Repentance: Light & Darkness II

 Light & Darkness ii

repentance

Big Idea: Repentance is an essential part of accepting God’s gifts of forgiveness, salvation and the Holy Spirit.

Luke 24:36-53

  • This takes place after the crucifixion and the resurrection.
  • Has repentance and forgiveness of sins been preached yet? No it hasn’t.
  • Has the Holy Spirit come yet? No it hasn’t.

Acts 1:1-11; 2:1-35

  • Again, Jesus has died and resurrected, but have they begun to witness about him yet and has the Spirit come? Not yet, the Apostles are told to wait.
  • The Spirit comes to the Apostles (vs. 1-4). Thousands gather and are aware that they are witnessing a great miracle.
  • Peter begins to preach, revealing that the baptism of the Spirit is happening in their midst and proclaims the life, death and resurrection of Jesus for the first time (vs. 22-24).

Acts 2:36-37

Q: If you are a Godly Jew and hear that you killed the Messiah how might you feel (vs. 36)?

  • They are cut. Do you think that these cut Jews had faith at this point (vs. 37)? Yes.
  • Do these people think they are saved at this point? No, this is why they ask the question, ‘what do we have to do?’

Acts 2:38-41

  • Peter responds not by telling they that they should rejoice because they are saved, but how? Repent and be baptized = change your life and be immersed in water.
  • When one does this what will they receive? Forgiveness and the gift of the Spirit.
  • Do you understand repentance?

Luke 13:1-5

  • Repentance is essential to being saved. We will perish without repentance.
  • Repentance is more than sorrow; it is being the fruit of change.
  • What is repentance and have we done it?

3 Characteristics of Repentance:

A. Acts 26:19-20

  • Deeds and repentance are not the same thing.
  • Deeds are a proof of repentance.
  • Repentance is a change of heart.
  • Have you ever had that kind of change in your life?
    • What changed in your life?
    • What happened?

B. Mark 9:42-49

  • Repentance is change of heart in our disposition toward sin.
  • Hate the sin. Be radical in getting rid of sin.
  • Is this your attitude toward sin?

C. 2 Corinthians 7:8-11

  • Paul had challenged them hard and they were feeling badly.
  • They were sorrowful – but there are 2 kinds of sorrow.
    • Worldly – which brings death.
    • Godly – which produces repentance and leads to salvation.
      • Earnestness – serious/sincere about changing.
      • Eagerness to clear – a desire to know.
      • Indignation – Upset at self for where you’ve been.
      • Alarm – Urgency, I got to get it right.
  • Have you ever had this kind of Godly sorrow?
  • Did you repent? How long does it take to repent? Have you made this decision?
  • Do you want to repent (if they have not made this decision yet)

Acts 3:17-19

  • What is the atmosphere at church? Joyful, happy, etc..
  • Isn’t that interesting that the people that have been broken and repented are the most joyful people in the world.
  • Repentance brings refreshment.
  • Are you ready to repent? 

2nd & 3rd Century Beliefs about Repentance

Clement of Rome, who was a companion of the apostle Paul and overseer of the church in Rome, wrote, “It is necessary, therefore, that we be prompt in the practice of good works. For He forewarns us, ‘Behold, the Lord comes and His reward is before His face, to render to every man according to his work.’ …Let us therefore earnestly strive to be found in the number of those who wait for Him, in order that we may share in His promised reward.

Polycarp, the personal companion of the apostle John, taught, “He who raised Him up from the dead will also raise us up-if we do His will and walk in His commandments and love what He loved, keeping ourselves from all unrighteousness.”4

Clement of Alexandria, writing in about 190 AD, said, “The Word, having unveiled the truth, showed to men the summit of salvation, so that either repenting they might be saved, or refusing to obey, they might be condemned. This is the proclamation of righteousness: to those who obey, rejoicing; to those who disobey, condemnation.”8 And again, “Whoever obtains [the truth] and distinguishes himself in good works shall gain the prize of everlasting life ”