REPENT!

REPENT

Text: Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now
commandeth all men every where to repent

THE CRY OF AN EMPTY MOURNER'S BENCH

The day they finished the Church House,

They set me in my place.

What joy to see the sinners come,

With tears that streaked their face.

These tears oft would fall on me

and sorta stain my wood,

but I didn't mind the stains of tears,

they made me feel quite good.

God's people too, would use me

as they knelt to call on God.

They felt the path to the mourner's bench,

was a path their fathers trod.

I've heard the shouts of new-born men;

and heard the songs of praise,

but that was when God's people, too,

used me, in other days.

But nowadays things are different,

though I still sit in my place,

I never feel a teardrop

fall from a sinner's face.

I wonder, could it be because

that now the saints of God,

don't feel the need to walk,

this path their fathers trod?

It might be I'm old-fashioned,

but I long for days gone by.

I'd like to hear the shouts of praise,

and hear a sinner's cry.

But meanwhile, I'll just sit here,

my potted plant I'll hold,

but the water that they spill on me,

is sometimes rather cold.

I'd rather feel the warmth of tears,

but there's nothing I can do,

but sit and hold my potted plant,

and wait, my friend, for you.

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Intro;
Repentance means to change one's mind and purpose. Not to simply be sorry for, and forsake sin, but to have a complete change of mind and heart regarding it.

It Comes from a Latin word, resipisco, to recover one's senses.

Two words in the New Testamet are translated, repent. One means to be sorry for, or have pain of mind. The other means to have a complete change of mind. One looks only at the consequences of sin to one's self. I.E. The noose around one's neck, fear of a broken home, shame of getting caught and exposed. The other is concerned with God's thoughts of sin and us and is in every way concerned with the very WRONGNESS of sin.

I. It is the result of God's working IN us.

A. It manifests His goodness toward us. Rom 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

While the word goodness comes from a word meaning kindness or gentleness, His kindness is not always gentle. You do not gently remove a person from the path of a speeding train!

B. This repentance is caused by God making us sorry. 2 Cor 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

When we realize that what we had hidden from men was open knowledge with God.

II. REAL repentance results in VISIBLE change.

Mat 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: Show me what your change of mind has done!

A. In the lost it will result in salvation. Acts 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

1. This was Paul's message throughout his ministry.

Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 26:20 But showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

2. Without repentance there can be no salvation. This is not a proclamation based upon the psychological need for beating one’s breast, but is a declaration of DIVINE necessity.

a. God demands it. [text]

b. He sent John to preach it. Mat 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

Mat 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Mat 3:3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying,
The voice

c. Jesus began his ministry with this message. Mark 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

He said it was necessary. Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

d. He sent the twelve out to preach it. Mark 6:12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

e. The rich man knew that if his brothers didn't repent they would join him in hell!.

Luke 16:30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

3. Why such statements as,'Thy faith hath saved thee'. believe and be saved, etc. with no mention of repentance?

a. In every case there is evidence that they were already made sorry to repentance. When one comes down the aisle weeping and says, 'I want to be saved." you don't have to tell them to repent, they already have!

It is to those who hear the gospel and shrug it off that the message is; Let the Holy Spirit work His work of repentance in you or perish!

III. In the saved, repentance results in a closer walk with the Lord.

A. This is the renewal of mind of which Paul spake. Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

B. Often it is the result of bitter chastisement and conviction .Mat 26:75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

C. The entire Church at Ephesus was commanded to repent. Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

All her good points were not enough. However good a housekeeper the wife might be, the home without love is empty.

D. Pergamos needed to repent for allowing false teaching. Rev 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a
stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

Rev 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.

Rev 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

E. Sardis needed to repent for getting in a rut. Rev 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy
works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

Rev 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

Rev 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

F. Laodiceans because they were luke warm and self-satisfied.