Repentance

Joel 2:13

And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

In Joel 2:13 the subject spoken of is God Himself and the context defines “repenteth” as a change of mind. God does not need to stop sinning as He never sinned.

1st mention:

Genesis 6:6 KJV

6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

The Lord changes His mind.

Repentance is a change of mind that leads to a change of heart that produces a change of life.

Here are the CHANGES in repentance:

I. A Change Of Mind.

How did your mind get you where you are?

2 Timothy 2:25–26 KJV

25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Who got through to you?

Luke 8:11 KJV

11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

Romans 10:17 KJV

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Matthew 9:13 KJV

13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

What happened?

John 6:44 KJV

44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

II. A Change Of Heart.

When it began.

Mark 1:15 KJV

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

Why it happened.

Luke 5:32 KJV

32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Where does it matter? Not earth! Heaven!

Luke 15:10 KJV

10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

III. A Change Of Life.

A Christian life.

2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

A church life.

Acts 2:38 KJV

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

A convincing life.

Acts 11:18 KJV

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.

Conclusion:

The Apostles preached it:

Mark 6:12 KJV

12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

John the Baptist preached it:

Matthew 3:8 KJV

8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

Matthew 3:11 KJV

11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Paul preached it:

Acts 17:30 KJV

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

Jesus preached it:

Matthew 4:17 KJV

17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Do you preach it?