Scripture Reading: Acts 26:15-20
Why I Must Repent
Intro.
1. The gospel is a call to repentance unto life, Acts 26:17-20 (11:18).
2. We must understand what repentance is:
a. “I’m sorry” is not repentance, 2 Cor. 7:9-10.
b. Change of heart resulting in a changed life, Acts 26:20.
c. Gospel convicts us of sin, repentance comes from godly sorrow and results in changing our conduct.
3. Satan blinds us to the seriousness of sin and urgency of repentance. He minimizes the sin and maximizes selfish interests to keep us from repenting of our sins.
a. He says: It is embarrassing | humiliating to confess (admit) sin, James 5:16. (But without repentance we will not confess our sins.)
b. He says: “You are so bad, you’re the only one who has this sin.”
c. He says: “People won’t look at me the same if I confess.”
4. Why should I repent of my sins? What motivates repentance?
WHY I MUST REPENT. (Things that motivate us to repent.)
1. Because I understand my sin and what it causes, Luke 13:1-5.
a. It is real, Rom. 3:23; 1 John 1:8 (3:4).
b. It is against God (its nature), Psalm 51:4; Isa. 59:1-2.
c. It causes me to be lost, to perish, Luke 13:3, 5.
d. My sin is not unique and different from others. If I don’t repent I will be lost like all the other sinners, Luke 13:2, 4.
2. Because God has commanded me to repent, Acts 17:30.
a. It is going to require faith, Heb. 11:6.
b. It is going to require humility before God, James 4:6-10.
3. Because I want to be in the kingdom of God, Matt. 4:17.
a. Without repentance I cannot live in the blessings of King Jesus.
b. Added to kingdom because we repent, Acts 2:36-38, 41; 3:19.
c. In order to enter eternal kingdom, Matt. 25:34 (2 Pet. 1:11).
d. To avoid eternal hell, Matt. 25:41.
4. Because of God’s great goodness toward me, Rom. 2:4.
a. Must we continually go to the cross and see the bleeding, dying body of Jesus to persuade us to repent? Yes.
b. See the riches of God’s goodness, Rom. 5:8 (John 3:16).
c. Romans 2:4: God’s--
(1) Goodness: Moral integrity, gracious benevolence.
(2) Forbearance: God holds up with us (Acts 17:30).
(3) Longsuffering: Patiently endures with us, Exod. 34:6; Isa. 30:18; 2 Pet. 3:9.
5. To be cleared of my sin before God and others, 2 Cor. 7:10-11.
a. Repentance is a diligent reaction toward sin, 7:11.
b. Genuine repentance produces:
(1) Clearing (defense) of the sinner, 7:11.
(2) Indignation toward the sin (Eph. 4:26).
(3) Fear (phobos, dread).
(4) Vehement desire (to long after, to pursue with love).
(5) Zeal (fervent spirit), 7:11.
(6) Vindication (acquittal, not approval), 7:11.
6. Because I am facing a Judgment Day, Acts 17:31.
a. My life will be judged, 2 Cor. 5:10.
b. Sinners will not escape God’s judgment: My unrepented sins will condemn me, Rom. 2:2-3. I need God’s forgiveness. I need to repent to be forgiven, or I will be lost.
Conclusion
1. We must not be like Esau, Heb. 12:15-17. Defilement of profane living causes bitterness that prevents us (sinners) from repenting.
2. Without repentance we will not be saved, Acts 2:38; 8:22.
By: Joe R. Price
Posted November 30, 2021