Text: Matthew 3:1-12
Memory Verses:
1. “For Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation” 11 Corinthians 7:10
2. “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance” Matthew 3:8
Introduction:
Repentance is a change of thought and action to correct a wrong and gain forgiveness from a person who is wronged. In Christian contexts, it usually refers to confession to God, ceasing to sin against God, and resolving to live according to God’s commandments. It typically includes an admission of guilt, a promise or resolve not to repeat the offense; an attempt to make restitution for the wrong, or in some way to reverse the harmful effects of the wrong where possible.
Many think the word repent means “to get your act together” or to “get religion” or “fly straight”; as if we could. Repentance requires taking in a whole new point of view; looking at it God’s way. God simply asks us to turn. This is the way we accept His gift. When we do, certain outcomes are promised. If we don’t, or we “turn back”, alternate outcomes are promised.
NB: There are crocodile tears forms of repentance. This is face-value / fake repentance and therefore such only brings fake results. Our focus in today’s lesson would be on genuine repentance.
1. WHY IS REPENTANCE NECESSARY?
- Without true repentance, there can’t be any genuine salvation Acts 3:19
- Repentance is essential to prepare us for heaven & qualify us to enter / see heaven. Matthew 3:2; 4:17; John 3:3
- It is a commandment of God that every body must repent – Mark 6:12; Acts 2:38 & 17:30 because the grace of God that bringeth salvation has appeared unto all. Titus 2:11
- Failure to repent will lead to eternal condemnation Luke 13:3. This is often termed the “Turn or Burn” passage.
2. WHAT ARE THE THINGS INVOLVED IN TRUE REPENTANCE?
- Attitudinal change or change in the way of thinking.
– Attitude change – Hatred to sins & love for righteousness.
– Thought Change – Thoughts of evil change to thoughts of good.
- A truly repented soul will be sorrowful for the past wrong doing. Psalm 38:18. For instance, the Publican was sorrowful for his sins with contrite and sober heart Luke 18:13
- True repentance involves return to God i.e.
– Stop sinning through determination in the power of the Holy Spirit.
– Believing that through God you can have the power not to sin again – John 1:12
– Believe in your heart that sin will not have dominion over you – Rom 6:14 (You can live without sin)
3. WHAT ARE THE RESULTS OF TRUE REPENTANCE
- It brings pardon from the Lord. Ps. 103:12
- It leads to blotting away of sins. Psalm 51:1, 9; Isaiah 43:25; 44:22; Colossians 2:14
- Genuine repentance leads to pardon and mercy from the Lord – Isaiah 55:7; Proverbs. 28:13
- Genuine repentance brings true joy
- Genuine repentance produces fruits Luke 3:8
- It transforms one from being an enemy of God to being a friend of God – Ephesians 2:1-7 & Colossians 1:20-23
4. HOW CAN I TRULY REPENT?
In true repentance, there is conviction (where sin is admitted), contrition (where sin is abhorred), and conversion (where sin is abandoned) as one turns from his sin to Christ for salvation.
- The first step of repentance is to recognize and acknowledge that you’ve committed a sin against God’s commandments – Jeremiah 3:12-15
- Feel true Godly sorrow for what you’ve done and for disobeying Heavenly Father. Ask the Lord Jesus to grant you repentance – Acts 5:31; 11:18, (Let the Holy Spirit convict you) – Acts 2:37; 2 Corinthians. 7:10
– Also feel sorrow for any pain you may have caused toward other people and confess to them if need be – James 5:16
- Go to God (your heavenly Father) in prayer through Jesus Christ and be honest with him and tell him of your sin(s) – 1 John 1:9
– Determine in your mind to forsake the sins.
– Ask for divine power never to return to the sin again
- Make a promise to yourself and to God that you will never repeat the sin – Proverbs 28:13
- Recommit yourself to obeying God’s commandments.
- Rest upon the Holy Spirit to live the rest of your life above sins – Romans 6:10-14
– Repent and turn away quickly once you commit sin again.
Read Acts 2:14 – 38
Discussion: Why do people who after their repentance still go back to commit sins? Proverbs 26:11
5. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
Serious Questions to Consider
Is the preaching of repentance important?
Jesus thought so enough that He preached it. John the Baptist preached it (Matt. 3:1-2). The apostles were commanded to preach it: “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47).
Who is commanded to repent?
“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:” (Acts 17:30).
The good, the bad, the rich, the poor, the old, the young, the educated, and the uneducated — every man must repent because we are all sinners. Notice it is God’s command that is to be obeyed, now.
What happens if you don’t repent?
“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3, 5).
The worst thing in the world for any person is to perish in their sins without Christ as their Saviour and spend an eternity in the lake of fire, to be tormented and suffer forever and ever.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16-17).
Turn from yourself and sin and turn to the Lord Jesus Christ to save your soul — that is the sinner’s only hope.
6. ASSIGNMENT
Read the following scriptures and bring out the key issues in the content.
Romans 7:13; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 1 John 1:8-9; 3:5