What Saith the Scripture About Repentance Romans 4

What Saith the Scripture About… Repentance

Romans 4: 3 For what saith the Scripture? (KJV)

Unique “Church Word” Never once have I heard… • I need to repent for how I acted in class yesterday. • Should I repent for my behavior at yesterday’s staff meeting? • Repentance is in order for last night’s supper.

Important Concept! Twice, Jesus said: “Unless you repent, you shall likewise perish” (Luke 13: 3, 5) H. B. R. C. B. F.

Syllogism • All have sinned (Romans 3: 23) • Jesus calls for sinners to repent (Luke 5: 32) • Therefore, all must repent! Yet, many do not have a good, working definition of this crucial word. Hopefully, after our study today we will.

Study Outline 1) Repentance is not… 2) Biblical Example of Repentance 3) Definition of Repentance

Repentance is not… 1) Purely Emotional a) Sorrow

2 Corinthians 7: 10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. Sorrow, by itself, does not constitute repentance. Godly sorrow leads to repentance.

SORROW GODLY WORDLY REPENTANCE DEATH SALVATION Sorrow is a gateway that leads in one of two directions!

Repentance is not… 1) Purely Emotional a) Sorrow b) Fear Think of Public Service Announcements (PSA) that hope for repentance based on fear.

Acts 24: 25 Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you. ”

Repentance is not… 1) Purely Emotional a) Sorrow b) Fear c) Guilt

Matthew 27: 3 -4 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. ” Is there a way to determine if Judas truly repented?

EMOTION • Please do not misunderstand, repentance takes true emotion. But repentance demands more!

Repentance is not… 2) Purely Action a) Denying Sin If we ignore sin long enough, does that mean it no longer exists?

Proverbs 28: 13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

Repentance is not… 2) Purely Action a) Denying sin b) Promising better behavior c) Confessing sin

Proverbs 28: 13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. The word “and” is crucial to our understanding. Imagine stealing a car. Admit to stealing the car. Then try to keep the car. Is this repentance?

Repentance is not… 2) Purely Action a) Denying Sin b) Promising not to sin c) Confessing sin d) Praying forgiveness of sin

Acts 8: 22 [Apostle Peter to Simon the Sorcerer] Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.

Repentance is not… 2) Purely Action a) Denying Sin b) Promising not to sin c) Confessing sin d) Praying forgiveness of sin e) Baptism

Acts 2: 38 [Apostle Peter to the crowd at Pentecost] Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

ACTION • Please do not misunderstand, repentance takes action. But repentance demands more! Repentance demands emotion and action!

Biblical Example: Ninevites Jonah 3: 8, 10 [King of Ninevah]: “…yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. ” 10 Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster… Their repentance was proven by their actions.

Definition of Repentance • Repentance is a combination of EMOTION and ACTION. • Repentance is a change of heart that is produced by godly sorrow and results in a change of life for the better. • Repentance first takes place in the heart. • Repentance is then proven by actions. So what about Judas Iscariot?

Acts 1: 25 …which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. ” Judas showed no proof of repentance. He went to “his own place”, so it is now between him and Jesus, the righteous judge.

Luke 3: 7 -8 [John the Baptist]Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father. ’

From the Greek In the New Testament, the word repent comes from “metanoia”, whose most basic definition is a “change of mind”, according to Vines. In the Greek translation of the Old Testament (The Septuagint), this word is used in 1 Samuel 7: 3.

1 Samuel 7: 3 Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, “If you return (metanoia) to the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths from among you, and prepare your hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines. ”

Repentance in Action 1. 2. 3. 4. Our heart must want to return to God We must rid our lives of sinful temptations Preparation to serve is mandatory We must obey God fully GOD’S DELIVERANCE

Conclusion 1. Repentance is an important part of our relationship with God. 2. All men are expected to repent. 3. When we realize sin is in our life, we must repent! 4. Repentance is a combination of emotion and action.