1. Unless you are converted… Matthew 18:1f

2. Conversion in the O.T. Healing requires turning Mt. 13:15; Mk. 4:12; Jn. 12:37-41; Lk. 8:10; Rm. 11:8 Isaiah 6:9-10 Isaiah 28:9-13 Depends on hearing God’s message

3. Conversion in the O.T. Ownership of idolatry; accountability So God answers them that way – 2 Thess. 2:9-11; 2 Cor. 11:14 Ezekiel 14:1f God’s purpose: “That I may seize the house of Israel by the heart… they may be My people and I may be their God.” (v.5, 11)

4. Conversion in the N.T. Lk. 1:16-17 "And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 "He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.“

5. Acts 11:21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. Acts 14:15 and saying, "Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them,

6. Acts 15:19 "Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God,

7. Acts 26:17-20 'I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 'to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.'

8. 2 Cor. 3:16 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 1 Th. 1:9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,

9. Jas. 5:19-20 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. 1 Pt. 2:25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

10. 2 Pt. 2:21-22 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”

11. More on Conversion Humility – they key to hearing God’s message. God pursues us It’s nature – radical change False substitutes – Must be to Jesus

12. Mt. 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. Mt. 19:21 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.“

13. Jn. 12:26 "If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him [My] Father will honor.

14. More on Conversion Humility – they key to hearing God’s message. God pursues us It’s nature – radical change False substitutes – Must be to Jesus Urgency

15. Unless you are converted and become as little children…