The Beauty Of Repentance

Satisfied Minister

Paul had faced many trials and tribulations in his ministry. He was rejected, beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, stoned, betrayed, and many other adverse situations in his ministry. He simply puts it that there was no rest for his flesh because of “conflicts without” and “fears within”. Paul was a man dedicated to ministering the gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world.

Everywhere Paul went he faced adversity. Not only from the places that he went and what they did to him, but he also had internal battles within him.

Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to [b]torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast [c]about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with [d]insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor. 12:7-10

Comfort comes from the Lord

Paul learned that though he faced adversity at every turn in ministry, he also recieved the comfort of the Lord. Paul mentioned that he was in a state of depression and the Lord sent Titus to him to lift his spirit. What lifted his spirit was the concern for him from the church at Corinth. They had responded faithfully to the letter he sent to them chastising them for falling into sin and following the Judaisers.

Ministry can be very arduous. A person puts a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into ministry. There is a lot of time and effort that is given to ministering to others. There are times where you feel that your efforts are in vain and you begin to ask the question, “what’s the point?” Then God gives you a revelation and pulls back the veil so you can see that ministry efforts are always worth it.

I want to give you an example of what I am talking about. VBS is a prime example. Early on in the COVID pandemic Kelli and I agreed that we did not want to call off VBS. I faced a lot of scrutiny from my peers, saying that I was not being very responsible. However, I prayed and the Lord just wouldn’t let me cancel it. I broached the subject with Kelli once again and she had the same sentiment. So we cautiously proceeded with VBS. The church came along side and supported it with the necessary volunteers. Then the Lord pulled back the veil and revealed why we did the right thing by having VBS. We witnessed it last Sunday. 5 Baptisms!

Godly Sorrow Brings Repentance

Paul wrote a scathing letter to the Corinthians for their sin and abandonment. This grieved him to have to write it. He knew that it was going to cause pain and sorrow. Initially he regretted writing the letter, but after seeing the fruit of the letter he no longer regretted it. The church at Corinth took the letter understanding the love that Paul had for them and made the conformed to the commandments in the letter. Sure it was hurtful to receive the letter but it produced repentance.

The Greek word for repentance is Metanoia. It means to have an inward change. This simply means that the Corinthians had a heart change regarding the sin and the law. They no longer desired sin, but righteousness. The no longer sought salvation through the law but by grace. An inward change is true repentance. Simply feeling bad or what you have done is not true repentance. You must have the desire to change. You submit that desire to the Holy Spirit and He helps you make the necessary adjustments. This is what Jesus Commands to his disciples!

Now after John had been [h]taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, [i]preaching the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God [j]is at hand; repent and [k]believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:14-15

Once a person repents it is then that they can be changed. The Greek word for believe is Pistis. This simply means to have an outward change. Once you have the inward change the Holy Spirit guides you on ow to make the external changes.

Repentance leads to salvation

Paul says that repentance leads to salvation. A person cannot be saved without repentance. True repentance is something only the Holy Spirit can do. We must be willing to submit our hearts to Jesus in order for this to happen. We must believe in the power of Christ to change us. It requires faith. Let me give you an example of two people in the Bible that failed miserably. One had true repentance and the other had worldy sorrow. They are Peter and Judas.

Lets first look at Peter.

21 From that time [r]Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. 22 Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “[s]God forbid it, Lord! This shall never [t]happen to You.” Matt. 16:21-22

Then Jesus *said to them, “You will all [i]fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, ‘I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered.’ 32 But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 33 But Peter said to Him, “Even though all may [j]fall away because of You, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you that this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” 35 Peter *said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You.” All the disciples said the same thing too. Matt 26:31-35

Peter was proud and arrogant and swore he would stand by Jesus side. Jesus had to deal with his pride by allowing Satan to sift him like wheat.

31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has [d]demanded permission to sift you like wheat; 32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32

After they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter was sitting among them. 56 And a servant-girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight and looking intently at him, said, “This man was with Him too.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.” 58 A little later, another saw him and said, “You are one of them too!” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” 59 After about an hour had passed, another man began to insist, saying, “Certainly this man also was with Him, for he is a Galilean too.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Luke 22:55-61

Peter failed Jesus miserably 3 times. He denied him. Jesus restored him three times

15 So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus *said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you [f]love Me more than these?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I [g]love You.” He *said to him, “Tend My lambs.” 16 He *said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you [h]love Me?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I [i]love You.” He *said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” 17 He *said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you [j]love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you [k]love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I [l]love You.” Jesus *said to him, “Tend My sheep. John 21:15-17

Now lets look at Judas

14 Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What are you willing to give me [a]to [b]betray Him to you?” And they weighed out thirty [c]pieces of silver to him. 16 From then on he began looking for a good opportunity to [d]betray [e]Jesus. Matt. 26:14-16

47 While He was still speaking, behold, a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was preceding them; and he approached Jesus to kiss Him. 48 But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” Luke 22:47-48

Judas felt bad for what he did and tried to return the money.

3 Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty [a]pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to that yourself!” 5 And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself Matt. 27:3-5

Judas was dead by the time Jesus rose from the dead.

So why did Jesus save Peter and not Judas. The answer is the faith necessary for repentance. Worldly sorrow leads to despair. This is what Judas had. We know this by him taking his own life for what he did. He didn’t believe Jesus could forgive him.

Peter did know that Jesus could forgive him based on what Jesus told him.

31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has [d]demanded permission to sift you like wheat; 32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-31

Jesus promised Peter that his faith would not fail.

We must have faith in the forgiveness of God and his power to lead us to repentance. Otherwise you will just feel bad for what you have done and have worldly sorrow.

Strong Words Given In Love Have A Powerful Affect

Paul mentioned that the strong letter that he wrote produced vindication, zeal, and avenging what is wrong. Often times the right words at the right time in the right way have a powerful affect.

I know for me I trust my wife to be that source to tell me what I need to hear. There are many times that I don’t want to hear it or like to hear it, but I need to hear it. I must admit that she is right most of the time and I must make the necessary adjustments that she says. There is only one other that does it more effectively. That is the Holy Spirit, when I study God’s word. He reveals true modifications that I must make.

Conclusion

Have you truly repented or do you just feel sorry for some of the things you have done. That can change this morning if you are willing to give your life to Jesus, Repent of your sins, and follow Jesus .