I want to begin this message with a question for you who frequently listen to or watch videos on the internet:
How long has it been since you heard an entire, focused, and profound sermon on the word… REPENTANCE?
It may be that, for many, this word seems old fashioned, outdated, perhaps a little ‘heavy’ or ‘moralistic’ for our modern ears, so accustomed to ‘lighter’ and more ‘ motivational’ messages.
The truth, my brethren, is that in a world that yearns for prosperity, well-being, and self-help, the word REPENTANCE has been silently set aside, almost like a piece of old furniture that no longer fits the décor.
But biblical Christianity, the one Jesus and the apostles preached, which transformed lives, nations, and the world, has always been founded on non-negotiable pillars.
As we well know, and must always remember – the three essential pillars of the true Gospel are: Repentance, Prayer, and Preaching the Gospel. These are the foundations of a genuine faith and a life transformed in Christ.
A church that does not practise repentance, does not cultivate prayer, and does not proclaim the Gospel, is not the Church of Christ; it is merely a social group!
And a Christian who does not live in repentance, does not dedicate themselves to prayer, and does not share the Gospel with others… needs to confront themselves: are they living biblical Christianity, or merely carrying an empty title?
We have spoken much about prayer, and we will continue to preach the Gospel of Jesus that saves us. But today, my dear friends, I want us to look at the pillar that is perhaps most weakened, most forgotten, most neglected in our days.
Today, our focus is solely on REPENTANCE: AN URGENT MESSAGE FOR THE CHURCH TODAY!
With the help of the Holy Spirit and His Word, let us unearth the depth and liberating beauty of this fundamental truth. Prepare your hearts, for we will not speak only of sorrow or guilt, but rather of the powerful gateway to true freedom, full restoration with God, and the abundant life Christ promised!
Do you know what John the Baptist’s first sermon was?
“In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”” Matthew 3:1-2 NIV
Do you know what Jesus’ first sermon was?
“From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”” Matthew 4:17 NIV
Do you know what the apostles’ first sermon was after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit?
“Peter replied, “Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38 NIV
“Repent!” was the preaching of John the Baptist, it was the preaching of Jesus, it was the preaching of the Apostles, and this is the message that the Church today needs to hear: REPENT: AN URGENT MESSAGE FOR THE CHURCH TODAY!
We long for the transformation and salvation of this city and our family. But how can this happen?
“IF my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV
How will our land and our family be healed? Through repentance!
If My people humble themselves, if they pray and turn from their wicked ways, I will forgive their sins and heal their land!
I believe in the Word of God; I believe that if we, the Church, humble ourselves, turn from our wicked ways, and repent of our sins, healing will come upon this land!
Do you believe this? Do you believe in the Word of God?
We all desire times of refreshing, and the apostle Peter teaches us how these times of refreshing will come:
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,” Acts 3:19 NIV
If you want times of refreshing, times of restoration, we need to enter a time of repentance. Every restoration that God brings into our lives is accompanied by repentance.
There is no restoration without repentance, and there is no salvation without repentance.
What is repentance? Most people think that repentance is a matter of feelings, tears, regret and feeling sorry for what you have done.
But that is not repentance; that is simply “regret and sorrow.” Many people regret the way they have lived.
I would be surprised if there was anyone listening to me now who has never regretted some of the decisions they made in life.
And the feelings of guilt and sorrow concern what you did to yourself: your “bad” choices and your own decisions.
Also, there is that a deep feeling we call “remorse.” And “remorse” is what you feel for what you have done to others. But that is not repentance either!
Repentance has a unique characteristic: it is what you feel when you do something against God. This is quite different from regret and remorse.
When you repent, you realise that it is GOD whom you have most grieved!
Let’s look at the repentance of the Prodigal Son.
“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’” Luke 15:21 NIV
When you experience true repentance, you realise that you’ve broken God’s law, rejected God’s love, provoked God’s wrath, and that you deserve God’s judgment. It is God’s mercy you seek out!
Regret and remorse do not lead to repentance.
Today I want to teach you the steps to repentance.
Repentance in the New Testament involves three very simple stages: 1- Thought, 2- Words, and 3- Action.
I will show you that repentance takes place for specific sins.
You cannot repent of sins in general (in bulk). You can only repent of this, and that. And this involves these three stages.
1- Thought (Metanoia) : Repentance, first of all, involves changing your mindset about specific things and thinking about these things God’s way.
By doing this, you come to two conclusions: God is much superior. I am a much worse person than I thought.
When you repent, your thoughts are completely transformed and, suddenly, you glimpse God’s Holiness and His purity. You begin to realise how unclean you are.
Repentance lies in the change of your thinking.
The Greek word for repentance is “Metanoia,” which means to have another mentality: Meta = CHANGE and Noia = MIND.
The interesting thing is that the closer you get to God, the more you see your sins and the more you repent. The more you understand how good He is, the more you realise how bad you are.
2- Words (Confession): The second step of repentance is confessing sins. The forgiveness of sins requires confession.
God created humankind and gave them free will, and this freedom makes us responsible for our errors and for our sins.
We are all the RESULT of our choices, and we are RESPONSIBLE for our choices.
No one goes to hell because of God! It is our choices that can lead us away or to the Kingdom of Heaven.
When a criminal is arrested, who is responsible for them being in prison? It was their choice to commit the crime!
God gave us the freedom of choice, so we are responsible for our actions!
Karl Marx, one of the leaders of socialism, said: “Our destiny is in the economic system!”
Freud (father of psychoanalysis) said: “Our destiny is in our repressed instincts!”
Darwin (naturalist of the theory of evolution) said: “Our destiny is in the genetics we inherit!”
Jesus (Creator and Lord of Heaven) says “You can change your destiny through repentance!”
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”” 1 John 1:9 NIV
If we confess our sins, and not just the sin! It means naming them one by one, just as you do with your blessings.
Then, He is faithful and just to forgive each of our sins, and His blood purifies us and makes us clean. What a beautiful promise!
After confession (our words), now comes the difficult part of repentance: actions.
Repentance begins with “Thoughts,” then “Words,” but it must end in “Actions.”
3- Actions (works/fruits) : The third step of repentance is works.
The prodigal son came to his senses, repented, and did not just limit himself to words and thoughts, but returned to his father’s house. He showed the fruit of repentance.
In Luke 19, we have the story of Zacchaeus, a rich Jew, chief tax collector who worked for the Romans, collected taxes, and stole. Jesus met him and said, “I am coming to eat at your house.”
This man has an encounter with Jesus. Jesus has lunch at his house, preaches the Word to him, and Zacchaeus repents of his sins. How do we know he repented?
“But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.”” Luke 19:8-9 NIV
Zacchaeus said: “I have defrauded people, and now I will go to each one I defrauded and pay back four times the amount.” And Jesus said: “Today salvation has come to this house!”
Repentance is fixing the past. Of course, you cannot fix all mistakes. But there are some that the Lord will show you that they can and should be fixed.
I had some sins in my life that God told me, “Go fix it” (and so I went), “go talk to that person,” “go pay back that money you stole”—and so I did! Years ago, later, I went to find an ex boss, asked for forgiveness, and paid back the money I had stolen when I was young.
Repentance produces fruit in our lives!
“John said to the crowds coming out to be baptised by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” Luke 3:7-8 NIV
Repentance is a change of mind, a change in the way of thinking that will produce fruit, and people will see this fruit!
I used to live to please myself, to do my own will, and from now on I will live to please Jesus, my Saviour! This is a decision, not an emotion, not a feeling.
It is impossible to repent without a change of your will.
The Hebrew word for repentance is תשובה (Teshuvah) that means: “To turn back, to return, to turn to the other side.”.
You are walking in one direction, which is the wrong direction, and you turn 180 degrees. You say, “God, I am here, tell me what to do.”
Repentance is not emotion! Repentance is a decision. Repentance happens in the will of man.
When you repent, you want to live to glorify Jesus.
The big problem is that we usually like our sin and don’t want to repent! And without repentance, there is no forgiveness of sins! And without forgiveness, we are lost!
True repentance can transform your life!
It doesn’t matter what you have lived through until today, it doesn’t matter what your past has been like, your sins, or the addictions that are binding your life, nor the life you lived in the past or are living today!
If you truly repent, God will bless your present and change your future.
True repentance begins with confession but ends with a change of attitude.
Repentance leads you to abandon your sin, abandon addictions, stop speaking ill of people, stop robbing from God, and be faithful to God.
True repentance bears fruit! We need to do as Zacchaeus did! For then there will be salvation in your house and in your family.
I invite you to enter into deep repentance. For true repentance leads you to a change of life here on this earth and eternal salvation!