THE NATURE OF TRUE REPENTANCE INTRODUCTION Repentance is

THE NATURE OF TRUE REPENTANCE

INTRODUCTION Repentance is difficult because it requires radical change – Ezekiel 18: 20 -32 § The hardest of God’s commands § Repentance challenges the WILL of man – often rebellious § Consider King Saul – 1 Samuel 15: 23 § Salvation demands repentance – Luke 13: 3, 5; Acts 17: 30 § God wants all men to be saved – 2 Peter 3: 9 § Therefore, we need to understand the nature of TRUE repentance 2

REPENTANCE DEFINED Two Greek words are translated “Repent” § Metaneo - “to have another mind” - Acts 2: 38, 17: 30 § A change of mind followed by a change of conduct § Metamellomai - “to be careful or concerned with” § § Matthew 27: 3; 2 Corinthians 7: 8 Suggests regret § Young’s Analytical Concordance 3

REPENTANCE DEFINED “The change of the mind of those who have begun to abhor their errors and misdeeds, and have determined to enter upon a better course of life, so that it embraces both recognition of sin and sorrow for it and hearty amendment, the tokens and effects of which are good deeds. . . ” - Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon, pg. 406 4

UNDERSTANDING THE MEANING § A mental act of the mind - to determine to stop sinning § Matthew 21: 28 -29 § It is a resolution or a determination of mind to leave sinful living - Luke 15: 11 -19 § One repents when they cease sinning § It is a decision to “quit your sinfulness” § The course of life is changed for the better 5

UNDERSTANDING THE MEANING Repentance is NOT just… § Sorrow - shedding tears on the front pew § Regret - Many regret they were caught in sin-but do not repent § Praying - Prayer is of no avail if one is not penitent - Acts 8: 22 It It What Is All Involves § Reformation - Godly sorrow produces repentance-repentance Is It of produces the change or reform of life! - 2 Corinthians 7: 10 All of Then? These! § Fear - Fear does not keep the commandments - Eccl. 12: 13; Jas. 2: 19 These! § § James 4: 3; Proverbs 28: 9 Conviction - Individuals with conviction were commanded to repent - Acts 2: 38 6

WHAT REPENTANCE REQUIRES § Recognition - acknowledging one’s sin § Remorse - regret, grief and sorrow for one’s sin § Resolve - a change of mind regarding one’s life § Reformation - a change for the better in manner of life § Restitution - making amends where possible THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE EVIDENT TO OTHERS 7

Repentance Requires RECOGNITION This is the fist step UNTO repentance § Luke 15: 17; Psalms 51: 1 -4; Jeremiah 3: 13, 14 § Acts 2: 37, 38; James 4: 17 The sinner cannot repent of sin they refuse to acknowledge § David acknowledged His sin - 2 Samuel 12: 13; Psalms 51: 1 -4 § God commands repentance - Acts 17: 30, 31 8

Repentance Requires REMORSE This is regret, grief and sorrow for sin § Not in and of itself repentance § SORROW is necessary TO repentance “ 9 Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death” - 2 Corinthians 7: 9 -10 9

Repentance Requires REMORSE Restitution This does not always lead to repentance “ 3 Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, ‘I have sinned by betraying innocent blood. ’ And they said, ‘What is that to us? You see to it!’ 5 Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself” - Matthew 27: 3 -5 NKJV Recognition 10

Repentance Requires RESOLVE Involves the change of the sinner’s will (mind) § This is the heart of true repentance § Proverbs 28: 13; Psalms 32: 3 -5; 1 Peter 4: 1 -2 § Be humble, pray, seek God and turn away from sin § 2 Chronicles 7: 14 § Get a new heart § Ezekiel 18: 31 § Be “TRANSFORMED” by renewing the mind § Romans 12: 1 -2 Metamorphous 11

Repentance Requires REFORMATION A Change In Life Style - Luke 15: 17 -20 “And when he came to himself, he said…I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee…And he arose, and came to his father” 12

Repentance Requires REFORMATION A Change In Life Style - Matthew 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” 13

Repentance Requires REFORMATION A Change In Life Style - Ezekiel 18: 21 -22 “But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live” 14

Repentance Requires REFORMATION A Change In Life Style - Ezekiel 18: 27 -28 “Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. 28 Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die” If there is no TURNING, then no TRUE repentance!! 15

Repentance Requires RESTITUTION Making amends where possible § Bring fruit worthy of repentance § Matthew 3: 7 -9; Luke 3: 8 § Zacchaeus willing to do this § Luke 19: 8 § The Philippian Jailer § Act 16: 33 Thieves Liars Slanderers Gossipers An adulterous marriage § Murderers § § § 16

Repentance Requires RECOGNITION - acknowledging one’s sin REMORSE - regret, grief and sorrow for one’s sin RESOLVE - a change of mind regarding one’s life REFORMATION - a change for the better RESTITUTION - making amends where possible REVIEW 17

Repentance Requires radical change - Ezekiel 18: 20 -32 Evident to others in the world - 1 Peter 4: 3 -6 § Is the hardest of God’s commands § It involves man’s will Is essential for salvation - Luke 13: 3, 5; Acts 17: 30 Is God’s desire of all men - 2 Peter 3: 9 Have You Truly Repented? ! 18

ACTS 2: 37 “…WHAT SHALL WE DO? ” § Alien sinners must… § Hear the Gospel – Romans 10: 17 § Believe – John 8: 24 § Repent – Acts 17: 30 § Confess Christ – Matthew 10: 34 § Be baptized for the remission of sins – Acts 2: 38 § An erring child of God must… § Repent and Pray for Forgiveness – 1 John 1: 7 -9 § Christians must be “faithful unto death” § Revelation 2: 10 19