REPENTANCE

Bikers Church Cape Town

REPENTANCE by Pastor George Lehman Admitting sins; is no substitute for quitting sin. This sermon of Peter had a great life changing impact. Acts 2:38 - Peter replied, “Each of you (None of us is exempted) must repent of your sins and turn to God and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The sermon of ± 2 min long – had an incredible result – 3000 people became Christians. Notice ACTS 2 verse 41. “Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.” The word Peter used – Repent – the actual meaning of the word in Greek is “Metanoeo” which means: - 1) Changing of purpose – Not to continue a wrongful purpose. 2) A complete change in direction 180° turn to go the opposite way. It’s a change of mind. The person who is truly repentant – is a person who forsakes their sin and turns and follows Jesus – 2 Corinthians 7:10 - Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. You cannot be (born again) saved or converted without genuine “repentance”. 2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people’s conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinary patient) towards you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance. Acts 17:30 – In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to “repent”. Jesus’ message. Mark 1:14-15 - 14Now after John was arrested and put into prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Good News (the gospel of the Kingdom). 15And saying, the time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; REPENT (have a change of mind which issues in regret for past sins and in change of conduct for the better) and believe the Good News the Gospel. Paul spoke a lot about repentance as well Acts 26:20b – I preached that they should “repent” and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds. Many Christians are under the wrong impression that: - Repentance is only for the Lost or the unsaved. Boy do I have news for you: Repentance must be a daily exercise for each and every Christian. I want to talk to you about the blessing of repentance. The problem with the church of today as in Jesus’ day. It’s easy to point out the faults others and their mistakes; but very slow to examine our own lives. Quick to judge others but slow to repent ourselves. Revelation 2:5 - Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. No repentance – No revival ] Victory Without repentance – there’s no forgiveness ] lies on the Without repentance – there is no freedom ] other side of Without repentance – there is no blessing. ] repentance Why was David a man after the heart of God? Because he understood the meaning and result of repentance. Here’s a journey to victory as an example to us from David's life of repentance. PSALM 32: Verse 1: Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. This verse does not say “blessed is he who never sins”. God will have that we don’t sin but when we do: - He wants us to repent and receive forgiveness. Verse 2: Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. 1 John 1:9 (Amp) – If we (freely) admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins (dismiss our lawlessness) and (continuously) cleanse us from all unrighteousness (everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought and action). What an awesome freedom to know that the blood of Jesus has us covered. A repentant heart will never want or allow deceit* into it. (“Deceit”: - dishonesty – unfaithful) Verse 3 When I kept silent my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. Refusing to repent will drag you down, it will make you sick, miserable. You won’t experience spiritual renewal. Instead of mounting up on eagle’s wings, you’ll feel like an ostrich. Acts 3:19 – Now repent change your mind and attitude to God and turn to him so he can cleanse away your sins – and send you wonderful times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. Verse 4: For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. The conviction of the Holy Spirit is weighty and powerful Revelation 3:19 – Those whom I dearly love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten (I discipline and instruct them). So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent (changing your mind and your attitude.) The devil condemns: Rejection, guilt, shame, despair. God convicts: Prompts a desire to change, take responsibility, leads to repentance. You sense you are in a dry place – repentance brings water into that desert. Verse 5: Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. This needs to be the very cry of every child of God. This is a genuine heart of repentance. Isaiah 43:25 – I even I am He who blots out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again. Verse 6: Therefore, let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. Repentance is for everyone who considers themselves a child of God; Must pray continually repenting cleansing the temple – while the door of Grace is still wide open. Verse 7: You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. You are my hiding place (stronghold) is a person who habitually repents and judges his life, his sins and his conduct. This will remove the enemy’s stronghold and leave a clean house for God to live in. Verse 8: I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Because of David’s repentant heart, God begins to speak – Isn’t it amazing how clearly, we hear the voice and guidance of God when we have a clear channel – cleaned by repentance. Verse 9: Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. God is saying don’t be stubborn because it’s a form of rebellion We must be so careful if we are slow to repent – He may just have to stick a bit in your mouth Proverbs 26:3 - A whip for a horse a bridle for a donkey and a rod for the fools back. Verse 10: Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. God is full of mercy and is more ready to forgive your sins – than what you are willing to repent from them. You see – repentance is how we access – His mercy and forgiveness. Just the presence of the CMA God ordained ministry was brought about because God loved you Bikers. Verse 11: Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart! Repentance brings Joy and blessings and peace it unleashes the fruit of the Spirit in your life. Because you are vertically right you will be horizontally right. The sad thing is that so many Christians don’t think it’s necessary to repent and so they became stiff necked. Proverbs 29:1 – A man who remains stiff necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed -without remedy. Luke 15:7 – Thus I tell you, there will be more Joy in heaven over one wicked person who repents (changes his mind, abhorring his errors and misdeeds, and determines to enter upon a better course of life) than over ninety-nine righteous persons who have no need of repentance. Jesus will not be Saviour without behaviour if you’ve allowed Him to be Saviour He’ll change your behaviour.