Matthew 3:1-12 – ABOUT FACE or REPENT!!
Skit – Someone standing in back, after Scripture Reading, obeying my “orders”.
“Forward March”
“Company halt!”
“About Face!”
“Forward, March”
“Company halt”
“Company dismissed!”
You just witnessed an illustration of a word used often in the Bible, but not used as often as it should be in church and other Christian gatherings. The word is “Repent”.
The word, “Repent!” means to do an about face. We’ll explain more about that in a few minutes.
WHO CALLS FOR REPENTANCE? – Matthew 3:1
- John the Baptist– Luke 3:7-14
- God – Matthew 4:17, Isaiah 1:18, Revelation 2-3
- God’s servants – 2 Timothy 4:2
Reproof – Correct – Appeal to Mind
Rebuke – Appeal to Heart
WHAT IS REPENTANCE? – Matthew 3:2, Matthew 3:8
Sorrow for sin, change of mind, heart, and behavior – Luke 3:10-14, Isaiah 1:16-17
WHO SHOULD REPENT? Matthew 3:2-8
- Unsaved
- Those who profess salvation with no evidence of change in life 2 Corinthians 5:17
- Christians who have lost their “first love” Revelation 2:4
- Those who are convicted of sin
WHY SHOULD WE REPENT? – Matthew 3:9-12
- Fear of eternal judgment (if unsaved)! John 3:16-18
- The Kingdom of Heaven in at hand – Luke 12:40
- Because we’re wrong! Matthew 15:8-9
- Because God is grieved! Isaiah 59:1-4
WHEN SHOULD WE REPENT? – 1 Corinthians 6:2
HOW SHOULD WE REPENT?
- Turn to Christ – 1 Thessalonians 1:9
- Confession of sin – 1 John 1:9
- Godly sorrow – 2 Corinthians 7:10
- Forsake sin – Isaiah 55:6-7
