Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

I. Repentance is necessary to Receive God’s best.

(Rom 12:1-2)

A. Perfection (Teleios) is God’s perfect plan to restore us to pre-fall holiness glory through our union with Christ.

B. Repentance is a change of mind from a self-centered set of values rooted in this world to God-glorifying, other-centered eternal values.

We do what we desire/want to; we desire what we value; we value what we believe will benefit us; we believe based on what we “know”.

C. Repentance is not an idle nor even sincere promise to stop sin or do better, but a complete paradigm shift based upon:

1) seeing one’s error in the light, 2) embracing the truth as revealed in the light, and 3) yielding to the Truth in obedience.

                                We usually don’t want to see our error until the pain level gets too uncomfortable.

II. Repentance (Mind Change) is Necessary for Salvation {Reversing the effects of the Fall}.

A. We must change our mind/repent from independence and self-sufficiency (including ritual and heritage) to believing and accepting God’s provision for our sins (Christ’s death) in order to be justified (sins forgiven).

{Note: neither John nor Galatians mention repentance, justification being by faith alone in God’s gracious provision.}

B. We must repent from thinking that this world is the only there is and start believing and living in light of our future judgment and reward in order to be sanctified (set apart/holy).

Mr 1:4  John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. {See context of Isa 40}

Mr 1:15  and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."

Mt 4:17  From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Lk 3:10 And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?

C. We must repent form valuing temporal power (pride & security), pleasure and possessions  and believe that God’s will for us is best, regardless of any suffering it may entail, in order to be glorified (perfected).

III. Repentance and the Road to Faith

A. Repentance is a Response to Revelation (worship) Mt 3:2  and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"

Mt 11:20  Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent:

Mt 12:41Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah;

Mr 2:17...I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."

Lu 16:30  No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent. 31  And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

B. Repentance is accompanied by real grief when we realize the harmful effects of our independence/sin Mt 11:21...For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

Job 42:6  Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

Hindered by Presumption Lu 3:8 bear fruits worthy of repentance, do not say to yourselves, `We have Abraham as our father.

Godly Sorrow 2Co 7:9  Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 10  For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

Function of Grace Ro 2:4  do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

C. Repentance yields Results

Should bear obvious fruit Mt 3:8  "Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,

Prevents perishing Lu 13:3  "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. 9  And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

Brings joy to God Lu 15:10  "Likewise, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

God’s desire 2Pe 3:9 The Lord... is patient toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Transforms Relationships Lu 17:3 If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, `I repent,' you shall forgive him."

Lu 24:47  "and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Ac 2:38  Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins...receive the gift of the HS.

Ac 3:19  "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing...presence of the Lord,

Ac 5:31  "Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

Ac 11:18 When they heard these things...they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life."

Ac 13:24  "after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

Ac 17:30  "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,

Ac 20:21  "testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ac 26:20  "but declared...that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.

Jer 18:8  If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. 10  If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.

Jer 26:3  If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do to them because of the evil of their doings.

Ez 18:30  Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.

D. Things to repent about: 2Co 12:21  lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.

Immorality Re 2:21  "And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.

Re 9:21  And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.

Idolatrous independence Re 9:20 rest...did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols

Greed Ac 8:22  "Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.

Ensnared by Satan 2Ti 2:25 if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may acknowledge the truth,

E. Limits to Repentance Heb 6:6  if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance,

Heb 12:17 he wanted to inherit blessing, he was rejected, he found no place for repentance, tho’ he sought it diligently with tears

Re 2:21  "And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.

F. Failure to repent

Loss of light Re 2:5  "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place----unless you repent.

Lack of belief Mt 21:32  For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

Opposed by God Re 2:16  `Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

Sickness and Tribulation Re 2:22...those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.

Loss Re 3:3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.

Burned Re 16:9 scorched...and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory. 11  They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.

Re 3:19  "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. What type of repentance is necessary for salvation?  Is repentance singular or multiple? How do you know if you’ve done it?

2. What kind of fruit could you expect to see in the life of someone who has repented? What if there’s no fruit?

3. Why do some people spend all their effort on the foundation and never get the house built?

4. What are some of the things you’ve changed your mind about as you grown in your Christian life?  Was it easy or difficult? Why?

5. What does faith toward God look like in the life of someone pressing toward perfection/completion? (Heb 11:6)