Repentance (1)

Bible Reading: Matt 3:1~12

1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea 2 and saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near. 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one calling in the desert,'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.' 4 John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt round his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptised by him in the Jordan River. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptising, he said to them: You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10 The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 I baptise you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing-floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

What is the meaning of the word repentance?

• In the Old Testament there are two words translated "repent". The one (naham) means to "lament" or "to grieve" and refers to the aroused emotions of God or man when undertaking a different course of action.
• The other word (shubh) "is most generally employed to express the Scriptural idea of genuine repentance. It is used extensively by the prophets and means A RADICAL CHANGE IN ONE’S ATTITUDE TOWARD SIN AND GOD. It implies a conscious moral separation, and a personal decision to forsake sin and enter into fellowship with God."
• In the New Testament there are also two words translated "repent". One of these (metamelomai) is like the first Old Testament word we considered (naham), and means "to have a feeling or care, concern or regret". The other word (metanoeo) means "to have another mind" and occurs in the noun and verb forms 57 times. It is also associated with the word "turn" and "describes that deep and radical change whereby a sinner turns from the idols of sin and self unto God."
• SUMMARY: Repentance is the informing and changing of the mind; the stirring and directing of the emotions to urge the required change; and the action of the yielded will in turning the whole man away from sin (following our own way) and to God! - following His way.

a. GOD COMMANDS IT

Acts 17:30 - "In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent!"

b. A REASON FOR CHRIST'S COMING

Luke 5:32 - "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

c. PART OF OUR LORD’S COMMISSION TO US

Luke 24:47 - "and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations,"

d. NECESSARY TO AVOID DESTRUCTION

Luke 13:3, 5 - "I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."

e. NECESSARY TO ETERNAL LIFE

Acts 11:18 - "... So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life."

f. GOD’S DESIRE FOR ALL .

2 Peter 3:9 - "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance"

g. PART OF CHRISTIAN'S FOUNDATION

Heb. 6:1 - "... the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death ...."

h. JOHN THE BAPTIST PREACHED IT

Matt. 3:2 - "... Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

i. JESUS PREACHED IT

Matt. 4:17 — "From that time on Jesus began to preach, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

j. THE APOSTLES PREACHED IT

Mark 6: 12 - "They went out and preached that people should repent."

k. PAUL PREACHED IT

Acts 20:21 - "I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus."

a. THE KINDNESS OF GOD

Rom. 2:4 - "Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realising that God's kindness leads you towards repentance?"

b. CHRIST’S CALL AND PURPOSE FOR HIS COMING

Matt. 9: 13 - "But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners ( to repentance )."

c. PREACHING

Matt. 12:41 - "The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here."

d. REBUKE

Luke 17:3 — "So watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him."

e. GODLY SORROW

2 Cor. 7:10 - "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. "
Luke 6:48 - "... who dug down deep and laid the foundation ..."

f. DIVINE GIFT

Acts 11:18 - "... So then, God has granted even the Gentiles unto life." Acts 5:31 - "God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Saviour that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel" 2 Tim. 2:25 - "Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth."

Back to Lesson 1 - "Two Houses"

Lesson 3 - "Repentance (2)"