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
