Sunday, November 7, 2010
THE CONVERSION OF ONE INDIVIDUAL
“Is It Really Any Big Deal?”
Last Sunday we shared in Cliff’s baptism. It was a great day, wasn’t it? From time to time, the Lord gives us the privilege of baptizing a new convert. Praise His name for that. But we long to see many more people come to Christ, don’t we? After all, Cliff is just one individual among many. My question for us this morning is this: “How important is the conversion of one individual? Is it really any big deal?”
Now let’s back up and get the big picture. “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). From there, we read about the specifics of His creation. Don’t you love Gen 1:16, "And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also"? “He made the stars also.” It’s almost like an afterthought. “Oh yes, don’t forget -- God also made the stars.” The more man learns, the more we realize that making the stars was no small achievement. It taxes our imagination to think that anyone would be powerful enough to create the sun, and yet the sun is just one star.
So how many stars are there? If you were to go out on a moonless night where there are no artificial lights, you could count over three thousand. With a telescope, you could find a hundred thousand or so. But that doesn’t even scratch the surface. Now we are told that there are 100 billion stars in our galaxy, but scientists say they know there are 100 billion galaxies. That means that the number of stars in the universe is equal to 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. That number is a bit difficult to comprehend. Think of it this way: For every human being on the earth, there are over one trillion stars. Think of that. There are almost seven billion on earth. We can’t conceive of such a number. But now we have to multiply it by a trillion. However, there may be many more stars beyond what has been discovered. “He made the stars also.”
David had no telescope. He could only see a few thousand stars. Perhaps he was out herding the sheep one night when he penned the words of Ps. 8:3-4, "When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; 4. What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" Of course, many of those who look through their powerful telescopes and behold the billions and billions of stars do not marvel at their Creator, because they don’t believe they have a Creator. But this morning I am talking to people who can still sing…
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made;
I see the stars; I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art.
In light of the majesty and the extent of God’s creation, who cares about Cliff Simpson? Compared to the rest of creation, he is no more than a speck of dust. Think about it. Of all the galaxies in the universe, Cliff lives in the Milky Way, just one of a hundred billion galaxies. And of the hundred billion stars in the Milky Way, Cliff lives on the one called earth. And he is just one person among the almost seven billion plus who inhabitant this planet. When you think of it like that, you might wonder if God even knows we are here this morning.
Again, “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars which thou hast ordained, what is man that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man that thou visitest him?” (Ps. 8:3-4). But now come to that Psalm that moves in the opposite direction. I am speaking about Psalm 139. Let’s read Ps. 139:1-12…
O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. 2. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 3. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. 4. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. 5. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. 6. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. 7. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8. If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10. Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. 11. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. 12. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
The same man who marveled that God the great Creator would pay attention to people like us now marvels just as much at how the same God knows him perfectly as an individual. Just think of it. The God who sustains those billions upon billions of stars knows what words you will speak next. Yes, He knows exactly what you are thinking this very instant. And if you think you will trip Him up by suddenly thinking something different, He knew it before you did. Yes, David wrote this Psalm, but these truths are just as applicable to you and me as they were to David. As Jesus later said to His disciples, “But even the very hairs of your hair are all numbered” (Luke 12:7). The Almighty Creator, whose greatness is beyond comprehension, knows every personal detail of every individual who has ever lived.
In light of that truth, let’s explore this idea: So a man is being baptized this morning… so what? What’s the big deal about one individual who gets religion? Since we live in such a big world, get over making such a big deal over the internal change within one person. Who is Cliff Simpson? Which Cliff Simpson are we talking about? I did a quick check on the White Pages of one internet search engine and found 95 Cliff Simpsons, and they didn’t even have the correct current address of our Cliff Simpson. Can’t we understand that Cliff, and you, and I are just specks in the universe?
Please hear me. It is no small thing when one human being is raised from death to life through the power of the cross of Jesus Christ. I repeat, it is no small thing when one human being is raised from death to life through the power of the cross of Jesus Christ. I want to take a few minutes to remind us of why it is such a big deal when a single individual becomes a child of God.
I. A Big Deal, As Demonstrated By the Movement of Heaven (Lk. 15)
So is it really any big deal when one man or woman is saved? We are going to talk more about the meaning of being saved a little later. For now, use any terms you like -- saved, Christian, child of God, born again. Is it really any big deal when a single individual becomes a child of God?
The answer to that question is an absolute and unqualified “Yes.” There is nothing more significant that happens within the human race. How do we know? Because all heaven comes to attention when someone is saved. Let’s read it in Luke 15:1-10…
Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 2. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. 3. And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4. What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5. And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. 8. Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 9. And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
So what is the key word in this text, the word that is repeated four times for emphasis? It is the word “one.” The shepherd goes after the one lost sheep. The woman searches for the one lost coin. Now notice in both verse 7 and again in verse 10, we are told that the angels of God are rejoicing over one sinner who repents. Isn’t that amazing! The woman rejoices over finding one coin, though she still had nine. The shepherd rejoices over finding one sheep, though he still had 99. But there is rejoicing in heaven when one of the billions of God-created beings repents.
By the way, it is clear from the context that this repentance constitutes conversion. We find the key in verses 1-2, "Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 2. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them." The publicans and sinners were those who desperately needed the Lord Jesus Christ. They are represented in the parable by the one sinner who repents. But what about the Pharisees and the scribes? Didn’t they also desperately need Christ? Of course, they did, but they were not willing to admit it. They are represented by the 99 sheep and the nine coins. On the surface, we might conclude that the 99 and the nine are meant to designate saved people, but that is not the case. Read again verse 7, “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” When Jesus refers to “just persons who need no repentance,” he is speaking tongue in cheek. He is not saying that they don’t need to repent, only that they don’t see their need to repent. It is perfectly parallel to the earlier statement of Jesus, also spoken to the scribes and Pharisees: “They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:31-32). He was not saying that the scribes and Pharisees did not need to repent. Rather, Jesus was pointing out that these religious leaders claimed to be healthy and didn’t need the doctor. So why should they complain about Jesus eating with those whom they considered to be sick and needy? The scribes and Pharisees were not righteous, only self-righteous. They needed to be converted as much as the tax collectors and sinners, but they were blind to their need.
After telling those two little parables about the lost sheep and the lost coin, He then told the longer parable about the lost son. In this parable, He doesn’t mention the angels rejoicing. Rather, He paints a graphic picture of the rejoicing that took place when the lost son was found. When that rebellious son came home, his father put the best robe on him, put a ring on his finger, shoes on his feet, killed the fatted calf, and said, “Let us eat, and be merry:
For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found” (Luke15:24). Just as the lost son in that parable represents the lost man who humbles himself and repents, the father represents God Himself. Yes, when one individual is converted, God showers him with love, blessing, and joy.
All heaven is moved by the conversion of one sinner. The angels who give themselves to praising God specifically rejoice over one sinner who is saved. Isn’t that amazing! God Himself expresses His deep pleasure over one sinner who repents. When Cliff came to Christ, heaven was moved with joy. When you came to Christ, the angels rejoiced. Friends who are seeking, when God saves you and gives you new life, know that the angels will lead the celebration. Brothers and sisters, individual conversion is no small thing.
II. Exemplified by the Life Lived on Earth (of the saved)
For just a moment, let’s stay in Luke. Turn to chapter 19. Many of you know the story well, but let’s read it again. Luke 19:1-10…
And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 6. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 8. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Here we are again, face to face with a sinful tax collector. By the way, don’t forget why the term “tax collector” was synonymous with “sinner.” There are two reasons. First of all, these were Jewish people who were working for the Romans. For that reason, most of the Jews saw them as traitors. On top of that, they cheated their own people by collecting more than was necessary. The Romans who hired them didn’t care how much they collected, as long as they received the amount designated. If the Romans said, “We need $10,000 from this district,” the individual tax collector would decide how much more to collect in order to make a living. Suppose he needed $5,000 to live on. That would mean a collection of $15,000. However, there was nothing to stop him from collecting $25,000, which would leave him three times as much as he needed. You can see why the tax collectors were despised by their fellow-Jews. Notice that Zacchaeus was the chief among the tax collectors. That likely means that he had other tax collectors under him. And he was rich. Though he was despised by others, he had plenty of money.
For some reason he wanted to see Jesus, who was passing through his home town of Jericho. Why did he want to see Jesus? Was it just curiosity? Or was he sick and tired of the empty life he was living. We don’t know, but the important thing is that Jesus wanted to see him. It was Jesus who took the initiative and told Zachaaeus He was coming to his house for a visit. As usual, Jesus was criticized because He spent time with this sinful man.
So what happened there in the home of Zacchaeus? We are not told directly. There is no record of the conversation between Jesus and Zachhaeus. All we have is the result of their interaction. After Jesus got through with Zacchaeus, this despised little tax collector declared that he would give away half his possessions and restore fourfold to anyone whom he had cheated.
Stop right there. How many people do you know who have given away half of their possessions and made a point of repaying those whom they have cheated? It just doesn’t happen. But it did happen that day. This man’s life was so radically changed that the impact reached deep into his wallet. The conversion of this one individual was no small thing. His life would never be the same. Though we are not told, I can imagine that what happened to Zacchaeus made quite an impact in Jericho and the surrounding area. “Did you hear about that little weasel Zacchaeus? The rumor is that he is giving money away. I don’t know what he’s up to this time, but surely something is going on.” The fact that the conversion of the individual is a big deal is seen by the change in Zacchaeus.
This is not an isolated case. This change in the lives of converted people is the norm in the New Testament. Saul the persecutor was converted and became Paul the church planter. The Christian-chaser Saul became the apostle Paul. We all know that Peter denied Jesus three times. But after the Spirit of God came to dwell in him, he stood before a crowd at Jerusalem and said, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36). He was a changed man. Matthew, who was another of the tax collectors, became one of Jesus’ apostles.
No passage brings out this concept better than Ephesians 2. Let’s read about our past corruption in Eph. 2:1-3…
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins: 2. Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Yes, we were dead in our trespasses and sins, and dead men can’t do anything for themselves. Praise God that isn’t the end of the story. Verse 4 begins with the words, “But God…” We could do nothing for ourselves, but God… We were absolutely helpless, but God… There wasn’t a breath of life in us, but God… Let’s read it in verses 4-10…
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6. And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7. That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9. Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
For those of us who have been saved by God’s grace through faith, what are we now? We are a new creation in Christ Jesus. We were dead, but now we are alive. As surely as God created this universe, He has made me a new creation in Christ. 2 Cor. 5:17, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." And what is the purpose of making the converted person a brand new creation? We read of that purpose in verse 10. That he might do good works, the works which God has prepared for him to do. Before we met Christ, even our best deeds were filthy rags (Is. 64:6), but now we live a lifestyle of good works for the glory of God.
Does God still change people today? Indeed, He does! I recently read these words from one of my sisters, “I am sure the Holy Spirit is in me. I am able to see the world in a different light.” She recognizes the fact that God has changed her entire outlook. She is a new creation.
The conversion of a single individual is significant because that individual will never be the same; there is a change. We read these words in Gen. 1:2-3, "And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light." Brothers and sisters, before God saved us we were in darkness. But then the Spirit of God moved and the darkness became light. Let’s read it in II Cor. 4:3-6…
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. 6. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
III. Realized throughout the Glory of Eternity (Perhaps Luke 16)
There will still be those who scoff at all that has been said this morning. Highly educated people in this world will say that conversion is just a psychological phenomenon that has no miraculous basis. Many would deny God, concluding that what we call conversion is all in our head. We can take them through the Bible and show them the glories of God revealed in Christ, but they put no stock in our Bible. They are convinced that we are poor deceived souls. With tolerance and a certain pity, they say, “But if you need religion, that’s just fine. If it works for you, then follow it with all your heart.”
Do we have no proof? Do we have no guarantee of the eternal life we possess? No, we do not have proof from a worldly point of view. Now we walk by faith, and not by sight (II Cor. 5:7). We are not able to point to a physical, tangible Jesus that our friends can see. Nevertheless, as the hymn writer proclaims…
And Lord haste the day when the faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend…
Even so, it is well with my soul.
Yes, the day is coming when the faith of every true believer will be vindicated, as we forever rejoice at the throne of God our Father and the precious Lamb of God. Then the significance of the individual conversion will be realized throughout all of eternity.
Let’s come to Luke one more time, chapter 16. Here we find the story of the rich man and Lazarus. Let’s read it in Luke 16:19-31…
There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20. And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21. And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23. And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28. For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
How did Lazarus get to heaven (Abraham’s bosom)? Did he achieve heaven automatically because he had so little on this earth? Absolutely not. He was in heaven because he was saved be grace through faith, because He was converted by the power of God, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. There is no other way. “Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). But can’t you just imagine a conversation between the rich man and some of his friends. “Charles, you have really done well for yourself.” “Well, I have to admit that I’m pretty well set. There isn’t a thing I want or need.” “Wait a minute, Charles. Don’t you think you need God? That’s what that beggar Lazarus would say.” “I have God. I’m a Jew and have always believed in God.” “Yes, but poor Lazarus would say that you need to be converted, that you need to follow that miracle-worker Jesus.” “Well, you can see where Jesus has gotten the beggar. I think my current status speaks for itself.”
Brothers and sisters, friends, seekers, doubters, proud scoffers… whoever you are, understand this -- the day is coming when this upside down world will be turned right side up from God’s perspective. The friends of this world will be cut off from God for all eternity and those who trust Jesus will be rewarded with His everlasting presence. Then everyone in the universe will fully understand the significance of the conversion of one individual person. Not a single person who was raised to life with Jesus will be left behind. All His own will come together at the throne to praise His holy name.
The Lord will make no mistakes on Judgment Day. Oh yes, many will say to Jesus in that day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” Jesus will not be impressed, but will reply, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matt. 7:22-23). The God who created every individual is able to properly judge every one of His creatures. On the day of judgment, the Lord will separate the goats from the sheep, the one shall go into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into everlasting life (Matt. 25:46).
Conclusion
So I ask you again, is there really any earth-shattering significance to what we did last Sunday? Absolutely. The Spirit of God Himself was in attendance with us. When God saved Cliff, the population of God’s kingdom was enlarged. Cliff will never be the same, nor will the kingdom of God.
Let’s close by looking at the other side of the coin. The conversion of one individual is highly significant because hell is robbed of one of its potential inhabitants. Please allow me to share some quotes from Charles Spurgeon, who preached more than a century ago…
“If there existed only one man or woman who did not love the Saviour, and if that person lived among the wilds of Siberia, and if it were necessary that all the millions of believers on the face of the earth should journey there, and every one of them plead with him to come to Jesus before he could be converted, it would be well worth all the zeal, labour, and expense. If we had to preach to thousands year after year, and never rescued but one soul, that one soul would be full reward for all our labour, for a soul is of countless price.”
"Lost! Lost! Lost! Better a whole world on fire than a soul lost! Better every star quenched and the skies a wreck than a single soul to be lost!”
"If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for."
(Above quoted from Paul Washer’s HeartCry Update; Nov. 2010)
Praise God that our Lord Jesus searches for the one. Is He seeking you this morning? Do you sense His Spirit wooing you to Himself? Can you resist the One who died for you on the cross, taking all of your punishment on Himself? Won’t you repent and believe? Throw yourself on Jesus, for He is your only hope.
Believer, will you go with Jesus to seek the lost? Will you allow God to spend you in order to bring salvation to that one who needs Him?
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