REPENTANCE
I. THE NATURE OF REPENTANCE (JESUS THE PERSON CONVICTS OUR HEARTS WITH HIS PRESENCE)
Moreover, true repentance never exists except in conjunction with faith, while on the other hand, wherever there is true faith, there is also real repentance. The two are but different aspects of the same turning--a turning away from sin in the direction of God...The two cannot be separated; they are simply complementary parts of the same process.
Berkhoff, Systematic Theology,
JESUS SAID IN Luke 13:3 tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
A. Sometimes we need to look close to home, sometimes churches need to repent.
Matt 21:12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them
that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables
of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
Matt 21:13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called
the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
displeased, .
II THE SOURCE OF REPENTANCE
2 Tim 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God
peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging
of the truth;
A. The work of the Holy Spirt.
B. Can true repentance exist without faith? By no means. But although they cannot be separated, they ought to be distinguished.
John Calvin,
III. THE NECESSITY FOR REPENTANCE
Acts 8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if
perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
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; .
IV. THE RESULTS OF REPENTANCE
A. Brings great joy in heaven and earth.
Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of
the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
B. When one repents and confesses Jesus then Jesus will confess you are His.
Luke 12:8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
C. Joy is the byproduct of obedience. God call us all to repent, before forgiveness comes we must obey and repent.
V. BY WHOM IS REPENTANCE COMMANDED
Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now
commandeth all men every where to repent:
2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men
count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing
that any should perish, but that all should come to
repentance.
VI. REPENTANCE IN WHOSE NAME?
Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached
in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
A. Here is why! John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
B. Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none
other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be
saved.
1. There is no Name like His Name in heaven and earth.
VII. WHAT BRINGS US TO REPENTANCE?
Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance
and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God
leadeth thee to repentance?
A. Read the gospel and see the goodness of God.
VIII. When again? 2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
A. If we put off repentance another day, we have a day more to repent of, and a day less to repent in.
Augustine said Jesus Christ is not valued at all until He is valued above all.
