sf1024 - The Necessity Of True Repentance (Luke 13 3)
Luke 13:5
Introduction
Christ proclaimed the absolute necessity of repentance!
“It is not so much to endear us to Christ as to endear Christ to us.” (Watson, 63)
1A. Repentance is Necessary for All People
Acts 17:30 "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent
1B. Unbelievers must repent
Acts 3:19 "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord
2B. Religious people must repent
Acts 20:21 …testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
3B. Hypocrites must repent
2 Timothy 3:5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
“He carries his Bible under his arm, but not in his heart.” (Watson, 68)
4B. God’s people must repent
1 Peter 4:17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God…
Repentance is a continuous act.
Ø It is crucifying the flesh.
Galatians 5:24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Repent of judgmental and divisive attitudes
Repent of vain (empty) thoughts
Repent of immodest dress and worldly ways.
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Repent of disregard of God’s grace
Repent of irreverence toward God and the things of God.
“The sins of the wicked pierce Christ’s side. The sins of the godly go to his heart.” (Watson, 72)
2A. Repentance is Necessary Because of the Nature of Sin
1B. Every sin moves us away from God.
Isaiah 1:4 Alas, sinful nation, A people laden with iniquity, A brood of evildoers, Children who are corrupters! They have forsaken the LORD, They have provoked to anger The Holy One of Israel, They have turned away backward.
2B. Sin violates God’s laws
Nehemiah 9:26 Nevertheless they were disobedient And rebelled against You, Cast Your law behind their backs…
James 2:10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.
3B. Sin is an affront to God
Psalm 5:4-5 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You. 5 The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity.
Psalm 7:11 God is a just judge, And God is angry with the wicked every day.
4B. Sin robs the sinner
He loses God, peace, and his soul.
Ezekiel 18:4 "Behold, all souls are Mine; The soul of the father As well as the soul of the son is Mine; The soul who sins shall die.
Sin is a burden and bondage
Psalm 38:4 For my iniquities have gone over my head; Like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.
Sin is a debt
Romans 4:4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.
Sin is deceiving
Hebrews 3:13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
“Sin first courts, and then kills.” (Watson, 110)
Sin is deadly
Ephesians 2:1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.