Commands of Christ I -- Repent Matt

  Commands of Christ I  Matt. 28:19-20    EBC   12/09/03

  Basis of discipleship is teaching the commands of Christ. Bill Gothard, “his commands are like beacons of light that guide us throughout the course of life”.

I. Repent (Matt. 4:17)

  A. Repentance is not a one-time thing, but is a continual attitude of a humble and contrite heart towards God and others.

    1. It begins with changing our minds and agreeing with God as to what is right and what is wrong in our lives.

    2. Gal. 5:19-21 –

  B. Sorry for the consequences of sin, to ourselves, isn’t repentance

    1. 2 Cor. 7:10 -

  C. What is repentance?

    1. It involves three concepts:

      a. A change of mind about our sin

      b. A change of emotions about sin

      c. A change of direction concerning sin

    2. Psa. 51

    3. Gal. 2:20 – putting to death the old nature and allowing Christ to live thru you

  D. Five steps that are illustrated throughout scripture

    1. Recognize God’s presence (Isa. 6:3,5) only as I know God is watching a weighting everything I do can I develop a repentant spirit

    2. Change our minds (Ezk. 11:19-20) about who is in control of things. Our first inclination is to want to run things ourselves in our lives

    3. Grieve in our hearts over sin (Isa. 53:5)

    4. Walk away from sin (Rom. 13:14) it is not enough to say we’re sorry for sin but we have to hate it enough to walk away from it

    5. Take action directed by God (Acts 2:23, 38-39)

  E. Aspects of repentance

    1. Luke 18:10-12 – Pharisee - proud

    2. Luke 18:13-14 – Publican – humble

  F. Evidence of Salvation

    1. Matt. 3:8 – meet – worthy, of an inherent value, balance scales

      a. Jonah 3:4-10 -

        1. They turned away from wickedness

        2. They turned to God. Repentance has to toward God (1 Thess. 1:8)

  G. What if we don’t feel like repenting? Bill Gothard “the spirit of repentance is actually a gift from God to those who seriously look at the sins they have committed

    1. Satan wants to deceive us into believing we aren’t so bad because we haven’t robbed or killed anyone (in this case we are using the wrong standard).

    2. God wants us to look at ourselves through his law (Rom. 7:7)

      a. Have you ever told a lie? Ex. 20:16

      b. Is there anything more important in your life than God? Ex. 20:3, Mark 12:30

    3. James 2:10   

  H. Rewards of repentance Acts 3:19 –