2. WHY CONVERT TO CHRIST?
“Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
MATTHEW 18:3

3. Possible positive answers:
A better solution and remedy to the evil all around us; a meaningful purpose to life’s struggles and hardships; a happy life; a life with goodness and good people; a desire to experience the joys Christians have; something to look forward to beyond our lives here; etc.

4. “… they were passing through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles and were bringing great joy to all the brethren” (ACTS 15:3)

5. Appealing to lost souls:
Jesus – God’s appointed Judge (ACTS 10:42)
God’s Servant was sent to turn men from wickedness (ACTS 3:26)

6. Appealing to lost souls:
Jesus – Prophet in whose mouth are God’s words (ACTS 3:22; DEUT. 18:18)
“And it will be that every soul that does not heed that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people” (ACTS 3:23)

7. Appealing to lost souls:
Jesus – man’s Savior (ACTS 13:23)
Forgiveness of sins (ACTS 3:19; 10:43:13:38)
Freedom from all things which the Law of Moses could not free you (ACTS 13:39)

8. Appealing to lost souls:
Jesus – man’s Savior (ACTS 13:23)
Light of salvation who can grant eternal life (ACTS 13:46-47)
A turning away from all vain things (ACTS 14:15)

9. The motivating factor:
Without Christ:
Dead in our trespasses; children of wrath; excluded from Israel’s commonwealth; strangers to the covenants of promise; having no hope; without God; strangers and aliens; darkened in understanding; excluded from the life of God; sons of disobedience (EPH. 2:1, 3, 12, 19; 4:18; 5:6)

10. The motivating factor:
With Christ:
Blessed with every spiritual blessing; predestined to adoption as sons; forgiven of our trespasses; obtained an inheritance; alive together with Christ; raised up and seated with Him; saved; God’s workmanship; peace; reconciled in one body; citizens and of God’s household; fellow heirs; fellow members; fellow partakers
(EPH. 1:3, 5, 7, 11; 2:5, 6, 8, 10, 14, 16, 19; 3:6)

11. “… unless you are converted …,
you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
MATTHEW 18:3