When you have returned – NKJV When you are converted - KJV Luke 22:31-34

 31 And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." 33 But he said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death." 34 Then He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me."

Notice Peter  Peter was a convert of John the Baptizer  He left John to follow Christ  He was appointed as one of the 12 apostles  He has followed Christ for 3.5 years  He has confessed that Jesus the Christ, the Son of God.  NOW – Jesus is saying that he needs to return to Christ and be converted

Notice Today  Many are baptized – but never fully converted to Christ  They may follow Christ, attend worship, participate in the work of the congregation  Then something happens and they are gone  Alcohol, profanity, worldly attractions  Marital problems, family issues, financial stress  Moral or doctrinal departures

Jesus to Peter  When you are converted (returned) to me  Give up the world  Cease from sin  Leave the moral corruption around you  Worship in spirit and truth  Teach, study, share your faith  Strengthen the brethren  When you are converted, you can help others  You can bring others back  You can show them the way to return

Are you converted?  Are you truly converted to Christ?  Have you changed your life?  Convert = term in science  Caterpillar to butterfly = conversion  Ice (solid) to water (liquid) to steam (gas)  Have you EVER been converted?  Like Peter, have you been baptized but need to be converted?

Romans 12:1-2  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.