sf987 - Seven Characteristics Of True Repentance (Matthew 4 17)

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Matthew 4:17; Revelation 3:19

Introduction

God is our standard not others.  We must look to God in order to correctly see our sin.

Repentance is that mighty change in mind, heart, and life wrought by the Sprit of God.  (Richard Trench)

Weeping and mourning comes before the joy. Have we forgotten how to repent?

1A.      True Repentance Means Change

You can’t repent and remain the same.

Ezekiel 8:18 "Therefore I also will act in fury. My eye will not spare nor will I have pity; and though they cry in My ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them."

Why our prayers seem powerless

Isaiah 1:15 When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

1B.      A change of mind

“Metaknowa” a total change of mind

Psalm 51:3 For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me.

To “confess” means to agree with God about my sin.  To no longer make rationalizations about my sin, no more excuses about why I sin.

2B.      A change of emotions

2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

The “sorrow of the world” is sorrow for the consequences our sins produce.

Godly sorrow is when we realize our sin breaks God’s heart and then it breaks our heart.  We must mourn over our sin and experience brokenness.

Isaiah 53:5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

Anytime there is flippancy about sin, repentance hasn’t taken place in our lives.

Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart -- These, O God, You will not despise.

3B.      A change in direction

If you keep going back to the sin, then you have not truly been broken over your sin and repented.  You will have a new desire takes place when you truly repent.  You will have a  hunger in your heart to walk with the Father.


2A.      True Repentance is Granted by God

1B.      Repentance requires radical action!

True repentance is not generated by the flesh it is granted by God.

2 Timothy 2:25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,

Acts 11:18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life."

Anytime our love for the Lord grows cold a change is needed.

2B.      God commands us to repent!

Acts 17:30 "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

3A.      True Repentance Is Often Missed

1B.      Some repent in outward actions and not in the heart

Our love of sin remains.

Psalm 51:16-17 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart -- These, O God, You will not despise.

Joel 2:13 So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.

Our heart must be broken over our sin!

2B.      Some repent for fear of consequences instead of hatred of sin.

Ezekiel 36:31 "Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities and your abominations.

3B.      Some repent to please others instead of God

Psalm 51:4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight -- That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge.

4B.      Some repent so generally that it is not real repentance - Real repentance is real specific!

5B.      Some repent of some things but not others.

Psalm 119:128 Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way.

Revelation 3:19 "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

“Zealous” means to desire eagerly.

4A.      True Repentance Is A Way Of Life

Be alert of anything that is in my life that cause me to go away form God.

I need to learn to recognize sin when it comes.

5A.      True Repentance is Both Private and Corporate

Private/personal sin should be repented of privately.

Corporate sin involves the church universal and local:

Divorce, apathy, complacency, lack of love for the lost, immodest dress, not seeking straying sheep, not having the anointing of God on lessons and sermon, worldly habits and actions.

6A.      True Repentance Is Both Vertical and Horizontal

1B.      Vertical – all sin is an affront to God!

Psalm 51:4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight -- That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge.

2B.      Horizontal – when our sin has wronged others we must ask for their forgiveness

Rule of confession: confession only goes as far as the effects and knowledge of your sin.

7A.      True Repentance Results in Joy

Psalm 85:6 Will You not revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You?

Nehemiah 8:17 So the whole assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and sat under the booths; for since the days of Joshua the son of Nun until that day the children of Israel had not done so. And there was very great gladness.

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