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Scripture Reading:  Acts 26:15-20

Reasons to Repent

(Why should I repent?)

Intro.

1.  The gospel is a call to repentance unto life – Acts 26:17-20 (11:18).

2.  We must not be like Esau! – Heb. 12:14-17

   -Defilement of profane living causes bitterness that keeps sinners (us) from repenting.

3.  We must understand what repentance is:

  a.  “I’m sorry” is not repentance, 2 Cor. 7:9-10.

  b.  A change of heart that results in a changed life – Acts 26:20; Rev. 9:20-21.

4.  Repentance grows out of sorrow for ours sins, being convicted by the word of God to change our hearts (& lives) – Neh. 9:1-3.

5.  Satan blinds us to the seriousness of sin & the need to repent.  He minimizes sin & maximizes self.

6.  If we cannot repent we will not confess sin – Jas. 5:16.

  a.  Who wants to confess (admit) they are wrong & a sinner?!  It is embarrassing, humiliating, etc.

  b.  Remember Neh. 9:2-3:  At least they knew they were not alone!

  c.  Satan’s device to keep us from repenting:  “I’m the only one who has ever done this.”

7.  Why should I repent of my sins?  What motivates repentance?

· WHY SHOULD I REPENT?  (Things that motivate us to repent)

  1.  Because of understanding my sin – Lk. 13:1-5.

    a.  It is real – Rom. 3:23; 1 Jno. 3:4.

    b.  It is against God (its nature) – Psa. 51:4; Isa. 59:1-2.

    c.  It causes me to be lost, to perish – Lk. 13:3, 5.

    d.  My sin is not unique / different from others – if I don’t repent, I will be lost like all the other sinners! – Lk. 13:2, 4

  2.  Because God has commanded it of me – Acts 17:30.

    a.  That is going to require faith – Heb. 11:6.

    b.  Require humility before God – Jas. 4:6-10.

  3.  Because there will be a Judgment Day – Acts 17:31.

    a.  My life will be judged – 2 Cor. 5:10.

    b.  Rom. 2:2-3 – Sinners will not escape God’s judgment:  My sin will condemn me!  I need God’s forgiveness…I need to repent to be forgiven – or I will be lost!

  4.  Because I want to be in the kingdom of God – Matt. 4:17.

    a.  Without repentance I cannot live in the blessings of King Jesus.

    b.  Acts 2:36-38, 41; 3:19 – Added to kingdom because we repent.

    c.  In order to enter eternal kingdom – Matt. 25:34.

    d.  To avoid eternal hell – Matt. 25:41.

  5.  Because of God’s great goodness – Rom. 2:4.

    a.  What brought David to repentance?  2 Sam. 12:1-7, 13

       -A parable of unfair treatment of another.

    b.  Must we continually go to the cross & see the bleeding, dying body of Jesus to persuade us to repent?  Yes!

    c.  See the riches of God’s goodness – Rom. 5:8 (Jno. 3:16).

    d.  Rom. 2:4:  God’s…

      1)  Goodness:  Moral integrity, gracious benevolence.

      2)  Forbearance:  God holds up with us (cf. Acts 17:30).

      3)  Longsuffering:  Patient endurance with us, Exo. 34:6; Isa. 30:18; 2 Pet. 3:9.

  6.  To be clear of sin before God and man – 2 Cor. 7:10-11.

    a.  True repentance…

      1)  Is a diligent reaction toward sin – 7:11.

      2)  Produces a clearing (defense) of the sinner – 7:11.

      3)  Produces indignation (Eph. 4:26).

      4)  Produces fear (phobos, dread), vehement desire (to long after, to pursue with love) & zeal (fervent spirit) – 7:11.

      5)  Produces vindication (not “acclaim”, but acquittal) – 7:11.

Conclusion

1.  Neh. 9:2-3 – There was no self-righteousness in that crowd.

2.  Jas. 5:16 – There can be no self-righteousness where confession of sin occurs.

3.  There can be no confession of sins & salvation in Christ without genuine repentance – Acts 2:38; 8:22.