Unless Ye Repent Ye Shall all Likewise Perish

Unless Ye Repent Ye Shall all Likewise Perish

Text: Luke 13 (KJV 1900)

13 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answering said unto them,

Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?

3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. 7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? 8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

Introduction:

* Jesus went about preaching “repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand!”

* When I was a young boy, I would go door to door with my father telling people about Jesus. We used to call this “soul winning.”

* Our church did this every Thursday evening, rain or shine, summer, winter, spring, and fall, every week.

* When we started keeping records, I know that we had visited every house in Jefferson City Tennessee at least 3 times before I moved away and lost track.

* One of the first things I leaned as I would go out soul winning with my dad is that everyone one was already saved! Everyone was a Christian! Everyone was going to heaven when they die!

* Now we definitely know better than that because Jesus told us that the way to heaven was a narrow way and there will be few that find that way.

Matthew 7:13–14 (KJV 1900)

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

* According to Jesus, the majority of folks are not going to be saved, but are going to Hell. That is a sad truth.

* Now the amazing thing is that everybody says they are going to heaven!

* The point I am trying to make this morning is that most people plan on going to heaven, but only those who “repented” will go to Heaven.

* Those who find the narrow way of salvation, are the folks who have truly “repented.”

* This is what Jesus preached.

* Turn with me to Matthew chapter 4 and verse 17.

* Here we find in a nutshell what Jesus preached as He went through the villages preaching.

Matthew 4:17–19 (KJV 1900)

17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

* Let me remind you of what Jesus preached in our text verse:

3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

* Jesus preached “repent” or perish, or in other words, repent or go to hell! What was Jesus message?

* The message that Jesus preached was either turn or burn!

* If this repenting thing will keep us out of Hell, then by all means we must find out what it means to repent lest we go to that awful place!

* What does did Jesus mean when he told people they must repent?

* What does this repentance look like?

I. Repentance is a personal confession of Sin.

* Repentance is admitting you are a guilty sinner.

* You come forward and shake the preacher’s hand, sing a card, say the sinners prayer, or any number of things that we do to try to get people saved, but nothing will get a person to Heave, or keep a person from going to Hell but repenting of our sin before a Holy God.

* We have in the Bible the example of what repenting means in the person of John the Baptist. Like Jesus, John the Baptist preached that we must repent before we can be saved!

* Listen to the worlds of Matthew chapter 3 and verse 1:

Matthew 3:1–2 (KJV 1900)

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Matthew 3:5–6 (KJV 1900)

5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, 6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

II. Repentance is turning from self-righteousness.

Matthew 3:7–12 (KJV 1900)

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father:

for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

* Jesus told a series of parables in the book of Luke to illustrate a contrast between those who repent and those who are unrepentant:

* Turn in your Bible with me to Luke chapter 15 and verse one:

* As Jesus begins to address those gathered to hear him preach, he is confronted with two groups of people- the repentant sinner, and the un-repentant, self-righteous folks:

* In this instance the self-righteous folks are religious, but you don’t have to be religious to be self-righteous.

* As a matter of fact, some of the most self-righteous people I have ever known would never darken the door of a church, but they will not hesitate to tell you about those “hypocrites” down a “such and such” church.

* This kind of non-religious, self-righteous folks are always shouting “you can’t judge me!” You need to get the beam out of your own eye before you say something about my sin!”

* In their own eyes, they are more righteous than others. That reminds me of another story Jesus told to illustrate a self-righteous attitude:

* Hold your place in Luke 15 and I will read you this story:

Luke 18:9–14 (KJV 1900)

9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying,

God be merciful to me a sinner.

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

* Now you should be holding your place at Like chapter 15 with me. Let’s turn our focus to again to another story that illustrates the difference between the repentant sinner, and the self-righteous:

Luke 15:1–32 (KJV 1900)

* Group one- those who were not self-righteous:

Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

* Group two- those who were self-righteous:

2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

* Jesus gives a description of repentance:

3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

* The verdict: Jesus judges between the repentant sinners and the religious, self- righteous.

7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.

10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

A Story of two Sons, one who pictures repentance, and one who pictures self-righteousness:

* The first son- a repentant sinner…

11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him,

Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants,

Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

* The second son- who represents a self-righteous, un-repentant person…

25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. 29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

* This second son illustrates for us that true repentance is turning from our own righteousness.

* The prophet Isaiah tells us that a man that thinks he is righteous on his own stinks in the nostrils of God:

Isaiah 64:5–6 (KJV 1900)

6 But we are all as an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags;

* The apostle Paul tells us that no one that is righteous in the eyes of God:

Romans 3:10–12 (KJV 1900)

10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

* Again, repentance is turning away from our self-righteousness.

III. Repentance is turning to, and trusting in the righteousness that only God can give.

* The Holy God only has one standard to judge men by- Absolute perfection!

* This is why God sent His own son to die on the cross. So that Jesus, the perfect, sinless, spotless, lamb of God, might cleanse us from all our sin and give the righteousness of God to us.

* Turn with me in your Bible to II Corinthians 5:17:

2 Corinthians 5:17–21 (KJV 1900)

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

* Now look down at verse 21- I want you to get this wonderful truth this morning- Jesus came to trade places with the sinner.

. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

* Jesus took your sin upon Himself.

* While Jesus suffered on that cross, he took the sins of the un-righteous sinner upon himself.

* While hanging on that cross, God rejected His own son and turned His face away from Him because of your sin.

* When you repent of your sin, and come to Jesus for forgiveness of your sins, He cleanses you from your old sin, and then He gives you His perfect righteousness to satisfy the Holiness of God as He looks upon you for all eternity.

* Repentance is turning from your self-righteousness that only God can give.

* Repentance is turning from your own righteousness and trusting only in the righteousness that comes by believing in the name of Jesus.