REPENT!
I have been wondering what happened to the preaching of repentance?
If we look at the totality of Scripture we see that the message of God is REPENT.
In the Old Testament we see God saying turn from sin and turn to God.
I’ll focus on the new in this post.
1.\tThen we see John the Baptist the bridge from the old to the new preaching Matthew 3:1-2 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
2.\tThen we see Jesus come and preach, Matthew 4:17 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
3.\tThen we see the 70 who were sent out doing signs and wonders but look close at the message they preached. God confirmed his Word with signs and wonders but what was his Word? REPENT. Mark 6:12-13 12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent. 13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.
4.\tThen we see Peter preaching on the day of Pentecost preached, Acts 2:38 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5.\tThen we see the Apostle Paul who could of shared all the different things he mentioned but said,”That they should repent to sum it all up”, Acts 26:19-20 19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: 20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
6.\tThen we see that 5 of the 7 Churches in Rev. are told to Repent.
a.\tRevelation 2:4-5 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Relationship was left…
b.\tRevelation 2:14-16 14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Embraced false doctrine…
c.\tRevelation 2:20-22 20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Sinful deeds…
d.\tRevelation 3:2-3 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
Not watchful, unperfected works…
e.\tRevelation 3:15-19 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Lukewarm…
Relationship was left…
Embraced false doctrine…
Sinful deeds…
Not watchful, unperfected works…
Lukewarm…
Sound familiar?
We need repentance preaching.
I’m wondering about all these so called revivals that have no repentance…
It seems like in the Bible revivals were directly connected to repentance…
If we ever want to experience fresh times of refreshing we must repent.
Not an event but a lifestyle.
Acts 3:19 19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
I thought I’d just scratch the surface…
If anyone knows any good repentance resources please post.
Thanks
Blessings,
Josh
