Steps To True Repentance [5]

 

Godly sorrow [for sin] worketh repentance to salvation.  

2 Corinthians 7:10

Hebrews 6:1-3 lists principles of the doctrine of Christ on which a believer is to build his spiritual life. These principles are called the "foundations" of the Christian faith. They’re the basic doctrines on which the Christian faith rests. The first of these principles is "repentance from dead works.”  Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.  And this will we do, if God permit.  Hebrews 6:1-3

It’s a foundational principle that we must know and live.  Just a little recap – we’ve covered the basic meaning of the word "repentance" as a change in mind which results in a change in outward actions.  Examples given were the account of King David and the parable of the prodigal son.  There’s 2 traps we don’t want to get caught in:

First, we covered how some people associate repentance with emotions, like shedding tears and feeling sorry for wrong actions and thoughts. But repentance is not an emotion. It’s a decision.   Emotion sometimes accompanies true repentance. But it’s possible for a person to feel great emotion and to shed many tears and yet never truly repent. 

Secondly, other people associate repentance with meeting special religious requirements. For instance, in some denominations, this is sometimes called "doing penance.” There again, it’s possible to fulfill many such religious requirements and yet never repent in the true Biblical sense.  True repentance is a change of mind that results in a change in outward actions. Outward change is the act of turning away from sin towards God and righteousness. This "turning away" shows the inward change of mind which has occurred.

To summarize: Biblical repentance is an inner change of heart and mind resulting in an outward turning away from sin to move towards God and righteousness.

There are some passages in the Bible where the word "repent" is used in a way to demonstrate Ineffective Repentance.  For example:

JUDAS:  Judas Iscariot realized Jesus had been condemned to death. He repented of his part in betraying Christ:  Then Judas, which had betrayed Him, when he saw that He was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood...  Matthew 27:3-4

Judas experienced sorrow over what he had done but he did not experience true biblical repentance. He did not make a decision which resulted in change in his actions.  He confessed before man but never confessed before God; never asked God’s forgiveness and in the end, hung himself.

ESAU:  Esau was another man who made this tragic error. Esau sinned by selling his God-given birthright for a bowl of soup. The Bible records:

. . .ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. Hebrews 12:17

Esau exchanged his birthright for a bowl of soup. In doing so, he rejected all the blessings and promises of God associated with the birthright.  Later, Esau regretted what he had done. He cried aloud and shed bitter tears. But strong emotion is not proof of repentance. Esau did not truly repent. He was just regretted he had lost the birthright and wished he could have it back. His "repentance" was not acceptable because there’s a difference between regret and true repentance.

If we’re to fully understand the meaning of repentance, we must understand what it is from which we are to repent. We have to understand "dead works.” "Dead works" are the actions of a life lived apart from God. These works may be wrong deeds or acts of self-righteousness.  They’re called "sin" in the Bible. The basic thing that causes sin is selfishness. It’s the love of self as opposed to the love of God. This love of self results in man going "his own way":

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way. . . Isaiah 53:6

But all is not lost.  Jesus died for the sins of men in order that...

. . .they should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them and rose again. 2 Corinthians 5:15

When we repent from these dead works of selfishness it means we acknowledge the existence of the one true God, realize we are a sinner, we ask forgiveness of our sin, and accept God's plan of salvation through Jesus.

We have to understand that Satan is responsible for all evil in the world. His rebellion towards God still continues as he tempts man to sin. There is a constant battle in the spirit world for the hearts, minds, and souls of men.  Each person has inherited the basic sin nature. Each person sins individually when he is drawn by this sinful nature to rebel against God:

Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed.  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it’s finished, bringeth forth death.  James 1:14-15

The bible says . . . all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; [Romans 3:23] but God has provided a way to escape the penalties of sin. Through repentance from dead works and accepting Jesus as our personal Savior we can be "saved" from the penalties of sin.

Beloved, we must know and believe that willful sin is NEVER, under any circumstance, acceptable to God.  Apostle Paul wanted his audience in Roman to understand this.  He starts by asking the question:

"Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?"  He answered his own question with "God forbid! "  Romans 6:1-2

So, what do we do? Keep on sinning so God can keep extending grace? I should hope not! We don’t know when grace will be cut off!  If we’ve left the kingdom where sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our old house there?  

Let’s look at it this way, this is what happens in baptism. When we’re submerged in the water, we leave the old kingdom of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new kingdom of righteousness — a new life in a new land!

That’s what baptism into the life of Jesus means. When we’re lowered into the water, it’s like the burial of Jesus; when we’re raised up out of the water, it’s like the resurrection of Jesus. Each of us is raised into a light-filled world by our heavenly Father so that we can see where we’re going in our new grace-sovereign country.  The deed to our old habitat should have been released as we were submerged and then re-emerged as a new creature.  Unfortunately, some hang onto the deed and go back to visit the old place.  

I’m reminded of Lot’s wife who had to have one last look and that last look cost her her life; just couldn’t resist one last look at her old life – the one that God had saved her from.  [Genesis 19]

As believers in God who have accepted Jesus into our life, when we sin, we must repent. There are many examples in the bible of this.  The believers in Corinth had to repent:  

Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.  2 Corinthians 7:9

What was it that the Corinthian Christians had to repent of? Take your pick! It could have been any number of things, but no doubt it also included this:   There were probably some “anti-Paul” people who criticized the absent apostle severely and unfairly, and the Corinthians did not defend their godly spiritual father before these detractors.  

For I am afraid that when I come, I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior. Yes, I am afraid that when I come again, God will humble me in your presence. And I will be grieved because many of you have not given up your old sins. You have not repented of your impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure. 2 Corinthians 12:20-21

ü   The believers at Ephesus were told to repent:

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and repent and do the first works. Revelation 2:5

ü Christians in Pergamos were told to repent:

Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.  Revelation 2:16

ü The Christians in Sardis were told: 

Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. Revelation 3:3

ü This is what the Christians in Laodicea were told: 

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; Be zealous therefore, and repent.  Revelation 3:19

God had something with all of these churches and this despite any good they were doing.  Is there unconfessed sin in your life? Just know that wherever there is sin, there must be repentance:  

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9

Because repentance is necessary for salvation, God made a special plan to enable the message of repentance to reach everyone. The call to repentance in the New Testament began with the ministry of John the Baptist:  

The voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare ye the way the Lord, make His path straight.  John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.  Mark 1:3-4

Repentance was the first message Jesus preached:  

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, And saying, the time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the Gospel.  Mark 1:14-15

Repentance was preached by believers in the early Church:

And they went out and preached that men should repent.   Mark 6:12

Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.  Acts 20:21

Today, believers still have the responsibility to spread the message of repentance throughout the world. Jesus gave final instructions to His followers that...

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Luke 24:47

When we preach the message of repentance, we’re actually calling others to enlist in God's army.  Are you willing to make a commitment to start drafting others into this great spiritual army?

If we have accepted and are committed to the harvest, then we must know how men are persuaded to repent. Men repent because of:

v   The goodness of God:  

The blessings of God in the life of an ungodly person are not to be mistaken as God's approval of their life style. The goodness of God is one way the Lord appeals to men to turn to Him.  We can’t get this thing twisted; His kindness is intended to turn us from our sin?

Despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and long suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?   Romans 2:4

v   Men repent because of:  Preaching/Teaching:  

The preaching of the Word of God causes men to repent. The preaching of Jonah resulted in the whole city of Nineveh repenting:

The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas.    Matthew 12:41

v   Men repent because of:  God the son; Jesus:   

As the Word of God is preached/taught, people hear and respond to the call of Jesus which leads to repentance:

I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.   Matthew 9:13

v   Men repent because of:  God, the father:  

Jesus said no one could come to Him except the Father draw him. God draws men to repentance:

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.  John 6:44

v   Men repent because of:  Rebuke:  

Rebuke causes men to repent. Rebuke is correction given from the Word of God:

Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. Luke 17:3

v   Men repent because of:  Godly sorrow:  

Repentance may be accompanied by emotion. Natural emotion alone is not true repentance, but Godly sorrow leads to true repentance.  Repentance is not just something we do for the sake of doing it.  In the first act of repentance, sinful men turn from wrong to right, accept the Gospel message, and become true believers in Jesus Christ. In the process of going on to perfection, a believer sometimes falls back into the old patterns of sinful behavior. According to the Biblical record, whenever believers sin, they must also repent.  The Bible identifies several things associated with repentance:

Faith towards God is associated with repentance. It’s listed in Hebrews 6 as the second foundational principle of the Christian faith. Repentance from dead works must be combined with faith towards God which is the 2nd foundational principle found in Hebrews 6:1-3.

. . .Repent ye, and believe the Gospel. Mark 1:15
. . .Repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.  Acts 20:21

Secondly, The works of man, which the Bible also calls fruit, testify as to whether or 

not there has been true repentance:

The Gentiles should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. Acts 26:20

Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.  Matthew 3:8

"Works" and "fruits" both refer to outward behavior which should change after true repentance.

So, I ask you today at the close of this lesson, what type of fruit are you exhibiting that demonstrates true repentance?  I pray this word helped someone today . . .

Sermonette 

The Evidence of True Repentance [4]

 . . . Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ 

for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 2:38

We are continuing on with steps to and evidence of true repentance.  This week, we’re continuing; speaking specifically of the conversion aspect of repentance.  Conversion is turning from the darkness of sin and the power of Satan to the light of God's righteousness.  Apostle Paul explained this to King Agrippa when he said:  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.  Acts 26:18

 

¨        It’s turning from worldly things to spiritual things:

 

And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: (Acts 14:15)

 

¨        It’s turning from false gods to the true and living God:

 

For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 1 Thessalonians 1:9

 

This is not something that we can do on our own – it’s impossible.  The enemy doesn’t want us to leave his kingdom and he makes it virtually impossible.  But thank God for Jesus who promised us that when He departed this world, He would send back the comforter who would endue us with power!

 

That’s a game changer; it levels the playing field!

That’s why our hope should be in Christ Jesus.  He’s the one who made it possible.  He promised us help:  And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.  Luke 24:49

God is so magnificent in His omniscience it’s just astounding.  Knowing that we would not – indeed – could not withstand the onslaught of the enemy if left to our own devices, so provisions were made through the son to level the playing field!

Apostle Peter let us know that following after Jesus would involve suffering.  Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 1 Peter 4:1

Jesus had already told the disciples that they would be persecuted for His name’s sake:  But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.  Luke 21:12

When you combine that with the everyday situations of life, money, finances, spouses, jobs, children, etc., trying to live a Godly life in accordance to the word of God can be uncomfortable if not downright stressful.  But God, in His infinite love and wisdom knew that we couldn’t survive this journey without some supernatural assistance.  The children of Israel in their wilderness experience bears witness to this.  When they didn't feel the power of His presence, they quickly forgot God.  They had all types of sacrifices they were to perform to pardon them from sin.  But with the final blood sacrifice of Jesus, we no longer have to perform this ritual.  God provides us with power from on high so that we never forget who we are and to whom we belong.   And to this, I say that every time we doubted God for our healing, for our distresses – whatever they may be – we should repent before God and ask His forgiveness for the doubt we harbored in our heart.  Remember, the 2^nd ones in the lake are the unbelievers [But the fearful, and unbelieving. . .  shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.  Revelations 21:8

Jesus made an important promise to His followers regarding spiritual power:  But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: John 15:26

And don’t forget, Jesus had us in mind when he prayed, he said: “I do not pray for these followers only. I pray for those who will put their trust in Me through the teaching they have heard.  John 17:20

The power of the Gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit are two key principles in understanding the Biblical concept of power. Experiencing both is necessary to receive spiritual power. It’s another vital spiritual experience which we must receive; it’s the power of the Holy Spirit promised by Jesus.

Jesus told His followers He would. . .  pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him; but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. John 14:16-17

The Holy Spirit would "endue" or literally "clothe" the disciples in spiritual power:  And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.  Luke 24:49

Note that this great spiritual power was to be experienced AFTER receiving the Holy Spirit:  But yet shall receive power, AFTER that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8  Just so you know:

√     Power is a spirit:

But God hath not given us the SPIRIT of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of Him through all the region round about. Luke 4:14

√     That "spirit of power" is the Holy Spirit:

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.  Acts 10:38

When we receive the promise of the comforter, we are filled with power; power to:

·         overcome the enemy

·         live a Godly life

·         to witness the gospel of Jesus

·         love the way God loves

·         to forgive others and ourselves

·         And most importantly the power to be converted!

     This promise was not just for the disciples, it’s for all mankind.  If you’ve given your  life     
     to God  and not received His Holy Spirit in your life, do as the disciples did, pray the Holy      
     Spirit fall on you.  Read Acts 2:1-4 to see how they received God’s spirit. 

As some would have you believe, this was not just an occurrence that was exclusive to the disciples in the upper room.  A great crowd gathered and wanted to know what was going on.  After Peter explained what was happening and the reason for it, the crowd asked what should they do.  Peter said:

. . . Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.  Acts 2:38-39

So what is the importance of conversion?  First of all it must accompany repentance. We must turn from the wrong to the right because...

®       It’s Necessary to Enter the Kingdom of God:

 

Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 18:3

®       It saves us from Spiritual Death:

 

He which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death and shall hide a multitude of sins. (James 5:20)

®       It’s Necessary for The blotting out of Sin:

 

Our sin is written in the record of God until you repent and are converted, then our sins are blotted out:  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. Acts 3:19

 

Repentance and conversion are best illustrated by a parable Jesus told of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-24:  

 

This young man left his father and home, went to a distant land, and through sin wasted all he owned. Eventually this young man realized his condition. He was hungry, lonely, in rags, and tending pigs for a job. Then he made an important decision. He said, "I’ll arise and go back to my father." This inward decision resulted in a change in his outward actions. He went home to his father to seek forgiveness.

 

Here, we see Repentance...the change of mind: And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!  Next, we see confession:  I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,  And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.  Luke 15:17-19  

The young man realized his sinful condition. He made a decision to go to his father and repent of his sin. This is an example of repentance, an inward decision which results in outward action.  Following confession, next we see:

 

Conversion...acting on the decision:  And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.  Luke 15:20

This scripture records how the young man arose and left the old life and went back to his father to start a new life. This is an example of conversion.

 

Man is like the prodigal son. In his sinful condition he turned his back on God [his Father] and Heaven [his home]. Each step he took is a step away from God and one step nearer to the spiritual death of eternal separation from God. There’s a major decision he must make. He must "come to himself" and recognize his spiritual condition. He must make a decision which will result in a change of spiritual direction.

 

When we repent from sin and make the decision to turn from our sinful thoughts, ways and behavior, this establishes a right relationship with God. This right relationship or right standing before God is called "justification [the action of declaring or making righteous in the sight of God.]":  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. Romans 6:16-18

 

When we’re justified by repentance and conversion, we’re "saved" from a life of sin as well as from the penalties of sin. This is what it means to be "saved" and what the Bible is speaking of when the term "salvation" is used.  

Repentance, along with its companion conversion, results in a life that is God-worthy and pleasing in his sight; a place we should all desire to be.

Sermonette 

The Evidence of True Repentance [3]

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, 
O God, thou wilt not despise.  
Psalms 51:17

Another aspect of True repentance involves both turning away from sin and turning back to the Father. However, that statement fails to provide the posture of our heart as we come to or return to God. This gets us to the very core of what true repentance is all about.   In Joel 2:12–13, God calls to Israel, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.”

In the Old Testament, people commonly expressed great grief and anguish by tearing their cloaks. But more than caring about the proper “signs” of being upset about their sin, God cared more that they actually grieved over them in their hearts — grieved to the point of weeping and mourning.

King David’s psalm of repentance, reminds us that God doesn’t delight so much in the outward signs of repentance (which included making a sacrifice), but “the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” Psalm 51:17

I’m not talking about the shame and guilt the enemy wants to heap on us, but a godly grief.

We can be in the habit of going through the motions when it comes to repenting, but these passages show that the most important thing is the condition of our heart. Does our repentance look like a heart that has been rent like a garment, broken and contrite before God? This attitude is missing from most repentance, and it’s the very thing God is trying to teach us!

It may sound strange, but how do we go about getting a broken heart?

First, we simply need to ask for it.  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;   2 Timothy 2:25

 If we want to obey the command to rend our hearts, we must ask God to grant us true repentance.

“The more glimpses we have of the glory of God, the more we should mourn for disparaging that glory.” We should also be aware of one of the biggest hindrances to obtaining a broken heart: our neglect of the relational aspect of sinning. By this, I mean that we err in viewing sin as a failure of performance rather than a failure of intimacy. The only grief we experience is disappointment in our inability to do what is right or that we got found out, and not that we have “despised” the living God:  Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his sight? 2 Samuel 12:9

When we sin, we play the part of an adulterer who looks for satisfaction in another, rather than the only One who can truly satisfy. So then you can understand why David said to the Lord, “. . . against you, you only, have I sinned” Psalm 51:4. David rightly saw his failures in terms of relationship, and as a result his heart was grieved as it can be only when we have sinned against the One we love with all of our heart, soul and mind.

True repentance comes not merely by understanding the relational aspect of sin, but by understanding the nature of the One with whom we are in relationship. In other words, the more we see God as glorious and holy, the more we’ll see committed sin as something to weep over. The more glimpses we have of the glory of God, the more we mourn for belittling that glory.

In the end, God’s plan for us is that we’ll be holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:16). In the meantime, He desires a brokenhearted people who have learned to mourn over their sin.

In the natural world, armies have special induction rituals where a prospective soldier must participate in order to join the forces. This "induction" makes him part of the army.

 

God also has a special plan for induction through which we become part of His spiritual army. His plan centers on two important concepts, repentance and conversion, which results in justification.

 

In the natural world, when a soldier joins an army, he must deny any previous allegiance he has had to another army or country. When you join the army of God, you must repent of your allegiance to sin and the Kingdom of darkness. This is done by repentance; a godly sorrow and forsaking all that is associated with the allegiance to the kingdom of darkness.  For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 2 Corinthians 7:10

 

Apostle Paul calls it "repentance toward God":   Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.  Acts 20:21

By the act of repenting, we turn away from our sin and leave the Kingdom of darkness behind.

 

Repentance is a personal decision to change our allegiance from the Kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of God. This change of mind and turning from sin cannot be done in ourself.  It is the power of God which actually brings the change in the mind, heart, and life of a sinner:  Then God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.  Acts 11:18

 

Repentance is truly a gift of God:  Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.  Acts 5:31

 

Although emotions may be involved in repentance, true repentance is a decision, not just an emotion or feelings.  Sorrow for sin, which is often confused with regret over a bad decision that resulted in a bad outcome, and the shedding of tears is not enough in itself.

Paul makes a clear separation between sorrow and repentance. They are not the same things! One can be sorry for their sin without repenting from their sin. Sorrow describes a feeling, but repentance describes a change in both the mind and in the life.

√         “Repentance is not sorrow only. It may not be unaccompanied by sorrow… at the time, but sorrow will always follow, sorrow for the past; but this change of mind is the principle thing.” 

√         “Sorrow alone accomplishes nothing. Peter was sorry he denied Christ, and he repented. Judas was sorry he betrayed Christ but, instead of repenting, he killed himself.” 

“Repentance” sounds like a harsh word to many but it is an essential aspect of the gospel and has been called “the first word of the gospel.”

When John the Baptist preached, he said , Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand! (Matthew 3:2) 

When Jesus began to preach, He said, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matthew 4:17) 

And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.  Mark 1:15

When Peter preached on the day of Pentecost, he told his listeners to Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.   (Acts 2:38)

Let’s go back to the Old Testament where the oracle of God told the children of Isreal to repent:  And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.  1 Samuel 7:3

 

That same message is being delivered today:  Repent, Repent, Repent!  Turn from the wicked ways of this world, from the ungodly desires of the flesh and the undue influence of the wicked one and become committed and submitted to God! 

This turn must be accompanied by an 

 

True repentance is an inward decision that results in an outward change.

 

Repentance is important because:

®       God Commands It

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:  Acts 17:30

®       It’s Necessary To Avoid Spiritual Death:

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.  Luke 13:3

®       It’s Necessary For Eternal Life:

 

Through repentance the penalty of death is removed and eternal life is granted:

When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. Acts 11:18

®       It’s Necessary for Forgiveness:

 

God can’t forgive our sins unless we repent:  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Acts 2:38

®       It’s God's Desire for All:

 

God doesn’t want anyone to experience the spiritual death of eternal separation from God in Hell:  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. 2 Peter 3:9

®       It’s The Reason Jesus Came into the World:

I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.  Luke 5:32

®       It’s Necessary to Enter God's Kingdom:

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.  Matthew 4:17

 

When we become part of the Kingdom of God, we’re enlisting in God's army.

 

When we ask for forgiveness of sins we experience "conversion." Conversion means "to change." When it is used in connection with Biblical repentance, it means to "turn from the wrong way to the right way."   You leave the Kingdom of darkness and join the Kingdom of God.  And many of the children of Israel shall He turn to the Lord their God.  Luke 1:16

 

And all that dwelt at Lydda & Sharon saw Him, & turned to the Lord.  Acts 9:35

 

And the hand of the Lord was with them; and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.  Acts 11:21

 

Conversion is turning from the darkness of sin and the power of Satan to the light of God's righteousness:  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.  Acts 26:18

 

¨        It is turning from worldly things to spiritual things:

And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:  Acts 14:15

 

¨        It is turning from false gods to the true and living God:  For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 1 Thessalonians 1:9

Sermonette

The Evidence of True Repentance [2]

Therefore, bear fruits worthy of repentance.  Matthew 3:8 

God’s Word and our commitment to studying it and submitting to it should be the focus of our – referring to the believer’s – should be our life.  That’s the evidence or the fruit of true repentance.

It’s Godly sorrow that brings on repentance.  Repentance is not sorrow for sin; it’s sorrow for committing the sin.  We can’t repent without being sorry for the sin we committed.  Our tears mean nothing without some action behind them!

“Let the wicked forsake his way…let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him…for He will abundantly pardon” Isaiah 55:7 

In repentance, we have to first acknowledge that we’ve sinned, feel sorrow for the sin, and then stop and turn away from that sin.  Repentance includes a change of heart and a change of mind and a change of direction.  We make up our mind to stop living life our way and start living it God’s way.  It’s making up our mind that we’re going to serve God with all our might and do everything He says.  It’s a commandment:  . . . love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind."  Matthew 22:37

In the very beginning, way back in the garden, the first sin was committed and Gid gave them the opportunity to repent.  To Adam, God asked:  who told you that you were naked?  Right there, Adam could have confessed and asked for forgiveness.  God turns to Eve and asked:  what did you do?  Another opportunity to confess and ask for forgiveness.  But no, they knew that they did wrong but they wanted to play the blame game.  And then their son, Cain – after he killed his brother, God asked him:  where is your brother?  Another missed opportunity to come clean before God!  The need to get right with God should always be greater than the fear of punishment, the loss of face, status, position, money and fame.  The call to repentance is a central theme of the bible:  Joel 2, Jeremiah 18, Ezekiel, Jonah 3, 1 Samuel 7, Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 5, Acts 2:38, Acts 17, all the way to Revelation.

We must do it with all of our being.  This takes total faith in God.  It takes trusting that God is real, alive and His word is true.  To show our repentance – that’s what we’re talking about today:  Therefore, bear fruits worthy of repentance.  Matthew 3:8 

Repentance as an inward decision or change of mind 
that results in the outward action of turning or returning from sin 
to God and righteousness.  

So far, we’ve covered the fruit or evidence of true repentance by:

*    Exhibiting a Commitment to God’s Word [knowing & submitting]
*    And a commitment to Fearing God [Reverence/respect]

We’re going to continue adding to those fruits today.  Still looking at the children of Israel in the account found in Nehemiah; chapters 8-10

√         A Commitment to Holiness

Another focus of the believers’ life and evidence of true repentance is the practice of holiness. Discipline is a major aspect of our sanctification, as we confront temptation and opportunities to sin.  Where do we see this commitment in Israel? Look at what they committed to:  The rest of the people—priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, temple servants and all who separated themselves from the neighboring peoples for the sake of the Law of God, together with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand…

We promise not to give our daughters in marriage to the peoples around us or take their daughters for our sons. When the neighboring peoples bring merchandise or grain to sell on the Sabbath, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on any holy day. Every seventh year we will forgo working the land and will cancel all debts.   Nehemiah 10:28, 30-31

This holiness was seen in two ways.

ü    They wouldn’t intermarry with the neighboring nations, and

ü   they wouldn’t sin against God by buying and selling from the foreigners on the Sabbath or any other holy day.

Israel lived amongst neighboring nations that wanted to interact with them spiritually by drawing them to worship their gods. They wanted to interact with them socially through marriage and the practice of other cultural norms. And they wanted to interact with them economically through trade, which was often done on the Sabbath.

But God had called Israel to be holy and separate from the neighboring nations primarily so they wouldn’t acclimate to the standards of the world and be led into sin.                     

ü  Exodus 34:11-16: Warns against making treaties or intermarrying with the inhabitants of the land, as their practices would become a spiritual "snare".

 ü  Joshua 23:11-13: Joshua cautions that mixing with the remaining nations will lead to spiritual ruin.

 ü  1 Kings 11:1-8: Highlights how King Solomon’s foreign wives led his heart away from God.

 ü  Deuteronomy 7:1-6: forbids intermarriage - "They will turn your children away from following me to serve other gods".

Listen to the command about not marrying that was given to the Israelites: “Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land; for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to them, they will invite you and you will eat their sacrifices. And when you choose some of their daughters as wives for your sons and those daughters prostitute themselves to their gods, they will lead your sons to do the same.  Exodus 34:15-16

The call to not interact or marry with the surrounding nations was never racial, it was spiritual. They were called to be separate and holy in order to not be drawn into sin with them or to worship their gods. This is what happened with King Solomon, who led the kingdom of Israel into God’s judgment. Solomon’s compromises through his unfaithfulness; by taking foreign wives and adopting their religious practices, undermined the spiritual foundation of the nation of Israel.

This doesn’t mean total isolation from the world.  They were not to be totally separated from the Gentiles but to be separate in the sense that they wouldn’t be influenced to sin; drawn into the standards of the world.  We’re to be the light to draw the world out of darkness.  This is evidenced through Ruth and Rahab who were both Gentiles, they both married into Israel and were put into the lineage of Christ. However, they both were converts to Judaism—they worshiped the God of Israel.  And then there was Jonah who was sent to prophesy to the Gentiles in Nineveh.

It’s no different for us. 2 Corinthians 6:14 says to not be “unequally yoked,” and James declares that this practice of not being polluted by the world is the religion God accepts . . .as pure and faultless   . . . to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” James 1:27

We talked of not blending, compromising, or bending to the ways of the world.  The Bible says, “Be ye holy; for I am holy” [1 Peter 1:16].

A religion God accepts is one that keeps itself unspotted from the world. We should careful of the music we listen to, the TV shows and movies we watch, what we watch and listen to on social media and the friendships we cultivate. We shouldn’t adopt the ideals and practices of the world.  We can’t condone or accept as right what we know does not align itself with God.

Scripture says that in the same way that the neighboring nations were seeking to lead Israel astray by getting them to acclimate to their ways, the world today does the same with us.  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.  Romans 12:2

We’re being pushed and cajoled into the image of the world. We’re being pressured into having the same passions, the same desires, and the same worldview, rather than that of the kingdom of God and His perspective.  But Scripture commands us   Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  1 John 2:15

There’s a principle in the world system working to draw us away from the love of God.  So yes, our priority must be holiness. Are we living out a life of separation from the world? Or are we trying to love God and love the world as well?  John says that if we haven’t committed to holiness and are still living in sin, we’re not truly born again. It’s a genuine fruit of repentance and if we lack this desire and practice of being holy, then we’re not truly saved.   It’s tight but it’s right:  If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth  1 John 1:6

Israel committed to being separate from the nations in order to be holy unto God. We have to make this same commitment as well. Separation is necessary so that we don’t become or remain influenced by this world, and separation is also necessary for us to influence the world:   You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.  Matthew 5:13

 

We have to be different in order to influence the world.  We must discipline our self to commit to Holiness.

Sermonette