Ernest Repentance

Paul gives us 7 Necessities of Repentance

1. Starts With Sorrow

2 Corinthians 7:8 NASB95

8 For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it—for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while—

2. Sorrow Leads to Change

2 Corinthians 7:9 NASB95

9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us.

If you go to the prison up in Newport you’ll see people who are really sorry.—sorry they murdered, sorry they assaulted people, sorry for stealing. But very few are repentant. Most will claim their innocence.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Six: Heart to Heart (2 Corinthians 6–7)

disobedient Christians need to repent, not in order to be saved, but in order to restore their close fellowship with God.

2 Corinthians 7:10 NASB95

10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.

The difference between repentance and remorse. The feeling of sorrow over sin is the same for the repentant and the unrepentant alike. The difference is that the response to the sorrow leads to a change of mind for the repentant.

300 Illustrations for Preachers Man Put in Prison, Then Released, after Justice System Forgot about Him

Man Put in Prison, Then Released, after Justice System Forgot About Him

Proverbs 28:13; Ezekiel 18:21–23; Luke 13:3; Acts 3:19; Ephesians 4:28

Preaching Themes: Justice, Mercy, Repentance

Cornealious Anderson was convicted of armed robbery and sentenced to 13 years in prison in 2000. The day he was sentenced, Anderson was told to wait for instructions on when and where to report to prison. When those instructions never came, Anderson went on with life and actually turned things around. He paid his taxes and traffic tickets, renewed his driver’s license and even registered businesses, with no effort to conceal who he was or where he was. He thought his case had been forgotten or even forgiven until a SWAT team showed up at his house while he was getting breakfast for his daughter.

Peter Joy of the Criminal Justice Clinic at Washington University School of Law in St. Louis said it isn’t unusual for cases to fall through the cracks, but it is unusual for a case to be forgotten for so long. Joy added, “The real tragedy here is that one aspect of prison life is the idea of rehabilitation. Here we have somebody who has led a perfect life for 13 years. He did everything right. So he doesn’t need rehabilitation.” Anderson sat in prison for several months until a judge finally did grant him credit for the 13 years between when he was convicted and re-arrested. In May 2014, he was released and went home to his family.

—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell157

Salvation — not justification but salvation in the sense of sanctification.

Judas had regret - but not true repentance. Tired to give the money back but they didn’t want it, so Judas hurled it to the floor of the temple in an act that demanded their participation due to the fact that only the priests were allowed in the temple.

Peter on the other repented to the Lord. Notice though, he didn’t do it right away. When Jesus called to them from the shore He called them children. He could have called them, “deserters” or “backsliders” but he didn’t They were His

Sorrow of the world. — This is the severity of sin. Paul knew the sorrow he caused was necessary because it saved them from the death that sin would inevitably result.

Death — ungodly sorrow embitters and hardens the heart becoming defiance and then leads to despair but not to God. there is no hope in God because there is no penitents. This is the kind of death that exhausts the soul and withers hope and deadens everything in life.

3. Change Produces Godliness

2 Corinthians 7:11 NASB95

11 For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter.

John the Baptist taught the same:

Matthew 3:8 NASB95

8 “Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance;

Vindication — defense. In this case of themselves. They defended ,to all who needed to know, the moral need to repent of their sin.

Indignation — They were angry about the sin that they commited, that they had offended God, and that they hurt Paul.

Fear — Awe and fear of God and His character. They were in awe of His righteousness, His holiness, but also of His love, mercy, and grace.

Longing — This lead to a deep desire for God and for Paul. They longed for the relationships to be restored.

Zeal — A renewed energy to defend the holiness of God by being holy themselves.

Avenging of Wrong — They wanted to see restoration by means of restitution. Remove false apostles from leadership in the church, reinstate those who taught the truth. Write a letter to Paul asking for his forgiveness.

300 Illustrations for Preachers Man Repents 35 Years Later for Stealing Stop Sign

Man Repents 35 Years Later for Stealing Stop Sign

Ezekiel 18:21–23; Acts 3:19; 2 Timothy 2:22; 2 Peter 3:9

Preaching Themes: Guilt, Repentance

Although three decades have passed, a Utah man wants to make amends for deeds of his younger days. A man who claimed he stole a stop sign 35 years ago from a road in Salt Lake County mailed a $600 cashier’s check to the state’s Department of Transportation. The signature on the check is not legible, so officials do not know the man’s identity. Spokesman Nile Easton said a letter signed by “a very foolish youth” apologized for taking the sign. The letter said the man wanted to make things right and prayed no one had been injured by his childish and thoughtless act. The letter said the man had contacted the department about making amends, but was told not to worry about it. After that, he decided to send a check. Easton says the money will more than pay for the damages: It is enough to cover the cost and installation of three new signs.

—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell130

4. Requires Bold Confrontation

2 Corinthians 7:12 NASB95

12 So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the offender nor for the sake of the one offended, but that your earnestness on our behalf might be made known to you in the sight of God.

He didn’t write the “sorrowful letter” to bad mouth the ones in the wrong. He also didn’t write it primarily to defend himself, but he wrote to expose how far they had fallen in their sin and remind them of the their genuine love for Paul and the gospel he preached. They needed their spiritual sight restored.

Like Nathan confronting King David

5. Brings Spiritual Refreshment

2 Corinthians 7:13 NASB95

13 For this reason we have been comforted. And besides our comfort, we rejoiced even much more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.

2 Corinthians 7:14 NASB95

14 For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I was not put to shame; but as we spoke all things to you in truth, so also our boasting before Titus proved to be the truth.

Paul must have told Titus, that the church was sure repent and make things right

6. Results in Obedience

2 Corinthians 7:15 NASB95

15 His affection abounds all the more toward you, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling.

They treated Titus with respect out of respect for Paul.

7. Restores Confidence

2 Corinthians 7:16 NASB95

16 I rejoice that in everything I have confidence in you.

Paul wasn’t worried about them anymore. He wasn’t walking on eggshells around them. He could not start talking to them his project to help those in Judea.

Do you need to repent of sin in your life?

Adultery—Matthew 5:27-28, 32; 19:9, 18; Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Mark 7:21; John 8:1-11

Anger—Galatians 5:20; Ephesians 4:26, 31; 6:4; Colossians 3:8; James 1:19-20

Anger with one’s brother—Matthew 5:22

Arrogance—2 Timothy 3:2; 2 Corinthians 12:20; 2 Timothy 3:2; 1 Corinthians 5:2; 8:1; 13:4

Bitterness—Ephesians 4:31; Hebrews 12:15; Romans 2:24; 3:14; Acts 8:23; James 2:7

Blasphemy—Mark 8:38; Acts 18:6

Boasting—Romans 1:30; 2 Timothy 3:2; Galatians 5:26

Brutality—2 Timothy 3:3

Brother going to Law against brother—1 Corinthians 6:1-7

Carousing—Romans 13:13; Galatians 5:21; 1 Peter 4:3

Clamor—Ephesians 4:31

Complaining—Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:13; 1 Peter 4:9; James 5:9

Conceit—2 Timothy 3:4

Coveting—Mark 7:22; Ephesians 5:5; Acts 20:33; Romans 13:9

Cowardice—Revelation 21:8

Deceit—Mark 7:22; Acts 13:10; Romans 1:29; 1 Peter 3:10

Defrauding—1 Corinthians 6:7

Denying Christ—Matthew 10:33; Luke 12:9; 1 John 2:22-23

Desiring praise of men—John 12:43

Disobedience to parents—Romans 1:30; 2 Timothy 3:2; Titus 3:3

Divisions—1 Corinthians 1:10

Divorce—Matthew 5:32; 19:9; Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18

Drinking parties—1 Peter 4:3

Drunkenness—Romans 13:13; 15: 13; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:10; Colossians 3:13; 1 Peter 4:3

Eating the Bread or drinking the Cup unworthily—1 Corinthians 11:27

Effeminacy—1 Corinthians 6:9

Enmities—Galatians 5:20

Envy—Mark 7:22; Galatians 5:26; Titus 3:3

Evil thoughts—Mark 7:21; Matthew 15:19

False witnessing—Matthew 15:19

Fathers, provoking children to wrath—Colossians 3:21

Fearfulness—Matthew 10:26, 28

Filthiness—Ephesians 4:3

Foolishness—Mark 7:22; Titus 3:3

Foolish talking—Ephesians 5:4

Fornication(or sexual immorality)—Mark 7:21; Matthew 15:19; 1 Corinthians 6:9; Galatians 5:19

Greed—Ephesians 4:19; 5:3; 2 Peter 2:14

Lust, lusting—1 Peter 4:3; Titus 3:3

Haters of God—Romans 1:30

Hatred—2 Timothy 3:3; Titus 3:3

Homosexuality—1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Timothy 1:10; Romans 1:26-27

Hypocrisy—Matthew 23:13,23, 25; 23, 27,28, 29; Mark 12:15; Luke 12:1; Romans 12:9

Idolatry—1 Corinthians 6:9; Galatians 5:20; Revelations 21:8; Ephesians 5:5

Immorality(see also Fornication)—Galatians 5:19; Revelation 21:8; Ephesians 5:3

Impurity—Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5: 3, 5

Jealousy—Galatians 5:20; 1 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 12:20; James 3:16

Jesting—Ephesians 5:4

Judging—Matthew 7:1-5; Romans 2:1; 14:13; Luke 6:37 James 4:11

Knowing to do good but not doing it—James 4:17

Laying up treasures on earth—Matthew 6:19-21; 19:21; 1 Timothy 6:9-10; Luke 12:21, 33; 18:22

Living for pleasure—2 Timothy 3:4

Lovers of self—2 Timothy 3:2

Loving another person more than Jesus—Matthew 10:37; Luke 14:26

Lusting after a woman—Matthew 5:27-28; 1 Peter 4:3; Matthew 18:9

Lying—Revelation 21:8, 27; 22:15; Ephesians 4:25; Romans 9:1; 2 Corinthians 11:31; Galatians 1:20; 2 Timothy 2:7

Malice—Romans 1:29; Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:8; Titus 3:3; 2 Peter 2:1 Man praying or prophesying with head covered—1 Corinthians 11:4-16

Murder—Revelation 21:8; Mark 7:21; 5:21; 10: 19; 19:18; Luke 18:20; Romans 1:29; 1 Peter 3:15; 4:15; Matthew 15:19

Murmuring, complaining—Colossians 3:13; 1 Peter  4:9; James 5:9

Pride—Mark 7:22; 1 Peter 5:5, 6; James 4:6; Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11; 18;14

Quarrels—James 4:1-2; 1 Corinthians 1:11; 2 Timothy 2:23

Reviling—1 Corinthians 6:10; 5:11; 2 Timothy 3:2; 1 Peter 2:23; 1 Corinthians 4:17

Sensuality—Galatians 5:19; Mark 7:22; Romans 13:13; 2 Corinthians 12:21; 1 Peter 4:3; Ephesians 4:19; 2 Peter 2:2

Slander—Matthew 15:19; Mark 7:22; Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:8; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 Corinthians 4:13; Romans 1:30

Sorcery—Galatians 5:20; Revelation 21:8, 15; 9:21; 18:23

Speaking against the Holy Spirit—Matthew 12:32; Luke 12:10

Stealing—Ephesians 4:28; 13:9; Matthew 19:18; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Romans 2:21; 13:9

Strife, quarreling—Galatians 5:20; Romans 1:29; 13:13; 1 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 12:20; 1 Timothy 6:4

Swearing an oath—Matthew 6:34-37; James 5:12

Swindling—1 Corinthians 5:10; 6:10

Thievery, theft—1 Corinthians 6:10; Mark 7:21; John 10:1, 8; 1 Peter 4:15; Matthew 15:19

Treachery—2 Timothy 3:4

Unbelief, lack of faith—James 1:6; Mark 9:24; Hebrews 3:12, 19; 1 Timothy 5:8; 2 Corinthians 6:14-15; 7:13; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Titus 1:15; Revelation 21:8

Unforgiveness—Matthew 6:14-15; Mark 11:25-26

Ungodliness—Romans 1:18; 4:5; 5:6; 1 Timothy 1:9; 2 Timothy 2:16; Titus 2:12; 2 Peter 2:5, 6, 7

Ungratefulness—2 Timothy 3:2; Romans 1:21; Luke 6:35; 2 Timothy 3:2

Unholiness—2 Timothy 3:2; Hebrews 12:14

Unrighteousness—Romans 1:18, 29; 2:8; 6:13; 1 John 1:9; 5:17

Wickedness—Mark 7:22; Luke 11:39; Acts 8:22; Romans 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:8; Ephesians 6:12; 2 Thessalonians 2:10, 12; 2 Timothy 2:19

Woman cutting her hair short—1 Corinthians 1:14-15

Woman with her Head uncovered—1 Corinthians 11:5-16

Woman speaking or teaching in public—1 Timothy 2:11-15; 1 Corinthians 11:33-37

Wrath—Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:8; 1 Timothy 2:8

1000 Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching Quit It!

Quit It!

Sam Jones was a popular evangelist in the South years ago. During the course of a revival meeting, he would designate a “Quitter’s Night.” Persons were asked to bring symbols, or pictures, of their sins: cards, dice, whiskey bottles, pictures of other men’s wives, and so forth. As the fiery evangelist exhorted the brethren to come forward and leave evidence of their sins, one of the saints of the church responded. The preacher was surprised and asked, “Aunt Sarah, what are you repenting of?” She replied, “I ain’t done nothing, and I’m gonna quit it!”