Except You Repent

Luke 13:1-5

The Order of Things

First: Hearing (Romans 1:16; 10:17)

Second: Believing (Hebrews 4:2; 11:6)

Repentance

Hardest command?

Requires total honesty with self

Need to repent

Not because of a comparison test (Text)

Because of sin (Matthew 3:11; Acts 2:38; 8:22)

Repentance Is Not …

Just being sorry for sin• Like criminals who got caught!

• Even godly sorrow only leads to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10)

• “Mourner’s bench religion” not enough

Repentance Is Not …

Just being convicted of sin• Conviction precedes repentance (Acts 2:38)

• Rich young ruler (Matthew 19:22)

• “I needed that sermon”- not enough

Repentance Is …

A change of will• Preceded by conviction about sin

(Matthew 21:28-32)

• Followed by turning from sin

• Fruits of repentance

Repentance Is …

Difficult for some• Love of sin (Hebrews 11:24)

• Hardness of heart (Exodus 7:13; Hebrews 3:15)

• Seared conscience (Ephesians 4:19; 1 Timothy 4:2)

Reformation of Life

Men of Nineveh• Heard (Jonah 3:1-10; Matthew 12:41)

• Turned from evil, put on sackcloth and ashes

Reformation of Life

John’s day• Tax gatherers (Luke 3:7-14)

• Soldiers wanted to repent

Reformation of Life

Fruits of repentance• Specific to the individual (Luke 3:8)

• Followed by baptism for nonchristians (Acts 2:38)

• Followed by confession of sin for Christians (1 John 1:7-9)

• Restitution may follow (Luke 19:8; Philemon 18)

God Wants Us To Repent

What does He do?• Allows time to repent (Revelation 2:5, 21)

• Longsuffering (2 Peter 3:9)

• Shows His goodness as motivation (Romans 2:1-11)

God Wants Us To Repent

What happens if I don’t repent?• Won’t be the same (Psalm 7:12-16)

• I will be lost (Luke 13:3, 5)

• Someone once said: “God promises forgiveness but not repentance”

Conclusion

Do you need to repent? (Luke 24:47)

The time is now (2 Corinthians 6:2)