Do You Have A Heart Of Repentance?

Good morning

I want to take a minute and have a time of silent prayer for our nation

for those injured yesterday

for the families of those killed yesterday

Our nation must return to God or we are doomed and yesterday was just a glimpse of america as a godless nation

Lets take some time to pray silently

I also pray that your summer is going well. It is so wonderful to see each of you this morning

Thank you for putting God first and for coming to worship with the CCC family this morning

quick reminder we are still looking for those willing to help teach Sunday school for the kids. We have had people sign up to help with 3-5 and 9-12 but still looking for K-2 and 6-8

Sign up sheets to help with the rotation are located at the tables as you enter the sanctuary and the table in the fellowship hall by the calendar board

Also as I mentioned last week our roof needs repair work in the amount of $1900.00 if you would like to help donate to that you can put a check in the offering plate mark roof in the memo or if you want to give cash give that to me or Sandy and let us know it is for the roof. If you prefer to give online go to our website cccnevadamo.org and giving and put the fund as Building Fund Donations and please consider paying for the service fee as well by marking the box so the church gets your entire donation

Let’s Pray

START RECORDING

This morning we begin our preparation for IT with the series entitled Is Your Life Balanced?

Now to be upfront this is God’s definition of balanced not yours. In most cases those two definitions are very different.

When God laid balance on me here is what He made clear to me to bring to you

balanced in terms of God and your life as a Christian.......is God first and foremost. A balanced Christian gives all that they have and all that they are to Jesus because Jesus gave all that He had and all that He was to us on the cross

24/7/365 lifestyle of

trust,

faith,

love,

commitment,

surrender,

sacrifice

obedience

and discipleship

That is a balanced Christian life......a life focused on IT salvation and discipleship

Sure you work

Sure you have a family

Sure you have hobbies

Sure you have ministries but those are all way down the list compared to Jesus

You do those things in and through Jesus with the goal of salvation and discipleship

If not you are out of balance as a Christian.

One of the problems with Christianity today is we, Christians like to come up with the definitions instead of looking to God for His definition and expectations

I hear what some say

Can’t Pastor Josh preach a feel good message once in a while?

I preach feel good messages each and every Sunday

Jesus died in your place

Jesus became your sin

Jesus opened the door for eternal life and personal relationship with Him

There is nothing more feel good than that!!!!!!!

I love all of you very much

I love those who have left our congregation for whatever reasons. My prayer for them is they are seeking and following God’s will in their lives

I love those whom God has yet to bring to our congregation

Because of that love I MUST preach the TRUTH

So many today want feel good messages based upon the feel good gospel

the health and wealth gospel

the no conviction gospel

worldly influenced gospels

They are all worthless and all lead to death and hell

Hate is what drives those gospels

Those who preach those false, evil gospels claim to love people but their fruit says they hate people

Now pastor Josh that is judging......Absolutely that is judging....judging fruits which we are called to do by God!!!!!

I am not judging the people....I am praying for those people to come to repentance as that is God’s heart and mine

I long to be a brother or sister to those people and spend eternity in heaven with them

This mornings message came from my secret place and is a message God added to the Is Your Life Balanced sermon series just this past week

If I am honest repentance has been on my heart for close to a year now

I made a run at a message about repentance a few times but God clearly said no......not now

This past week God clearly said now son.....now is the time…so here we go

I will also say there is a lot to cover today and I am not going to lie today may be a little bit longer than usual but God is in control and I am following His lead so it will be as long as He wants it to be

Repentance is vital

essential

required for salvation

Repentance is a heart issue and will produce the fruit of repentance in your life....salvation being one of those fruits

God takes repentance very seriously

He in fact requires it for one to be a true Christian and hear well done my good and faithful servant when you meet Jesus face to face!!!!!

Repentance is HUGE!

Repentance is also avoided like the plague by most churches and pastors

Someone might get mad

Someone might leave

Someone might stop tithing

Someone might stop serving

Your right.......just like the multitude of disciples who left Jesus when He said count the cost....taking up your cross and following me will cost you dearly....they took their ball and went home

Some might do that during this series

Some have already done that

As I said earlier I pray for those people who look at conviction as a bad thing and run from the pain and fruit of conviction in their lives

Lots of folks get mad at a preacher or a church when in reality neither the preacher nor the church offended them God offended them but they took it out on the preacher and church

Now preachers are human and churches are human and I am not saying there are not evil preachers and churches out there

I am not saying there are not preachers and churches who make mistakes out there because there are, myself and CCC included, but most just up and leave instead of dealing with those issues biblically.....repentance

Repentance is a HUGE topic not just in importance but scope

Repentance is one of those truths that just keeps getting deeper and deeper

The more you lean in to learn the more there is to learn

One of those truths that we will be continuing to learn until we get promoted home to heaven or Jesus returns

I pray after today repentance is a part of every minute of every day going forward!!!!!

You will notice in your notes sheets a long list of scriptures. If you don’t have a notes sheet please go get one......if we need to print one see me after and I will make sure you get a notes sheet

These scriptures are the scriptures God walked me through preparing me for this message. As you may know in preparation for messages as God lays scriptures on my heart I write them out by hand....I had 13 pages of scriptures and thoughts in preparation for this message today

Leviticus 5:5.

Numbers 14:40-44.

Exodus 9:27-34.

Ezra 10:3-4.

Deuteronomy 31:27-29.

Judges 2:4.

Judges 2:10-3:7.

I Kings 21:29.

II Kings 22:19.

II Kings 25:1.

I Chronicles 21:8.

Nehemiah 9:28-31.

Psalm 51.

Psalm 80:3 ,7 ,19.

Matthew 3:1-2, 8, 11.

Matthew 3:3, 6.

Mark 1:4.

Luke 3:3, 7-9.

Luke 3:17.

Luke 15:8-10.

Luke 15:25-31.

John 3:3.

John 12:10-11.

Acts 3:19-20.

Job 42:6.

Luke 13:3.

Acts 2:38.

Revelation 2:5.

Revelation 16:9.

John 5:32.

Luke 5:32.

Luke 24:47.

Acts 5:31.

Romans 2:4.

II Corinthians 7:10.

Hebrews 6:1.

Again I give you these in your notes because I want you to dive into them during your secret place time

As I read and wrote and studied and prayed about and listened to the Holy Spirit with each of these passages God began to give me a big picture look at repentance

That big picture look is what is driving the message today.

I felt led to use Luke 3:1-18. as the basis for this morning because as I got to it God hit me hard that it was the main passage for this morning so let’s turn there

Luke 3:1–18

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Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, 2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. 3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; 6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. 7 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 9 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

10 And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? 11 He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. 12 Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? 13 And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. 14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

15 And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; 16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: 17 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. 18 And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.

As I said I believe this is an over all perspective of repentance

Times they were a changing here in Luke

John the Baptist was preparing the way for Jesus

Repentance has always been around and is one of the major themes of the Bible but here John is declaring things are changing

Jesus is coming

Repentance must happen to be saved!!!

I want to pull 4 truths that God showed me in regards to repentance

1. Repentance Leads To Salvation vs 3

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You are not a true Christian without true repentance

As one is called to Jesus by the Holy Spirit He prepares one’s heart for repentance

I guess before we can go any further I should define repentance

Many say repentance is a 180 degree turn and heading in the opposite direction

That is correct but not complete

I believe through scripture that repentance…true repentance

Godly repentance is turning away from sin and turning to God

It is a change of allegiance

It is a change of power

It is a change of master

Change from allegiance, power and master of sin and world and fleshly, lustful desires to allegiance to God....power of God and God as your master

Much more than doing a 180 degree turn and going in a new direction

Repentance is leaving sin to be with God

Repentance is taking your heart from sin and giving it to God

That is what I want you to think of when you hear repentance this morning and from here on out

Dying to sin and turning to God and living with and in God

Repentance leads to salvation

Luke 13:3

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“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”

Pretty clear

God just told you repentance leads to salvation!!!!

“Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish”

No repentance no life

John 3:3

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“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Except a man be born again

repentance leads to life because without repentance you perish

repentance leads to being born again

dead to sin and alive in Christ

a new creature and creation

Acts 3:19–20

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Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:”

This is a beautiful scripture and description of repentance leading to salvation

repent ye therefore and be converted

Convert comes from Greek verb that means revert, literally, figurative or morally

come and go

again

turn

turn to God and away from sin

revert from your evil, sinful ways to God

converted

repented

then what happens

That your sins be blotted out!!!!!!!!!

Pretty clear in scripture that repentance leads to and is required for salvation and forgiveness

2. True Repentance vs Fake Repentance

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First we will look at

Fake Repentance

Exodus 9:27–34

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27 And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked. 28 Intreat the LORD (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer. 29 And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD’s. 30 But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the LORD God. 31 And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled. 32 But the wheat and the rie were not smitten: for they were not grown up. 33 And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth. 34 And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.

Pharaoh had fake repentance

He was only sorry because of the consequences of his actions

He hated the plagues and the effects of the plagues so he said he repented

he only wanted them to stop

He only produced works not a true change of heart

He never changed his allegiance

he never changed his master

his repentance was rejected and he was destroyed

Now lets look at

True Repentance Reveals a Heart of Repentance

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Psalm 51:1-12

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1  Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness:

According unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

2  Wash me throughly from mine iniquity,

And cleanse me from my sin.

3  For I acknowledge my transgressions:

And my sin is ever before me.

4  Against thee, thee only, have I sinned,

And done this evil in thy sight:

That thou mightest be justified when thou speakest,

And be clear when thou judgest.

5  Behold, I was shapen in iniquity;

And in sin did my mother conceive me.

6  Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts:

And in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

7  Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean:

Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8  Make me to hear joy and gladness;

That the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

9  Hide thy face from my sins,

And blot out all mine iniquities.

10  Create in me a clean heart, O God;

And renew a right spirit within me.

11  Cast me not away from thy presence;

And take not thy holy spirit from me.

12  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation;

And uphold me with thy free spirit.

true repentance is always accepted by God

Always

No matter how many times you fall

no matter how many times you fail

no matter how many times you sin

if you repent....turn from that sin back to God

His great love and grace and mercy fills you and accepts you back…makes you righteous again

I love David

David was so in love with God

he failed

he sinned

but every time he sinned he repented

Why?

Because he had a heart of repentance

What a beautiful picture of repentance here in Psalm 51.

Now Psalm 51 was written after the prophet Nathan confronted David about his affair with Bathsheba and David killing her husband to cover it up

David repented and this Psalm was written from that repentance

Look at what David desires

Have mercy

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clearly showing allegiance to God

Wash Me Throughly

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admitting sin is evil and his need to be cleansed

Acknowledge my transgressions

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Admitting problem with sin and owning that sin

Make me to hear joy and gladness

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because he was broken by that sin he was looking to God to restore his joy and gladness

We have looked at salvation as being a fruit of repentance but it goes beyond that here are

Some of the fruits of repentance

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Create in me a clean heart

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Only God can create a clean heart…Davids was soiled due to sin and longed for God to clean it

Renew a right Spirit

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Allegiance to God and understanding only God can renew your Spirit.......removing sin to put you back in right standing and Spirit!!!!

Restore my joy

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Again Joy comes from God and David knew that sin was blocking his true joy

Uphold me

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Allegiance......David understood it was God who held him....he sinned of his own will and desires and it is God who must uphold him

Is this how you respond to conviction in your life?????

Are these the fruit of repentance in your life?

I want to chase something for just a moment

Psalm 51 is also a picture of proper response to conviction

It illustrates Godly sorry and the fruit of Godly sorrow

2 Corinthians 7:10

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“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”

Conviction should produce godly sorrow

God loves you so very much He refuses to allow sin in your life to stand unchecked

He convicts you

a true Christian’s response is godly sorrow that leads to repentance

Your response to conviction shows if you have a repentant heart or not Worldly sorrow…like Pharaoh in Exodus leads to death

When conviction comes worldly sorrow says

justify your actions

defend yourself

be mad

be angry

attack

lie

deny

distance yourself from your sin

don’t take ownership

Some of you are doing that right now this morning

Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation!!!!!

You can’t have a heart of repentance and entertain or allow worldly sorrow in your life!!!!

If you have a heart of repentance you will respond to conviction with repentance not pride

You will turn from that sin and turn to God every time!!!!!!

I want to look at one final truth or fruit of repentance

4. How Do You Respond To Repentance Of Others?

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People will sin against you

People will hurt you

Take advantage of you

Lie to and about you

Blast you on social media

People are fallen and sinful by nature and will sin against you

Now as a Christian you are to immediately forgive them fully and completely whether they repent or not

Jesus fully and completely forgave you on the cross so if you have Jesus’ forgiveness you have no option but to forgive as soon as you realize the sin against you is there

That is another message for another time

How do you respond when others are repentant and seek forgiveness from you?

How you respond when others seek repentance shows your heart

Luke 15:25–31

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“Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.”

The prodigal son messed up

He messed up bad

He told his father and family they were dead to him

give me my money.....my inheritance and I am out!

Imagine the conversations at the coffee shop and beauty salons

what a disgrace to the family

We all have prodigal sons in our own families who have brought disgrace upon the family and themselves

maybe that is you

maybe you are the prodigal son or daughter and have brought disgrace and shame to your family.....have you repented?

the older brother had to have heard it and been embarrassed on top of being hurt and rejected by his younger brother

Then he hears a party and inquires of a servant because he wasn't invited

He finds out it is for his younger brother who returned home

His younger brother who wasted the families money on booze, wild living, prostitutes

Came home with his tail between his legs because of his horrible decisions and now he is being celebrated

he loses it

he goes off

most…for sure worldly people say he was right to do so

They say things like he was done wrong......example of worldly sorrow

I love the fathers response to correct his son

Luke 15:31

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“And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.”

You have me and all that i have is yours

you are good

you have enjoyed relationship with me this whole time

your brother was lost but is now found

Your brother was dying and going to hell but repented and returned home

You are forgiven completely because God through Jesus has forgiven you

You are good

all that God has is yours

you have a relationship with Him

Who are you to reject someone’s repentance

What you do with repentance clearly shows your heart

maybe you are the older brother dealing with a prodigal brother or sister have you accepted their repentance

Where are you this morning?

STOP RECORDING

Invitation

STOP STREAMING