Stirred But Not Changed

Temple Baptist Church - 1-18-2008

Acts 8:5-25

Introduction:

A. We live in America and the Bible Belt where most people have had the privilege of being brought up with somewhat of a Christian heritage. Understand with me that the word “Christian” is a broad term today encompassing anything and anyone who believes the “right things” about salvation, Jesus Christ, the Bible, etc.

B. When asked, the majority of these people can take you to a time and place where they had some sort of religious experience. Some have been healed of a terrible disease; some have “died” and, after seeing some sort of “light in a tunnel,” have resurrected to tell the world of their experience; some have seen visions or dreamed dreams of one sort or another; some have actually been “stirred” in a right way through either the witness of a believer or the preaching of God’s Word.

C. Sometimes, people are stirred:

1. By the gospel as they sit in a good church where the death, burial, and resurrection are still being preached instead of a “Social Gospel” or a “Prosperity Gospel.”

2. By the Holy Spirit of God as He brings conviction of sin and knowledge of one’s self.

3. By the conscience as they do something, say something, or think something that they know is morally wrong. They see the need of a change in thinking and life without a change of heart.

D. It is good to be stirred BUT STIRRED IS NOT NECESSARILY CHANGED!!

E. Here we find the story of Simon. Simon saw a great revival with people getting saved and dramatically changed. He no doubt desired what others were getting but “missed the boat” when it came down to his personal salvation.

Mark 12:34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him [any question].

Acts 26:28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

F. I believe with all of my heart that churches across America are full of this type of “Christianity.” People who have had an experience or stirring which they hang on to with all of their might. Stirred is not changed and an experience is not salvation!

G. Born-again believers are changed forever. 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, [even] as by the Spirit of the Lord

1. All are changed!
2. All are changed in same way , from glory to glory!
3. All are changed into same image!

H. We are not “clones” but are products of a new birth by a holy seed into the same family!

1. There is a change of Affections

a. Concerning Sin - Galatians 5:24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

b. Concerning The World - Colossians 3:1-2 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

c. Concerning One Another - Romans 12:10 [Be] kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

d. Concerning Money - 1 Chronicles 29:3 Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, [which] I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,

2. There Is A Change in Thinking - 1 Corinthians 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

a. About God’s Word - Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

b. About God’s Service - Romans 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God;

c. About God’s Approval - Romans 12:2 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.

d. About Sin - Romans 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

e. About God’s House - Psalms 27:4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

3. There Is A Change of Actions

a. Not Reformation - 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

b. It Is Regeneration - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

4. There Is A Change In Relationship

a. From Satan’s Family - John 8:44 Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

b. To God’s Family - Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.