REPENTANCE IS A NEED OF OUR DAY ACTS 3:19
I was talking with two men this week and started talking about giving to the church. One man said we need to give something to the church. I told them they needed to give a tithe of what they earned. We discussed what we were to give to. He suggested giving to the charities that we have asking us and that way you are helping your neighbor. I said that was good but a charity was not helping people know the way to heaven as the church does. The other man said things were getting to deep for him and the discussion ended. If people do not understand what it means to give to the church do you think it possible they might not understand some other things about the Bible?
Do you know what it means to repent? Do you know what we need to repent of?
Some people complain that Christians dwell on sin too much. The question is how much is “too much”? Remember, it only required ONE sin for Adam and Eve to be booted out of the Garden. On the other hand, is that, in fact, true? Only one sin? Let’s look at the situation. the serpent told Eve that she could not depend on God’s Word. Then he told her that she could be like God or more accurately, she could be equal to God, which in effect made her capable of becoming a god herself. the lie that epitomized the very reason Satan himself was booted out of heaven. Eve bought both lies, and ate the fruit, then gave some to Adam – who was standing right there the whole time and doing nothing to stop her. All of a sudden, the two most blessed people ever created had thrown God’s blessings to the ground and trampled them in favor of their own desires. Through their rebellion, the door was opened for sin and death to come into the world. Sin and death, sorrow and misery, disease and tragedy, guilt and depression, bitterness and hatred, unrighteous anger and pain, murder and adultery, perversion and pride. So, again, how much is “too much”? Again, what is the root cause of all problems in the world? I believe we would say Sin. What is the one thing that keeps us from having joy and a full life in Jesus? Sin. What creates misery and guilt and depression and anger and bitterness and all the other things listed above? Sin. Could it be that the real problem is that Christians don’t dwell on sin enough? "Stop sinning." Just what does this mean? Is it possible for a human being to be totally without sin? why would Jesus say, “Stop sinning?” Because He knows that although a sinless life is not possible, a heart turned toward Him and away from sin is very possible. A person who has repented of his sinful nature and turned his heart towards Jesus will sin less and less and less. When a person whose focus is pleasing Jesus commits a sin, he will feel total broken-heartedness. Once a person experiences that feeling of broken-heartedness, the likelihood of continuing to sin grows less. Day by day, the person learns what it really means to be free in Jesus. So, "stop sinning" is not a decree towards an impossible goal; it is an urging towards freedom.
’"REPENT, THEN, AND TURN TO GOD, SO THAT YOUR SINS MAY BE WIPED OUT."’ ACTS 3:19
There are three ways of dealing with sin: 1. Don’t think about it; don’t ask what damage lies back there; don’t ask if there is mopping up to do. Bury yesterday in a flood of distracting experiences. Just keep on running. Perhaps the past won’t have time to catch up with you. 2. Accept the sin and get used to it. This means living with an increasing weight of guilt that will bring in depression 3. Deal with it. A lot of us spend our lives apologizing and feeling bad about our habits and hang-ups, but we never do anything about them! Repentance literally means ’a change of direction.’
I. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DOCTRINE of Repentance.
The importance given to the doctrine of Repentance in the Scriptures can hardly be overrated. John the Baptist began his public ministry, as did Jesus, with the call to repentance. When Jesus sent forth the twelve and the seventy messengers to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of heaven, He commanded them to preach repentance. ’There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me.’ “And they went out, and preached that men should repent.”
The doctrine of repentance was given in the early church by Peter, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” Paul, said “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” It is from the core of the heart of God as one command given to all men everywhere Acts 17:30 “but now commands all men every where to repent:” The truth us that if we fail to heed God’s call to repentance it means we will not be forgiven and will not go to heaven. Do we find repentance in the preaching and teaching of today? Do you think that the need to repent is not needed today? Does God have another way for man to become righteous?
II. WHAT IS THE CHARACTER OF REPENTANCE OR WHAT DO WE FIND INVOLVED IN TRUE REPENTANCE:
We have to have THE INTELLECT involved. Matt. 21:29, "He answered and said: I will not; but afterward he repented, and went." The word here used for "repent" means to change one’s mind, his thoughts, his purpose, and views. We see it as a change touching our attitude and views towards sin and righteousness. This change is taught in the action of the Prodigal Son, and of the Publican in the well-known story of the Pharisee and the Publican. Thus, when Peter, on the day of Pentecost, called upon the Jews to repent, he called upon them to change their minds and their views regarding Christ. The views of Christ were that He was a mere man, a blasphemer, an impostor. They had to change their minds to think that He was none other than the righteous Son of God and the Savior of the world. The result of their repentance or change of mind would be that they would receive Jesus Christ in their heart.
Next, we have to TOUCH THE EMOTIONS. Gen. 6:6. “So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them. It broke his heart.” The word for repentance in this association means to cause one great concern. The Hebrew comparable is even stronger, and means to pant, to sigh, to moan. Just how much emotion is necessary to true repentance no one can definitely say? But that a certain amount of heart movement, even though it be not accompanied with a flood of tears, or even a single tear, accompanies all true repentance is evident from the use of this word. PS 38:18 “But I confess my sins; I am deeply sorry for what I have done.”
We also have to TOUCH THE WILL AND TEMPERAMENT. One of the Hebrew words for repent means "to turn." Repentance is not only a heart broken for sin, but from sin also. We must forsake what we would have God stop. In the writings of Paul, repentance is more of an experience than a single act.
The part of the will and temperament in repentance is IN THE CONFESSION OF SIN TO GOD. The publican beat upon his breast, and said, "God be merciful to me a sinner". The prodigal said, "I have sinned against heaven". There must be confession to man also as far as man has been wronged in and by our sin.
The part of the will and temperament in repentance is IN THE FORSAKING OF SIN. IS. 55:7 "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord." PRO. 28:13 “He that covers his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.”
The part of the will and temperament in repentance is IN TURNING UNTO GOD. It is not enough to turn away from sin; we must turn unto God; Acts 26:18 “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”
III. HOW REPENTANCE IS PRODUCED.
A. We receive IT IS As a DIVINE GIFT. Acts 11:18 "Then God granted repentance unto life." Acts 5:30, 31 “God exalted him to His own right hand that He might give repentance and forgiveness of sins.” Repentance is not something, which one can create within himself, or can pump up within himself as one would pump water out of a well. It is a divine gift. How then is man responsible for not having it? We are called upon to repent in order that we may feel our own inability to do so, and consequently be thrown upon God and petition Him to perform this work of grace in our hearts.
B. His DIVINE GIFT IS BROUGHT ABOUT USING his MEANS.
Acts 2:37, 38, 41. “What shall we do? Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins might be forgiven you.” The very Gospel, which calls for repentance, produces it. This was the experience of the people of Nineveh. When they heard the preaching of the word of God by Jonah, they believed the message and turned unto God. Not any message, but the Gospel is the instrument that God uses to bring about this desired end. Furthermore, this message must be preached in the power of the Holy Spirit. RM 2:4, “Don’t you realize how kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Or don’t you care? Can’t you see how kind he has been in giving you time to turn from your sin?” 2 Pet. 3:9 “God wants everyone to repent and not perish.”
IV. THE RESULTS OF REPENTANCE.
1. ALL of HEAVEN IS MADE GLAD. LK 15:7, 10. There is Joy in heaven, and in the presence of the angels of God. Makes glad the heart of God, and sets the bells of heaven ringing. Who are those "in the presence of the angels of God"? Do the departed loved ones know anything about it?
2. IT BRINGS PARDON AND FORGIVENESS OF SIN.
Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 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.” Outside of repentance, the prophets and apostles know of no way of securing pardon. Neither sacrifices, nor religious ceremonies can secure it. Not that repentance merits forgiveness, but it is a condition of it. Repentance qualifies a man for a pardon, but it does not entitle him to it.
3. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS POURED OUT UPON THE repentant person. Acts 2:38, "Repent... and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Repentance: There are three Greek words used in the New Testament to denote repentance. The one means of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse because of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word is used with reference to the repentance of Judas.
The second one means to change one’s mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge.
The third one is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which forgiveness of sin is promised.
Repentance consists of 1. A true sense of one’s own guilt and sinfulness. “When he came to himself.” 2. An apprehension of God’s mercy in Christ. “In my Father’s house.” 3. An actual hatred of sin and turning from it to God. “I shall go and confess.” 4. A persistent endeavor after a holy life in a walking with God in the way of his commandments. “he was given a ring, robe and feast in his father’s house.’
The true repentant is conscious of guilt, of pollution, and of helplessness. When one is convicted of this, he knows his only way out is through repenting and receiving forgiveness through the precious blood of Jesus.
