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Christian Life Church
February 6, 2022 8:30 and 10am
Great Words of the Christian Faith: Words that reflect our Choice REPENTANCE
Locations & Times
Christian Life Church Columbia
2700 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
FULLNESS 2/6/22
1. Great Words of the Christian Faith: Words that reflect our Choice
REPENTANCE
Romans 12:1-2 NASB Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Foundations for Choice
1. SHUB: return, that is, to God.
2. METANOIA: change your mind - way of thinking, thought process. The idea is a shifting world-view (not just gaining a positive attitude).
3. This implies Self-Awareness (I have a choice to make.).
4. This implies Self-Determination (I must make the choice for myself.).
5. “Choice” is reflected in (1) repentance, (2) faith, and (3) confession.
Central Truth: All of these words share the central idea of turning from a life that is being lost toward a life that is being saved.
I. Repentance: is turning around in life from going in the wrong direction to going in the right direction.
A. In both the Old and New Testaments the meaning is “a turning toward God.”
B. Concerning the past — we turn away from a wrong direction chosen in the past.
1. We turn from a road well-travelled, but wrong.
2. Jesus contrasted a wide road with a narrow one.
3. The decision is clear, but the personal response may be varied.
4. God uses them all.
C. Concerning the future — we turn toward a right direction chosen for the future.
1. We lay aside blame, and our focus seeks out the right direction.
2. Mark 1:15
3. William Hull - “One major period in human history is now drawing to a close and a new era is about to begin. In this new era you will have the chance to live in anticipation of experiencing the long-awaited reign of God, because this option is infinitely better than living under the limitations of the ancient Law of Moses. I urge you to accept this finer alternative by relinquishing the stars quo and embracing my good news with all your heart.”
4. Note: The Kingdom of God has not fully arrived, but is approaching. Therefore, it is not “here to be grasped,” but is to be actively sought.
D. Concerning the present — we turn around in the present to effect the change of direction.
1. Our repentance is because of (1) guilt, but also because of (2) hope.
2. This is “the letting go of the trapeze.”
II. Repentance is also seen as a willingness to make a new start (repent/relent).
A. Exodus 32:14 So the Lord relented of the harm which He said He would do to His people.
B. Jeremiah 26:13 Now then, reform your ways and your deeds and obey the voice of the Lord your God; and the Lord will relent of the disaster which He has pronounced against you.
C. Psalm 106:44-45 Nevertheless He looked at their distress. When He heard their cry; 45 And He remembered His covenant for their sake, And relented according to the greatness of His mercy.
III. We repent because we are being rescued. We are in trouble, but through Grace, we have a way out of our trouble.
Christian Life Lessons
1. It is essential that we recognize the reality of sin, and the depth of our problem. The Bible does not teach casual grace nor does it teach universalism.
2. True repentance is the work of The Holy Spirit.
John 16:8-11 And He, when He comes, will convict the world regarding sin, and righteousness, and judgment: 9 regarding sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 and regarding righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you no longer are going to see Me; 11 and regarding judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.
3. True repentance has a positive and negative dynamic.
“Separation from and dedication unto.”
4. True repentance is intellectual, emotional, and volitional.
Intellectual: “I have examined the evidence and I understand that I am heading in the wrong direction.”
Emotional: “Oh no! I am going the wrong way!”
Volitional: “At the next stop, I will get of this train, and do whatever is necessary to turn around and go in the other direction.”
5. True repentance means we align our actions with our new way of thinking.
I John 2:3-4 NIV We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.
1 John 3:6 NIV No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.
1. Great Words of the Christian Faith: Words that reflect our Choice
REPENTANCE
Romans 12:1-2 NASB Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Foundations for Choice
1. SHUB: return, that is, to God.
2. METANOIA: change your mind - way of thinking, thought process. The idea is a shifting world-view (not just gaining a positive attitude).
3. This implies Self-Awareness (I have a choice to make.).
4. This implies Self-Determination (I must make the choice for myself.).
5. “Choice” is reflected in (1) repentance, (2) faith, and (3) confession.
Central Truth: All of these words share the central idea of turning from a life that is being lost toward a life that is being saved.
I. Repentance: is turning around in life from going in the wrong direction to going in the right direction.
A. In both the Old and New Testaments the meaning is “a turning toward God.”
B. Concerning the past — we turn away from a wrong direction chosen in the past.
1. We turn from a road well-travelled, but wrong.
2. Jesus contrasted a wide road with a narrow one.
3. The decision is clear, but the personal response may be varied.
4. God uses them all.
C. Concerning the future — we turn toward a right direction chosen for the future.
1. We lay aside blame, and our focus seeks out the right direction.
2. Mark 1:15
3. William Hull - “One major period in human history is now drawing to a close and a new era is about to begin. In this new era you will have the chance to live in anticipation of experiencing the long-awaited reign of God, because this option is infinitely better than living under the limitations of the ancient Law of Moses. I urge you to accept this finer alternative by relinquishing the stars quo and embracing my good news with all your heart.”
4. Note: The Kingdom of God has not fully arrived, but is approaching. Therefore, it is not “here to be grasped,” but is to be actively sought.
D. Concerning the present — we turn around in the present to effect the change of direction.
1. Our repentance is because of (1) guilt, but also because of (2) hope.
2. This is “the letting go of the trapeze.”
II. Repentance is also seen as a willingness to make a new start (repent/relent).
A. Exodus 32:14 So the Lord relented of the harm which He said He would do to His people.
B. Jeremiah 26:13 Now then, reform your ways and your deeds and obey the voice of the Lord your God; and the Lord will relent of the disaster which He has pronounced against you.
C. Psalm 106:44-45 Nevertheless He looked at their distress. When He heard their cry; 45 And He remembered His covenant for their sake, And relented according to the greatness of His mercy.
III. We repent because we are being rescued. We are in trouble, but through Grace, we have a way out of our trouble.
Christian Life Lessons
1. It is essential that we recognize the reality of sin, and the depth of our problem. The Bible does not teach casual grace nor does it teach universalism.
2. True repentance is the work of The Holy Spirit.
John 16:8-11 And He, when He comes, will convict the world regarding sin, and righteousness, and judgment: 9 regarding sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 and regarding righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you no longer are going to see Me; 11 and regarding judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.
3. True repentance has a positive and negative dynamic.
“Separation from and dedication unto.”
4. True repentance is intellectual, emotional, and volitional.
Intellectual: “I have examined the evidence and I understand that I am heading in the wrong direction.”
Emotional: “Oh no! I am going the wrong way!”
Volitional: “At the next stop, I will get of this train, and do whatever is necessary to turn around and go in the other direction.”
5. True repentance means we align our actions with our new way of thinking.
I John 2:3-4 NIV We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.
1 John 3:6 NIV No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.