The Joy of Repentance

dIntro/explanation:

Paul is contending with the Corinthian church to renounce false teachers and side with Paul in the truth of Christ.

Paul had and was still striving to bring both conviction and encouragement to the church at Corinth.

Paul shows his high level of sincerity and seriousness about the church by all he endured to minister to them.

We should take God, His Word, His Church, and His commission VERY SERIOUSLY!!

I. Refreshing and revival can be experienced when true repentance occurs!

Ministry and following Jesus has challenges but God gives great comfort to those who follow Him and repentance without sorrow or regret!!

a. Be comforted by God’s presence and God’s people

b. Have joy in God’s work in you and His church

II. Redemption and refreshing is a result of GOOD GREIF!! Psalm 51 is a great example of expression of good grief

No one thinks of grief as good, but Godly grief is good when it leads to repentance.

Godly sorrow is good sorrow. Sorrow over sin.

It doesn’t mean you should stay in it forever, but we should experience Godly sorrow over sin enough that it leads us to Jesus and away from sin.

Remember the praying will keep you from sinning and sinning will keep you from praying.

RUN FROM SIN!

RUN TO JESUS!!

Believers should grieve over sin and if you are not grieved over breaking God’s heart and grieving Him with your sin, you need to check your heart!

a. Greif over sin that leads to confession, changing direction, and corrective action is GOOD GREIF! It is better to experience grief over sin that to not grieve and not experience repentance.

b. Those God loves, he chastens and His children He corrects.

Worldly grief is due to hurt pride, Godly grief is due to a convicted heart.

Godly sorrow leads to repentance.

Godly grief leads to salvation.

Worldly grief leads to death, spiritually. Godly grief leads to life!

It is not physical, but spiritual death!

Worldly regret sorrows over hurt pride, harmed reputation, lost possessions, etc.

Godly regret sorrows over disobedience and dishonor of God, a concern for one’s witness, sorrow over disrupted fellowship with God and His church.

· Judas was regretful that he got caught, but never showed signs of repenting and asking God’s forgiveness.

· Peter was repentant with Godly sorrow and Jesus restored Him to feeding the sheep of His flock!

· David expressed Godly sorrow in sinning against God in Psalm 51.

· Saul was sorrowful he lost his position

· Zaccheus repented and believed on Jesus as evidenced by His action of repayment. The rich young ruler grieved because he would not give up His wealth.

I have seen hardcore criminals in prison with long sentences have the joy of repentance even though they may not ever see the outside of a prison, they had been set free by the Savior!!

III. Godly sorrow is good grief because it leads to salvation with no regret!

No regret is left when repentance occurs, but joy in forgiveness.

When you repent of sin out of Godly sorrow, He forgives your sin and cleanses you of all unrighteousness.

Godly sorrow leads to confession of sin to God, request of forgiveness from God, and a renewed desire to leave sin and follow after God.

Repentance should be seen in attrition, attitude, and action!

It doesn’t mean you will be sinless, but it means we should sin less.

Rejoice in Truth, live in truth.

Follow Jesus for Joy in repentance.

He’ll accept you if you turn to Him.