REPENTANCE
NBCOG 06/20/2010
MARK 6:12
And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
ACTS 17:30
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
INTRODUCTION
*THERE IS A GREAT NEED IN THE WORLD TODAY.
*THE NEED IS FOR REPENTANCE.
*IT’S NOT ONLY A NEED FOR THE WORLD,
BUT IT’S A NEED FOR THE CHURCH.
*THE CHURCH IS BECOMING MORE WICKED AND WORLDLY WITH EVERY GENERATION
AND WE RESPOND BY SAYING, “WE NEED A REVIVAL“.
*BUT, BEFORE WE CAN EXPERIENCE REVIVAL, WE MUST FIRST EXPERIENCE REPENTANCE.
*WE BELIEVE: That all have sinned and come short of the glory of God and that repentance is commanded of God for all and necessary for forgiveness of sins.
I. NOW, YOU WON’T HEAR MUCH ABOUT REPENTANCE ANYMORE.
1. IT SIMPLY IS NOT PREACHED,
TAUGHT OR SANG ABOUT.
2. IT IS SOMETHING THAT THE PROFESSORS IN SEMINARIES SAY,
WILL DRIVE PEOPLE AWAY FROM YOUR CHURCH.
3. BUT, IT OUGHT TO BE SOMETHING THAT DRIVES US TO OUR KNEES.
4. REPENTANCE OUGHT TO DRIVE US TO SEEK GOD.
5. REPENTANCE OUGHT TO CAUSE US TO DENY OURSELVES
TAKE UP OUR CROSS
AND FOLLOW AFTER JESUS.
6. THEN AN UNBELIEVING,
HURTING,
SINFUL WORLD WILL SEE JESUS IN US
AND WILL BECOME HUNGRY -
EVEN DESPERATE FOR HIM IN THEIR LIVES.
II. SO, WHAT IS REPENTANCE?
1. SOMEONE SAID THAT IT IS DOING A 360 DEGREE TURN.
2. WELL, I NEVER WAS TOO GOOD WITH GEOMETRY.
3. BUT, TO ME THAT SEEMS TO PUT YOU RIGHT BACK WHERE YOU STARTED FROM.
4. REPENTANCE IS TO BE BROKEN OVER OUR SINS AS THE HOLY GHOST CONVICTS US
AND MAKES US AWARE OF THEM.
5. AND THEN WHILE WE’RE BROKEN WE SEE OUR SINFUL STATE.
6. AND WE CALL ON JESUS TO FORGIVE US AND THEN WE TURN FROM OUR SINS
AND TURN TO WALK TOWARD HIM COMPLETELY.
7. SO, REPENTANCE OUGHT TO SPIRITUALLY REPOSITION US IN A DIRECTION TO MOVE US TOWARD JESUS CHRIST.
8. WITHOUT REPENTANCE, WE ARE ON WHAT JESUS CALLED THE BROAD WAY OF DESTRUCTION GOING TO HELL.
9. BUT, WITH REPENTANCE WE ARE ON THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW ROAD CALLED A HIGHWAY OF HOLINESS THAT LEADS TO JESUS AND LIFE EVERLASTING.
JAMES 4:7-10 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
10. UNTIL YOU’VE REPENTED OF YOUR SINS YOU CAN’T SUBMIT YOURSELF TO GOD.
11. YOU CAN’T DRAW NIGH TO GOD WITH AN UNCLEAN HEART AND DIRTY HANDS.
12. AND YOU STAND POWERLESS TO RESIST THE DEVIL.
III. There are three Greek words used in the New Testament to denote repentance.
1. The verb (MET TAME LO MY) metamelomai is used of a change of mind.
2. Such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart.
3. This is the word used with reference to the repentance of Judas Matthew 27:3.
4. (MET TAN AO) Metanoeo, meaning to change one's mind and purpose,
as the result of after knowledge.
5. BUT, WHEN YOU USE this verb, with the cognate noun metanoia, it is true repentance. 6. A change of mind, purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised.
IV. True repentance consists of:
(1) A true sense of one's own guilt and sinfulness.
(2) An apprehension of God's mercy in Christ. (3) An actual hatred of sin and turning from it to God.
JOB 42:5-6
I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.
Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
II CORINTHIANS 7:10
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
(4) A persistent endeavor after a holy life in walking with God in the way of His commandments.
II CORINTHIANS 7:1
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
II CORINTHIANS 7:11
For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge!
V. WHEN DAVID SINNED WITH BATHSHEBA HE SENSED TRUE GUILT OVER HIS SIN.
PSALM 51:1-4 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
1. HERE IS A CRY OF A MAN WHO KNOWS THAT HE IS GUILTY.
2. HE DOESN’T TRY TO HIDE HIS GUILT
OR JUSTIFY ADULTERY AND MURDER.
3. HE DOESN’T BLAME IT ON BATHSHEBA FOR NOT USING A SHOWER CURTAIN.
4. HE DOESN’T BLAME IT ON GOD FOR MAKING SUCH A BEAUTIFUL
AND DESIRABLE WOMAN.
5. NOR FOR PUTTING A NATURAL DRIVE IN MAN.
6. HE KNEW HE WAS GUILTY.
7. AND THE SHAME OF WHAT HE HAD DONE WAS UPON HIS SHOULDERS.
8. AND BEING BROKEN AND CONTRITE IN HIS SPIRIT HE CONFESSES HIS SIN.
9. HE GET’S IT OUT IN THE OPEN.
10. ONCE YOU CONFESS YOUR SIN AND GET IT OUT IN THE OPEN,
THEN IT HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO THE LIGHT.
11. AND WHEN SIN IS EXPOSED,
IT LOSES ITS SECRET GRIP
AND HOLD ON YOUR LIFE.
VI. DAVID ACKNOWLEDGES THAT GOD JUDGES SIN.
that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
1. BUT, HE ALSO ACKNOWLEDGES GOD’S MERCY.
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2. WHERE WE WOULD BE WITHOUT THE MERCIES OF GOD?
VII. REPENTANCE INVOLVES A HATRED FOR SIN.
PSALM 119:128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.
DAVID SAID, Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
1. YOU KNOW WHEN YOU GET DIRTY,
IT FEELS GOOD TO GET A SHOWER
AND PUT ON CLEAN CLOTHES.
2. BUT, SOME PEOPLE LIKE TO STAY DIRTY.
3. THEY DON’T HATE BEING DIRTY.
ACTS 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
4. DO YOU NEED TO BE REFRESHED?
5. DO YOU NEED A CLEANSING?
6. IT COMES BY REPENTANCE.
7. THERE NEEDS TO BE A HATRED FOR SIN IN OUR LIVES.
8. THERE NEEDS TO BE A HATRED FOR THE SINS PORTRAYED ON TV THAT WOULD CAUSE US NOT TO WATCH THEM.
9. THERE NEEDS TO BE A HATRED FOR THE SINS OF OUR NATION.
VIII. DAVID WANTED HIS WAY CLEANSED AND HIS HEART CLEAN BEFORE GOD SO THAT HE COULD WALK WITH GOD.
PSALM 51:6-7 AND 9-13 6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
9Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
1. OH, GOD!
2. CLEANSE ME FROM MY SINS.
3. DON’T THROW ME AWAY.
4. BUT, MAKE MY HEART RIGHT WITH YOU.
5. TAKE OUT MY HEART OF STONE AND GIVE ME A HEART OF FLESH THAT WANTS TO FOLLOW YOU.
6. AND IN FOLLOWING YOU,
I WILL SING OF YOUR MERCIES.
7. I WILL TELL OTHERS OF YOUR WAYS.
8. I’VE KNOWN THE DEPTHS OF SIN.
9. I KNOW WHAT IT IS TO LIVE A SECRET LIFE.
10. I KNOW WHAT IT IS TO LIVE IN GUILT.
11. BUT, GOD, IF YOU’LL HAVE ME;
IF YOU’LL CLEAN ME UP BY THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS;
IF YOU’LL RESTORE A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YOU AND ME;
THEN WHAT A TESTIMONY I’LL HAVE FOR YOU.
12. EVERY WHERE I GO,
I WANT SINNERS TO BE BORN AGAIN.
13. I WANT GUILT LADEN LIVES TO FIND FORGIVENESS AND RELIEF.
14. I WANT TO SHOW THE WORLD WHAT YOU CAN DO IN SOMEBODY’S LIFE LIKE MINE.
IX. BUT, THIS KIND OF REPENTANCE I DO NOT SEE IN THE CHURCH TODAY.
1. I SEE SOMETHING LIKE THIS:
THE PREACHER SAYS, “YOU WANT TO GO TO HEAVEN?
COME DOWN HERE, SHAKE MY HAND AND THESE COUNSELORS ARE GOING TO HAVE YOU PRAY A SIMPLE PRAYER“.
2. PEOPLE WALK DOWN THOSE LONG AISLES IN COLISEUMS AND MEGA CHURCHES.
3. PEOPLE DRESSED IN MATCHING POLO’S AND KHAKI’S TELL THEM TO REPEAT A PRAYER AFTER THEM.
4. THEY THEN GO INTO A LITTLE ROOM WHERE THEY GET PUNCH AND COOKIES AND THE COUNSELORS GET THEIR PERSONAL INFORMATION.
5. THE PREACHER’S ALREADY LEFT THE PLATFORM AND ANOTHER MINISTER IN THE CHURCH GETS UP TO DISMISS AND SAYS, “THAT THE ANGELS OF HEAVEN ARE REJOICING BECAUSE THESE SINNERS HAVE NOW COME HOME.”
6. BUT, WHEN THE PERSON GETS HOME,
THEY’RE RIGHT BACK TO DRINKING.
7. RIGHT BACK TO BEATING THEIR WIFE
AND CHILDREN.
8. RIGHT BACK TO THE AFFAIR.
9. RIGHT BACK TO CHEATING
AND STEALING IN CORPORATE AMERICA.
10. YOU SEE, THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES.
11. THERE’S BEEN A PRAYER.
12. BUT, THEIR HEART HASN’T BEEN CHANGED.
13. THERE’S BEEN A FORMALITY;
A DECEITFUL FORMALITY,
WHERE THEY THINK THEY’RE RIGHT WITH GOD.
14. BUT, THEIR HEART IS STILL BLACK IN SIN.
15. THAT’S BECAUSE THE CHURCH IN AMERICA HAS LOST ITS FEAR OF GOD.
16. THAT’S BECAUSE THE CHURCH IN AMERICA IS PEDDLING A CHEAP GOSPEL.
17. THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST IS MORE THAN A HUNDRED WORD PRAYER.
18. IT’S A LIFESTYLE OF HOLINESS
AND SEPARATION BEFORE GOD.
19. IT’S ABOUT DENYING YOURSELF,
TAKING UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOWING JESUS.
20. IT’S ABOUT FORSAKING YOUR OLD WAYS
AND CLINGING EVERYDAY,
EVERY HOUR,
EVERY MINUTE,
EVERY SECOND TO THE CROSS OF JESUS CHRIST.
X. SALVATION IS THE GIFT OF GOD TO US WHO BELIEVE.
1. BUT, TRUE SALVATION CAUSES A HEART TRANSPLANT IN YOUR LIFE.
EZEKIEL 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
2. WHEN DOES THIS HAPPEN?
3. WHEN DO WE GET A NEW HEART?
4. IT HAPPENS THE MOMENT THE HOLY GHOST CONVICTS YOU,
AND YOU RECOGNIZE THE AWFUL SINFUL MESS THAT YOU’RE IN
AND YOU CALL UPON JESUS TO SAVE YOU AND FORGIVE YOU OF YOUR SINS.
5. THAT NEW HEART IS A HEART THAT WANTS TO FOLLOW GOD.
6. BUT, THERE IS STILL THE FLESH,
THE CARNAL PART OF MAN
AND HE STILL WANTS TO HAVE HIS WAY.
7. SO, THERE BECOMES A CONFLICT INSIDE OF US.
8. AND WE HAVE TO,
BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT,
BY ASKING THE HOLY SPIRIT’S HELP,
CRUCIFY THE FLESH
AND LET THE LIFE OF JESUS BE LIVED IN
AND THROUGH US.
ROMANS 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
9. DOES THAT MEAN WE WON’T BE TEMPTED.
10. NO, WE’LL BE TEMPTED TILL THE DAY OUR FEET TOUCH GLORY.
11. BUT, THAT MEANS THAT I DON’T HAVE TO FOLLOW THE OLD MAN’S SINFUL WAYS
AND DESIRES ANYMORE.
12. THERE IS A GREATER ONE WHO INDWELLS ME NOW.
13. THERE IS NOW A NEW HEART IN ME.
14. WHEN I WAS STILL DEAD IN SINS,
I COULD ONLY SIN.
15. BUT, NOW THAT JESUS CAME IN
AND MADE ME A NEW HEART,
I WANT TO FOLLOW HIM ALL THE WAY.
PSALM 42:1-2
As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God:
16. THERE OUGHT TO BE IN EVERY BELIEVER A DESIRE FOR GOD.
17. THERE OUGHT TO BE A SEEK MECHANISM IN US THAT WANTS TO FOLLOW JESUS AND BE WELL PLEASING TO HIM.
II CORINTHIANS 5:9
Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.
HEBREWS 13:20-21
Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
18. WHAT IS WELL PLEASING TO GOD?
19. A LIFE OF REPENTANCE.
20. A LIFE THAT SHOWS FORTH THE FRUIT OF REPENTANCE.
21. WHICH IS A LIFE OF HOLINESS.
XII. JESUS TOLD OF TWO UNTIMELY DEATHS IN LUKE 13 1-5.
1 There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
1. DO ONLY THE WORST OF SINNERS NEED TO REPENT?
2. NO, EVERYONE MUST REPENT OR ELSE THEY WILL PERISH.
3. JESUS SAID, For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
THEN JESUS CONTINUES IN LUKE 13:6-9
6 He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ 8 But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 9 And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’”
4. THERE IS FRUIT OF REPENTANCE AND IT IS NECESSARY IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER.
MATTHEW 3:8
Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
5. FORSAKE THE OLD LIFE.
6. FORSAKE THE OLD LUSTS.
7. CLING TO JESUS WITH ALL YOU HAVE
AND WITH ALL YOU ARE.
8. LIVE A LIFE WORTHY OF THE CALL.
GALATIANS 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
CONCLUSION
JESUS’ PARABLE IN LUKE 13 TEACHES we may get a second chance, or a third, or more, but eventually comes the final chance.
And we will not know which chance is the final one, so we had better repent before then, long before then, now.
The time to get serious about the future is not in the future, not tomorrow, but today.
SOMEONE WHO TRULY REPENTS is conscious of guilt, of the pollution of sin and of their helplessness to save themselves.
Thus he apprehends himself to be just what God has always seen him to be and declares him to be.
But repentance comprehends not only such a sense of sin,
but also an apprehension of mercy,
without which there can be no true repentance.
