Why Repentance?

 

“Why Repentance?”

ACTS 17:22-34 & 20:17-27 

Acts 17:30, And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

Acts 20:21, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

SUBJECT: REPENTANCE

THEME: A Correct Understanding of Repentance Will Not Only Ensure a Genuine Salvation Experience, but It Will Also Provide a Necessary Step in Progressive Sanctification and Continuous Clean Christ-centered Living!

RELEVANCE: the neglect and oversight of a biblical teaching does not eliminate nor diminish its significance. Repentance has become a lost doctrine in fundamental circles in this positive thinking, high self-esteem generation. Unfortunately, churches and Christians have adopted a weak gospel presentation to avoid offense. Not even the average preacher has a sound biblical understanding of this great doctrine anymore. 

INTRODUCTION:  

Among the multiplied thousands of conversions which are reported annually by churches, evangelists, missionaries, and para-church organizations, only a small number result in biblical fruit. There are many ways this is manifested.

1.  There Is, First of All, the Problem of Unchanged Converts. Large numbers of those who "profess Christ" or "pray to be saved," show no evidence that they were truly born again by the Spirit of God. Their lives are not changed.

2.  There Is Also the Problem of Worldly Converts. Vast numbers of those who are said to be converted to Christ remain worldly. They love the same music and fashions, run with the same crowd, retain the same humanistic philosophies, and have the same carnal mindset as before they were "converted." The "Christian rock" music crowd illustrates this category.

3.  Further, There Is the Problem of Ecumenical Converts. They have no zeal for the truth and no distaste for error. They accept anyone as a brother or sister in Christ as long as he or she "loves Jesus." They do not carefully test spirits and doctrines. In fact, they despise and mock those who measure everything by the Word of God and who practice biblical separation. The Promise Keepers crowd illustrates this category.

4.  I Believe the Primary Problem is a Failure in Presenting the Gospel Message. Even us who believe the Bible and follow Christ have failed to place a proper emphasis on repentance in relation to Salvation. We have no problem with sharing the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ as the basis of Salvation.  This we do well.  We have not failed to emphasis the need of the sinner to Believe and Receive the Lord Jesus Christ as one’s Personal Savior.  Certainly, we do this consistently. But we have failed to emphasize repentance as the Lord Jesus and the Apostles did in their preaching and witnessing as a condition for salvation. Repentance and Faith are the conditions for a genuine conversion experience.

5.  I Am Also Afraid to Admit That Some Preach Another Gospel Altogether, Which Is Not the Gospel of Christ. They might refer to it as “Easy-Prayerism” or “Easy-Believism” which effectively disregards the extreme Holiness of God and the exceeding Sinfulness of all mankind. Therefore, there is no Godly Sorrow, and no Sense of Shame about our sinfulness, and certainly no Conviction by the Holy Spirit of God.  There is no wonder the Apostle Paul spoke of another gospel.  2 Cor. 11:3-4, says,  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. [4] For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

Therefore, we need to revisit the subject of repentance and realize afresh the emphasis that God places on this important doctrine. Because a correct understanding of repentance will not only ensure a genuine salvation experience, but it will also provide a necessary step in progressive sanctification and continuous clean Christ-centered living! Our lives will literally change as we walk in repentance!

MESSAGE:

I.  WHAT DOES REPENTANCE INVOLVE?

QUOTE: “True Repentance Has a double aspect; it looks upon things past with a weeping eye, and upon the future with a watchful eye.” –Robert Smith   

"Easy-Prayerism" or “Easy-Believism” emphasizes faith and prayer. "Just believe. Don't worry about giving up things; that will come in time. Just pray this prayer." Bible evangelism, rather, emphasizes repentance.

 A.  REPENTANCE INVOLVES A CHANGE OF MIND (INTELLECT)

Matt 21:28-29, But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.

     1. There is Broad-scale Rebellion Against the Expressed Will and Desire of the Father.

Many ‘Christians’ still seem to be living this way. 1)  God the Father says to Tithe their Income and some have effectively said “I will not.” 2)  God the Father says, to attend church regularly and some have said, “I will not.” 3)  God our Father says, You need to be Baptized according the Bible, and some have said, “I will not.” 4)  God our Father has said, to share your faith regularly and some have said, “I will not.” 5)  God has said that we should treat others the way we want to be treated, but some have said, “I will not.”    6) God our Heavenly Father has said, Seek Me and My Kingdom first in your life, but many Christians have said, “I will not.” This teaches literally that a noncompliant spirit toward divine directives is inconsistent with the Christian life and it not evidence of a genuine conversion.

     2. Then There Was a Complete Change of Mind That Resulted in a Change of Course and Action. Now, that the sinner is repentant he begins to conform to the Fathers expectations and expressed will.  His life is no longer characterized by rebellion and refusal but instead with joyous compliance and obedience. 1) He is no longer trying to run the ladies on the side, he is faithful to the Lord and his spouse.   2) She is no longer trying to manipulate her husband to get her own way, she commits her case to God who judges fairly. 3) They are no longer trying to get away with irresponsible living but now trying to understand and comply with Bible expectations. 4) They are not ignoring the church’s ideals but instead seeking to follow its Bible principles and guidelines. 5) They are no longer looking to the World for answers and advice; they are studying the Word to secure the counsel of God on the matter. 6) They are no longer fascinated with themselves, but instead they are more concerned about serving others. 7) She no longer resorts to lying and covering up the truth, but instead is open, honest, and trustworthy. 8) He no longer resorts to cussing and profanity to accomplish objectives and push around his weight, he instead relies on quality leadership, good character, and morale discipline to influence others. You see there is conformity to the expressed will of the Father and not disregard and rejection of His plan for our lives.

 B.  REPENTANCE INVOLVES A CHANGE OF HEART (EMOTION)

2 Cor 7:9-10, Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. [10] For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 

Feeling sorrow, shame and embarrassment over our sin before a trice holy God is a natural emotional response when we are confronted with an absolute standard of perfection and right-ness. Extreme seriousness, and broken heartedness about the way we have treated a kind and loving God is a part of the repentance experience.

       1) Repentance Could Involve Tears, but not Necessarily.

       2) Repentance Should Involve Shame and Deep Regret Before God.  (Godly Sorrow)

       3) Repentance Should Involve Acknowledging Our Sin Against a Holy God.

       4) Repentance Should Involve Emotional Pain Because We Have Hurt the Lord.

             a. Some Folks are Sorry Because They got Caught in Sin.

             b. Some Folks are Sorry Because They Have Ruined Their Future.

             c. Some Folks are Sorry Because They Have Brought Shame to their Family’s Good Name.

            d. Some Folks are Sorry Because Someone Else got Hurt Because of Their Sin.

ILLUSTRATION: GOD WAS GREATLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONDITION OF MAN IN GEN 6:6. EVEN GOD EXPERIENCED EMOTIONAL REPENTANCE IN THIS CASE! Gen 6:5-6, And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. [6] And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. The sinfulness of man had an emotional impact upon the God of Heaven.  He was sorry that man choose the way of sin instead of a relationship with Him!

   C.  REPENTANCE INVOLVES A CHANGE OF DIRECTION (WILL)

THE PRODIGAL SON DETERMINED TO RETURN HOME AND HE DID IN LUKE 15:11-24 (18, 20). This was a definite change of Direction, which is the ultimate end of true repentance.

            1. We Will Confess Our Sin to God, because of a Changed Attitude About Sin.

            2. We Will Forsake Our Sin, and View It as Awful.

            3. We Will Turn Unto the Lord and live to please Him.

ILLUSTRATIONS: 1) Consider Zacchaeus. He repented, and the evidence of this is that he gave half his goods to the poor and restored five-fold that which he had stolen through his tax collecting business (Lk. 19:1-10). We see restitution accompanying repentance. 2) Consider the idolaters at Thessalonica. They repented, and the evidence of this was that they “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thess. 1:9-10). This was a complete about face!  3) Consider the Jews who heard the sermon Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost. They repented, and the evidence of this was that they gladly received his word, were baptized, and willingly joined themselves with the hated Christians (Acts 2:41, 47). We could go on and on. There is no Bible example of people being saved who did not evidence an eventual and sometimes drastic changes in their lives. Repentance is a change of mind and heart which results in a change of life.

            4.  The Bible Approach to the Sinner Is to Demand That He Repent and Turn to God. The Apostle Paul, in reviewing his ministry before King Agrippa, noted that he went about preaching to Jews and Gentiles both "that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance" (Acts 26:20). This is exactly the message which we are to preach today.

“ENOUGH TO QUIT”

“A Sunday School Teacher once asked a class what was meant by the word “repentance.” A little boy put up his hand and said, It is being sorry for your sins.” A little girl also raised her hand and said, “Please, it is being sorry enough to quit.”

 D.  AN EASY--PRAYERISM GOSPEL WHICH FAILS TO DEAL PLAINLY WITH REPENTANCE HAS REPLACED THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST!

"Easy-Prayerism" or “Easy-Believism” emphasizes faith and prayer. "Just believe. Don't worry about giving up things; that will come in time. Just pray this prayer." Bible evangelism, rather, emphasizes repentance. Yet, God says, “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:30).

That is what Paul required of his listeners, and that is exactly what we must require. Repentance was not just something preached by John the Baptist. No, it was preached far beyond his ministry. 

       1.  Repentance Was Preached by Christ. (Matt. 3:1,2; 13:1-5). He said, Lk 5:32, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Christ's goal in dealing with men was to bring them to repentance toward God…that they may know and experience the one they were made for originally.

       2.  Repentance Was Also Preached by the Apostles (Acts 2:38; 5:31; 17:30; 20:21; 26:20). The Bible says that God is "longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Pet. 3:9). Repentance is God's goal in dealing with sinners all over the world.

       3. Repentance Was Even Preached by Paul to the Gentile World.

Acts 20:20-21, And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, [21] Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

It was not a message to be preached solely By Jesus and John the Baptist to the Jews only.  This message of Repentance was to be preached among all nations merely beginning in Jerusalem.

Luke 24:46-48, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: [47] And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. [48] And ye are witnesses of these things.   

       4. We Should Require Genuine Repentance Today in Our Preaching and Witnessing.

This means that we cannot have the attitude that we will deal with specific sin only after the person receives Christ. That is the philosophy of many. If the sinner brings up his love for liquor or his love for immoral relationships or his love for gambling, some think it best to delay dealing with such things until after that one has come to Christ. Sometimes this is the best policy, but only if the sinner is clearly under the conviction of the Holy Spirit regarding his sin and is clearly ready to turn to Christ. On the other hand, if the sinner is obviously still wanting to hold onto his sin, the personal worker must deal with the fact that he must turn from it. You can’t hold on to a pet sin or some favorite sin and trust Jesus Christ to save you at the same time!

E.  THE DEFINITION OF REPENTANCE.

Repentance is necessary for salvation, but repentance alone does not save. It means to change ones mind about sin to result in a change of action. Repentance is the turning away from the life of sin and turning to Jesus Christ in faith.  Repentance means a change of mind which results in a change of life. It means to turn to a holy God from our exceeding sinfulness. It means to bow before Jesus Christ as the Lord and God of one's life. Bible examples of repentance show a clear change in people's behavior. The change does not save us from sin, but IT IS the clear fruit of Bible salvation. This is an authentic conversion, which involves both repentance and faith.

F. WHAT IS THE GOSPEL MESSAGE TO A SINNER?

1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; ² By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. ³ For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; ⁴ And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

     1.  Christ Died for Our Sins

The Death of Christ is significant because all sinners abide under the wrath of God and we were all sentenced to death. But JESUS CHRIST SUFFERED AND DIED IN OUR STEAD AS OUR SUBSTITUTE AND AS OUR REPRESENTATIVE! HE DIED FOR US!  Therefore if He took my death then I as a believer am no longer obligated to Death. That’s GOOD NEWS to the sinner!

Rom 6:23, For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Rom 5:12, Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (Also Ezek. 18:4)

              (1)   God Has Declared That the Proper Punishment of Sin is Death.

We all have sinned; we all tend to sin and God has condemned that tendency in us all.  Because we have sinned against God, we deserve death. Eternal death—this is separation from God forever in the Lake of Fire also the Second Death. (Rev. 20: 11-15)

              (2)  The Good News is that Jesus Christ Died for Us. 

He took the punishment for sin that we deserved.  He was completely sinless and could not sin, therefore He did not deserve death.  But He willingly died in our place and as our substitute.

2 Cor 5:21, For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

1 Pet 2:24, Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Isa 53:6, All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

The truth is that since Jesus Christ died for me and the penalty of sin was paid for everyone by Him then we who have accepted Him need not die for our own sin.  If  we accept His sacrifice for all sin, we receive to our sin debt the credit of death. We are no longer obligated to pay a debt that is paid in full by Christ. THIS IS GOOD NEWS!

    2.   Christ was Buried to Put Away Our Sin.

The Burial of Christ is significant because Christ bore in His body our sin upon the tree, then that same sin riveted body was placed in a new tomb. This is conformation that Christ literally died. Therefore, our sins were literally paid for in His death. The beauty here is that when Christ rose from the grave He was no longer baring our sin! The question here is where is our sin? The answer is it’s GONE! Jesus is the Lamb of God that taketh AWAY the sin of the World!

Illustration: The Day of Atonement and the SCAPEGOAT is a good picture of Christ the sin barer taking away the sin of the people.

     3. Christ was Raised Again for Our Justification.

This is significant because the same one who died for my sin is alive today to save me. We can trust a Living Savior: a living Savior can call sinners unto himself. The resurrection of Christ is God’s endorsement of Christ’s ministry! Clearly, He is the only one that can by His finished work bring sinful man back into fellowship with a Holy God.

                1.   When a sinner trust Christ as their Lord and Savior, he is accepting the credit of  being alive because he is identifying with Christ’s Resurrection.  For the sinner who believes on Christ, there remains no more obligations to sin and death.  He is freed from such obligations so that he can serve his Lord with his new life.   (See Rom 6:4-13).     

                2.   Jesus Christ literally and bodily came forth from the grave. Acts 1:3, To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

1 Cor 15:5-8, And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: [6] After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. [7] After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. [8] And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

(Also see John 20:26-31)

QUOTE: “When the risen Christ appeared unto the discouraged disciples and revived their faith and hope, they went forth, under the all conquering faith in a risen and ascended Lord, and preached the story of His life, death, resurrection, ascension, and coming again.” –Williams Evans

With this understanding this is the proper message for the masses. We as Gospel witnesses should know and understand the message that God has charged us to share. The better we understand it the more able we’ll are sharing it.