REPENTANCE | Gary 1st #2

REPENTANCE FROM DEAD WORKS

Repentance is the first component of God’s foundation. We should never underestimate its importance. God’s Son came to call sinners to repentance.

Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."

WHAT IS REPENTANCE?

Repentance from dead works is the foundational teaching that we should turn away from evil or depart from sin. This involves forsaking our own opinions and thoughts. Repentance is ceasing to consider ourselves as righteous and and our own actions as correct. We acknowledge our sin and realize that is us who need to change to conform ourselves to the will of God. Repentance is heeding the instruction of God’s grace.

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,

God’s grace is not permission for us to sin. It is the avenue through which God gives us salvation from sin, while instructing us not to continue in sin.

THE INSCRIPTION

Try to picture in your mind God’s huge immovable foundation stone. On this stone, is an inscription engraved in the rock. The inscription assures us that God knows us as his own, while instructing us in in God’s requirement for us.

2 Tim 2:19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."

DEAD WORKS

"Repentance from dead works" is the first component of God’s foundation. This simply means that we are required to turn from disobedience to a life of obedience to God's commandments. "Dead works" (Hebrews 6:1) are the works of disobedience (sin) which lead to death.

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Gal 3:22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

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

WORKS AND FAITH

The doctrine of repentance is God's instruction that works of righteousness are to accompany salvation. Without godly works, our faith is dead and powerless to save us.

James 2:14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe; and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Faith and Works Illustration

THE PREACHING OF GODLY MEN

The Lord Jesus, John the Baptist and all the apostles preached repentance.

Mat 3:1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"

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

Acts 26:19 "Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 "but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. (Paul the apostle)

THE REASON FOR REPENTANCE

We are by our very nature enemies of God. We were actually born in sin. Therefore, Jesus said to us, “You must be born again” and also "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:7 & 3).

It is necessary to repent of the disobedience which makes us God’s enemies and be reconciled to God through faith in his son Jesus. We are commanded by the Lord Jesus, “Repent, and believe in the gospel." (Mark 1:15)

Col 1:21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight.

Eph 2:3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

Rom 5:10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

The Lord Jesus and John the Baptist declared that men should, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" (Matt. 3:1-2 & Matt. 4:17 above)

INHERITING THE KINGDOM OF GOD

Turning to God and forsaking sin is necessary in light of God's coming kingdom. Those who refuse to repent will have no inheritance in the kingdom of God.

1 Cor 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Eph 5:3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.

A SERIOUS ERROR

The words "deceive" and "deceived" in 1 Cor. 6:9 and Eph. 5:6 (above) point to a serious error which has crept into the contemporary church. This is the teaching that holiness and godly living are not necessary for eternal life. Though this teaching is spreading in the modern church, this is actually the world’s first and oldest lie.

And the Serpent said to the woman, “you will not surely die.” (Gen. 3:4)

In the scripture above is recorded the first lie ever told. With this lie, Satan deceived Eve and persuaded her that she could have a life of disobedience (sin) and eternal life also. God’s commandment is that we repent. Satan's lie is that repentance is not necessary. The deception is in believing that we can continue to dishonor God by breaking his commandments and at the same time have life eternal. The father of lies has deceived the hearts of many.

Heb 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:

The Lord's commandment to repent is also his invitation to receive life, forgiveness, cleansing from sin, fellowship with him, and countless other blessings.

Acts 11:18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life."

Acts 5:30 "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 "Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

Acts 3:26 "To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities."

1 John 1:5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

THE GOODNESS OF GOD

We must not reject the love and mercy God has shown to us all. His will is that we forsake sin and be saved!

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

2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

LIBERTY FROM THE BONDAGE OF SIN

Sin is an evil slave master. We can be freed from its bondage through Jesus Christ. Sin deceives, makes slaves of us, and finally it kills us. God sent his Son to speak the truth which, if obeyed, liberates us from the bondage of sin and gives us eternal life. This liberty is another blessing of repentance.

John 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." 33 They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say, 'You will be made free'?" 34 Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 "And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but the son abides forever. 36 "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

DOERS OF GOD'S WORD

We must not deceive ourselves. We need to both hear and do God’s word. This requires repentance and continued obedience on our part.

James 1:21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

A FOUNDATION OF OBEDIENCE

Through obedience to Christ, we build on a solid foundation. If we build without this foundation, our house will surely fall and bring us great and eternal loss.

Mat 7:24 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 "But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."

TEST YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF REPENTANCE FROM DEAD WORKS

1. Christ did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to__________________________________.

2. What is repentance? ___________________________________________________________.

3. What are dead works? ___________________________________________________________

4. How many have sinned? _________________________________________________________

5. Who does God command to repent? ________________________________________________

6. Faith without works is ___________________________________________.

7. John the Baptist, the Lord Jesus and all the apostles preached that men should ___________________________.

8. People should repent because the unrighteous will not____________________________ the kingdom of God.

9. It is not God’s will that any should perish, but that all should come to _______________________.

10. “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only _____________________________________ yourselves.” (James 1:22)

11. We can build our house on a rock (a good foundation) by ______________________________ .