The Conversion Experience
A Sermon on John 3:8
Originally preached Jan. 23, 1966
Scripture
8The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Sermon Description
In this sermon on John 3:8 titled “The Conversion Experience,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones evaluates the life of a true believer. How does one know that their conversion is genuine? What are the marks of a true believer? He shares that conversion is like the first creation. The Christian is “nothing” being made into “something.” When they are regenerated, they recognize the Spirit dealing with them and cry out for life. After a person is regenerate, they will be seen in a family likeness. True believers become like the family they are a part of; that is, God’s family. This is because there is now a seed of divine life in them. The true believer has a fundamental seriousness about them. This is not to say they are not joyful or humorous, but they now know the fear of the Lord and respond to life in that way. The listener should ask themselves: do I see a fundamental seriousness in my life? Do I respond to God’s saving of me from his wrath with a warm sense of joy and behave as a person under control?” If so, the Christian should be encouraged that they have not laid hold of God, but God has laid hold of them.
Sermon Breakdown
- Family likeness - There is a likeness between Christians that shows they belong to the same family. This likeness is more prominent than differences in nationality, profession, etc.
- Consciousness of being dealt with - Christians are aware God is dealing with them and interfering in their lives. They recognize something is happening to them rather than them being in control.
- Humbled - Christians have been humbled by the realization they need to be born again. They recognize they were dead in sin and needed resurrection. This is a humbling truth.
- True repentance - Christians have experienced godly sorrow over their sin which leads to repentance. They mourn over the evil in their heart, not just the consequences of sin.
- Fundamental seriousness - Christians have a fundamental seriousness and sobriety about them. They are not flippant or superficial, especially regarding spiritual things. However, they can still have joy and humor. They have a holy joy.
The Book of John
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.