{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Houston's First Baptist Church","title":"The Conversion of a Scoundrel","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1371,"description":"The sermon begins by recounting the familiar biblical scene of the two thieves crucified beside Jesus, focusing on the repentant thief who asks Jesus to remember him and is promised paradise that very day. The speaker uses this story to illustrate the power of conversion, describing it as a radical change of heart that cannot be achieved by external reforms or social programs but only by a personal encounter with Christ. He weaves in reflections on the significance of words—worry, worship, power, hallelujah—and emphasizes that conversion is the ultimate transformation that reshapes a sinner’s entire life.\n\nThroughout the message the preacher shares vivid examples of dramatic conversions: a former bandleader who heard the Hallelujah chorus, a young immigrant who rose from a first‑grade language barrier to become a lawyer, and several contemporary converts whose lives were turned around by a simple, sincere plea to Jesus. He categorizes conversion types—early, simple, abundant, immediate, repentant, open—and challenges listeners to examine their own hearts, urging anyone who has never truly repented to come forward and declare their need for Christ, warning that denial before men leads to denial before God.","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/o5yzRQYlXr9ParDz0W15WXJmDEyj_QNDo8tzYNqSRoc/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8wN2Ew/Yjg4MTI1YTdmNDVi/Mjc2NWZiNDkwYTBi/OTU4MS5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}