sf1023 - The N Ature Of True Repentance (Mark 1 14-15)
Mark 1:14-15
Introduction
The first recorded sermon of Christ is found in our text. The emphasis of Christ’s sermon is Repentance and Faith (believe).
For the next four weeks we will focus on the first half of the message, repentance.
I will be referring often in our study to a book first published in 1668, written by Thomas Watson entitled The Doctrine of Repentance. Watson was a pastor in England during the seventeenth century and suffered persecution because of his stand for the pure gospel.
Let us begin our study by answering the question:
What is true (godly) repentance?
2 Corinthians 7:9-10 Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
Paul warns against “worldly sorrow” that produces death. If there is a false sorrow or repentance that leads to death it is essential that we can identify true repentance.
Repentance is a grace of God’s Spirit whereby the sinner is inwardly humbled and visibly reformed.
Six essential ingredients in true repentance:
Sight of sin; Sorrow for sin; Confession of sin; Shame for sin; Hatred of sin; Turning from sin.
1A. Sight of Sin
Luke 15:17a But when he came to himself…
Before a man can come to Christ he must first come to himself.
2A. Sorrow for Sin
Psalm 38:18 For I will declare my iniquity; I will be in anguish over my sin.
It is holy agony.
Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart -- These, O God, You will not despise.
“The Christian has arrived at a sufficient measure of sorrow when the love of sin is purged out.”
3A. Confession of Sin
Confession is self-accusing
Psalm 41:4 I said, "LORD, be merciful to me; Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You."
Confession is voluntary
Luke 15:18b …Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you
Confession proceeds from a wounded heart
Psalm 38:4 For my iniquities have gone over my head; Like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.
Confession is specific not general
“A wicked man acknowledges he is a sinner in general…a true convert acknowledges his particular sin.”
The intention must be not to return to those sins.
4A. Shame for Sin
Luke 15:21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
The prodigal was so ashamed of his sin that he would no longer call himself a son.
We should be ashamed because our sin makes us guilty before God.
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Our sins put Christ to shame.
Isaiah 53:3-5 He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. 4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
“When the heart has been made black with sin, grace makes the face red with blushing.”
“Be assured the more we are ashamed of sin now, the less we shall be ashamed at Christ’s coming.”
5A. Hatred of Sin
Ezekiel 36:31 Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities and your abominations.
“Christ is never loved till sin be loathed. Heaven is never longed for till sin be loathed.”
Sound repentance begins in the love of God and ends in the hatred of sin.
Psalm 119:104 Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.
6A. Turning from Sin
Turning from sin involves a notable change.
Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.
Turning from sin involves turning to God
Acts 26:20b …repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.
True turning involves leaving sin to never return to it!
Application
Acts 17:30 "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,
Ezekiel 33:11 Say to them: 'As I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?'