Scripture Reading: Acts 26:15-20

Reasons to Repent

(Why should I repent?)

Intro.

1. The gospel is a call to repentance unto life – Acts 26:17-20 (11:18).

2. We must not be like Esau! – Heb. 12:14-17

-Defilement of profane living causes bitterness that keeps sinners (us) from repenting.

3. We must understand what repentance is:

a. “I’m sorry” is not repentance, 2 Cor. 7:9-10.

b. A change of heart that results in a changed life – Acts 26:20; Rev. 9:20-21.

4. Repentance grows out of sorrow for ours sins, being convicted by the word of God to change our hearts (& lives) – Neh. 9:1-3.

5. Satan blinds us to the seriousness of sin & the need to repent. He minimizes sin & maximizes self.

6. If we cannot repent we will not confess sin – Jas. 5:16.

a. Who wants to confess (admit) they are wrong & a sinner?! It is embarrassing, humiliating, etc.

b. Remember Neh. 9:2-3: At least they knew they were not alone!

c. Satan’s device to keep us from repenting: “I’m the only one who has ever done this.”

7. Why should I repent of my sins? What motivates repentance?

· WHY SHOULD I REPENT? (Things that motivate us to repent)

1. Because of understanding my sin – Lk. 13:1-5.

a. It is real – Rom. 3:23; 1 Jno. 3:4.

b. It is against God (its nature) – Psa. 51:4; Isa. 59:1-2.

c. It causes me to be lost, to perish – Lk. 13:3, 5.

d. My sin is not unique / different from others – if I don’t repent, I will be lost like all the other sinners! – Lk. 13:2, 4

2. Because God has commanded it of me – Acts 17:30.

a. That is going to require faith – Heb. 11:6.

b. Require humility before God – Jas. 4:6-10.

3. Because there will be a Judgment Day – Acts 17:31.

a. My life will be judged – 2 Cor. 5:10.

b. Rom. 2:2-3 – Sinners will not escape God’s judgment: My sin will condemn me! I need God’s forgiveness…I need to repent to be forgiven – or I will be lost!

4. 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. Acts 2:36-38, 41; 3:19 – Added to kingdom because we repent.

c. In order to enter eternal kingdom – Matt. 25:34.

d. To avoid eternal hell – Matt. 25:41.

5. Because of God’s great goodness – Rom. 2:4.

a. What brought David to repentance? 2 Sam. 12:1-7, 13

-A parable of unfair treatment of another.

b. Must we continually go to the cross & see the bleeding, dying body of Jesus to persuade us to repent? Yes!

c. See the riches of God’s goodness – Rom. 5:8 (Jno. 3:16).

d. Rom. 2:4: God’s…

1) Goodness: Moral integrity, gracious benevolence.

2) Forbearance: God holds up with us (cf. Acts 17:30).

3) Longsuffering: Patient endurance with us, Exo. 34:6; Isa. 30:18; 2 Pet. 3:9.

6. To be clear of sin before God and man – 2 Cor. 7:10-11.

a. True repentance…

1) Is a diligent reaction toward sin – 7:11.

2) Produces a clearing (defense) of the sinner – 7:11.

3) Produces indignation (Eph. 4:26).

4) Produces fear (phobos, dread), vehement desire (to long after, to pursue with love) & zeal (fervent spirit) – 7:11.

5) Produces vindication (not “acclaim”, but acquittal) – 7:11.

Conclusion

1. Neh. 9:2-3 – There was no self-righteousness in that crowd.

2. Jas. 5:16 – There can be no self-righteousness where confession of sin occurs.

3. There can be no confession of sins & salvation in Christ without genuine repentance – Acts 2:38; 8:22.