Repent: Turning Overview: Repentance is a difficult idea to adequately express in English. Simply put, it is a change of thinking in regard to sin that results in genuine change. When we think of repentance, we might think of the words sorrow and turn, but neither of those words fully captures the idea. Sorrow over sin can certainly help lead to repentance, but repentance is not the same as sorrow. Turning is an important result of repentance. When we repent we turn from sin and to God. However, it is not simply the change of behavior that God desires, but he is after the change in our thinking (or heart) that leads to the change of behavior. Turning from sin is a significant aspect of repentance (Ezekiel 33:11, Zechariah 1:2-6, Acts 14:15; 26:18, 2 Timothy 2:19, 1 Peter 3:11). A repentant person must understand that sin is repulsive to God and change his or her life course to avoid such sin. The act of turning from something also necessitates that we turn to something. Repentance is not merely turning from sin, but it is turning to God (Acts 3:19, Acts 14:15, Acts 20:21; 26:20). A repentant person resets his course onto God s path and yields to God s will for his life. Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary states that repentance and faith are two sides of the same coin: by repentance, one turns away from sin; by faith, one turns toward God in accepting the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance is closely tied with faith and salvation. The New Unger's Bible Dictionary states, Although faith alone is the condition for salvation (Ephesians 2:8-10; Acts 16:31), repentance is bound up with faith and inseparable from it [Acts 2:37-38; 20:21], since without some measure of faith no one can truly repent, and repentance never attains to its deepest character till the sinner realizes through saving faith how great is the grace of God against whom he has sinned. Although repentance is closely tied with salvation, it is also an ongoing need in the lives of Christians as we stray from the path away from God and into sin. We all need course correction at times. Just as offences occur in human relationships that require apologies, forgiveness, and healing, repentance is an important and healthy part of our relationship with Jesus. Repentance is not an oppressive and discouraging spiritual process; rather, it brings salvation (2 Corinthians 7:10), change (Acts 26:20), and refreshment (Acts 3:19). We shouldn t think of repentance with reluctance and dread, but as a path to a healthier relationship with Jesus! May that be our heart as we strive to apply the lessons of repentance to our lives! Repentance is the process by which we see ourselves, day by day, as we really are: sinful, needy, dependent people. It is the process by which we see God as he is: awesome, majestic, and holy. - Charles Colson Memory Verse Revelation 3:19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. (NIV84/11) Discipling the Heart Repent: Turning 1
Repentance Personal Study 2 Chr. 6:36-39 Recipe for restoration 2 Chr. 32:24-26 Example of Hezekiah Job 42:6 Despise self and repent in dust Psalm 51 David s repentance Isa. 30:15 Deliverance and rest in repentance Jer. 8:6 Unrepentant like horse charging into battle Jer. 25:5 Turn from evil ways Jer. 31:19 Repentance after shameful sin Eze. 14:6 Repent from detestable practices Eze. 18:30-32 Repent, turn, and live Eze. 33:11 No pleasure in death of wicked Joel 2:13 Rend your heart Zech. 1:2-6 Repentance in Zechariah s time Matt. 3:2 JTB: Repent for kingdom near Matt. 3:8 Fruit that proves repentance Matt. 3:11 Baptism of repentance Matt. 4:17 Jesus preached it Matt. 11:20-21 Woe to unrepentant cities Matt. 12:41 Repentance of Nineveh Matt. 13:15 Turn and he will heal Matt. 21:32 Wicked repented, but not the priests and elders Mark 1:4 JTB: Repent for forgiveness Mark 1:15 Jesus: Repent and believe Mark 4:12 They don t understand or they Mark 6:12 Disciples preaching repentance Luke 3:3 Baptism of repentance Luke 3:8 Fruit that proves repentance Luke 5:32 Jesus called sinners to repentance Luke 10:13 Woe to unrepentant cities Luke 11:32 Repentance of Nineveh Luke 13:3-5 Jesus: Repent or perish Luke 15:7-10 One repentant sinner vs. 99 Luke 16:30 Rich man in hell and his 5 brothers Luke 17:3-4 Relational repentance and forgiveness Luke 24:47 Repentance and forgiveness to be preached John 12:40 They don t understand or they Acts 2:38 Repent and get baptized Acts 3:19 Repent, turn, wipe out sins Acts 5:31 Repentance for Israel s sins Acts 8:22 Peter and Simon the Sorcerer Acts 11:18 Repentance to life for gentiles Acts 13:24 John s preaching of repentance Acts 14:15 Turning from idols Acts 17:30 For all people everywhere Acts 19:4 Paul at Ephesus Acts 20:21 Repentance and faith in Jesus Acts 26:18 Paul s mission: Turn from darkness to light Acts 26:20 Repent, turn, and change deeds Acts 28:27 They don t understand or they Rom. 2:4 God s kindness lead to it 2 Cor. 7:9-10 Godly sorrow leads to it 2 Cor. 12:21 Needed in response to sexual sin 2 Tim. 2:19 Believers must turn from wickedness 2 Tim. 2:25 Needed for those in opposition Hebrews 6:1 Not laying foundation of Hebrews 6:6 Repentance not possible in some cases James 4:4-10 Grieve, wail, and mourn 1 Peter 3:11 Turn from evil and do good 2 Peter 3:9 Repentance desired for all perishing Rev. 2:5 For church in Ephesus Do like you did at first Rev. 2:16 For church in Pergamum Rev. 2:21-22 For church in Thyatira Rev. 3:3 For church in Sardis Hear, obey, repent Rev. 3:19 For church in Laodicea Repent in light of his love and discipline Rev. 9:20-21 People unrepentant after plagues Rev. 16:9-11 People unrepentant after plagues Repentance is a discovery of the evil of sin, a mourning that we have committed it, a resolution to forsake it. It is, in fact, a change of mind of a very deep and practical character, which makes the man love what once he hated, and hate what once he loved. - Charles Spurgeon 2 Discipling the Heart Repent: Turning
Questions for Personal Study and Reflection We often think of John the Baptist as preaching repentance and of Jesus preaching grace, but Jesus was also a preacher of repentance (Matt. 4:17, Mark 1:15, Luke 5:32). Since his disciples also called people to repentance (Mark 6:12), it is likely that Jesus instructed them to do so. Jesus predicted that forgiveness and repentance would be preached to all nations (Luke 24:47), and accordingly, it was part of the message taught in Acts (Acts 2:38; 17:30; 26:20). Why do you think the idea of Jesus (and his disciples) preaching repentance can seem inconsistent with the impression many people have of Jesus message and style of ministry? Read Ezekiel 33:11, Zechariah 1:2-6, Acts 14:15; 26:18, 2 Timothy 2:19, and 1 Peter 3:11. What does it mean to turn from sin? Does repentance mean that we won t (or can t) ever sin again? Is it possible to be repentant and yet being fully aware of a sin area that you have no intention of discontinuing? Read Acts 3:19, Acts 14:15, Acts 20:21; 26:20 What does it mean to turn to God? Does it seem like repentance is more of a part of the old covenant than the new? Why or why not? Is repentance something just for non-believers, or is it also for believers? Read Acts 3:19, 2 Corinthians 7:8-11, 2 Timothy 2:25, James 4:4-10. What is the result of repentance? What is the result when people refuse to repent? Read Romans 2:4. How can kindness lead us to repentance? If repentance is a change of thinking and not just a change of action, are there actually steps of repentance (and if so what are they?)? Or is repentance more of a realization and awareness of sin? If it possible to be repentant about a particular sin, but to not see any victory over that sin? Explain. For a longer study, read Jesus letter to the churches in Revelation 1:17-3:22. How many of the seven churches are advised to repent? Why? Read Psalm 51. This chapter captures David s response toward God right after he was caught committing adultery and trying to cover it up with murder. What can you learn from it in relationship to repentance? Discipling the Heart Repent: Turning 3
Key verses: Matthew 3:1-2 In those days John the Baptist came into the wilderness of Judea proclaiming, 2 Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near. (NET) Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach this message: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near. (NET) Acts 3:19-20a Therefore repent and turn back so that your sins may be wiped out, 20 so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. (NET) Acts 17:30 Therefore, although God has overlooked such times of ignorance, he now commands all people everywhere to repent. (NET) Acts 20:21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. (NIV84) Acts 26:20 but I declared to those in Damascus first, and then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds consistent with repentance. (NET) Romans 2:4 Or do you have contempt for the wealth of his kindness, forbearance, and patience, and yet do not know that God s kindness leads you to repentance? (NET) 2 Corinthians 7:10-11 For sadness as intended by God produces a repentance that leads to salvation, leaving no regret, but worldly sadness brings about death. 11 For see what this very thing, this sadness as God intended, has produced in you: what eagerness, what defense of yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what deep concern, what punishment! In everything you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. (NET) 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some regard slowness, but is being patient toward you, because he does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (NET) Revelation 3:19 All those I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent! (NET) (Also: Rev. 2:5,16,21,22; 3:3) Fallen man is not simply an imperfect creature who needs improvement; he is a rebel who must lay down his arms This process of surrender this movement full speed astern is what Christians call repentance. Now repentance is no fun at all. It is something much harder than merely eating humble pie. It means unlearning all the self-conceit and self-will that we have been training ourselves into for thousands of years. It means killing a part of yourself, undergoing a kind of death. - C. S. Lewis 4 Discipling the Heart Repent: Turning
Repentance Discussion Questions Icebreaker: Tell a quick story about when you got lost or took a wrong turn. Read the verses on the back of this sheet. What thoughts or questions come to mind when you read these verses? In your own words, what is repentance? Read Matthew 3:8 and Acts 26:20. How are repentance and deeds or actions related? Read 2 Corinthians 7:9-11. What is the difference between godly sorrow and worldly sorrow? When you have been caught in a sin, how can you tell which type of sorrow you have? Read James 4:4-10. What type of things might a Christian repent of according to this verse? Why do we, as Christians, need to repent of anything if we have already been forgiven? Practically speaking, how does a person go about the process of repentance? Now that we have a better understanding of repentance it is important to apply what we ve learned and think about how we might repent (or even if we should be calling other people to repentance). What types of things might a person need to repent of? (Share related scripture(s) if you can think of any.) Take a moment of silent prayer. Ask God to make known to you anything that you personally need to repent of. Pray to him about that area in your life. Pray for strength to choose right and the discernment to see the sin or situation clearly. Admit to him the struggle you have with it, the pull it has on your heart, and tell him what you are going to do about it. Discipling the Heart 5