Scripture Reading: Jonah 3

The Difficulties of Repentance

Intro.

1. Gospel preaching, and its salvation, requires repentance, Lk. 24:46-47.

2. Without repentance we will perish in our sins, Lk. 13:3, 5.

3. It is not easy to repent.

4. Repentance puts demands upon us, Lk. 3:8, 10.

-Admit our sin, Acts 2:37, 41; 1 Jno. 1:8-9.

-Change our mind toward our sin, Matt. 22:28-32 (Lk. 15:17).

-Have godly sorrow over our sin, 2 Cor. 7:10.

Then…

-Bear fruit that corresponds to change of heart (repentance), Acts 26:20 (Rev. 2:5); 2 Cor. 7:11.

-Stop sinning, Rev. 9:20-21 (“…heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins,” OBGL, #3340).

I. SOME OF THE DIFFICULTIES OF REPENTANCE.

A. Repentance is Far-Sweeping, Col. 3:5-11 (2 Cor. 5:17, all things new).

1. Every part of our life is touched when we fully repent, 2 Cor. 12:21.

2. Put off the old man with his deeds (comprehensive), Col. 3:9.

3. Put on the new man…acc. to image of Christ, Col. 3:10 (Gal. 2:20).

4. Any concept of repentance that doesn’t touch every part of our lives to conform us to the image of Christ is not Bible repentance.

B. Repentance is Deliberate, Jonah 3:1-10; Lk. 11:32.

1. With premeditation, purpose and conscious effort, Eph. 4:20-24.

2. Takes a full examination of our life to repent, Lk. 3:7-8.

3. Deliberate nature of repentance: Jonah 3:1-10 – Lk. 11:32.

a. Truth was preached (3:1-4). Without God’s word there can be no repentance unto salvation (Lk. 11:32; 24:47).

b. Truth was believed (3:5). No faith, no repentance (Eph. 4:20-21).

c. Humble dependence (3:5-9). Fasting and prayer: Sought God’s hearing and mercy.

d. Turn from evil (3:8, 10). To God from sin (Acts 26:20; 1 Thess. 1:9).

4. God saw their works, 3:10; Lk. 11:32. Repentance is hard work.

5. Any concept of repentance that says you do not have to change your lifestyle in order to repent is not Bible repentance.

C. Repentance is Emotional.

1. Emotional recognition of sin leads one to repent (2 Cor. 7:10).

2. Repentance necessitates emotional changes in one’s life, Ezra 9-10.

a. The sin, Ezra 9:1-2, 4, 10-12.

b. Ezra’s emotional confession (overwhelming grief), 9:3, 6, 13-15; 10:6

c. The emotion of the people, 10:1.

d. The emotional remedy of repentance, 10:2-4, 9.

e. The sin and its remedy: Confess, do God’s will, separate, 10:10-12.

f. The remedy applied, 10:19, 44.

3. They put away unlawful spouses and children, ending their unlawful marriages.

4. Emotional pain of the teacher of truth (9:3; 2 Cor. 2:4), the sinner (9:4; 10:1), and those affected by sinner’s repentance (10:44).

5. Today many believe they can remain in unlawful marriages when they obey the gospel and learn their marriage is sinful (Matt. 19:9-12; Rom. 7:2-3).

6. Any concept of repentance that says, “just be sorry for your sin and don’t do it again,” while allowing you to remain in your sin, is not Bible repentance, Rom. 6:1-2; 1 Cor. 6:9-11.

II. INCENTIVES TO REPENT OF EVERY SIN.

Positive

Negative

Acts 17:30-31

Commandment of God

Judgment Day

Romans 2:4-6

Goodness of God

Wrath of God

2 Peter 3:8-10

Longsuffering of God

World Dissolved

Conclusion

1. Outcome of repentance:

a. Forgiveness (remission) of our sins, Acts 2:38; 8:22.

b. Escape God’s wrath against our sin (Jonah 3:10), Lk. 13:5; Rom. 5:9.

c. Obtain an inheritance, Acts 26:18-20.

2. God’s goodness and God’s punishment of sin should lead you to repent – now.

By: Joe R. Price

Posted May 6, 2019