REPENTANCE
Introduction:
1. God has given a solution for the Sins which you and I
commit. It is often referred to as the "Plan of Salvation,"
or "The Scheme of Human Redemption."
2. And most of us realize that the first step in being redeemed
is to have a Faith in Christ Jesus as the only begotten Son
of God. John 8:24, "Except ye believe......" Heb. 11:6.
3. The next step is perhaps the most difficult of all.
4. REPENTANCE.
BODY:
A. REPENTANCE HAS BEEN A CONDITION OF PARDON IN EVERY AGE:
1. God has never saved a sinner who did not repent of sins.
2. In the very nature of conversion, repentance is required.
3. Repentance is an expression of God's mercy and
longsuffering. Acts 11:18. He allows us time and
opportunity to repent, to return to Him. That's mercy!!!
2 Peter 3:9; Rom. 2:4; Rev. 2:21.
B. WHAT IS REPENTANCE?
1. First, what repentance is NOT:
(1) Promise to quit sin. Though man must quit sin. Yet, that
is not repentance. Prov. 28:13; Matt. 3:8, "Fruit..."
(2) Godly sorrow. Godly sorrow leads to repentance.
2 Cor. 7:9-10.
(3) Reformation alone. One may quit a sin, yet, still be
guilty before God.
2. Repentance. The word means, "a change of mind." It is the
changing of one's attitude toward sin. An about face. A
change of direction. From walking away from God to walking
toward and with Him.
(1) The sinner turns from sin because he/she has changed
their mind about it. He once loved sin; now he hates it;
He once delighted in sin, now he abhors it. He once
found pleasure in sin, now he finds pain it . He once
thought sin was good; now he sees that sin degrades,
yea, destroys him.
Instead of finding peace and joy in sin; he now
finds shame and remorse, a defiled conscience, an impure
heart.
Instead of elevating him, sin now degrades him.
Instead of making him better, sin makes him worse.
Instead of satisfying him; sin leaves him completely
unsatisfied and dissatisfied.
(2) The sinner now repent and turns completely away from
sin.
3. Repentance is, then, a sorrow for, an abhorrence of sin that
brings about such a change of mind that it leads the sinner
to turn away from sin with all his heart.
C. EXAMPLES OF REPENTANCE:
1. Jonah. Jonah 3:10; Matt.12:41. The people of Nineveh turned
from their sins and evil ways. A change of mind that led
them to turn from their sins. One does not repent who
continues to walk in their sin. Repentance MUST BRING forth
FRUIT. Results. A change!!! One who continues in sin has not
repented.
2. Repentance was the major message of the prophets: Samuel,
Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, Hosea, Micah, etc. Their
message was a cry to turn from sin and return to God.
3. Prodigal son. Luke 15:17-18. Sinned against heaven. Sorrow??
Surely, but a sorrow that resulted in a change.
4. Parable of the two sons. Matt. 21:28-29.
5. Each case of conversion. Acts 2:38; Acts 9:1-18 (Saul, what
a change took place in his life.); Acts 16:33, Jailor washed
their stripes.
D. THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPEL CALLED FOR REPENTANCE:
1. Jesus. Matt. 4:17; Matt. 9:13; Luke 13:3,5. His words still
loud and clear down through the centuries. Repent!!!
2. Apostles. Mark 6:12; Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19.
3. Repentance has always been a condition of forgiveness, both
to the alien and to the erring child of God.
4. Acts 17:30; Acts 26:20. Rev. 2:16; 3:19.
E. WHY DO MANY NOT REPENT??
1. They attempt to shift the blame:
(1) Adam, Eve. Gen. 3:12-13.
(2) Aaron who made the golden calf tried to blame the
people. Ex. 32:21-24.
(3) King Saul shifted the blame to the people. 1 Sam. 25:13.
(4) David DID NOT. "I have sinned." David accepted his
personal guilt, he acknowledged the reality of sin. He
knew he had sinned against God. He had transgressed the
Law of God, "Thou shalt not commit adultery."
2. They try to excuse their sin.
(1) "Because of the situation." "It's your fault." "If you
had not acted like you did, I would not have sinned."
(2) "Maybe it's not so bad." "Look what everyone else is
doing, I'm no worse than they."
(3) The terrible danger of these feelings is, with that
attitude, they will never repent.
(4) Many do realize the reality of sin.
(a) This is clearly seen today in the so-called "gay-
rights movement."
(b) Also, many try to affirm that pre-marital sex is
all right.
(c) Even many church leaders in the denominational world
are approving of same-sex marriages. In the paper
yesterday--Methodist Preacher to be tried by his
peers for performing same-sex marriages.
F. SIN CAN BE FORGIVEN:
1. God will receive and forgive those who come to him with a
contrite heart and a repentant attitude.
2. Luke 15:20-24--Father willingly receives Prodigal Son,
"Bring the fatted calf, and the robe."
3. The problem is not with God, but with man. God is faithful
and just to forgive. 2 Pet. 3:9. BUT MAN MUST REPENT.
CONCLUSION:
1. If you are not a Child of God, a Christian, you must respond to
the command to repent. Believe in Christ with all your heart
and ask, "What shall I do." "Repent and be baptized."
2. Then, from that point on, strive to keep life free of sin.
3. But, when we fail, may we as David, when Nathan the prophet
pointed out his sin saying, "Thou art the man," acknowledge our
sin and repent.
4. Our merciful God will forgive.
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