TRUE AND FALSE CONVERSION

SERMON BY CHARLES FINNEY

TEXT.--Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of my hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.--Isaiah 50.11.*

IT is evident, from the connection of these words in the chapter, that the prophet was addressing those who professed to be religious, and who flattered themselves that they were in a state of salvation, but in fact their hope was a fire of their own kindling, and sparks created by themselves. Before I proceed to discuss the subject, let me say, that as I have given notice that it was my intention to discuss the nature of true and false conversion, it will be of no use but to those who will be honest in applying it to themselves. If you mean to profit by the discourse, you must resolve to make a faithful application of it to yourselves--just as honest as if you thought you were now going to the solemn judgment. If you will do this, I may hope to be able to lead you to discover your true state, and if you are now deceived, direct you in the true path to salvation. If you will not do this, I shall preach in vain, and you will hear in vain.

I design to show the difference between true and false conversion, and shall take up the subject in the following order:

I. Show that the natural state of man is a state of pure selfishness.

II. Show that the character of the converted is that of benevolence.

III. That the New Birth consists in a change from selfishness to benevolence.

IV. Point out some things wherein saints and sinners, or true and spurious converts, may agree, and some things in which they differ. And,

V. Answer some objections that may be offered against the view I have taken, and conclude with some remarks.

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Wait

Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength

The holiday season is full of highs and lows. It is a time when some are shopping, and othes struggling. It is a time when depression soars. Couple that with a struggling economy that is letting people go faster than new jobs can be created for them.

What can you do? What can you say? What will turn this around? Patience. Everyone knows Isaiah 40:31, but very few read verse 30. Verse 30 speaks to the winds of adversity that find their way into every life, both young and old. It tells a story of tough times...and maybe even down days!

We are called on not to fix, but to wait. We are challenged, not to seek out friends, but to seek God. Believe it or not, the easy thing in the world to do is to try and fix a problem....the right thing to do is to hand it off to God, and to wait. So many people take a package of problems to God in prayer, and as soon as they finish praying, they take the problem back, and try and fix it themselves.

Wait on God.. ..and He will answer...at the right time...with the right answer.....

God
we know you hear our voice, even when we don't hear yours. We know that you have the answer, no matter our circumstance. We pray that you will speak to our needs with your voice of reason, and will answer our prayers.

We thank you
in Jesus name
Amen

By Steve

Chosen

"And I will put it into the hand of your tormentors, who have said to you, 'Lie down that we may walk over you.' You have even made your back like the ground, And like the street for those who walk over it." Awake, awake, Clothe yourself in your strength, O Zion; Clothe yourself in your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city. For the uncircumcised and the unclean will no more come into you. Shake yourself from the dust, rise up, O captive Jerusalem; Loose yourself from the chains around your neck, O captive daughter of Zion. Isaiah 51:23-52:2 (NASB)

I had a painful experience as a young Christian when someone I respected expressed disappointment and doubt in the sincerity of my walk with the Lord. They had an agenda for my life that was contrary to the direction I was sensing. I was written off and it was devastating to me. For the first time in my life I had to deal with some deep depression as their dismissive and condemning words seeped into my spirit. I had become a victim of someone’s warped outlook instead of the victor God had declared me to be through His Son. As my depression grew so did an overwhelming passivity. In Isaiah 51:23 God tells Israel that their tormentors have told them to lie down that they may walk over their backs and Israel obeyed. They made their backs a smooth road for the enemy to walk over. They were listening to and obeying their enemy and so was I. Only God could lead a depressed person to read a book called Numbers. This is what I read, "And it will come about that the rod of the man w hom I choose will sprout. And behold the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted and put forth buds and produced blossoms, and it bore ripe almonds.” Numbers 17:5b and Numbers 17:8b It was there through the written word that His still small voice spoke, “Carol, your life may look like a dried up stick to yourself and others but because I have chosen you, you will bud, bloom, and bear almonds.” Slowly but surely, hope and healing rose like a life giving sap through my wounded heart and emotions. The whispered lies that I was a failure and disappointment to my Father and Savior, and had been forsaken by His Spirit were replaced with spoken truth. I found the corresponding verse in the New Testament to further emphasize this truth. "You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you.” John 15:16. I had read Isaiah 52 in the past but didn’t realize its significance to my life and struggles. God calls out a command to the one who is being walked on by their enemy, “Daughter, wake up, dress up, get up, and free yourself from the chains around your neck.” You have been given everything you need for life and Godliness, (2 Peter 1:3) - now use it. As I gained strength, I read Scripture and Scripture-filled prayers out loud every day. I put on my armor and clothed myself with the Lord Jesus Christ (my beautiful garment). I began to lift the shield of faith to quench the lies and parried with the sword of the Spirit. “I am chosen. I will bear fruit for His glory!” The dark pit of depression crumbled, the chains fell and I once again began to walk in the light as He is in the light. If you are in a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, His word to you is that He has chosen you and appointed you to bear fruit. Realize that you have an enemy. Don’t let his lies find a place of ent ry. Let go of those negative words others may have spoken over you and evict them from your mind. Stop renting them space in your head. Stop the negative chatter of self-criticism. Come into agreement with the Mighty One who has chosen you.

Lord, help me to humbly accept wise counsel and correction. Help me to discern and reject criticism that tears down and does not build up and edify. Help me by Your Spirit to recognize when my own thoughts are negative and faithless. Help me to realize when the enemy is whispering his lies to me. I will hold fast to who You say that I am. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

By Carol (North Carolina, USA)

I am Forgiven

I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Isaiah 43:25 (KJV)

I’ve known, truly known God’s gracious forgiveness all my Christian life. I’ve experienced beautiful times of repentance and the Lord’s merciful lifting of burdens of known sins. I’ve literally lost count of all the forgiveness I’ve prayed for and received. I’ve been washed, cleansed, and freed from besetting sins and temptations; immeasurably. There has been no doubt in my mind that Jesus died on Calvary, suffering a terrible death, to set believers free, that He took upon Himself everyone’s iniquities, in fact the sins of the whole world. And so I knew to bring *all* of my emotions into the Light of God’s Word. Colossians 1:13-14 - “For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (NASV) But, in my case, a very big but, I found all too often the guilt of, and remembering of past forgiven sins would return when least expected. This returning , oppressive guilt would plague and torment me as if I had never received forgiveness at all, though I know By God’s Word, as well as the faith and belief in my heart, that I was forgiven. Micah 7:19 - ”He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” (KJV) A few years ago, I opened up enough to receive God’s answer to my nagging prayer, about returning guilt and tormented memories, and this truly works for me, now. God had chosen to forgive, and not remember my sins, but had I? Obviously not! I hadn’t chosen this as a deliberate act, as God had. Therefore, I hadn’t asked the Lord to help me to choose to *forgive myself* or to help me choose to *forget my sins.* We hear it so often, don’t we? ‘It’s there for the asking, but you did not ask,’ and, or, ‘you ask amiss.’ Our loving merciful Lord has taught me He can heal tormenting memories and oppressi ve guilt, when we learn to choose what He chooses for us. We can live in the full freedom of God’s forgiving *Grace.*We can and should declare fearlessly to anyone doubting, including ourselves, “I AM FORGIVEN.”

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for your great and wonderful sacrifice on the cross. May we always remember that our true repentance and your forgiveness frees us from all guilt so that we may live more fully the abundant life You sacrificed Yourself to give us. In Jesus Holy Name, I pray. Amen and Amen.

By Rosemary (Victory, Australia)

His Exquisite Love

“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 (NIV)

The call came at 5:30 in the morning. I was so nervous that I dropped the phone. My granddaughter was about to be born. I grabbed my already-packed suitcase and a breakfast bar. After a tedious two-hour drive through winding mountain roads, I made it to the hospital, only to spend 14 long hours until Kaeleigh announced her arrival. Finally, I experienced the unspeakable joy of her birth. Little did I know the intense love I’d develop for this little girl (and eighteen months later for her brother). Oh, the wonder of being a grandmother! So often when I think of my love for my grandchildren, the deep quiet voice within my heart says, “Don’t you know that you are even more precious and dear to me than your grandchildren are to you? I delight in you. I love to give you your heart’s desire. You are mine and I adore you. Enjoy these grandchildren and remember your love is but a fraction of what my love is for you.”

Dear Lord, we can never thank you enough for your extravagant and unconditional love for us. We know that we are precious in your sight.

By Jackie (Tennessee, USA)

THE SELF-RIGHTEOUS SINNER

SERMON BY CHARLES FINNEY

"Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks; walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow." [Isaiah 50:11]

In speaking from this text, I shall enquire,

I. What is this self-kindled fire--what are these "sparks ye have kindled"?

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God's Refrigerator

Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, I love you.” Isaiah 43:4 (NIV)

On my refrigerator are pictures of everyone precious to me. I love this special collage of loved ones and often just stand in front of the door with a glowing smile on my face and special memories in my heart. I stare at my five year old granddaughter and three year old grandson ferociously banging on their older half-brother’s drum set. I am reminded of my husband and me at a Christmas dinner dance resplendent in our formal attire. My eyes then settle on my eighteen year old step-grandson as he plants a whopper of a kiss on his girlfriend’s face. Of course, there is a picture of our lovable Missy, our very active Rat Terrier. Have you heard the saying that if God had a refrigerator, He’d put your picture on it? Now that’s something to smile about! I imagine Him gazing at our pictures as He grins from ear to ear. See, He loves us no matter what our skin color is, no matter how we look, or no matter how smart we are —His is an incredibly incomprehensible love. Let t hat reality sink into your heart today. No matter what kind of day you’re having, know that you are surrounded and cushioned by the unimaginable love of God, for you are precious in His sight.

We really can’t comprehend your love, Lord. Let the very thought penetrate our hearts today and influence us to spread this love wherever we go.

By Jackie (Tennessee, USA)