The Turnaround: Repentance

Introduction: The Process of Repentance

Repentance is not a change of behavior

Controlling

restrictive

restrained

as a judge

as wrath against enemies

as angry with sinners

but people never think of God as happy and joyous

God has joy over sinners who repent

Luke 15:7 NKJV

I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

Luke 15:10 NKJV

Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

And unlike people today who lie and act like Jesus just hung out with sinners Jesus evangelized sinner.

His goal was to bring God joy by helping sinners to be reconciled back to God through repentance.

We are at the turning point in the story or the turnaround in the story

We are also at the point where Jesus is going to show us the emotion of God, the happiness of God, and the joy of God.

Recap

A Disrespectful Request

The Younger son asked for his inheritance.

He no longer wants to be under his Father’s guidance.

He wants to go his own way and he wants to live life in the world.

A Disrespectful Rebellion

He goes into the world and spends all of his inheritance.

He then finds himself in need in the world where there is now a famine.

He joins himself to the people of the world.

He seeks the counsel of a person in the world.

He finds himself in a situation that symbolizes its against everything he comes from.

The Realization

Luke 15:17 NKJV

“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

The Repentance

Luke 15:18 NKJV

I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you,

We have to humble ourselves which means to be lowly

We rise up because the way up is down

We have to acknowledge in repentance that the sin first is against God!

We have to acknowledge in repentance we sinned in front of people.

Luke 15:19 NKJV

and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’

Repent requires remorse

The must be

The Recourse

Luke 15:20 NKJV

“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.

Repentance requires faithfulness

Repentance requires action

Repentance garners compassion from God

Luke 15:21 NKJV

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.’

Repentance requires confession to God

Conclusion

True Repentance Requires Realization

True Repentance Requires Changed Behavior

True Repentance Requires Action