RepentanceA Hard Command

Repentance: A Hard Command

• What is a hard command in the Bible?

• Love your enemy (Mt. 5:44)?

• Flee fornication (1 Cor. 6:18)?

• Repent (Acts 17:30)?

Three Requirements to Learn

• Repentance is produced by godly sorrow (Mt. 26:75)

• Repentance is a change of mind (Isa. 55:6-7)

• Repentance is a reformation of life (1 Cor. 6:9-11)

Three Mistakes to Avoid

• Believing that repentance is simply saying “I’m sorry…” (Mt. 3:8; Acts 26:20)

• Believing that repentance is simply stopping something for a short period of time (Mk. 1:15; Acts 20:21; 26:20)

• Believing that repentance is simply admitting wrong and paying restitution (Mt. 27:3-5)

Three Reasons to Consider

• Repent to be saved from sin and hell (Mr. 1:4; Lk. 3:3; 13:3,5; 24:47; Acts 2:38; 5:31; 17:30-31; 2 Pet. 3:9)

• Repent to enjoy an abundant life now (Jn. 10:10; Acts 11:18)

• Repent to restore purpose and usefulness to my life (Lk. 15:7,10,11-32; Rev. 2:5)

Three Obstacles to Overcome

• Some do not repent because they are unaware they are sinners (Acts 3:17-19; 2 Tim. 2:25)

• Some do not repent because they are proud and stubborn (Mt. 11:20-21; 12:41; 21:29,32; Rom. 2:4-5; Heb. 6:6)

• Some do not repent because they love their sin too much (Rev. 2:21; 9:20-21; 16:9,11)

Three Examples to Follow

• The Pentecost crowd demonstrated a complete conviction of heart (Acts 2:37-38)

• The former Sorcerer (Simon) demonstrated a complete sorrow for sin (Acts 8:22-24)

• The Corinthians demonstrated a complete turn around from their sin (2 Cor. 7:9-11)

Repentance: A Hard Command

• To the unconverted … repent

• To the erring Christian … repent

• This hard command will bring wonderful blessings