Power of Repentance 4

Repent

Part 4

“Times of Refreshing”

Acts 3:19 “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,”

Today is the final message on the power of repentance.

So far we’ve seen that repentance is the key to salvation, the key to God’s peace, and the key to successful spiritual warfare.

And today I want to look at how repentance is the key to spiritual refreshing.

The Bible says that we can be continually refreshed if we will stay in right relationship with God through repentance.

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Now, Peter’s message to the Pentecost crowd is crystal clear:

“Repent, that your sins may be blotted out, that through your repentance—times of refreshing may come.”

—The refreshing is ONLY for those who repent.

So, let’s unpack Verse 19, which begins with the beautiful word that unlocks the door to all that God has for us:

Repent

“Repent, then, and turn to God...”

As we’ve said throughout this series, to repent means more than feeling sorry for the sinful things we’ve said or done.

It’s more than just an emotional moment where we feel bad, guilty, or remorseful.

It involves turning AWAY from what is wrong, and turning TOWARD God.

Peter said “repent and turn TO God.”

Genuine repentance involves a turning “from” and a turning “to.”

We turn “from” our sin, and turn “to” God!

And this kind of repentance always results in a changed life!

Whatever action steps we must take to make things right with God and man, we will happily do.

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Listen to how Paul describes the repentance manifested in the Corinthian church:

2 Cor. 7:10-11 “For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow.“

“Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm...such zeal...You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right.”

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When John the Baptist looked out at the crowd that had gathered to be baptized, he said:

“Bear fruits worthy of repentance” (Matt. 3:8).

Another version puts it this way, “Change your hearts! And show by the way you live that you have changed.” (ERV)

In other words—Before being baptized, prove that you have turned from sin by doing worthy deeds that reveal a changed life.

True repentance always brings about a change in our lifestyle, a zeal for making things right with God and man.

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Again, Let me remind you that “repent” is not a negative, but an extremely positive word.

In fact, repentance is the most reasonable, sensible, healthy thing you can do for yourself!

It’s a door opening word that leads to a whole new world of blessing, peace, and positive change!

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Because just look at the two “so that’s” in this verse that are the blessings flowing from true repentance.

“Repent and turn to God, so that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the Presence of the Lord.”

The first “so that” is...

II. So that your sins may be blotted out

What an incredible promise we have in this first “so that.”

God will literally blot out our sins!

The words “blot out” means that God will totally erase, wipe out, remove, and wash away your sins.

He erases the chalk board that lists all of your sin and replaces the words with “forgiven, washed, sanctified, and glorified!”

The Bible says, “You were dead in sins, and your sinful desires were not yet cut away. Then he gave you a share in the very life of Christ, for he forgave all your sins, 14 and blotted out the charges proved against you, the list of his commandments which you had not obeyed. He took this list of sins and destroyed it by nailing it to Christ’s cross” (Col 2:13-14).

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Now, I think when it comes to our sins, we tend to categorize them like clothes are categorized in a store—small, medium, large, and extra-large.

We’re confident that God will wipe away what we consider to be “small” sins...and even “medium” sins.

But when we get into the large, extra-large, and even double extra large category, we struggle with believing God forgives us.

But he promises to blot out ALL SINS if we repent by confessing them to him.

What I like to call the “Christian’s bar of soap” is 1 John 1:9,

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us of ALL unrighteousness.”

All is all—including the large, x-tra large, and double x-tra large sins!

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But it gets even better!

Ps 103:12 says, “...as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

Isaiah goes on to say that he does more than blot them out: “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for My own sake, and remembers your sins no more” (43:25).

He not only completely removes and erases our sins, He chooses to not remember them...God practices self-imposed amnesia!

Which means He won’t bring them up in the future to remind you of them!

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Now, the second “so that” is an incredible promise:

III. So that Times of refreshing may come

“Repent and turn to God, so that...times of refreshing may come from the Presence of the Lord...”

Now—What is the most refreshing thing you can think of?

For some of you, it’s when you’ve mowed the lawn in the middle of July and you grab a nice, tall glass of iced tea.

Or it may be diving into a beautiful, cool pool on a hot summer day.

Or how about a good laugh! Laughter is refreshing....How long has it been since you laughed out loud?

And I gotta tell you, worshipping God in song is a refreshing experience.

Most of you know that I love to cycle and go long distances.

One of the ways I motivate myself to finish those final strenuous miles is the thought of a big, juicy, cold orange at the end of the ride...that’s refreshing!

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But of all the refreshing experiences we can have, nothing compares to a fresh touch from the Presence of God!

The times of refreshing Peter is talking about here means, “a time of rest, or deliverance from evils of any kind.”

In the same way that afflictions are called “fiery trials,” deliverance from them is a refreshing or cooling experience.

And notice where it comes from—From the presence of the Lord...

Literally, "From the face of the Lord."

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When we’ve repented before God and forgiveness has come, along with it comes the Presence of the Lord.

Suddenly the great burden of unconfessed sin is lifted,

Our guilt is rolled away,

The door to heaven is opened,

His peace floods our soul,

His Spirit, like a gentle breeze, blows across our being.

His Presence fills the room,

His love is poured out on our hearts by the Holy Ghost,

Strength rushes in to our formerly weakened soul, a sense of well-being lifts us up.

Satan loses his steely grip, the chains that held us are broken, and mercy drops begin to fall.

The season of sorrow gives way to a season of refreshing.

Doors of favor start opening, and gladness fills our heart!

No wonder David testified that “In your presence is fullness of joy” (Ps. 16:11).

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Repentance is not a negative word, but is a great privilege granted by God to allow us into His presence and blessing!

LET’S PRAY