The Preaching of John the Baptist

  • by: Pastor Lincoln Loney
  • Jun 14, 2009
  • Series: The Book of Luke

About Repentance

  • Can I become a Christian without it? No!
  • Repentance is one half of the equation for becoming a Christian.

Repentance + Faith = Christian conversion

 

What the Bible Says:

The Prophet Isaiah – Isaiah 55:6-7 

Jesus – Luke 13:3, 5

The Apostle Peter – Acts 3:19

The Apostle Paul – Acts 17:30; Acts 20:21

There is no forgiveness for sins apart from repentance.

 

  • Repentance is a heartfelt sorrow for sin, a renouncing of it, and a sincere commitment to forsake it and walk in obedience to Christ.    Repentance involves the whole person:
    • With my mind I understand that I am a sinner, that my sin separates me from God and it is just, that God should punish me as a sinner.
    • In my heart I’m sorry for my sin, I hate it, and I fear God’s judgment because of it.
    • With my will I choose to turn from it and seek God’s forgiveness.

 

  • Awareness of my need to repent as a sinner may come with the conviction of a particular sin.  
  • Repentance and the fruit of the repentance aren’t the same things, but they are never separate things.
  • There is initial repentance that happens when I become a Christian, and there is continuing repentance that occurs throughout my Christian life on earth.

 

John’s Preaching – Luke 3:7-14

  John Warns of the Coming Judgment – Luke 3:7-9

  • A motive for repentance: Repent to escape God’s judgment.
  • The seriousness of repentance: Without repentance there is no hope.
  • The implications of the saying, “Out of these stones God can raise up children of Abraham.”

  John Instructs the Repentant, Revealing their Sins – Luke 3:10-14

  • To the crowd: Give to the needy. You are loveless and selfish.
  • To the tax collectors: Don’t collect more than you should. You covet what belongs to others and take it if you can.
  • To the soldiers: No shake downs, and be content with your pay. You are discontent and abuse your authority.

 

Repentance is a change heart that leads to a change of action. It is not necessarily a change of vocation.

Everybody needs to repent. We’ve all stained the sofa.

– John Ortberg

 

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