REPENTANCE - A HARD COMMAND

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. The command to repent seems to one of the hardest, if not the
      hardest, to persuade people to obey.
   B. Not only do non-members have a very real problem with this, but
      many members of the church do as well.
   C. Let us look at some things about repentance.

I. REPENTANCE INVOLVES A RECOGNITION OF GOD.
   A. It involves recognizing what God requires. Luke 13:3; Acts     
      17:30
   B. It involves a consideration of God's "goodness" and
      "longsuffering." Rom. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9

II. REPENTANCE INVOLVES GODLY SORROW.
   A. Godly sorrow is not repentance, but it leads to repentance. 2  
      Cor. 7:10
      1. "Godly sorrow" is not sorrow because one has been caught
         in his sin.
      2. It is not sorrow for what sin has done to him.
         a. For example, a young man told of his experiences in
            trying to help his uncle who was an alcoholic. When he
            and others visited and encouraged him to repent, his
            uncle would shed many tears, but he would never make
            any changes.

III. REPENTANCE IS A CHANGE OF MIND COUPLED WITH A CHANGE OF ACTION  
   FOR GOOD.
   A. Do not be like Judas who changed his mind, but didn't follow
      with good action. Matt. 27:3-5
   B. In Matt. 21:28-32, one of the sons "repented and went."
   C. In Matt. 3:7-10, John the baptist severely rebuked the         
      Pharisees and Sadducees for not bringing forth the fruits which
      demonstrate repentance.
      1. "Meet for repentance" has the footnote "answerable to
         amendment of life" in the KJV.
      2. One might say he has repented, but if he continues in his   
         evil ways, he has not repented at all.

IV. CONSIDER THE BLESSINGS OF TRUE REPENTANCE.
   A. The parables of Luke 15, the lost sheep, coin, and boy, all    
      teach the same lesson. There is rejoicing in heaven when a     
      sinner repents. Luke 15:10
   B. Acts 3:19 - Sins are blotted out and refreshing comes from the
      Lord.
   C. Ezek. 18:30-31; Isa. 55:6-7

Concl.
   A. Let us come boldly to the throne of grace so that we may obtain
      mercy. Heb. 4:16