Why to repent?

Introduction:

If you’ve been a Christian long enough, then you know that the word repentance is a keyword in the evangelical church of America. And this is for a good reason, as repentance is a keyword in the Bible, and it should be the same in the proclamation of the church. However, I noticed that, despite the prevalence of the topic, people have a limited understanding of the meaning and the purpose of repentance. For example, they know that repentance is a turning away from sins, whose purpose is to be saved, but is this all that repentance is, and is that the only reason people should repent? Saying that repentance implies stopping from sinning just for the sake of being saved is like saying Jesus is just a man whose purpose was to teach people the truth. Sure enough, he was a man that taught the truth, but he was much more than that, and his purpose was much more than just teaching the truth. In the same way, repentance is much more than just stopping from sinning for the sake of getting to heaven. So

I. What is repentance?

1. A turning away from sin (self) (v.26b) - characterized by sorrow, mourning and weeping.

Joel 2:12 Even now—this is the LORD’s declaration—turn to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.

The heart is the seat of your thinking, felling and acting.

a) mentally (stop thinking) b) emotionally (stop being emotionally attached) c) behaviorally (stop committing)

d) For example, unforgiveness is thinking about what someone has done to you, feeling bitter about and behaving towards that person based on these thoughts and feelings of bitterness.

Luke 7:36-48 - Sinful woman’s example

2. A turning towards God (Christ) - desire to serve and live for God like never before.

a) mentally (start thinking about God’s forgiveness) b) emotionally (start being grateful) c) behaviorally (start praying for the person that wronged you)

The sinful woman is an example.

II. What is the purpose of repentance?

1. To have your sins forgiven (past)

a) Why?

Because sins brought condemnation since God is a just God who must condemn sin

b) How?

Jesus Christ had to pay the penalty to remove the guilt, to take the guilt upon himself

2. To experience spiritual refreshment (present)

Ps 16:11 You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures.

a) true joy in Christ, when we have utterly forsaken the pleasures of sin

3. To speed up the coming of Jesus (future)

a) true repentance makes Christ come back.