Scripture Reading: Jonah 3

Difficulties of Repentance (2)

Intro.

(See Part 1: Basics of Repentance)

1. Gospel preaching & its salvation requires repentance – Lk. 24:46-47.

2. Without repentance we will perish in our sins – Lk. 13:3, 5.

3. It is not easy to repent!

4. Repentance puts demands upon us – Lk. 3:8, 10.

· Admit our sin – Acts 2:37, 41; 1 Jno. 1:8-9.

· Change our mind toward our sin – Matt. 22:28-32 (Lk. 15:17).

· Have godly sorrow over our sin – 2 Cor. 7:10.

Then…

· Bear fruit that corresponds to change of heart (repentance) – Acts 26:20 (Rev. 2:5); 2 Cor. 7:11.

· Stop sinning – Rev. 9:20-21. (“…heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins” – OBGL, #3340)

I. SOME OF THE DIFFICULTIES OF REPENTANCE.

A. Repentance is Far-Sweeping – Col. 3:5-11 (2 Cor. 5:17, all things new).

1. Every part of our life is touched when we fully repent – 2 Cor. 12:21.

2. Put off the old man with his deeds (comprehensive) – Col. 3:9.

3. Put on the new man…acc. to image of Christ – Col. 3:10 (Gal. 2:20).

4. Any concept of repentance that doesn’t touch every part of our being to conform us to the image of Christ is not true repentance.

B. Repentance is Deliberate – Jonah 3:1-10; Lk. 11:32.

1. With premeditation, purpose & conscious effort – Eph. 4:20-24.

2. Takes a full examination of our life to repent – Lk. 3:7-8.

3. Deliberate nature of repentance: Jonah 3:1-10 Þ Lk. 11:32.

a. Truth was preached (3:1-4). Without God’s word there can be no repentance unto salvation (Lk. 11:32; 24:47).

b. Truth was believed (3:5). No faith, no repentance (Eph. 4:20-21).

c. Humble dependence (3:5-9). Fasting & prayer: sought God’s hearing & mercy.

d. Turn from evil (3:8, 10). To God from sin (Acts 26:20; 1 Ths. 1:9)

4. God saw their works – 3:10; Lk. 11:32. Repentance is hard work!

5. Any concept of repentance that says you do not have to change your lifestyle in order to repent is not true repentance.

C. Repentance is Emotional.

1. Emotional recognition of sin leads one to repent (2 Cor. 7:10).

2. Works worthy of repentance may necessitate very emotional changes in one’s life – Ezra 9-10.

a. The sin – Ezra 9:1-2, 4, 10-12.

b. The emotion confession of Ezra (overwhelming grief)– 9:3, 6, 13-15; 10:6.

c. The emotion of the people – 10:1.

d. The emotional remedy of repentance – 10:2-4, 9.

e. The sin & its remedy: Confess, do God’s will, separate – 10:10-12.

f. The remedy applied – 10:19, 44.

3. With spouses & children involved, they put away unlawful mates, ending unlawful marriages!

4. Today many are convinced they can remain in unlawful marriages once they obey the gospel & learn their marriage is sinful (Matt. 19:9-12; Rom. 7:2-3).

5. Any concept of repentance that says, “just be sorry for your sin & don’t do it again,” but allows you to remain in your sin is not true repentance! – Rom. 6:1-2; 1 Cor. 6:9-11

D. Repentance is Costly – Lk. 14:28-33.

1. The cost of following Jesus is exacting.

2. Costs our life (time, energy, possessions, interests…) – Acts 19:18-19.

II. INCENTIVES TO REPENT OF EVERY SIN.

Positive

Negative

Acts 17:30-31

Commandment

Judgment Day

Romans 2:4-6

Goodness of God

Wrath of God

2 Peter 3:8-10

Longsuffering of God

World dissolved

Conclusion

1. Rewards of repentance:

a. Forgiveness (remission) of our sins – Acts 2:38; 8:22.

b. Escape God’s wrath against our sin (Jonah 3:10) – Lk. 13:5; Rom. 5:9.

c. An inheritance obtained – Acts 26:18-20.

2. Let the goodness of God & His punishment of sin lead you to repentance – now!