I.        INTRODUCTION

A.      Repentance is one of the foundational messages of God’s word.

                                                             1.      Throughout Israel’s history, the prophets of God called upon the sinful people to repent of their sins (see Ezek. 18:30-32 for example).

                                                             2.      Since the gospel of Christ has been revealed, repentance has been one of the primary responsibilities of those who seek forgiveness of sins through Jesus (see Acts 2:38 for example).

B.      Whether in ancient times or modern days, there has always been only one way to have true repentance.  Let us consider repentance in this lesson so that we may understand that one true way.

II.      TO REPENT IS TO CHANGE YOUR MIND

A.      Consider the definition of repentance.

                                                             1.      The Greek word translated as repent is metanoeō, which is made up of two parts – meta (with, after, behind) and noeō (to perceive with the mind, to understand, to have understanding).  Literally, this word means to understand afterwards.

                                                             2.      A simple definition of the word repent is to change one’s mind or heart.

B.      Repentance from sin is more than merely ceasing from sin.  It is changing your mind about sin.

                                                             1.      One may stop sinning for fear of punishment, embarrassment, harm, or other consequences.  This alone is not true repentance, for if the consequences were eliminated, then the sin would resume.

                                                             2.      Genuine repentance is a change of the mind about sin.  A person who repents sees that sin is an offense against his God, and therefore his thoughts about sin are changed.

a.       A repentant heart experiences godly sorrow, which is regret for having offended God.

i.         Notice 2Corinthians 7:10 – "For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.”

ii.        This does not mean that a person who has godly sorrow and repentance has no regret for his sin, but rather he has no regret for changing his mind about sin.  He walks away from sin, and he has no desire to go back to it.

b.       David is a good example of a person who changed his mind about his sins.

i.         Notice his godly perspective on his own sin in Psalm 51:3-6 – "For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.  Against You, You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified when You speak and blameless when You judge.  Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.  Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.”

ii.        When David’s thoughts about sin were changed, he obtained "truth in the innermost being.”  He was able to see his own sin as God sees it.

                                                             3.      When the heart is changed concerning sin, sin will cease, for sin proceeds from the heart.

a.       Jesus revealed the true source of sin in Mark 7:221-23 – "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.  All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.”

b.       Consider the example of Simon, whose evil heart put his soul in danger (Acts 8:9-24).

i.         When Simon attempted to buy the power to impart the Holy Spirit, Peter rebuked him, saying, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!  You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.  Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.  For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.” (vv. 20-23, emphasis added)

ii.        Simon’s offense was not a sinful deed but a wicked heart.  His heart had to be changed for God to forgive him.

c.        In the sermon on the mount, Jesus addressed the condition of the heart concerning the sins of murder, adultery, divorce, false vows, and more (Matt. 5:20ff).  He showed that the heart must be right with God in order to keep His law.

III.   THE WAY TO REPENT

A.      Understand first that repentance is granted by God through Jesus Christ.

                                                             1.      God is not obligated to give us the opportunity for repentance, but rather it is His will to grant us a chance to repent through His patience and grace.

a.       Notice 2Peter 3:9 – "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

b.       The delay of Christ’s return is an opportunity for all sinners to repent and be saved.

                                                             2.      The opportunity for repentance has been granted by God to all men through Christ.

a.       First the Jews (Acts 5:31) and then the Gentiles (Acts 11:18) were granted the chance to repent and make their hearts right with God through Christ.

b.        It is purely by God’s mercy that any of us have this opportunity.  Notice Romans 2:4 – "Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?”

B.      Repentance comes through the persuasion of Christ’s gospel.

                                                             1.      The first gospel message preached by John the baptist and then Jesus was, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 3:2; 4:17).  The message of repentance has been a core component of the gospel from the beginning.

                                                             2.      The work of evangelism is the work of changing minds.

a.       Notice 2Timothy 2:24-26 – "The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.”

b.       An evangelist teaches, persuades, and convinces through words and examples in order to change the minds of sinners about their sin.

c.        Minds cannot be changed at the point of a gun.  Behaviors can be changed this way, but minds can be changed only by persuasive messages.  For this cause, the gospel does not use force or compulsion, but rather it uses reason, logic, and evidence (see Isa. 1:18).

C.      A changed mind will lead to changed behaviors.

                                                             1.      A mind unchanged by the gospel is still filled with the potential and likelihood of sin, but a repentant heart will cease from sinful deeds.

                                                             2.      The gospel of Christ is transformational from the inside out.  Notice Romans 12:2 – "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

                                                             3.      Just as faith without works is dead (Jas. 2:14-26) and love without works is empty (1John 3:16-18), so also repentance without works is incomplete.

a.       Changed works has been the sign of repentance from the beginning of the gospel.  Notice Matthew 3:8 – "Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance.”  (See also Luke 3:8.)

b.       Wherever the gospel in preached, men must be taught "that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance” (Acts 26:20).

                                                             4.      Notice that from the beginning of the gospel, baptism has been associated with repentance.

a.       Baptism, repentance, and forgiveness of sins were all connected parts of the preaching of John the baptist (Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3).

b.       This has continued to be the case since the full gospel and baptism in Christ’s name have been given.  Peter preached this message on Pentecost after Christ’s ascension, saying, "Repent, and each of you be baptized 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; see Luke 24:47).

IV.    CONCLUSION

A.      The only way to repent is to change your mind about sin.

                                                             1.      Ceasing from sin is a sign of repentance, but a genuine change of the heart is necessary to make repentance effective.

                                                             2.      A truly repentant soul will change his mind about sin, submit to God’s will, and change his ways.

B.      If you continually struggle with sin, then it may be that you have never truly repented.  If so, then "do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom. 12:2).  Let the word of God mold your mind into a new form, and let your ways be changed forever.