 - 10; Matt. 13:22

(6) LOVE OF PLEASURE

1. 2 Tim. 3:4

CONCLUSION

1. Friend, are you living a converted life?

2. If not, won't you start today?

3. Have you ever been converted at all???

Sermon by Donald Townsley

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