Good morning and welcome in everybody. Today, we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture, but before we do that, I wanted to tell you a little story.
Different types of concrete have been in existence for thousands of years, and it’s been claimed by some that the oldest concrete was discovered on the floor of an ancient Israeli hut. This type was made by burning limestone to make quicklime, which was mixed with water and stone and left to set. Modern day cement is made from a mixture of Portland cement water and sand, gravel or crushed stone. When it is all mixed together, it will begin to cure. Amazingly it doesn’t happen overnight, but is a fairly slow process, and can take up to a month until finally completed.
This reminds me of the Christian Life.
Like concrete, the older that somebody gets, the more set in their beliefs they can become. Habits, practices, and patterns of doing things can be very difficult to break free from. But in order to obtain eternal life, we must build our lives upon the teachings and sure foundation of scripture. When people decide to build a brand new house, the old foundation needs to be broken up, removed, and replaced. Likewise, if we are going to become a new creature in Christ, we must completely abandon old beliefs for new ones.
Matthew 18 ¹ At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? ² And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, ³ And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
The Lord Jesus teaches us in this passage that conversion must happen in order to obtain eternal life. Conversion is to change something so that it can be used for a different purpose. Maybe you’ve had a bedroom in your home that you have converted into an office. Maybe you converted an old wooden fishing boat into a flower bed. Conversion is to completely transform, so you can be used in a different manner.
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2
All of us are sinners who have come short of the glory of God, but in order to obtain eternal life we will need to become Saints. The only way that can happen is by completely changing the way that you live your life. The old person that you once were must be excommunicated from your heart, and you must be reborn through obedience to the Word of God.
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” 1 Peter 1:23
John 3 ⁶ That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷ Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
To be converted you have to change the way that you think. To become a new creature in Christ, the old mindset will have to change and be replaced with a new one, just like changing an old light bulb.
Ephesians 4 ²² That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; ²³ And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; ²⁴ And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
In order for our sinful past to be blotted out and forgiven, conversion has to happen.
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;” Acts 3:19
“For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.” Matthew 13:15
The Apostle Paul went through a complete conversion during his life. The man who God used to write a lot of the New testament that we have today was once persecuting the Church of God.
Galatians 1 ¹³ For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: ¹⁴ And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
“As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.” Acts 8:3
Galatians 1 ¹⁸ Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. ¹⁹ But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother. ²⁰ Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. ²¹ Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; ²² And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: ²³ But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. ²⁴ And they glorified God in me.
The life of the Apostle Paul is an example of genuine conversion. He was very high up in the judaic faith at one time of his life, but when he believed the truth in Christ Jesus, his life took a completely different direction.
Philippians 3⁴ Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: ⁵ Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. ⁷ But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. ⁸ Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,⁹ And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
When Paul became converted to the faith, he spent his life trying to convert others.
James 5 ¹⁹ Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; ²⁰ Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Psalms 51 ¹² Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. ¹³ Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
When the time comes to start over, an old building must be completely torn down. Likewise, false beliefs that have been established in someone’s heart need to be removed and destroyed. Like a construction worker, we will need to pull out the Spiritual jackhammer of biblical truth, before we can begin to lay a new foundation in Christ Jesus. We must start today, busting up the old slab inside each of our hearts, and clearing away all of the unwanted piles of…
…. Broken Concrete
Let’s think about these things for right now. We can be found on your web browser by searching, tlkjbc where you can find our diaries distributed through various platforms. We are not associated, nor affiliated with any other religious goups. You can get our entire podcast feeds directly, along with transcripts at tlkjbc.com or I suppose that you could find us somewhere up here, in the Great Northern Minnesota woods. Peace to you, and Lord willing, we will talk with you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye bye everybody.❤️
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