New Year’s Eve’s Eve

Repentence: metanoia- knowledge of the truth that causes change.

God opens our eyes to see the knowledge (Holy Spirit).

Then as we know the truth we escape snares (Sanctification)

We need this bc the devil decieves us. He is a liar, he blinds us.

Repentance is sobering up and seeing everything rightly.

Outline

Repentance: What is it?

“Change of mind that Changes action”

A change from sin to obedience, a disposition of the mind that causes action, stop relying on who you are or who your family is or what you have or can do and rely only on God,

Repentance: How does it work?

As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death

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

Repentance: What does it do?

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Repentance: What does it do?

Repentance: What does it do?

Repentance: Why do I need it?

It is the only way.

Jesus say’s he is the only way. And repentance is the only way to Jesus

- Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out

You can’t believe that your way is right and his way is right at the same time. So, you have to turn back from your way.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

English Standard Version Chapter 3

19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,

Rant

See how this tree is given another chance at life. It is given another year to live and give to God what it is designed to do. Here is the nutrients you need: facts about Jesus, conviction about your sin, the urgency of hell under your feet, the power of the Holy Spirit to save you. It is all given to you now. Judgement will come soon. Is it possible that this is your last New Year? Yes.

Is it possible that you will have no newness after this? Some will enter 2019 dead. Some will become alive in 2018. Some will have a New life in the New year. A real life in 2019. They will have a reality that matters deeply. They will be saved. There wont be fear of being found out, there will be freedom to live with purpose. There wont be pain and darkness surrounding you, there will be a light within you shining out, a new plan of how to live, a new reason to love people.

What will be New this year? Will it be you?

Commentaries

The Bible Guide Warnings (13:1–9)

Jesus says these people were not selected for special punishment. They were no more guilty than anyone else. Such events are a warning to get right with God in case our own time comes. Israel is about to be judged—like a tree with a last chance to produce fruit.

Death is the common denominator.

18 people died by accident. some others were killed doing what they were supposed to. Death doesn’t prove righteousness or unrighteousness. Anyone can die, there is nothing special in that.

In fact, we all will die. In verse 3-5 he points out that there is only one way to escape death for real: through repentance.

The fig tree requires 3 years to bear fruit (sometimes 2) to reach maturity.

This parable illustrates the reality that judgment is coming. There will be a time when God will look at you and say “no more, it is time” and then he will look at the fruit you gave him. What is that fruit?

Jesus makes us even more uncomfortable by adding the fact that there has to be real fruit. It can’t just say that it believes in fruit. It needs to be showing the fruit to prove it.

If there is no fruit, there is no fruit. Figless trees are cut down and fruitless people are thrown into hell.

Intro

New Year’s Eve’s Eve

Stand alone- New year, repentance to begin.

New years filled with hope, idea, desire for change.

Why? because we know things need to change.

With the hopeful cheer of the New year brings the sting of the end of the last year.

Looking back we have highs and lows.

We have regrets from this last year. Scars.

Good memories. Laughs. Some good decisions.

Regrets. Scars. And we carry problems with us into the New Year.

Wouldn’t you like to begin the New Year without weight on your shoulders?

Stress, shame, anger, bitterness, guilt eating at your soul.

Wouldn’t that be nice to be able to take a deep breath and feel hopeful about this next year? Not scared of it?

Yes: stick with me.

No: what if we found out. Everyone found out. What if it wasn’t a secret.

The fake idea that you and God are perfectly fine— that there isn’t anything you need to work on with Him.

We all need a restart. Master the restart.

Jesus tells us that death is the common denominator.

18 people died by accident. some others were killed doing what they were supposed to. Death doesn’t prove righteousness or unrighteousness. Anyone can die, there is nothing special in that.

In fact, we all will die. In verse 3-5 he points out that there is only one way to escape death for real: through repentance.

Now we are getting somewhere.

Now I see how we can escape from feeling awful about next year and bearing the weight of all last year.

Repentance

So we all need it, lets talk about what it is.

Repentance: metanoia- knowledge of the truth that causes change.

God opens our eyes to see the knowledge (Holy Spirit).

Then as we know the truth we escape snares (Sanctification)

We need this bc the devil decieves us. He is a liar, he blinds us.

Repentance is sobering up and seeing everything rightly.

Outline

Repentance: What is it?

“Change of mind and change of heart that changes action”

Not just believing in your head--- Even demons believe.

Not just an emotional experience — anyone can make a feeling happen.

Not just an action — there will be a lot of “good people” in hell.

A complete turn around.

- A change from sin to obedience, a disposition of the mind that causes action, stop relying on who you are or who your family is or what you have or can do and rely only on God.

What does it does it do? How does it work?

Repentance: How does it work?

The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, 25 instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth. 26 Then they may come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 2

The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, 25 instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth. 26 Then they may come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

God gives it.

Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

When he gives it it leads to knowledge.

Once they have this true knowledge they will escape this trap.

“senses” being drunk or drugged.

Why am I talking about this?

As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death

I am glad when I make you sad. When I make you good sad.

When you say “I want to see change in my life, I am sad sin is here, I am sad that i have allowed sin into my heart and into my life.”

This is good because it means you are being repentant.

Why Do I Need It?

Repentance: Why do I need it?

It is the only way.

Jesus say’s he is the only way. And repentance is the only way to Jesus

- Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out

Repent- Belief, knowledge, change of mind.

Turn back- change your heart and change your action.

Blot out- so you don’t get cut down.

You can’t believe that your way is right and his way is right at the same time. So, you have to turn back from your way.

This parable illustrates the reality that judgment is coming. There will be a time when God will look at you and say “no more, it is time” and then he will look at the fruit you gave him.

What is that fruit?

It has to be real fruit. It needs to prove that you believe.

The only way to get that fruit is to believe for real. Repent for real.

Jesus makes us even more uncomfortable by adding the fact that there has to be real fruit. It can’t just say that it believes in fruit. It needs to be showing the fruit to prove it.

If there is no fruit, there is no fruit. Figless trees are cut down and fruitless people are thrown into hell.

We are standing on the edge of this next year.

Idk what it holds. Idk where it goes. Idk what is going to happen.

God could call us home at any time. God could walk by and say “Thats enough” at anytime.

Do you believe in the Gospel?

The real one, in the Bible. Not yours. Not just cause someone said it.

Can you point to verses in the Bible and say “HERE! I believe Jesus came and died for me because it teaches it right here!”

The Gospel- What you believe--- is it changing you? Is God changing your life? Are you turning away from the world and bearing fruit for God beceause of what you believe? Is there fruit?

That is what this next year is about. Turning to God.

Maybe for the first time. Maybe for the 1 thousandth.

Showing how much you believe in the Gospel and finding grace to restart and try again when you mess up.

That is why the last day of 2018 and the rest of 2019 is going to be great.

(If you want to turn away from what you have been following, if you want to follow Jesus, if you want to know the truth right now— make a move.

If you want to be sure you will be in heaven— make a move right now. Come up and pray with me. )