The Role of Repentance 11-16PM
The Role of Repentance (Corinth Baptist – 11/16/08 PM)
Luke 17:3
Introduction:
God desires that there be unity and harmony among His people, but He does not encourage achieving unity by glossing over differences.
I. Repentance:
A. Its relationship to sorrow: (2 Co 7:10)
1. Sorrow may accompany it but it is not the same.
a. Sorrowful feelings equal regret.
b. Repentance is not first a feeling.
2. Sorrow without repentance is common.
3. Repentance will produce sorrow, but sorrow may come later.
B. Meaning (Luke 22:32; Isa. 55:7–8):
1. To turn, to do an about face in thinking that leads to change of life.
2. Mental alteration of thought that leads to change of life. (Ro. 12:1-2)
3. Turning from one’s own sinful ways and thoughts to a position of Bible holiness.
C. Changes of thinking:
1. From “I can get away with it” to “God knows all about it.”
2. From “It is good for me or can bring me happiness” to “It will surely ruin me and my happiness” (no genuine child of God can think for long that sin is a pathway to happiness).
3. From “I can keep this up as long as I want” to “I must stop at once.”
4. From hardened toward God and others to a rekindling of concern.
D. Summary:
1. Repentance is seeing one’s sin as sin.
2. Repentance is turning from pride to humility (seeing self as unworthy).
3. Repentance is a prerequisite to forgiveness.
4. Repentance is the opposite of excuse-making and blame-shifting.
5. Repentance is the frank admission of wrong thinking that led to wrong doing.
II. Confession
A. Definition:
1. Confession – declaration of guilt, acknowledgment, admission
2. Outward expression of inward admission that I am (or was) wrong.
3. A verbal admission of wrong made in the presence of the wronged party.
B. Confession is NOT...:
1. Informing a human priest in the confession booth.
2. Giving God information. "God, You won't believe what I've done."
3. Speculating. "IF...I have sinned..." "I have...."
4. Saying "I'm sorry..." "....just a joke!"
5. Asking/pleading to God for forgiveness for our sins. Forgiveness already available in Christ's death.
6. Plea-bargaining for a lesser charge. "Yes...but...."
7. Emotional groveling; mental contortions.
8. Psychological catharsis. "Feel good when you get it off your chest"
9. Superficial or flippant incantation. (Sin was reason for Jesus' death).
10. "Confessionalism" - (Excessive sin-consciousness; wallowing in weakness; focusing on 'flesh'; navel-gazing introspection; "Worm-theology"; Pride of sinfulness; back-handed basis of spirituality; exhibitionism; revel in relating sinfulness in testimony; Who was the worst?)
11. Based on false established attitudes which create false-guilt and false-confession. Some try to agree with God that something is wrong, when God never said it is sin. But, if not done in faith, it is sin. (Rom. 14:23).
C. Confession is...:
1. Ceasing to deceive ourselves - I John 1:8
2. Ceasing to continue the defense mechanisms of denial, avoidance, distortion, cover-up.
3. Calling sin "sin." Calling a spade a spade!
4. To recognize, admit, acknowledge, concede and declare our guilt of sin.
5. Part of repentance. A change of mental attitude leading to changed behavioral action.
6. Inclusive of asking forgiveness for wronging another person.
7. Inclusive of restitution - Numb. 5:7; Lk. 19:8
D. Summary:
1. Confession is admitting what one has been charged with.
2. Confession is first step to reconciliation.
Conclusion:
Repentance stresses that God wants things actually dealt with rather than glossed over. Repentance and confession are necessary, for not only real forgiveness, but also continued fellowship with God the Father and the brethren.