Repentance And Faith

CHRISTIAN SIMPLICITY: REPENTANCE AND FAITH THE TWO ESSENTIALS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

I. RECEIVE CHRIST JESUS THE LORD -- REPENTANCE AND FAITH

A. Repentance -- obstacles = pride, independence, self-reliance

have to realize you are headed the wrong direction; conversion involves turning around (not some minor adjustments)

Not a "work"; but a change of mind that leads to a change in action;

the changed actions are not a prerequisite to salvation, but if no changed actions result, that is an indication that there was never genuine repentance

Transition: essential link between Repentance and faith -- like 2 flip sides of same coin where you have one in reality, you will also have the other

B. Faith --

1. What it is not:

a. not just intellectual agreement with certain facts

b. the opposite of merit or works

c. not faith plus works

2. What is is:

Everybody is operating on some type of faith system; the object of your faith determines its validity; Who is Jesus Christ and what is my response to Him?

II. SAME TWO ESSENTIALS FOR LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE -- REPENTANCE AND FAITH

We need input from God's Word

A. Repentance -- constant change and growth

1. be specific

2. be quick to respond

3. take sin seriously and confess it

4. appreciate God's forgiveness

B. Faith

1. need to grow in our personal knowledge of who Jesus Christ is and trust Him more

2. Experience faith or we will be flabby Christians; step out and trust Him

CONCLUSION:

emphasis on God's grace and the working of the Holy Spirit