Scripture Reading: Luke 15:1-7

Basics of Repentance (1)

Intro.

1. Repentance must be preached:

a. God’s prophets to Israel – Jer. 3:11-14; Ezek. 14:6; 18:30-32.

b. John the baptizer – Matt. 3:1-2.

c. Jesus – Matt. 4:17 (Mk. 1:14-15).

d. 12 disciples sent out by Jesus – Mk. 6:7, 12.

e. Great commission to preach the gospel & salvation – Lk. 24:46-47.

f. Day of Pentecost – Acts 2:37-38, 41.

g. Spread of the gospel included it – Acts 3:19; 17:30; 20:21; 26:20; Rev. 2:5.

2. One would hope there to be a clear understanding of repentance among those who profess Christ, yet it is not always so. 1 Pet. 1:12

I. WHO MUST REPENT?

A. Sinners – Lk. 5:31-32.

B. Every Sinner – Rom. 3:23.

1. All: Outside of Christ & erring Christians – Acts 2:37-38; 8:22.

2. The nature of repentance is not different for Christian & alien.

3. God requires all in sin to repent (no respecter of persons) – Acts 17:30.

II. REPENTANCE IS NOT…

-(Satan deceives many into redefining & misunderstanding repentance, 2 Cor. 11:3).

A. …Denial or Cover-up of Sin – Gen. 3:8 (4:10); Num. 32:23; Prov. 28:13 (Achan, Josh. 7:20-21).

-Sin is only truly “covered” when they are forgiven (Psa. 32:1-5) – Blotted out when there is repentance – Acts 3:19.

B. …Just Being Sorry for Sin.

1. Judas was remorseful, but not unto salvation – Matt. 27:3.

2. Herod was sorry for rash vow; beheaded John anyway – Mk. 6:26.

C. …Just a Promise to Quit Sinning – Lk. 3:8, 10-11.

1. Certainly an element of determination not to sin exists when one truly repents.

2. But it is more that making a promise not to sin; it bears fruit.

D. …Just Confessing Sin.

1. Repentance bears the fruit of confessing sin (to self & God).

2. Drunkard, liar, adulterer, idolater: Can acknowledge sin but not repent – cf. 1 Ths. 1:9.

3. “Going forward” is not repenting of sin.

4. Confession of sin without repentance is reporting, not repenting!

E. …Just Being Afraid because we have Sinned – Acts 24:25 (Jas. 2:19).

-Fear over our sins ought to move us to repent, but it is not repentance.

F. …Just Reformation (stopping the sin).

1. Thief can stop because he is arrested w/o repenting; drunkard can stop because of liver disease but never repent.

2. Rev. 9:20-21 – Ceasing sin will occur whenever there is repentance.

G. …Prayer – Acts 8:22.

H. …Baptism – Acts 2:38.

I. …Forgetting about Sin – Heb. 6:1.

-(Isa. 29:15 – “Who knows us?” - Cf. “in-sliding”)

III. REPENTANCE IS…

A. …Produced by Godly Sorrow – 2 Cor. 7:9-10.

-A broken & contrite heart (Psa. 51:17).

B. …A Change of Mind Toward Sin.

1. metanoeo - “to change one’s mind” (Thayer, 405).

2. Implies a purpose of will about the sin one has committed.

C. …That Which Produces a Change in Life.

1. Repentance causes a turning to God – Acts 26:20.

2. God’s order: Sin -- Godly sorrow -- Repentance -- Turning to God (the fruit of repentance) – 2 Cor. 7:10-11; Rev. 2:5.

3. No, it is the change of mind that produces turning!

D. …Commanded by Christ – Lk. 13:3, 5; Acts 17:30.

-Not optional if you want to be saved!

-Tonight, Part 2: The Difficulties of Repentance-

Conclusion

1. God desires every sinner’s repentance – Ezek. 18:30, 32; 2 Pet. 3:9.

2. Heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents – Lk. 15:10.

3. Do not harden you heart & refuse to repent by believing the devil’s lies about repentance – Heb. 3:7-11. Do not “go astray in your heart” (3:10)!