Man is material - mortal (Job 4:17). He was FORMED from the
ground, the DUST of the earth (Gen.2:7). God is SPIRIT (John
4:24), that is God is composed of Spirit. He is HOLY, so God is
then Holy Spirit. His body and being is Spirit not physical,
though He can if He desires manifest Himself to man in a physical
manner as He did to Abraham (Gen.18).
The physical being alone is not COMPLETE until UNITED with
the spiritual. Man was made to receive the very Holy Spirit, the
very NATURE of God (2 Pet.1:3-4). To receive that nature we
actually then receive the LOVE, the POWER, the CHARACTER of God
WITHIN us as a GIFT (Rom.6:23; 5:5; 8:9-17; Gal.5:22,23; 2 Peter
1:3-4).
God knew by making mankind free agents and not robots, that
man could not have this perfection of character, which it is His
purpose to create within us, by an instantaneous flick of the
fingers. It requires time. It requires submissiveness, decision
making, co-operate will, self direction on mankind's part,
teaming up with the nature of God. This perfection of character
can only come through EXPERIENCE - with man/woman willing to
YIELD to the NATURE and the WILL of the Eternal.
Mankind was created with HUMAN NATURE which is a mixture of
GOOD and EVIL (Luke 6:45). Too much of the time the evil tends
to overpower the good (Rom.7:13-23). Man must come to the
KNOWLEDGE of his natural ways that are NOT God's ways.
He must come to EXPERIENCE REAL REPENTANCE of the evil side of
his nature - where he has THOUGHT, SPOKEN, and LIVED contrary to
the WILL and the WAYS and the THOUGHTS of the Lord.
A very large part of the Gospel concerns REPENTANCE! A very
LARGE part of the Bible contains the EXAMPLES of REAL repentance.
In this lesson we shall discover:
1) The importance of preaching REPENTANCE. 2) What we are to
REPENT of. 3) The experience of REPENTANCE.
PREACHING REPENTANCE
IN THE BEGINNING
Gen.2:17; 3:6; 4:8; 6:5
Has this world been EVIL from the BEGINNING?
Gen.6:12-13
Did the early people of this world CORRUPT God's way of
life?
What did God propose to do about all this corruption?
Ge. 6:14-18
Who only was found worthy to be saved from the utter
destruction that God would bring upon evil mankind?
Gen.7:1; 2 Peter 2:5
Was Noah a righteous person?
Did Noah PREACH righteousness to his wicked generation?
Note. Righteousness is defined in the Bible as God's COMMANDMENTS
(Ps.119:172).
As Noah was building the Ark he was also preaching to a wicked,
corrupt mankind God's true ways, the way of keeping and observing
God's commandments. He no doubt preached that people should
CHANGE their ways to conform to the Eternal's ways, to REPENT of
their evil deeds and thoughts and follow the RIGHT ways as
revealed by God.
Ezek. 14:1-11
1) Does God condemn Idolatry?
2) Who is God speaking to here?
3) What does He tell them to do?
4) What will the Lord do to those who persist in idolatry?
5) Will both the punishment of the False prophet and Those
that seek them be the same?
6) Why does God correct and punish?
Note. Even with ancient Israel when they went astray from God's
commandments He cried out to them to REPENT! They were to
repent of their TRANSGRESSIONS - their INIQUITY - the evil of
their hearts and to develop a NEW HEART. See Ezek.18:30-32.
JOHN AND JESUS
Matthew 3:1-11
1) What did John the Baptist PREACH?
2) What did the people confess?
3) Is repentance to produce FRUITS? What kind of Fruits?
4) Did John indicate that many of the religious leaders of
his day had never really REPENTED?
Mark 1:14-15
1) After the ministry of John, what was the Gospel Jesus
preached?
2) Is REPENTANCE a very important part of the Gospel?
Note. The purpose of John was to PREPARE the hearts of the
people for the coming of the Messiah. This he did by preaching
that men should REPENT - that they should confess their SINS and
walk in the STRAIGHT WAY of the Lord.
When the Savior of mankind began His public ministry He
continued to PREACH the theme that humanity should REPENT! Jesus
taught that REPENTANCE was absolutely necessary to be "saved" -
without it mankind would only PERISH (Luke 13:3).
One of the very purposes that Jesus came was to call SINNERS to
REPENTANCE (Matt.9:13). He said there is MORE JOY in heaven over
ONE sinner that REPENTS than dozens of just persons(in their
mind) who think they need no repentance (Luke 15:7).
When Jesus sent out the twelve to proclaim the Kingdom of
God, they first preached that men should REPENT (Mark 6:7-12).
Just before Christ ascended into Heaven, He told the
disciples what their great commission was to be. REPENTANCE and
REMISSION of SINS was to be preached to all nations (Luke
24:47).
THE APOSTLES - ONE OF THEIR THEMES
Acts 2:14-40
1) When did this sermon by Peter take place (see verses
1-13) ?
2) WHO did he preach to them about?
3) What question did the people put to the apostles?
4) What did Peter reply?
Acts 3:11-26
1) WHO again did Peter speak about to the people?
2) What did he tell the people to do?
Note. Peter boldly PREACHED Christ as Savior and that all men
should REPENT - be converted and turn away from their iniquities.
Then their SINS could be BLOTTED OUT through the sacrifice of
Jesus Christ.
Acts 8:1-12
1) Who were the only Christians in Jerusalem at this time?
2) What did the others do?
3) What did Philip preach?
4) Were many BAPTIZED?
Note. We have seen both from the ministry of John the Baptist
and the apostle Peter that REPENTANCE must come before baptism.
Philip in preaching Christ and the Kingdom of God must have
taught the people to REPENT in order for them to request
baptism. We shall study all about the subject of baptism in a
later lesson.
Acts 9:10-31
1) After Paul's conversion and baptism what did he preach?
2) By what we have studied so far, would preaching Christ
include the theme of REPENTANCE?
Acts 10:23-48
1) Did God show to Peter that Christ and Salvation should go
to the Gentiles?
2) What was the FOCAL point of Peter's message to Cornelius?
3) Did Peter preach the FORGIVENESS of SINS?
4) Were many Baptised?
Note. Peter was here again preaching his Pentecostal sermon -
Jesus Christ as Savior. Upon REPENTANCE and accepting Christ's
death and resurrection men could have forgiveness of sins and
eternal life through the Holy Spirit.
The THEME of the early Church was first, Jesus Christ as
Savior - repentance and Forgiveness of Sins. Second, the Return
of Christ and the coming of the Kingdom of God to earth.
Saving people was foremost on the minds of the apostles and
church members alike. Read the rest of the book of Acts and take
note of the speeches and sermons. As you do, note such passages
as Acts 16:30-31; 17:3, 30; 18:24-28; 26:17-18, 20; 28:23,
31.
WHAT IS REPENTANCE?
Note. Webster's Dictionary defines REPENTANCE as: "To feel
sorry or self-reproachful for what one has done or failed to do; be
conscience-stricken......To feel such regret or dissatisfaction
over some past action, intention, etc. as to changed one's mind
about.......To feel so contrite over one's sins as to change, or
decide to change, one's ways......."
This is what VINE'S EXPOSITORY DICTIONARY ON NT WORDS has to
say on REPENT and REPENTANCE: ".......to perceive afterwards
(Meta, after, implying change, Noeo, to perceive; Nous, the mind,
the seat of moral reflections).......hence signifies to change
one's mind or purpose, always in the NT involving a change for
the better......."
Matt. 9:13
Who did Jesus come to call to Repentance?
Acts 3:19
What can be blotted out upon Repentance?
Acts 5:31
What is some of the work Jesus is NOW doing?
Note. The Scriptures clearly show that REPENTANCE has to do with
SIN! We are to REPENT of SIN. Repent of being a sinner - of
living, acting, doing, thinking, IN sin.
SIN - RIGHTEOUSNESS ?
1 John 3:4
Does God tell us in this verse what constitutes SIN?
Romans 7:7
What did Paul say showed him what sin WAS?
Is it not the TEN Commandment law that says: "Thou shalt not
covet."? (Ex.20"1-17).
Romans 3:20
Is Paul here telling us by what standard we can derive the
KNOWLEDGE of what sin is or is not?
James 2:10-12
1) Does this law have points?
2) What are some of its points?
3) Are these the same points as recorded in Ex.20:1-17?
James 2:10-12 (continued)
4) If we WILLFULLY break ANY ONE of these points of the
whole law, are we a TRANSGRESSOR - do we SIN (see again 1
John 3:4) ?
5) What is this law called (verse 12) ?
Note. We are to REPENT of breaking (transgressing) God's Holy
Spiritual law (Rom.7:12,14). Repent of BEING sinners and want to
DO and LIVE righteousness (Matt.5:17-20; 6:33). A Bible
definition of "righteousness" is ALL of God's COMMANDMENTS -
Psalm 119:172.
REPENT TOWARDS WHOM ?
Romans 3:23
How many have sinned?
Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30
How many are to REPENT?
Acts 20:21
Towards WHOM are we to REPENT?
HOW TO REPENT!
Deut.4:29; Isa.55:6
Are we to SEEK God? How much are we to seek for Him?
Isa. 57:15; 66:2
What KIND of a person will God LOOK AT?
2 Chron. 7:14
What else does the Eternal add to the ingredients of
REPENTANCE?
1 John 1:9; Proverbs 28:13
What TWO requirements are given in these verses in order to
obtain MERCY and FORGIVENESS?
Job 33:27, 28
God is looking for mankind to ACKNOWLEDGE what?
Isa.55:7; Jer.4:1, 2, 14
What is man to FORSAKE in order to return unto God?
Ezekiel 18:21, 30-31; Acts 17:30
Is God CALLING OUT for mankind to REPENT?
End of part one. To be continued with part two and three.
……………………………
First written in 1987. Re-written and revised in April 1997.
Keith Hunt
The Experience of Real Repentance Part Two EXAMPLES OF REPENTANCE
Genesis 50:15-21
1) Had the brothers of Joseph done evil?
2) Did they ask to be forgiven?
3) What was Joseph's reaction?
4) How did his brothers respond?
5) Was Joseph willing to forgive and help them?
Note. We could liked Joseph to God the Father and Joseph's
brothers to repentant individuals. As the brothers CONFESSED
their sins and asked forgiveness so should every repentant person
do the same before God. As they humbled themselves before the
feet of Joseph, we should also HUMBLE ourselves before God the
Father.
The brothers told Joseph they would be his servants. So
likewise are we to be SERVANTS of God.
Joseph WEPT when he saw their humble repentant attitude.
Tears of joy must fill the eyes of our heavenly Father when one
sinner repents. As Joseph went on to NOURISH and COMFORT his
brothers, so God the Father will nourish and comfort His
begotten children.
2 Chron.12:1-12
1) Did King Rehoboam and Israel FORSAKE God's way?
2) What then happened (verses 2-5)?
3) Did the King and leaders of Israel then HUMBLE
themselves?
4) What did God say He would do?
5) Was God MERCIFUL to the King and Judah?
Note. Some TURN AWAY from the Eternal and His Holy law, but the
Lord is always there ready to FORGIVE and show MERCY whenever
those individuals HUMBLE themselves and REPENT!
2 Kings 22, 23
1) Was Josiah very YOUNG when he began to reign in
Jerusalem?
2) What is said of him (verse 2)?
3) Was Josiah still YOUNG when they found the book of the
law in the Temple?
4) What did Josiah DO when he heard the words of the LAW?
5) What did the King SAY about the words of God?
6) What did the prophetess Hudah say would happen for NOT
doing God's will?
7) What this punishment to take place in the lifetime of
Josiah? WHY not?
8) Did Josiah exhibit signs of real REPENTANCE?
Note. Josiah's repentance was GENUINE as can be seen by what he
DID. The FRUITS he bore, as shown in chapter 23. He gathered the
people together, both small and great, priest and prophet, and
read to them God's way. He RE-NEWED the COVENANT of God - to
walk after and KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS (verse 1-3).
Josiah was instrumental in bringing the people back to the
worship of the true God. He destroyed every sign of False
idolatry worship (verses 4-20). He RE-instituted the PASSOVER
(verses 21-23).
Josiah was a TYPE of what all people whom God calls should
do upon having their minds and hearts opened to His word and
truth. His heart was TENDER - receptive to the Eternal's truth
and ways. He did not argue with God's word, didn't justify his
own ideas and ways and thoughts. He was CHILDLIKE. Josiah
HUMBLED himself before God and FEARED His word (Isa.66:2). He
even WEPT when he realized how he and Judah had sinned against
the Lord God.
Josiah experienced true deep-felt REPENTANCE!
Nehemiah 8; and 9:1-5
1) What did Ezra read to the people?
2) When was this done (see also Lev.23:23-25)?
3) What was the people's attitude?
4) Were the people in a humble worshipful state of mind?
5) As they understood the ways of God, did they willingly
obey?
6) What else did the people do (chap.9:1-5)?
Note. The people of Judah had been many a year without a King.
They had been in Babylonian captivity and had LOST MUCH, if not
all the teachings of God. Here they were again in Jerusalem and
were being taught the words and ways of the Lord from the
LAW (first 5 books of the Old Testament). They were in a
submissive HUMBLE REPENTANT attitude towards God. They CONFESSED
their SINS, fasted and were willing to DO what the Eternal said
were HIS ways and commands.
An example for ALL those that God calls to salvation.
2 Samuel 11; and 12:1-15
1) Did David commit adultery with another man's wife?
2) What was the result of this affair (verse 5)?
3) Did David try to COVER UP his sin (verses 6-13)? Was he
successful?
4) Did David devise a plan whereby Uriah would be killed?
Did it succeed?
5) What did Nathan the prophet tell David these activities
were (chap. 12:9)?
6) Was David personally held responsible for killing Uriah?
7) When David finally came to his senses and realized the
gravity of what he had done, what did he confess (verse
13)?
Note. Ancient King David is a chief example of one who
EXPERIENCED REAL REPENTANCE for his sins. David's sincere
heartfelt repentant attitude endeared him to God. He is called in
Acts 13:22 a man after God's own heart.
Psalm 51 shows David's utterly broken-up attitude of mind
concerning his sins. Be sure to read the entire Psalm, and as you
do, ask and answer these questions: Did David attempt to justify
these sins or to explain them away? Did he freely confess them?
Did he admit that he was guilty of many sins? Did he thoroughly
abhor his sins? What did he ask God to do for him? Did he cry
out to the Lord to have mercy upon him?
David was one of the few under the Old Covenant to whom God
gave the Holy Spirit, for the Holy Spirit was not yet made
available (John 7:38-39) except in special circumstances to
certain people. David obeyed God and overcame by the power of the
Spirit, even though at times he did stumble and fall. "For a
just (righteous) man falleth seven times, and riseth up
again......" (Prov.24:16).
So David, a man after God's own heart, is soon, at Christ's
coming, to be resurrected and born into the very Family of God,
the Kingdom of God, as a son of the Eternal and as the King over
Israel (Jer.30:9; Ezek.34).
God looks to those who are of a MEEK and CONTRITE spirit -
those who TREMBLE before the word of the Lord. God recognizes a
REPENTANT attitude of mind - a broken spirit, a HUMBLE person who
is seeking for FORGIVENESS and MERCY. He will honor the attitude
of all who are willing to turn from works and deeds which His
word brands as SIN.
True REPENTANCE requires a PERMANENT change of DIRECTION -
from the ways that seem right in man's eyes to the WAYS OF GOD as
revealed in His word.
REAL REPENTANCE is something MUCH DEEPER and vastly more
profound that what is generally being taught today by the
churches and religious preachers.
Godly REPENTANCE leads to ETERNAL LIFE!!
To be continued
......................
First written in 1987. Re-written and revised in 1997.
Keith Hunt
The Experience of Real Repentance Part Three Some may say: "Yes I know what the word repent means, I see
to whom I am to repent, I see some of the examples in the Bible
about repentance, but I am not sure HOW to repent. What words do
I use, what should I SAY to the Father in heaven?"
Well friends, our Father in heaven even helps us to know
what kind of words to use in coming to Him in humble repentance.
He gives us examples in His word even to guide us in this end -
to know what to say.
PRAYERS OF REPENTANCE
EZRA
"Then were assembled unto me everyone that TREMBLED at the
words of the God of Israel, because of the transgressions of
those, that had been carried away........O my God, I am ASHAMED
and BLUSH to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our INIQUITIES
ARE INCREASED OVER OUR HEAD, and our TRESPASS IS GROWN up into
the heavens.......We have FORSAKEN THY COMMANDMENTS........Should
we again break they commandments, and join in affinity with the
people of these abominations? Would you not be angry with us
till you have consumed us........"(Ezra 9:4-14).
NEHEMIAH
"Let thine ear now be attentive......Both I and my father's
house have sinned. We have DEALT VERY CORRUPTLY against thee,
and have NOT KEPT THE COMMANDMENTS, NOR THE STATUTES, NOR THE
JUDGMENTS, which you commandest your servant Moses........You are
JUST........You have done RIGHT. But we have DONE WICKEDLY.
Neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our
fathers, KEPT THY LAW, NOR HEARKENED UNTO YOUR COMMANDMENTS AND
YOUR TESTIMONIES......."(Nehemiah 1:6-7; 9:33-34).
JOB
"I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: BUT NOW MY
EYE SEETH THEE. Wherefore, I ABHOR MYSELF AND REPENT in dust and
ashes "(Job 42:5).
DAVID
"Have MERCY UPON ME, O God.......Bot out my TRANSGRESSIONS.
WASH ME THOROUGHLY FROM MINE INIQUITY AND CLEANS ME FROM MY SIN.
For I ACKNOWLEDGE my TRANSGRESSIONS: and my sin is ever before
me. Against thee......have I sinned......PURGE ME with hyssop,
and I shall be clean......Hide your face from my SINS, and BLOT
OUT ALL MY INIQUITIES. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and
renew a right spirit within me.......Take not thy Holy Spirit
from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation......Then will
I teach transgressors they ways; and sinners shall be converted
unto thee......For thou desirest not sacrifice.......You delight
not in burnt offering. The sacrifice of God are a BROKEN SPIRIT:
a broken and a CONTRITE HEART, O God, you will not despise"(Psalm
51:1-17).
ISAIAH
" .......Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of
UNCLEAN LIPS......For mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of
hosts.......Our TRANSGRESSIONS ARE MULTIPLIED before thee, and
our SINS testify against us: for our transgressions are with us.
And as for our INIQUITIES, we KNOW THEM......But we are all as AN
UNCLEAN THING, AND ALL OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS ARE AS FILTHY RAGS; and
we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities like the wind have
taken us away"(Isaiah 6:5; 59:12; 64:6).
JEREMIAH
"O Lord, though our iniquities testify against us, do you
it for your name's sake: for our BACKSLIDINGS ARE MANY. We have
SINNED against you. We ACKNOWLEDGE, O Lord, our WICKEDNESS....
Let us SEARCH AND TRY our ways, and TURN AGAIN to the Lord. Let
us lift up our HEARTS WITH OUR HANDS UNTO GOD in the
heavens"(Jeremiah 14:7, 20; Lamentations 3:40-41).
DANIEL
"We have sinned, and HAVE COMMITTED INIQUITY, and have DONE
WICKEDLY, and have REBELLED, even by DEPARTING from thy PRECEPTS,
and from thy JUDGMENTS: neither have we HEARKENED unto thy
SERVANTS the prophets, which spake in thy name......"(Daniel
9:5,6).
CHRIST EXEMPLIFIES REAL REPENTANCE
PRODIGAL SON
"And when he CAME TO HIMSELF, he said.........I will arise
and go to my father, and will say unto him, father, I HAVE SINNED
AGAINST HEAVEN, AND BEFORE YOU, AND AM NO MORE WORTHY TO BE
CALLED YOUR SON. make me as one of your hired servants. And he
arose, and CAME TO HIS FATHER"(Luke 15:17-20).
PHARISEE AND THE PUBLICAN
"And He spake this parable unto certain which trusted in
themselves, that they were righteous, and despised others. Two
men went up into the Temple to pray, the one a Pharisee, and the
other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with
himself: God, I thank you, that I am not as other men are,
extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I
fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I posses. And
the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his
eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying: God, BE
MERCIFUL TO ME, A SINNER. I tell you, this man (the publican)
went down to his house JUSTIFIED rather than the other. For
everyone that exalts himself shall be abased; and he that HUMBLES
himself shall be exalted"(Luke 18:9-14).
A FINAL WORD
Some of you think you may be too young or too old to REPENT
and serve the living Eternal God. The prophet Jeremiah thought he
was too young to be called by God, but he was not. If you are a
middle teenager you may not be too young for God to call you to
real repentance. Even if you are still younger than a teenager
God may call you to begin to know Him and His way of life. We
have examples of Samuel and Jeremiah who were called to serve God
while still very young. David walked with God as a young boy
caring for his father's sheep.
What if you are old, maybe very old? Well as the saying
goes: You are never too old to learn. Whether you are 60 or 80
or 90 or 100, if God is calling you to REPENT then it is not too
late to do so!
Some of you have or are serving a prison term for various
crimes. You may think you are not worthy for God to have mercy
upon you. Well, no sinner(and that includes the ones who have
never been in prison or even received a parking ticket) is of
themselves worthy to be a child of the most High. But Jesus came
to die for you no matter what your sins and crimes against
society. You can friend, REPENT and be FORGIVEN, have your sins
WASHED AWAY by the blood of Jesus and start a new life
as a son or daughter of the heavenly Father.
Some of you may have been or still are, prostitutes,
homosexuals, lesbians, drug users, drug dealers, child molesters,
alcoholics, wandering street livers with no hope only despair.
Whatever your situation in life is at the present, YOU CAN REPENT
AND CRY OUT TO THE LORD FOR MERCY AND HELP! You can be forgiven
your sins and begin a new life in the service of the Eternal. It
is never too late.
Determine NOW to come out of the darkness and deception you
have been living in and ENTER God's world of LIGHT and
RIGHTEOUSNESS!
The rewards here and now are fantastic and the eternity to
come is beyond human imagination.
Some of you have been let down by religious organizations
and their leaders. You have seen the corruptions, play acting,
hypocrisy, abuse of power, abuse of monies, you have heard the
lies, experienced the cover-ups, and have come to realize you
were in many ways manipulated and brain washed with a cultic mind
set ruling you. Many of you have been turned off so much from
"religion" that you have left serving the true God and
gone back into the world of Satan, gone back into your former old
man and false un- righteous ways of living that God calls sin and
iniquity. You knew the basic truths of God at one time but now
you have possibly thrown them to one side, cast them away like
some old dirty garment. If this is you, then YOU can REPENT, it
is not too late. God calls you back to SERVE HIM! He calls you
back again to find that personal relationship with Him and not
some organization or some human man.
Maybe you are just the nice guy or gal on the block. Never
done anyone any harm. Would not hurt a fly as they say. No big
sins in your life you might claim. You are a good wife, husband,
father or mother. You work at your job faithfully and honestly.
You help in local charities, and just live a decent moral
lifestyle.
All that is good and commendable, but friend, you HAVE
SINNED ALSO. You have said, thought, or acted at some point/s in
your life CONTRARY to the Holy Law of the Lord God. You have
somewhere at some time BROKEN ONE or MORE of the Ten
Commandments of God. You stand as a sinner in the eyes of the
Lord. You are CONDEMNED TO DIE UNLESS YOU WILL REPENT !
There is no way around it, from the hardened criminal to the
Mr.Nice guy, all of us must REPENT of our sins to obtain mercy
and find the pathway to eternal life in the Kingdom of God.
Repentance is the FIRST STEP on the road to living for all
eternity. REAL REPENTANCE is what all of us must EXPERIENCE if
we are to be saved.
".........Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of
the Kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled and the
Kingdom of God is at hand: REPENT YOU, and believe the gospel"
(Mark 1:14,15).
...............
First written in 1987. Re-written and revised in 1997.
Keith Hunt
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