What is a Christian(Part 1)-Repentance

What is a Christian(Part 1)-Repentance

Explaining Christianity Purpose: To learn the real meaning of Christianity by looking into the original sources to see what they have to say about the life, teachings and claims of Christ.

Introduction

Review

Jesus’ Authority and Divinity

Jesus’ Death on the Cross

Jesus’ Resurrection from the Dead

Salvation by Grace, Not Works

What is a Christian?

Mark 1:15 “and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.””

Jesus preached His first sermon just after John the Baptist was arrested. Entering Galilee, He began proclaiming the gospel of God, declaring, “The time is fulfilled.” By this He meant that the long‑awaited Messiah, who would save His people from their sins, had come. Salvation was now at hand because God’s kingdom had broken into the world in the person of the Son of God. His message was urgent and simple: repent and believe the gospel—the good news that He had come to save. Tonight we will consider what it means to repent, and next time we will explore what it means to believe.

Acts 3:19

“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.”

Repentance means turning back to God.

It brings forgiveness—sins are “blotted out,” erased by His mercy.

Emphasis: Repentance is the doorway to cleansing and restoration.

Acts 20:21

“Testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Repentance is inseparable from faith in Christ.

It is not mere sorrow for sin, but a reorientation toward God.

Emphasis: Repentance and faith are two sides of the same coin.

Acts 26:20b

“That they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.”

True repentance produces visible fruit—changed behavior.

It is both inward and outward, demonstrated in deeds.

Emphasis: Repentance is proven by a transformed life.

Luke 13:3

“No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

Repentance is urgent and necessary for salvation.

Without it, the consequence is eternal separation from God.

Emphasis: Repentance is not optional—it is life or death.

2 Corinthians 7:10

“For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.”

Repentance begins with godly sorrow—a grief over sin that leads to life.

Contrast: worldly sorrow (regret without change) leads to despair.

Emphasis: Repentance is Spirit‑driven sorrow that results in salvation.

Romans 6:6–8

“We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.”

Repentance is tied to union with Christ’s death and resurrection.

The old self dies; the new life begins.

Emphasis: Repentance is liberation from sin’s power, leading to new life in Christ.

1 Thessalonians 1:9–10

“You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

Repentance is a turning from idols to serve God.

It is both active (serving) and hopeful (waiting for Christ’s return).

Emphasis: Repentance reorients worship—away from false gods, toward the living God.

Westminster Shorter Catechism

“Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, does, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it to God, with full purpose of, and endeavor after, new obedience.”

Repentance means to put Christ first... There are 5 s’s that will help us to understand true biblical repentance. Before Self, Before our stuff, before our Status, before our Sinful Desires and to place Christ first, Even When it Seems Too Hard.

Here’s a clarified and polished version of your reflection, shaped into a clear teaching outline with emphasis and application:

Repentance – Christ First Before Self

Mark 8:34–35

“And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.’”

The Call of Jesus to the crowd and his disciples...

To deny self → Lay down personal will, desires, and ambitions.

To take up the cross → Embrace sacrifice and obedience, even when costly.

To follow Him→ Walk in His way, submitting to His Lordship above all else.

Turning Points of Repentance

Turn from self-will→ Release “what I want” in favor of God’s will.

Turn from self-interest→ Seek the good of others rather than personal gain.

Turn to Christ’s ambitions→ Surrender desires and ambitions to the Lordship of Jesus.

Evidence of Placing Christ First

In decisions:

Do your choices bless others rather than serve convenience or self-interest?

Do you pause to consider how your actions affect those around you?

In time and service:

Do you freely give of your time, even when it costs you comfort?

Is serving others woven into your daily rhythm, or only an afterthought?

In lifestyle:

Denying self is not a one-time act but a daily posture.

Following Christ means consistently placing Him above self, comfort, and ambition.

Emphasis

Repentance is more than turning from sin—it is turning from self.

True discipleship means Christ first: before self, before comfort, before ambition.

The measure of repentance is seen in a life that consistently places Christ and others above personal desires.

Repentance – Christ First… Before My  Stuff(possessions)                              

Mark 8:36–37 “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?” ;

Jesus’ warning: There is no true profit in gaining the whole world if it costs us our soul.

Context: When Jesus gathered His disciples and the crowd, He taught that the Son of Man must suffer, be rejected, die, and rise again—an announcement that contradicted their expectations of the Messiah.

Application: In the same way, becoming a Christian often feels opposite to what we assume about trusting God. Instead of clinging to life and possessions, we discover that true gain comes through surrender—giving up our lives and entrusting all we have to the Lord.

Result: In surrender, everything we once claimed as our own becomes His, and He uses it for the good of His kingdom.

1 Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”

Paul, teaching young pastor Timothy in Ephesus, reminds us that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. Money itself is not inherently evil, but the love of it corrupts. This craving has caused many to walk away from the faith and brought much suffering.

Repentance means realizing that eternal life is worth far more than our possessions and temporary riches.

How can I tell that I am placing Christ before my possessions?

Do I feel anxious when I give generously, or do I trust Christ to provide?

Do I measure my worth by what I own, or by who I am in Christ?

Am I willing to lose possessions if following Christ demands it?

Do I see my home, money, and time as resources for His kingdom?

Repentance – Christ First… Before My Status (reputation)                         

Mark 8:38 “For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.””

Jesus makes it clear that following Him is not something we can do halfway or in secret. If we are ashamed of Him or His words in this sinful and adulterous generation, then He will also be ashamed of us when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.

To be ashamed means to shrink back, to feel embarrassed, or to hide our allegiance to Christ out of fear of what others might think. But the call of discipleship is the opposite—it is to stand boldly, even when it costs us popularity, comfort, or acceptance.

John Stott captured this tension well: “Either we are unfaithful in order to be popular, or we will look unpopular in order to be faithful. We can’t be both.” The choice is stark: we either live for the approval of people or for the approval of God—and only one of those lasts into eternity.

How can I know if Christ is before my reputation?

Do I hesitate to share my faith because of what others might think?

Do I compromise truth to protect my image?

Do I care more about God’s approval than human applause?

Am I willing to be misunderstood if it means being faithful to Christ?

Repentance – Christ First… Before My  Sinful Desires                             

Mark 9:43–48 “And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’”

Jesus makes it clear that following Him is not something we can do halfway or in secret. If we are ashamed of Him or His words in this sinful and adulterous generation, then He will also be ashamed of us when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.

To be ashamed means to shrink back, to feel embarrassed, or to hide our allegiance to Christ out of fear of what others might think. But discipleship calls us to the opposite—to stand boldly, even when it costs us popularity, comfort, or acceptance.

John Stott put it plainly: “Either we are unfaithful in order to be popular, or we will look unpopular in order to be faithful. We can’t be both.” The choice is stark: we either live for the approval of people or for the approval of God—and only one of those lasts into eternity.

How can I know if Christ is before my reputation?

Do I hesitate to share my faith because of what others might think?

Do I compromise truth to protect my image?

Do I care more about God’s approval than human applause?

Am I willing to be misunderstood if it means being faithful to Christ?

Repentance – Christ First… Even When it Seems Too Hard

Mark 10:29–31 “Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.””

Jesus acknowledges the cost of being His disciple—leaving behind family, possessions, and security. Repentance often calls us to surrender what feels most precious, what we are most comfortable with, or what we value most. The cost is real: relationships strained, opportunities lost, persecution endured.

Yet Jesus assures us that no sacrifice for His sake is wasted. He promises, “Whoever has left… will receive a hundredfold now in this time … and in the age to come eternal life.” The reward is both present—spiritual family, provision, joy in Christ—and future—eternal life. Even with persecutions, the reward far outweighs the loss.

Look at verse 31: “Many who are first will be last, and the last first.” The world prizes wealth, status, and ease. Christ values humility, sacrifice, and faithfulness. Repentance reorders our priorities: what looks like loss in the world is gain in the kingdom.

How do we apply Christ first… even when it seems too hard?

With our families: Choosing Christ even when relatives don’t understand.

With our career decisions: Walking away from lucrative opportunities that compromise faith.

With our comfort zones: Enduring ridicule, rejection, or hardship for the sake of the gospel.

During trials and persecution: Remaining faithful when culture opposes biblical truth.

Conclusion

Here’s your reflection clarified and polished while keeping your strong, pastoral voice intact:

Repentance – Christ First

Repentance is more than turning away from sin—it is a radical reordering of life where Christ takes His rightful place above every competing priority.

Christ before Self→ surrendering our own will and ambitions to follow Him.

Christ before Stuff → loosening our grip on possessions and recognizing that eternal treasure outweighs temporary riches.

Christ before Status→ choosing His approval over human applause and refusing to be ashamed of His name.

Christ before Sin→ cutting off habits, desires, and pride that lead us astray, even when it feels costly.

Christ before Sacrifice→ trusting His promise that every loss for His sake is met with His presence now and eternal joy to come.

The world promises pleasure, wealth, reputation, and ease—but these fade and deceive. Christ promises life, peace, and eternal reward. His promises are greater than our sacrifices, His presence stronger than our pain, and His eternal kingdom worth more than anything the world can offer.

Repentance is not about deprivation—it is about liberation. It is the joyful declaration: 👉 “Christ first—before my Self, my Stuff, my Status, my Sin, and even my Sacrifice.”

How do I become a Christian?

By putting Christ first as you…

(repent).Turn from sin

(believe).Trust in Jesus

Obey His commands—the fruit of repentance and faith is a life of obedience.

The Invitation of Jesus

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28–29)

Jesus Himself calls the weary, the burdened, and the broken to lay down their striving and find true rest in Him. Repentance means turning from self‑rule and worldly promises, and putting Christ first—even when it feels costly or hard. His yoke is not heavy, but life‑giving; His heart is gentle, not harsh.

The Question

Will you put Christ first?