Repentance: A Turning Toward God

Repentance: A Turning Toward God

2003042

Topic # 508

Introduction:

A. Josh 24:15; 1 Kings 18:21

1. God challenges us to choose. To decide for or against Him.

2. More is needed than 1 time decision to obey.

a) Faithfulness requires constant determination; decisiveness; resolve.

b) Some never make up mind about God – never really convert to the Lord. Live life w/o sense of direction or purpose.

3. When it comes down to deciding about God – some stall; engage in delay tactics. Is there really any success here? Some have waited too late.

B. If we choose to follow God – repentance is required.

1. In God’s plan for redeeming men – no single element is any more critical than repentance! None is more difficult.

2. Lk. 13:3, 5 – who can deny the words of Jesus?

C. Why is it so difficult?

1. Perhaps one reason is because we live in society that deemphasizes personal responsibility.

2. Everyone/everything else to blame. Started in Eden.

a) News coverage of shooting at Ball State…

3. Repentance difficult because it forces us to realize that we have rejected God’s will.

a) Devil says – its not too serious.

b) Often…we tend to make exceptions of ourselves & euphemize the nature of our conduct.

1) I’m not really that bad of a person…

4. Mt. 3:7-8 – person who loves his preferred self image more than the truth is not fit for God’s kingdom.

5. That we can minimize our own sin & boast in our own self righteousness is seen in Lk. 18:9-14.

a) Of what condition of heart are we?

I. What is repentance?

A. To change ones mind for the better; to heartily amend with abhorrence of ones past sins.

B. This change is always for the better. It denotes a change of moral thought & reflection.

1. Not merely to repent of; nor forsake sin; but to change ones mind & apprehensions regarding it.

C. Basically…repentance is a revolution in dealing with our attitude and view toward sin & righteousness.

1. It is an inward attitude of the soul.

2. It begins in the mind – but is demonstrated outwardly.

II. What it is not:

A. Simple sorrow for sin…

1. Repentance is not gloomy despair.

2. Neither is self condemnation; or self loathing.

3. Judas – Mt. 27:3-5. Did he repent?

a) Instead of seeking God & putting on righteousness – he chose to end his life.

4. People on Pentecost – Acts 2:36-38 – sorrowful b/c they guilty of Jesus’ crucifixion. BUT…still told to repent.

a) Godly sorrow? Yes. Produced by faith. But..Repentance still necessary.

B. Fear.

1. Acts 24:22-27 – Felix.

2. Became frightened – but we never told of his repentance.

3. Think of those who at invitation full of fear – but never repent.

C. Not simply & solely a reformation of life.

1. One may quit sin & yet not repent.

2. Stop drinking b/c can’t afford it; stop beating wife b/c she leaves; stop cussing b/c lost voice…

3. Yes…the sin can stop but repentance hasn’t taken place.

4. Ezek 14:6; 18:30

D. Not simply confession of sin.

1. Ex. 9:23-30; 34-35

2. Pharaoh’s heart had not changed!

III. Repentance is…

A. A change of heart that leads to a change of action.

1. Remember inward attitude of soul – that begins in the mind but demonstrated outwardly.

2. Jesus illustrated repentance perfectly in two parables:

B. Mt. 21:28-32

1. First son began to reflect upon what he said & did.

a) Realized he disobeyed his father.

b) Conscious of this fact – he comes to himself & changes his mind.

c) Then he did that which he said he would not do.

2. Jesus says this is repentance.

C. Lk. 15:11-32

1. 15:12-13 - here = man w/a terribly headstrong attitude that goes down wrong road.

2. 15:14-16 – here = man who realized that sin always promises more than it can deliver.

3. 15:17 – His realization. In a desperate situation.

a) Every redeemed sinner begins a journey toward forgiveness by taking this same step.

b) God wants us to awaken from our self will & serve Him.

4. 15:18 – his resolve. Realizes his sin before God.

5. 15:19 – repentance seen here. His once headstrong rebellion disappeared.

6. 15:20 – fruit of repentance seen here.

a) Our resolution must be carried out.

b) He had to face his father.

1) When we sin – we must face our Father.

2) Sometimes the only way to go forward is to go back!

IV. Repentance is all about personal responsibility.

A. It must be initiated by a clear sense of personal responsibility & guilt for having sinned.

1. We must get away from idea that if one does evil there must be a source of blame outside of self.

2. We do not repent of our sins, but forget them in the vain hope that God will forget them.

3. Rom. 3:23 applies to all humans equally.

4. We’re not mere victims forced into sin by others – we sin as a matter of personal choice!

B. No greater case of repentance stresses personal responsibility more clearly than David.

1. Psa. 51:2-4

2. We must desire to have a clean heart – 51:10-13

a) Contrast to those who say, well..If I’ve done anything wrong…I repent.

b) There is no repentance w/o the realization & understanding of one’s guilt before God!

c) Anything less is a meaningless waste of time!

3. Steve Dewhirst: Repentance is not synonymous with “going forward” in a religious service; it’s a genuine choice of heart based on one’s awareness of personal sin against God.

C. Brethren: we must realize sin is an affront against God Almighty!

1. only when we admit our rejection of God & His word

2. Will we be motivated to repent & throw ourselves upon His mercy!

3. We must pray like David…Psa. 51:14-17

V. We must be decisive in this!

A. Schuler: Again & again the impossible problem is solved when we see that the problem is only a tough decision waiting to be made.

1. it is not necessary to hit “rock bottom” before we take charge of our decisions – Lk. 15:17-19

2. Must take control of emotional feelings that sometimes threaten to overthrown our sober decisions.

B. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

1. Mt. 7:24-27 – one who postpones obedience is a fool!

2. Self deception leads to a great fall!

C. Ultimately – there is no middle ground!

1. Not to decide for the Lord is to decide against Him!

2. Lk. 6:46; Rom. 6:16

Conclusion:

A. Isa. 1:18 (Read verses to song)

B. God has always had a high regard for contrite souls.

1. Isa. 66:2; Psa. 34:18

C. Here’s the greatest thing: God wants you in heaven with Him! 2 Pet. 3:9

D. God is calling on YOU to make a choice!

1. Josh 24:15

2. Start the process today!

E. Already a Christian but garments stained w/sin? Humble yourself before the Lord & He will exalt you!

F. I N V I T A T I O N



Repentance: A Turning Toward God 2003042 Topic # 508 Introduction: A. Josh 24:15; 1 Kings 18:21 1. God challenges us to choose. To decide for or against Him. 2. More is needed than 1 time decision to obey. a) Faithfulness requires constant determination; decisiveness; resolve. b) Some never make up mind about God – never really convert to the Lord. Live life w/o sense of direction or purpose. 3. When it comes down to deciding about God – some stall; engage in delay tactics. Is there really any success here? Some have waited too late. B. If we choose to follow God – repentance is required. 1. In God’s plan for redeeming men – no single element is any more critical than repentance! None is more difficult. 2. Lk. 13:3, 5 – who can deny the words of Jesus? C. Why is it so difficult? 1. Perhaps one reason is because we live in society that deemphasizes personal responsibility. 2. Everyone/everything else to blame. Started in Eden. a) News coverage of shooting at Ball State… 3. Repentance difficult because it forces us to realize that we have rejected God’s will. a) Devil says – its not too serious. b) Often…we tend to make exceptions of ourselves & euphemize the nature of our conduct. 1) I’m not really that bad of a person… 4. Mt. 3:7-8 – person who loves his preferred self image more than the truth is not fit for God’s kingdom. 5. That we can minimize our own sin & boast in our own self righteousness is seen in Lk. 18:9-14. a) Of what condition of heart are we? I. What is repentance? A. To change ones mind for the better; to heartily amend with abhorrence of ones past sins. B. This change is always for the better. It denotes a change of moral thought & reflection. 1. Not merely to repent of; nor forsake sin; but to change ones mind & apprehensions regarding it. C. Basically…repentance is a revolution in dealing with our attitude and view toward sin & righteousness. 1. It is an inward attitude of the soul. 2. It begins in the mind – but is demonstrated outwardly. II. What it is not: A. Simple sorrow for sin… 1. Repentance is not gloomy despair. 2. Neither is self condemnation; or self loathing. 3. Judas – Mt. 27:3-5. Did he repent? a) Instead of seeking God & putting on righteousness – he chose to end his life. 4. People on Pentecost – Acts 2:36-38 – sorrowful b/c they guilty of Jesus’ crucifixion. BUT…still told to repent. a) Godly sorrow? Yes. Produced by faith. But..Repentance still necessary. B. Fear. 1. Acts 24:22-27 – Felix. 2. Became frightened – but we never told of his repentance. 3. Think of those who at invitation full of fear – but never repent. C. Not simply & solely a reformation of life. 1. One may quit sin & yet not repent. 2. Stop drinking b/c can’t afford it; stop beating wife b/c she leaves; stop cussing b/c lost voice… 3. Yes…the sin can stop but repentance hasn’t taken place. 4. Ezek 14:6; 18:30 D. Not simply confession of sin. 1. Ex. 9:23-30; 34-35 2. Pharaoh’s heart had not changed! III. Repentance is… A. A change of heart that leads to a change of action. 1. Remember inward attitude of soul – that begins in the mind but demonstrated outwardly. 2. Jesus illustrated repentance perfectly in two parables: B. Mt. 21:28-32 1. First son began to reflect upon what he said & did. a) Realized he disobeyed his father. b) Conscious of this fact – he comes to himself & changes his mind. c) Then he did that which he said he would not do. 2. Jesus says this is repentance. C. Lk. 15:11-32 1. 15:12-13 - here = man w/a terribly headstrong attitude that goes down wrong road. 2. 15:14-16 – here = man who realized that sin always promises more than it can deliver. 3. 15:17 – His realization. In a desperate situation. a) Every redeemed sinner begins a journey toward forgiveness by taking this same step. b) God wants us to awaken from our self will & serve Him. 4. 15:18 – his resolve. Realizes his sin before God. 5. 15:19 – repentance seen here. His once headstrong rebellion disappeared. 6. 15:20 – fruit of repentance seen here. a) Our resolution must be carried out. b) He had to face his father. 1) When we sin – we must face our Father. 2) Sometimes the only way to go forward is to go back! IV. Repentance is all about personal responsibility. A. It must be initiated by a clear sense of personal responsibility & guilt for having sinned. 1. We must get away from idea that if one does evil there must be a source of blame outside of self. 2. We do not repent of our sins, but forget them in the vain hope that God will forget them. 3. Rom. 3:23 applies to all humans equally. 4. We’re not mere victims forced into sin by others – we sin as a matter of personal choice! B. No greater case of repentance stresses personal responsibility more clearly than David. 1. Psa. 51:2-4 2. We must desire to have a clean heart – 51:10-13 a) Contrast to those who say, well..If I’ve done anything wrong…I repent. b) There is no repentance w/o the realization & understanding of one’s guilt before God! c) Anything less is a meaningless waste of time! 3. Steve Dewhirst: Repentance is not synonymous with “going forward” in a religious service; it’s a genuine choice of heart based on one’s awareness of personal sin against God. C. Brethren: we must realize sin is an affront against God Almighty! 1. only when we admit our rejection of God & His word 2. Will we be motivated to repent & throw ourselves upon His mercy! 3. We must pray like David…Psa. 51:14-17 V. We must be decisive in this! A. Schuler: Again & again the impossible problem is solved when we see that the problem is only a tough decision waiting to be made. 1. it is not necessary to hit “rock bottom” before we take charge of our decisions – Lk. 15:17-19 2. Must take control of emotional feelings that sometimes threaten to overthrown our sober decisions. B. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. 1. Mt. 7:24-27 – one who postpones obedience is a fool! 2. Self deception leads to a great fall! C. Ultimately – there is no middle ground! 1. Not to decide for the Lord is to decide against Him! 2. Lk. 6:46; Rom. 6:16 Conclusion: A. Isa. 1:18 (Read verses to song) B. God has always had a high regard for contrite souls. 1. Isa. 66:2; Psa. 34:18 C. Here’s the greatest thing: God wants you in heaven with Him! 2 Pet. 3:9 D. God is calling on YOU to make a choice! 1. Josh 24:15 2. Start the process today! E. Already a Christian but garments stained w/sin? Humble yourself before the Lord & He will exalt you! F. I N V I T A T I O N