God's Call to Genuine Repentance

Luke 24:45--Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."

Repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations including Jerusalem.

Matthew 3:1--In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea 2and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

Matthew 4:17--From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

JC began His ministry preaching about repentance.

There are 2 concepts of repentance in the NT.
Repentance-heartfelt sorrow.
Genuine Repentance-heartfelt sorrow for sin against God AND a sense of change. A commitment to forsake sin and to walk in obedience to JC. The emotional reaction (guilt, shame, etc.) to sin is NOT genuine repentance. Holy God cannot tolerate sin. His unconditional love for us does not mean that He disregards our sin.

What about the scripture that does not mention repentance. What about people who believe in JC but have not repented.
John 3:16--
Romans 10:--

To believe in JC involves and includes repentance. This was understood by 1c. believers.

Every time someone "believes" in the NT, there some action occurring. Faith and repentance are inseparable. That means there will be a change in my conduct and my character. When you trust JC with genuine repentance, you will have a new beginning. That is what it means to be born again.

This does not mean that you will clean up your life. That is the work of HS. Your spirit is renewed but it's HS who allows you to live out this Christian life.

If you are not saved, you have to acknowledge your sinfulness before God. Salvation has nothing to do with works. You can't clean up your past. It's about placing your trust in God to change your life. Salvation is an eternal change of your destiny. Your destiny is to walk as a Godly man or woman.

God hates sin. He loves us. He judges sin because He sees what it does in the life of the believer.

The Prodigal Son
Luke 15:11--Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. "When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate. "Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' "The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' "

The Prodigal Son is a good example of genuine repentance. He left home, ate, drank, and was merry. He hit rock bottom, realized his error, decided to return home and leave the pig pen, and confessed his wrongdoing to his father.

God got the son's attention by making him lose everything. God uses this tactic to get people's attention. He's will use it until the person's will is broken. It's not punishment, it's about changing his/her life.

Genuine repentance=heartfelt sorrow, forsaking sin, submitting to the authority/sovereignty of JC.

Confession-homologeo=to agree with.
Genuine confession-confession that He is listening, agreement with Him that He is right, and genuine repentance. Genuine confession and genuine repentance are inseparable.

Genuine confession occurs when you surrender, let it go. Surrender is the key. I'm willing to walk away from what God says does NOT belong in my life.

Partial obedience=disobedience.

If I genuinely repent of my sin, that means I lay it down. That does not mean that I won't do it again. (UnGodly habits, differing norms, etc.) But HS will bring to our mind what is sin and what is NOT sin. HS will convict our sin.

Proverbs 28:13--He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

Why We Believe

Galatians 6:14, May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

The cross is the heart of what we believe. It holds a preeminent position in the New Testament. The Gospels are theological treaties. The message of the Gospels is to identify who Jesus Christ is and His death at calvary and His impact on our life. They head in the same direction: the cross. They all deal with events around the cross.

Matthew 16:21, From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

Mark 10:45, For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Jesus satisfied God's req for the shedding of blood for sin from someone who did not commit sin.

Luke 2:33-35, The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.

John 1:28-29, This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

Jesus Christ, in the mind of God, was already a slain lamb before the creation of the world. God's plan for salvation was preordained. He did not wait until after Adam and Eve's disobedience to devise the plan of salvation.

Acts 2:22-23, "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.

1 Corinthians 1:17-19, For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."

The Apostle Paul was committed to the message of the cross. He said that that was his reason for his preaching and teaching.

Romans 5:6-10, You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

All this centers around the cross and the death of Jesus. The death of His son brought us back into relationship with God.

Hebrews 9:27-28, Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Christ bore the sins of many. This message is throughout the bible. This was the message of Jesus. That's why Jesus came. Jesus knew that he came to die. To pay for out sins, Jesus had to suffer the consequences of sin.

1 Peter 2:24-25, He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Jesus bore our sin. When He died at the cross, He was our substitute. He was seperated from God the Father. This was his penalty fopr our sin.

The cross is a symbol of God's love. The cross is the sign of true liberty. Without the cross, there is no hope. What will you do on your deathbed without the hope of the cross? The cross brings hope, certainty, security. You may be ethical but what about your sinful nature? There is no hope of salvation without the death of Jesus on the cross. That is the testimony and the witness of the word of God.

Why do we make the cross the central focus of our faith? This is how we experience spiritual liberty in our life. It's the heart of of what we believe. It is the liberating power in our life. This is the core of the bible. It's the key to walking in liberty from the power of sin.

Human effort is of no value. Our works are like filthy rags in the eyes of God.

This is God's truth. The basis for our salvation is not what WE did but what HE did on the cross at Calvary. The shedding of Hid blood is what delivered us. We are clensed, redeemed by His blood. We are forgiven through His blood. The cross is the only way to be saved. This is because this is the heart of God. It is His plan.

If forgiveness before God is not through the cross and Jesus' death, then with is it through? What is the basis of what I expect God will let me into heaven. The only other logical explanation is my deeds. God makes it clear that works will not save us. The only way to salvation is through the cross.

The cross permeates scriputure. The cross liberates us.

When we come to the cross and we are saved, the blood of Jesus helps us walk in victory,freedom every day. God will provide everything I need. God will provide every desire of my heart. Every good thing that comes my way comes by the grace of God.

Jesus' death satisfied God's demand for death for sin.

Paul said the world, sin lost its appeal. It's not the driving force. Our personal relationship with Jesus is our driving force. We will begin to blossom because we will becoming what God wanted us to be in the beginning.

The cross is a like a mirror. The cross mirrors our unworthiness. The cross mirrors God's love, mercy, grace, kindness, might, power, etc.

The cross is the means of our salvation.

The cross is like a magnet. When Jesus be lifted up from the earth, He will draw all men unto Him.

The cross is like a model. It is the model of sacrificial love.

Have you ever applied the message of the cross to your life? Have you accepted God's forgiveness given to us through Jesus' death on the cross at Calvary.

Are You On Thin Ice With God?

Some people hear the gospel over and over but never repent. Others are saved but living with willful sin. Deep down inside we don't think that we can get away with sin. Doesn't forget. God doesn't overlook. Is there a limit to God’s patience?

Patience is God's willingness to wait. It's the goodness of God that allows Him to withold punish from those who deserve it.

Exodus 34:4-6, So Moses chiseled out two stone tablets like the first ones and went up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the LORD had commanded him; and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands. Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD , the LORD , the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,

God proclaims Himself as a merciful God.

Psalms, David proclaimed over and over the loving-kindness of God.

2 Peter 3:3-9, First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

This was written to those who wondered how to answer skeptics. It explains how God’s “slowness” in bringing ultimate judgment on sinners demonstrates His patience.

God doesn’t let people get away with sin. The penalty of their sin begins to affect them physically, mentally, or emotionally. There is no such thing as God forgetting it or over looking it. Examples in Scripture:

Adam and Eve were immediately punished for their sin. Therefore, some people think they are getting away with sin. Just because we are not punished immediatel after we sin does not mean we are getting away with it. There is no such thing as getting away with sin.

God took the Israelites from bondage, and brought them to the Promised Land. When they sinned, He made them wander 40 years in the dessert.

Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and the prophets were ignored (about Israel's idolatry). The Israelites figured they had special status with God and were immune to punishment. However, Jerusalem was eventually conquered by Babylon and taken captive. When God's judgement comes, when it's time to pay for our sin, be sure that our sin will find us out.

There is a limit to God's patience. Just as God ran out of patience with the nation of Israel, God runs out of patience with individuals. His chastising hand comes upon His children. Be sure your sin will find you out.

1 Timothy 1:12-16, I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.

What’s God’s purpose in being patient?

Romans 2:4-5, Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.

1. He’s giving rebellious people time to think about it, time to be saved.

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

It's dangerous to live in rebellion to God and God's word, yoiu are going down a dangerous path. Some say, to justify their lifestyle, that there is no God. That is foolish.

2. He knows we have a fallen nature. We are disobedient by nature. We have to learn obedience.

3. He knows we are sometimes ignorant of His Word. Too frequently believers are not encouraged to read God's word. That's where we learn about HS.

4. He knows we all have weaknesses.

E. What is the application to our lives?

God is willing for people—even Christians—to suffer so that He gets their attention. He wants to put us in a position so He can show us how to live our lives. We abuse His goodness and love and mercy by rejecting what He desires for us. It’s time for God’s people to stand up and live godly lives, or God will judge this nation, just as He did the nations in the Bible.

Ecclesiastes 8:11, When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, the hearts of the people are filled with schemes to do wrong.
“Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil”

If you aren’t saved, you don’t know if you’ll have another chance to repent and accept Christ as your Savior. Don’t wait until it’s too late!

God is a patient God. But His patience is finite. Trust Jesus Christ as your Savior and Master so you don't wear thin God's patience.