Steps of Repentance

INTRODUCTION.

A.        Jesus came to call sinners to repentance. (Matthew 9:13; Mark 2:17)

B.        Jesus instructed the disciples to preach repentance and remission of sins. (Luke 24:47) Jesus’s disciples obeyed.

1.         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. (Acts 2:38, NKJV)

2.         Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, (Acts 3:19, NKJV)

3.         Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. (Acts 5:31, NKJV)

4.         Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, (Acts 17:30, NKJV)

5.         testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:21, NKJV)

6.         but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. (Acts 26:20, NKJV)

C.        There are two candidates for repentance:

1.         The unbeliever who has not yet turned to Jesus Christ. An example would be the Jews on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:37-38.

2.         The believer who has sinned. An example would be Simon who tried to buy the power of the Holy Spirit in Acts 8:18-24.

D.        Let us consider the subject of repentance and it is accomplished.

I.         HUMBLE YOURSELF BEFORE THE LORD. (Psalms 51:16-17)

            A.        Jeremiah 3:12-13 - Israel and Judah were to return to the Lord

            B.        Jeremiah 4:1-4 - Israel and Judah were to return to the Lord

II.       PUT AWAY SINS. (Jeremiah 4:1-4)

            A.        Wash your heart. (Jeremiah 4:14-18)

            B.        Cleanse your hands, purify your hearts. (James 4:8-10)

            C.        Put off the old man. (Ephesians 4:20-24)

III.      GO TO GOD IN PRAYER.

            A.        Pray for mercy. (Psalms 51:1-2)

            B.        Confess your sins. (Psalms 51:3-4)

                        1.         Jeremiah 3:12-13 - acknowledge your sins

                        2.         1 John 1:9 - confess your sins

            C.        Ask for cleansing (forgiveness). (Psalms 51:7-9)

            D.        Restore relationship with God. (Psalms 51:12-13)

IV.      RESUME A FAITHFUL LIFE.

            A.        King David resumed a faithful life after he repented of his sins. (2 Samuel 12:20)

            B.        Consider the repentant change seen within the church in Corinth. (2 Corinthians 7:9-11)

            C.        The Lord told the church in Ephesus to repent and do the first works. This could be considered a returning to obedience. (Revelation 2:5)

            D.        Put on the new man. (Ephesians 4:20-24)

            E.        Turn away from sin by changing the sinful behavioral patterns. In other words, when you repent, you are to stop sinning and return to faithfully obeying God in all things.

CONCLUSION.

A.        If you are not yet a Christian, then . . .

1.         Humble yourself before the Lord.

2.         Believe in Jesus Christ. (John 3:16)

3.         Repent of your sins. (Luke 13:3)

4.         Confess your belief. (Romans 10:10)

5.         Be baptized into Jesus Christ. (Mark 16:16)

B.        If you are a Christian, then . . .

1.         Humble yourself before the Lord.

2.         Petition the Lord in prayer.

a.         Pray for mercy.

b.         Pray, confessing your sins to the Lord.

c.         Pray for forgiveness.

d.         Pray for restoration.

3.         Resume a life of faithful obedience.

C.        Take whatever steps of repentance are necessary to turn your life to or back to Jesus Christ.

Steps of Repentance -- September 19, 2004 -- File # 508 - Repentance

by John M. Duvall -- Lawton, OK