WHAT IS REPENTANCE ???

Text: 2 Corinthians 7:10; Matthew 21:28-32.

Delivered on: March 15, 2009. Streetsboro.

INTRODUCTION.

1. Its necessity was taught by John. Matthew 3:1-2. In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, ²and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

2. Jesus said that if we do not do it, we will perish. Luke 13:3. I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

3. The apostles said that without it we would not have our sins remitted.  Acts 2:38. Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

4. We are talking about repentance.

5. As seen above, repentance plays an integral part in our salvation.

6. Without it, we will be lost.

7. But, what is repentance?

   
   

BODY.

1. WHAT IT IS NOT.
   

   1. It is not “turning to God.” Acts 26:20. But declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.
      

   2. It is not conversion. Acts 3:19. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
      

   3. It is not crying. Hebrews 12:16-17. Lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. ¹⁷ For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance,
      though he sought it diligently with tears.
      

   4. It is not godly sorrow. 2 Corinthians 7:10. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
      

   5. It is not leading a reformed life.
      

2. WHAT IT IS.
   

   1. It is a change of action (or behavior) brought about by a change of heart.

      1. The process.

         1. The change of heart begins with a change of thought in regard to Jesus. Acts 2:36-37. “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” ³⁷ Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

         2. This leads to a change of attitude in regard to sin. Romans 6:1-2. What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? ²
            Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?

         3. This change of attitude in regard to sin leads to godly sorrow. 2 Corinthians 7:10. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

         4. Godly sorrow leads to repentance.

      2. The one who repents decides that he is no longer living to please self but to please God.

         1. And in accordance with that, he is going to change his behavior and bring it into line with what Christ wants from him.

         2. A great example of repentance is found in Matthew 21:28-32. “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ ²⁹ He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. ³⁰ Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. ³¹ Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to Him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. ³² For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him.

         3. Also notice Jonah 3:5-9. So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them. ⁶ Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. ⁷ And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water. ⁸ But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. ⁹ Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish?
            

   2. It is a command. Acts 17:30-31. Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, ³¹ because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”
      

   3. It is for sinners as well as saints. Acts 8:22. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.
      

3. DO YOU NEED TO REPENT?
   

   1. If you have not yet obeyed the gospel, then you need to repent of your past sins and obey the gospel.
      

   2. If you are a child of God, you still need to repent of your sins too.

      1. You still have sin in your life. 1 John 1:8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

      2. Yet God will forgive us if we repent and confess. 1 John 1:9. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

      3. If you do not repent, you will not be forgiven.

      4. Do you have problems with:

         1. Lying.

         2. Laziness.

         3. Substance abuse.

         4. Pornography.

         5. Procrastination.

      5. It is time to repent!