What Is Repentance?

WHAT IS REPENTANCE?

Luke 3:1-3,7-9

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR

1. I heard about a man who smoked cigarettes. He began reading articles on cigarettes and became alarmed by the strong relationship between smoking and lung cancer.

2. He finally confided in a friend; “I’ve been reading so many articles about smoking and lung cancer that I’ve decided to quit reading.”

3. He didn’t decide to quit smoking, but to quit reading! That’s what many people do when they read the Bible and it convicts them of their sins! They decide to quit reading the Bible!

4. The problem of that solution is that our sins aren’t “going away;” we must go to God and get His solution for the problem of our sins.

B. TEXT

1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar....2 the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of REPENTANCE for the forgiveness of sins. 7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” Lk. 3:1-3,7-9

C. ISSUE OF REPENTANCE: NOT A POPULAR SUBJECT

1. Noah’s message to his generation was not, “Something good is going to happen to you.”

Jeremiah didn’t get put into a pit for preaching, “I’m ok, You’re Ok!”

Daniel wasn’t put into the Lion’s Den for telling people, “All roads lead to God.”

John the Baptist wasn’t beheaded for preaching, “Smile, God loves You!”

And the Two Tribulation Prophets won’t be killed for preaching, “God is in Heaven and all is right with the world.”

Instead, what was the message of all these men of God? Simply one word – “Repent!” It’s an important subject!

2. WITHOUT REPENTANCE, THERE IS NO SALVATION! We need to know all about it so we won’t be mistaken and get to the judgment seat deceived. Jesus said, “When the Judgment Day comes, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord! In your name we spoke God's message, by your name we drove out many demons and performed many miracles!’ Then I will say to them, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you wicked people!’ Matt. 7:22-23, GNT. They were surprised!

3. So we’re going to look at who needs to repent, what repentance is, and how long do we have to get right with God. The title is, “What is Repentance?”

I. WHY IS REPENTANCE IMPORTANT?

A. FIRST SERMON JESUS EVER PREACHED

1. By the Lord Jesus. “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee….saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.’” Mk. 1:14-15.

2. By the Apostles, Mk. 6:12.

B. IS THE ONLY WAY TO ESCAPE HELL

1. Jesus said there’s only 2 options: “REPENT OR PERISH” Lk. 13:3,5.

2. It’s NECESSARY TO CONVERSION. Peter said, “Repent and be converted that your sins be blotted out” Acts 3:19.

3. REPENTANCE COMES BEFORE FAITH. “Testifying to both Jews and Greeks repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus.” Acts 20:21.

C. IT IS NOT OPTIONAL: IT’S UNIVERSALLY COMMANDED, “God has commanded all men everywhere to repent” Acts 17:30.

II. SOME THINK, “I DON’T NEED TO REPENT”

A. ILLUSTRATION

1. In a small country church a rich man had for years been the leading elder. The congregation was looking for a new minister, and this elder interviewed each candidate. One fine born again candidate preached his sermon on “Repentance.”

2. Afterward the elder said, “I don’t like it that you called our people sinners!” The minister said, “Are you a Christian, sir?” “Of course I’m a Christian!” he said. “Then you were a sinner and sought Christ for salvation” the minister said.

3. “Oh, no. I never was a sinner,” the elder said. “Well, sir, “ said the minister, “it’s impossible for you to be a Christian then, because it was sinners Christ came to save!” [Knights New Illus., p. 544]

B. CONVINCED OF YOUR OWN SINFULNESS?

1. Isaiah the prophet wrote 5 chapters, then got in the presence of God and cried, “Woe is me! I am undone!” (6:5). His true self was exposed before God!

2. Peter, who later said, “No unclean food has ever entered my mouth,” cried, “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!”