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"THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST AND THE PROBLEM OF SIN"
The Gospel's Answer To The "Practice" Of Sin
(Repentance Of Sin)
INTRODUCTION
1. Paul declared that he was not ashamed of the gospel because it was
God's power to save those who believe - Ro 1:16-17
a. We saw in general terms how the gospel saves us from the problem
of sin (first lesson)
b. Our previous lesson dealt more closely with faith as the gospel's
answer to the love of sin
c. This lesson shall focus on repentance as the gospel's answer to
the practice of sin
2. That the practice of sin is a serious problem is seen in that...
a. All have sinned - Ro 3:23
b. And even Christians continue to sin at times - 1 Jn 1:8-10
3. The gospel of Jesus Christ answers the problem of the practice of sin
by commanding us to "repent"...
a. E.g., notice Lk 24:45-47; Ac 2:38; 3:19; 17:30-31; 26:19-20
b. When a person truly repents, they will cease the practice of sin!
4. Unfortunately, the call to repent is often neglected in preaching the
gospel today...
a. By those who preach "faith only"
b. By some who react to "faith only" by emphasizing "baptism"
5. As the passages listed above clearly reveal, one cannot truly preach
the gospel of Christ without the call to repentance
a. But what is repentance?
b. What are indications that repentance has occurred?
c. What leads one to true repentance?
[In 2 Co 7:9-11 we find the most elaborate discussion on repentance
found in the Scriptures, and it will serve as the basis for much of our
study. Based upon this passage, let's begin with...]
I. THE DEFINITION OF REPENTANCE
A. MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT REPENTANCE...
1. That repentance is "sorrow"
a. 2 Co 7:9-10 shows that repentance is an outcome of sorrow
b. Not the sorrow itself
2. That repentance is "a changed life"
a. Or a converted life
b. Ac 3:19 shows that repentance and conversion are two
separate things
1) Peter says to "repent" and "be converted"
2) Peter is not being redundant; rather, the one leads to
the other
3. As we shall see, the order is actually this:
a. First, there is sorrow
b. Then, repentance
c. And finally, a changed life (conversion)
B. A PROPER DEFINITION OF REPENTANCE...
1. The Greek word is metanoeo (meta=change, noeo=thought or mind)
2. W. E. Vine's definition:
a. "a change of mind"
b. "signifies to change one's mind or purpose
c. "this change of mind involves both a turning from sin and a
turning to God"
3. So we can think of repentance as "a change of mind" in which
we decide to "turn from sin and turn to God"; a decision...
a. Preceded by sorrow
b. Followed by a changed life
[Having therefore defined repentance, how do we know when repentance has
occurred? Let's take a look at...]
II. THE SIGNS OF REPENTANCE
A. SEVERAL SIGNS ARE MENTIONED IN 2 CO 7:11...
1. diligence (KJV, carefulness)
a. This can be defined as "earnestness, zeal, sometimes with
haste accompanying it"
b. I.e., being quick to do what is right!
c. The examples of conversion in the book of Acts demonstrate
this diligence by the fact every conversion described in
detail shows people obeying the gospel after one lesson!
2. clearing of yourselves
a. To clear one's self of blame
b. E.g., to quickly stop doing what is wrong, if such is the
case; or to quickly respond to the offer of forgiveness if
one realizes they are guilty of sin
3. indignation
a. This involves a sort of anger, hatred
b. I.e., toward the SIN which required the repentance
4. fear
a. Lest the sin be repeated
b. Lest the sin should not be quickly removed
5. vehement desire
a. I.e., a "fervent wish"
b. Especially to be right in God's eyes
6. zeal
a. "eagerness and ardent interest in pursuit of something"
b. In this case, to turn from sin and turn to God
7. vindication (KJV, revenge)
a. As the NIV puts it "what readiness to see justice done"
b. To do the right thing!
B. SUCH ARE THE SIGNS OF TRUE REPENTANCE...
1. Not apathy
2. Not half-hearted service
3. But a desire to do "works befitting repentance" - Ac 26:20
[Now that we may have a better idea as to what repentance is and what
indications are that it has occurred, let's consider what is involved
in...]
III. THE PRODUCTION OF REPENTANCE
A. GODLY SORROW PRODUCES REPENTANCE...
1. Note carefully Paul's words in 2 Co 7:9-10
a. Not simply "sorrow", but one that is "godly"
b. For there is such a thing as "sorrow of the world"
2. The difference between "godly" sorrow and "worldly" sorrow
a. "Worldly" sorrow is a selfish kind of sorrow
1) E.g., when one is sorry because he got caught
2) E.g., when one is sorry because what one did made himself
look bad
3) In "worldly sorrow", one is concerned about one's self!
b. "Godly" sorrow is sorrow directed toward GOD ("godly" is
literally "according to God")
1) I.e., one is sorry because their actions are sins against
a Holy God - cf. the attitude of David in Ps 51:4
2) Also, one is sorry because of the price God must pay to
have our sins removed
c. Some more differences...
1) "worldly" sorrow produces regret
2) "godly" sorrow suffers loss in nothing
3) "worldly" produces death
4) "godly" sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation
[Desiring such repentance in ourselves and others, how can we produce
the "godly sorrow" that leads to repentance?]
B. PRODUCING GODLY SORROW THAT LEADS TO REPENTANCE...
1. Nathan's rebuke to David provides some insight - 2 Sa 12:7-12
a. Make an appeal to God's love - 7-8
b. Reveal the sin - 9
c. Warn of the consequences - 10-12
2. The gospel of Christ, when properly taught, is designed to
produce "godly sorrow" in the same way, and in turn, repentance
a. It appeals to God's love as a basis for repentance - Ro 2:4
b. It reveals our sin - Ro 3:23
c. It warns of the consequences - Ro 2:5-11
CONCLUSION
1. The gospel of Jesus Christ, properly presented and understood, can
help produce the kind of repentance that will effectively deal with
the practice of sin!
2. Have you truly repented of your sins? Can you look at your life and
see indications...
a. That you have really had a "change of mind"?
b. That you made "a decision to turn from sin and turn to God"?
3. Make no mistake about it...
a. If you have not yet obeyed the gospel...you have not repented!
b. If you have become slack in your service to God...you are in need
of repentance!
4. If such is the case, then you are in need of a healthy dose of "godly
sorrow", brought about only by realizing...
a. God's love for you
b. The fact you are still in your sins
c. And the consequences if you do not repent
5. If you believe the good news of God's love for you, and godly sorrow
has prompted you to have a "change of mind", why not do those "works
befitting repentance"...?
a. Confess your faith in Christ and be baptized into Christ for the
remission of your sins (if that is your need)
b. Confess your sins and ask for the prayers of the brethren (if such
is your need)
Let the gospel of Christ address the practice of sin in your life
through its call to repentance!
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© Mark A. Copeland, 2001
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