A vital element of the Gospel Message

Intro: Jerry McAuley was one of the most feared criminals in New York City. Born in poverty in Ireland, he quickly turned to crime. He became a thief, a drunkard, and was eventually sentenced to Sing Sing prison for robbery. By all accounts, he was violent, bitter, and hopeless. But in prison, Jerry heard the gospel and realized the depth of his sin and the mercy of Christ. He fell on his knees in his cell and cried out for forgiveness. His life was radically changed, and when released, people hardly recognized him.

He began preaching in the very streets he once terrorized. In 1872, he founded the Water Street Mission in New York City—the first rescue mission in America—where drunks, prostitutes, and criminals could hear the gospel, repent, and find new life. Thousands were saved through his testimony. The man who once filled prisons with fear became the man who filled missions with hope. His life illustrates repentance and stands as proof that no one is too far gone to turn to God.

Repentance is a vital part of the Gospel message, no one is saved without repentance! It is so important that it was the message Jesus preached, it was the message that John the Baptist preached (Matt. 3:1–2). It was the message the apostles preached (Mark 6:12; Acts 2:38; Acts 26:20). It was the message all the O.T. prophets preached (Ezek. 18:30; Hos. 14:2). It is the message that must be preached today. Today I will tell you two things about repentance.

I. Repentance is Commanded

Jesus Christ, is not asking us to repent—He commands it! Repentance is unique and vital!

A. What Repentance is Not

Remorse

Remorse means to have a deep regret or guilt for a wrong you have done. It’s primarily an emotional reaction that may bring tears or regret, but it stops short of change. Esau sold his birthright and lost his father blessings he wept bitterly, but found no place for repentance (Heb. 12:17)

2. Resolve

It’s not like a New Year’s resolution where we promise a new set of moral standards we end up breaking in a few days. “This year I resolve to stop talking ugly and I’ll go to church every time the doors are open.” Those resolutions barely last a week. You cannot repent in your own strength!

3. Reform

It’s not turning over a new leaf. Judas Iscariot, after betraying Jesus, reformed.” He gave back the 30 pieces of silver, even flung the coins down the corridors of the temple (Matt. 27:3–5), but he did not repent and his sorrow ended in despair (John 17:12)

B. What Repentance Is

The word Jesus used is the Greek verb metanoeō—it means to change one’s life based on a complete change of attitude and thought concerning sin and righteousness. Simply put, it is a change of mind that leads to a change of life. It is to agree with God about the travesty of your own sin.

In the O.T., the word most often used is shuv (שׁוּב), meaning “turn” or “return.” Repentance is turning away from sin and turning to God.

ILL: Wabush, Canada, was a small, remote town, It was completely isolated until a road was built through the wilderness. But the road is the only one way in—and the only way out. To leave Wabush, you have to turn around! By birth, we each arrive in a town called Sin. And as in Wabush, there’s only one way out—by turning around. That complete about-face is what the Bible calls repentance. Repentance is a complete about face from sin into the arms of God

C. Why Repentance is Necessary

It’s necessary because Christ commands it. “The wages of sin is death,” and without turning from sin you are bound to death and cannot stand in the presence of God.

ILL: Virgil described a cruel Roman punishment: criminals were sometimes chained face-to-face with a corpse until the living man wasted away and died. Without Christ, we are shackled to the corpse of our sin. Life and death cannot coexist indefinitely. But, repentance frees us from certain death. We must repent!

D. Where Repentance Fits In

We are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ Jesus alone! So where does repentance fit? Does it precede faith or follow it? They are both gifts from God and inseparable. Charles Spurgeon called them “Siamese twins…virtually joined together.”

John Calvin said, “Repentance and faith cannot be separated, but they ought to be distinguished.” Repentance and faith happen together—turning from sin and turning to Christ. Have you repented of your sin?

II. Repentance is Commended

Repentance seems daunting—many ask, “Where’s the fun in repentance?” I’ll tell you this: I have had more joy in 20 years as a Christian than in the 28 years before. No guilty conscience, regrets, or hangovers! The day I repented changed my life forever.

Note what Jesus says: “For the kingdom of God is at hand.” The King was present then, and today He is present in my heart! That’s reason enough to repent.

A. Its Motivation

Fear

Some repent dear to Fear of judgment. There is a place called Hell, and its place of eternal torment and separation.

ILL: A politician in Washington awoke after surgery and saw the curtains drawn in his room. “Is it night already?” he asked. “No,” the nurse replied, “but there’s a fire across the street, and we didn’t want you to think the operation was unsuccessful.” We laugh, but hell is no joke. Many will realize too late their need for repentance.”

2. Forgiveness

Others repent seeking God’s forgiveness. The promise stands: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us” (1 John 1:9). Forgiveness is powerful motivation—like the sinful woman in Luke 7 (36-50) whose tears flowed because she was forgiven much.

3. Goodness of God

But, ultimately, it is God’s goodness that leads us to repentance (Rom. 2:4). He could have condemned us instantly, but instead He sent His Son to die for our sin. His kindness draws us to Himself. His grace takes us by the hand and leads us through the darkness of our sin and into the security of His bosom.

B. Its Commendation

Here is the reward of repentance:

Salvation

I have been rescued from sin and restored to the family of God. I can now rightly call God my Father and Jesus by Brother (Jn 20:17) glory hallelujah.

2. Eternal Life

I have eternal life! “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (1 Cor. 15:55). Death has been stripped of its power because of Christ’s resurrection!

ILL: Billy Graham once said, “Someday you will read that Billy Graham is dead. Don’t you believe it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God.”

3. A Heavenly Home

And the Kingdom of God will be my home!  Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). You talk about a forever home—you ain’t seen nothing yet! Gates of pearl roads of gold. How can you compare that to anything in this world, you can’t”

Conclusion: “Jerry McAuley went from a life of crime and prison to a life of preaching and rescue missions. What made the difference? Not remorse. Not resolve. Not reform. But true repentance. And just like Jerry, no one here is too far gone. The same Jesus who commanded Jerry to repent all those years ago commands you to repent today!  Will you repent?”

Invitation Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”