Understanding Repentance from a Christian Perspective

A Christians Perspective Repentance

Key Truths In The Gospel God loves us John 3:16 Sin Separates Us Romans 6:23, Isaiah 59:2 Jesus Rescues Us Romans 5:8, Ephesians 1:7

Key Truths In The Gospel Hear Romans 10:17 Belief John 6:29 Repentance Acts 2:38 Confession Romans 10:9-10 Baptism Acts 22:16 Remain Faithful Revelation 2:10

Most Challenging Command? Is it challenging to hear the gospel? Is it challenging to believe in Jesus? Is it challenging to confess Jesus? Is it challenging to get baptized? What about repentance and remaining faithful?

What Is Repentance? Often defined as the idea of turning away from sin It goes beyond turning away from sin a radical moral turn of the whole person away from sin, to Christ It is important for our transformation in Christ and our conversion to the Lord

1 Thessalonians 1:8-10 (8) For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. (9) For they themselves report about us what kind of reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, (10) and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.

John & Jesus on Repentance Matthew 3:1-2 Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Mark 1:15 and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.

Can We See Evidence? Matthew 3:6-8 and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

Can We See Evidence? Acts 26:20 but kept declaring both to those of Damascus first, and also at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance. Acts 3:19 Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;

Power of Repentance in Restoration Repentance is not merely just regret, feeling bad, or acknowledgment they are associated with and part of expressing repentance Repentance has to do with the mind and the will of the individual so if we are not giving up our sin AND turning to God feelings alone is not sufficient to be called repentance

Finding Ourselves In Denial I am not that bad I don t see anything worthy enough to cause me to die spiritually Nobody seeks to be saved if they do not feel the need to be saved

Israel In Denial Jeremiah 2:35 Yet you said, I am innocent; Surely His anger is turned away from me. Behold, I will enter into judgment with you Because you say, I have not sinned. They were denying the reality of their condition

Call For Repentance Jeremiah 3:13-14 Only acknowledge your iniquity, That you have transgressed against the Lord your God and have scattered your favors to the strangers under every green tree, and you have not obeyed my voice, declares the Lord. Return, O faithless sons, declares the Lord. For I am a master to you, and I will take you one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. You must acknowledge your sin; do not remain in denial

The Prodigal Son Luke 15 Luke 15:17 But when he came to his senses, he said, How many of my father s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! This man had been in denial up until this point! "He came to his senses"

Psalm 51:1-4 For I know my transgressions He had been in denial before but now, he recognizes his problem And my sin is ever before me. He is giving sin AND God the proper recognize that they both deserve Sin deserves to be thrown in the trash and God be glorified

Psalm 32:1-5 His denial, his silence on his sin was eating him alive The stress of living a double life and unconfessed sin added many years to the life of David (not literally, but emotionally) The hands of God works in both ways. When it uplifts, it is helpful. Then when they press down upon a man (heavy upon me), it is awful

2 Corinthians 7:8-10 Paul didn t enjoy writing the first letter of Corinthians. Godly sorrow isn t designed to last forever but to cause one to repent. Godly sorrow is not repentance but always accompanies repentance

Helping To Restore Back To God Proverbs 28:13 He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion This is for us to get better. This is for us to experience mercy and grace and a restored relationship with God

Luke 15:18-21 I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men. So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.

A Clear & Clean Conscience Psalm 51:8-17 Acts 8:39 but went on his way rejoicing 1 Pet 3:21 an appeal to God for a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ Why? Because this is what saves The blood of Christ

Final Thoughts Acts 20:17-21 (21) solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Revelation 2:5 Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place unless you repent.