The Nature Of True Repentance

Title: “The Nature of True Repentance” Scripture: Lk. 15:1-7

Type: Doctrine Series Where: GNBC 4-25-22

Intro: Back in college I had a friend that lived on my floor. His name was Tim. Tim was a very quiet and private young man. One Saturday morning, Tim was in our room talking with my roommate and me about various matters. He left the room and turned right to go back to his room. Within moments, however, “Tim” appeared to be walking past our room again, going the same direction wearing a different color shirt and wet hair! A moment later, Tim was back in our room with a cup of coffee, dry hair, and the original shirt! What was going on?! I had quit drinking six months previously, so I knew that wasn’t the issue! Tim began to laugh. Then he yelled down the hall to his room. His twin brother, Todd was visiting for the weekend! Ha! Tim and Todd looked exactly alike. However, they were different individuals. Sometimes in the Christian faith we have key doctrines that upon initial viewing look to be identical, however, when we examine them at a deeper level, we realize they are complementary. This is the case with the doctrine of Justification by Faith and the doctrine of Repentance. Over the next few weeks leading up to Pentecost I want us to examine key doctrines of the Christian Faith. Today we will perform a fly-over of the Doctrine of Repentance.

Prop: “Today we will examine 3 important aspects of the Doctrine of Repentance.”

BG: 1. As a background we will briefly examine Lk. 15:1-7. Parable of the Lost Sheep.

2. This parable is part of lesson Christ was teaching in response to Jesus’ ministry to people the “righteous” perceived as “sinners”. Famous section includes this parable, Parable of the Lost Coin, and the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

3. In my opinion, the concept of “repentance” is noticeably absent in much of the Christian Church today, as well as her academic institutions, and might I say, nations at large.

Prop: “Examine with me 3 Important Aspects of the Doctrine of Repentance.”

I. 1st Important Aspect: The Nature of Repentance.

A. First we notice the concept of Repentance in the OT.

1. Repentance is a concept firmly affixed in the OT.

a. “nacham” Hebrew word sense of sorrow, including a change of action, purpose, attitude, and direction. “shub”, another Hebrew word means “to return” (Hosea 6:1-2). Conveys the idea of leaving something behind, being done with it. Illust: People were returning from Babylon to Jerusalem where God’s blessing was. This is the heart of repentance, returning to God!

b. Illust: Couple of weeks ago, Asst. Pastor of a prominent IC church prayed a prayer thanking God for…and she went thru a litany of perverse behavior that the Bible specifically warns us from. Friend, true repentance does not come through embracing my sin and identity as I perceive it and my culture defines it. Rather it comes from accepting God’s assessment of my condition, fleeing from it as one would flee a fire, and embracing the eternal solution for my sin, the Savior, Jesus Christ.

2. True Repentance Begins Internally

a. Joel 2:13 – “Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.” True repentance is internal and not merely superficial.

b. In the OT we see 3 Evidences of genuine repentance having taken place: a. A new trust in the Lord (Is. 30:15) b. New found obedience to the ways and laws of God. (Jer. 34:15). C. A rejection of ungodliness and a return to Covenant keeping (Jer. 26:3; 36:3), for both the individual as well as the nation.

B. Second, we Notice the Concept of Repentance in the NT.

1. Here in this parable we see the idea of repentance clearly noted.

a. Lk. 15:7 – Jesus is talking about a lost sheep, which obviously alludes to more than a sheep! Because v. 7 (read). Sheep aren’t sinners. They may be stupid, but that doesn’t make them sinners. Animals are morally culpable for their actions. Men and women are. Jesus speaks of the joy in heaven over the sinner who repents… metenoeo- It literally means to change one’s mind about sin, to repent with regret accompanied by a true change of heart towards God. Repentance requires change!

b. We are living in a day and age in which many in the Church are unwilling to call anyone to repentance. Effeminate and limp wristed preachers attempt to placate people in their sin, assuming that God has the same assessment of their spiritual condition that they do. True repentance is the return to God with which the Christian life truly begins, continues, and ends!