Podcast Show Notes - 5 Things You Need To Know About Becoming A Christian

Ever wondered what actually happens when someone becomes a Christian? Not the religious ceremony bit, but the real deal - what changes and whether you need to sort your life out first?

In this week's Crowd Church service, Matt Edmundson cuts through the myths about Christianity (no secret handshakes required!) and shares five essential truths from Paul's message to the Athenians. Whether you're exploring faith for the first time, feeling overwhelmed by religious expectations, or simply curious about what it means to become a Christian, this conversation offers clarity without pressure.

Matt shares Jenny's incredible story of transformation - from cynical reluctance to life-changing encounter with God - proving that faith isn't about having all the answers, but about taking one simple step toward the relationship you were created for.

Journey with us through:

[00:05] Welcome and what to expect

[10:17] Matt's story - always believing vs becoming a Christian

[13:18] Five things about becoming a Christian from Acts 17

[15:23] Christianity encourages questions, not blind faith

[28:16] How to actually become a Christian (it's simpler than you think)

[30:44] Jenny's transformation story

[34:44] Conversation Street - your questions answered

[13:18] God Created You for a Relationship With Him

Matt unpacks Paul's powerful opening to the Athenians about why we're here and what life is really about.

"Each life has enough time and space for living so we could seek after God... we are here to be in a relationship with God and that's really really important."

What we explore:

• Why Christianity isn't anti-intellectual but encourages seeking
• The difference between religious duty and an authentic relationship
• How God designed life itself for us to discover him
• Why you have purpose and meaning beyond just existing

Key takeaway: You're not here by accident - you're designed for a relationship with your Creator.

[16:00] God is With You Right Now

Discover the stunning truth about God's nearness that tackles the myth of a distant, angry deity

"God wants you to be in relationship with him much much more than you could know or think... he lives with us, he is involved, he celebrates the awe and wonder of life with us."

Real talk about:

• Why God isn't playing hide and seek with you
• How "the god of the universe interested in little old me" changes everything
• What it means that we "live and move and have our being" in him
• God's genuine interest in your daily life, not just Sunday mornings

Key takeaway: God isn't waiting for you to get it together - he's already with you.

[18:10] Acknowledging That He is God

The challenge of letting God be God in a world that tells us to be our own gods.

"We have a habit of creating gods for ourselves... having God on the throne in our lives means making some difficult choices - do we obey him or do we not?"

Honest conversation about:

• How we create modern "stone gods" - money, success, other people's opinions
• Why "God is God" is harder than it sounds
• The difference between believing God exists and letting him be Lord
• How our default is usually to worship ourselves

Key takeaway: Following Jesus means someone else is driving - and that's actually good news.

[20:23] It Requires Radical Life Change

The truth about transformation that happens after, not before, you become a Christian.

"You don't have to get everything sorted out to become a Christian... but by becoming a Christian your life will radically change."

Practical wisdom about:

• Why you can't work your way into God's good books
• The difference between cleaning up first vs letting God clean as he goes
• What lordship looks like in real situations (like forgiveness)
• How change happens gradually as you grow in relationship

Key takeaway: Come as you are, but don't expect to stay as you are.

[23:48] Believing in the Resurrection

Why the resurrection isn't just a nice story but the foundation of everything.

"If there is no Resurrection there is no Christian faith... everything about Christianity centers around the idea of the Resurrection because without it the other stuff simply cannot happen."

Deep dive into:

• The three responses to resurrection then and now (laugh, investigate, believe)
• Why resurrection is non-negotiable for Christian faith
• How the resurrection gives confidence in forgiveness and relationship
• What it means that salvation is about Jesus, not your performance

Key takeaway: Christianity stands or falls on this one historical fact.

[28:16] How to Actually Become a Christian

The beautifully simple answer that changes everything.

"There are no processes to follow, no 12 steps, no chants, no incantations... the answer can be summed up in one word - believe."

Practical steps:

• Why it's as simple as John 3:16 and a heartfelt prayer
• Matt's own year-long journey of investigation before deciding
• Resources like Alpha course for those wanting to explore more
• What happens next after you make the decision

Key takeaway: It's a decision you can make right now, regardless of your circumstances.

Conversation Street

Can you lose your salvation?

Matt tackles this tricky question with nuance - exploring the biblical concept of the "unpardonable sin" while offering reassurance that most Christians don't need to worry about accidentally walking away from faith. The discussion covers how God sees our hearts, the role of genuine repentance, and why trying to be perfect isn't the point.

Living your truth vs God's truth

The conversation addresses modern ideas about personal truth and authenticity, explaining why trying to be the god of your own life doesn't work. Matt emphasizes that God's design for life actually works better than our own plans, and that letting God be God leads to freedom, not restriction.

The power of the resurrection in daily life

Exploration of how understanding the resurrection grows over time, becoming the foundation for confidence in forgiveness, healing, provision, and transformation. The discussion shows how everything in Christian faith connects back to this central truth.

What Changed

Jenny's story perfectly captures what authentic transformation looks like - from cynical investigation through Alpha course to a genuine encounter with God. Her journey shows that intellectual honesty and spiritual experience aren't opposites, and that God meets people exactly where they are.

Multiple stories emerge from the conversation about people discovering that following Christ isn't about religious performance but about a relationship that brings genuine freedom and purpose.

Next Steps

If you're exploring faith:

• Check out the Alpha course (online at crowd.church or in person locally)
• Start reading one of the Gospels - Mark is a great place to begin
• Connect with Crowd Church through WhatsApp or the website for questions
• Remember that every question is welcome - there are no stupid questions

If you've recently become a Christian:

• Reach out to the Crowd Church community for support and next steps
• Consider joining a small group for community and growth
• Don't expect to have everything figured out immediately - it's a journey

For everyone:

• Remember that faith is about relationship, not religious performance
• God meets you in your mess, not after you clean it up
• The Christian life is an adventure worth taking

Remember

• This episode reminds us that becoming a Christian isn't about being good enough for God - it's about discovering that God is good enough for us. Whether you're at the laughing stage, the investigating stage, or ready to believe, you're exactly where you need to be in your journey.

Evening all

Evening Edmo.

Evening ✌️

Evening Andy.

✌️

Yo Andy!

Beauty and the beast.

Where's Anna?

Sounding too muffly and tinny!

What's the humming sound? is it rain coming through the studio roof?

The website needs A LOT of work!!

Hi all, sorry I'm a bit late, I'm laid up with Covid at the moment.

praying for you Jenny F

Thanks. It's much better than last time, I'm just feeling rather wiped out and sorry for myself.

Well done Dan... get the horrendous hum sorted on the live feed whilst we listen to Edmo 2.0

Jenny F I've had it for a fortnight. got over it the other day. I know how you feel. 🙏

I'm sorry to hear that @Matt Crew and I'm glad that you're on the mend!

Hey Jenny.

What him?

Thanks Jenny. ✌️

Hum!

Hey Matt 👋

Sounding like you're in a goldfish tank.

Anyone else experiencing that sound problem?

Not really

The video is fine. It was edited by a pro. 😉🤣

Me either.

Tanya is a pro :-)

**with a little help from her friends/colleagues. ❤️

I like these little graphics (or whatever you call those titles)

:-)

Relationshimp?

Good spot.

Have I missed another Tanya mistake? 😉

No, it was either Matt getting his tongued a little tied up or my Covid brain not hearing things properly.

Disclaimer: We ❤️ ❤️❤️❤️ Tanya!

cool.

Probably me

Defo me :-)

Here he goes again... I heard that one! 🤣

Most important question for this week... Do we lose an hour's sleep next Sunday morning or gain one? I can never remember... 😉

Gain it, I think 😊

Gain

Clocks go back.

Yes that makes sense cos we fall back 1 hr yeah?

Yup

Fall back,spring forward

:-)

Just to point out... it doesn't mean we can mention Christmas weekly yet... it's bad enough that Channel 5 has Christmas movies on all weekend!

Noted

Plus we have to have my 40th first! 🤣

Noted

That took me a while to get my head around (the centrality of the resurrection)

I know what you mean

Thank you for NOT using DIVE INTO Edmo. 😉

Dive into believing

I'm happy delving ta!

Oh God... more Edmo...

3 years we've had that phone number... 3 years!!

Here's Jenny...

It certainly did!

We thank you massively for sharing your story Jenny.

Thank you ☺️

Definitely dodgy sound.

That's better!

Yep

Thank you

I've been baptised almost 21 years.

We're missing Anna.... she's more professional...

Now... Conversation Street. In a while... we will be letting you know what's happening next week, we promote the zoom and we remind you to join us at 6pm GMT next week...

Furthermore... a reminder that in a fortnight we are doing a non-live livestream as it's Bonfire night and we're all getting bevvied elsewhere... 🤣

The alpha course is how I found Crowd 😀

Excellent Andy

Here's a great Alpha sort of question... can you lose your salvation?

That's what I found, too

The understanding of the resurrection, that is

And on that note... What's happening next week other than the clocks changing?

Promote The Zoom. Promote The WhatsApp. Promote The non-live livestream.

Dave Con 1 is a LEGEND

Have an awesome week ✌️

Thanks for joining us tonight folks. Join us next week at 6pm GMT. Thanks for being part of the Crowd Church family. ✌️❤️

Thanks again Jenny! ❤️