July 10, 2022

True Repentance

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: Luke 3:1-7
Service Type:

Introduction

  • Last Sunday:
    • John the Baptist - the History, the Herald and the Headline
      The Certainty of God's Word and the Power of God's Word
  • Looked particularly last week at John the Baptist who preached a gospel for the remission of sins
    • Complete removal of our sins
    • Praise God that our sins are gone
  • This is the best news
    • We can be forgiven of our sins
    • Jesus Christ has dealt with our greatest problem
    • It gives us freedom from sin in every way - guilt, power and death
  • Picture the scene:
    • John the Baptist is a bit of a wild-looking man
    • He lifts up his voice and heralds forth
  • What a response from the people
    • Word gets around and the multitudes came to him
    • The people are responding to the message and are willing to be baptised
  • What a response from the preacher
    • You brood of snakes/offspring of vipers - referencing Satan as the snake in the Garden of Eden
  • True repentance is absolutely vital
    • Baptism is a symbolism of this
    • What is true repentance?

What is True Repentance?

  • A picture of a tree
    • Bear fruit in keeping with repentance (v8)
    • There must be good roots, it must bear good fruit or be cut down (v9)
  • Repentance begins deep down - it is a root issue
    • Personal example of the apple tree
      • A root problem means it is not bearing fruit
    • John the Baptist can see something wrong with the people because true repentance begins deep down - in heart, mind and being
  • Greek word metanoia meaning think again
    • Examples
    • The Holy Spirit reveals what we are really like - a miracle of grace
      • We become alive to the fact we are sinners
      • No fruit because the roots are wrong - Prov 23:7
    • Do not compare yourselves to each other but to God
      • God dwells in eternal light, He is pure
      • God incarnate in the form of Jesus Christ
        • Explanation
        • Jesus Christ come to do sinners good
        • Come to God through Jesus, come to Him, stay close to Him
        • There is a way to God through Jesus Christ
  • Once we see our need of God, we should come to Him
  • Repentance and faith are inseparable
    • Personal example
    • Real faith implies repentance

What does True Repentance Produce?

  • Why does John the Baptist call the people a brood of vipers?
    • What evidence was he looking for?
    • How do we know if we have repented?
  • Acts 11:22-23 - the apostles saw evidence of the grace of God
    • If the root is right - the evidence is genuine fruit
      • A changed life
      • Genuine fruit in keeping with repentance
  • The genuine hallmark of repentance/stamp of Christianity - humility
    • Humble Christians
    • Consider the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector
      • We do not consider ourselves better than anyone
      • There for the grace of God go I
    • Do we have a desire to keep close to God?
      • Example
      • Where do you want to be?
    • Do we keep our eyes on Him?
  • A bad root produces bad fruit and a good root produces good fruit
    • Gal 5:19-23
    • Works of the flesh vs fruits of the Spirit
  • The fruits of the Spirit
    • Love
      • A commandment of Jesus
      • We should be marked out by love
      • We are a diverse group of people - who love one another
      • Noticed by Tertullian

Closing Remarks

« The Certainty of God’s Word and the Power of God’s Word Repentance #2 »