Topical Sermons - Executable Outlines

After Conversion, What Then?
Mark A. Copeland
INTRODUCTION
1. Wonderful blessings come to those who respond to the gospel of Christ...
a. They receive remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit - Ac 2:38-39
b. They experience a washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit - Ti 3:5-7
2. Indeed, by God’s grace they are “saved”...
a. Saved from their past sins - cf. Mk 16:16
b. With sins washed away by the blood of Jesus - Ac 22:16; Ep 1:7
c. Becoming heirs according to hope of eternal life - Ti 3:7
3. Yet in another sense, they are still to be “saved”...
a. They must make their call and election sure - 2 Pe 1:10
b. They must be careful to save themselves - cf. 1 Ti 4:16
c. They must remain faithful to receive the crown of life - Re 2:10
[What is one to do after conversion that will ensure remaining faithful to the Lord? There are some...]
I. THINGS TO REMEMBER
A. YOU ARE A NEW CREATURE...
1. By virtue of being in Christ - 2 Co 5:17
2. Having been raised with Christ to walk in newness of life - Ro 6:3-4
-- God has given you new potential for living!
B. YOU ARE A BABE IN CHRIST...
1. We begin our new life as “babes in Christ” - 1 Co 3:1
2. We start with spiritual “milk” - 1 Co 3:2
-- God allows you time to grow! - cf. He 5:12-14
C. YOU ARE IN A CRITICAL PERIOD...
1. As a babe, you can be easily “tossed about” - cf. Ep 4:14
2. Satan often strikes hardest at the beginning of our service - e.g., Mt 4:1-11
-- Satan would love to see you fail! - cf. 1 Pe 5:8
D. YOU FACE THE POSSIBILITY OF FALLING...
1. If you allow yourself to hardened by the deceit of sin - He 3:12-14
2. Especially when you think you are strong - 1 Co 10:12
-- God can be trusted to help us through temptations - cf. 1 Co 10:13; 1 Jn 2:1-2
E. YOU ARE TO BE A GOOD EXAMPLE...
1. An example of those who believe - 1 Ti 4:12
2. An example in both deed and word - Ti 2:7
-- Others should be able to look to you as to how to live for Christ - cf. Ph 3:17
[Remembering such things will certainly help keep one strong in the faith. Also helpful are...]
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