Embracing Continuous Repentance for Holiness
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the concept of repentance as a crucial aspect of becoming a holy people. We began by examining the words of Jesus in Mark 1, where He calls us to "Repent and believe in the gospel." Repentance is not just a one-time act at the beginning of our Christian journey but a continuous process that involves a change of mind and heart. We explored the story of Judas to illustrate that remorse without true repentance is insufficient. True repentance involves turning to God, not just feeling sorry for our actions.
We also discussed the common misconception that once we are justified, we no longer need to repent. Justification is a declaration of righteousness, but it does not mean we have reached the fullness of holiness. We must continually engage in repentance and faith to grow in grace. The Apostle Paul’s writings remind us that the deeds of the flesh are in opposition to the Spirit, and we must walk by the Spirit to avoid falling back into old sinful patterns.
Furthermore, we touched on the sins of omission—failing to do what is right according to God's instructions. John Wesley's teachings emphasize that neglecting our duties towards God and others is also sinful. We are called to live out our faith actively, engaging in acts of love, kindness, and service.
Finally, we looked at the transformative power of repentance. It is not just about feeling guilty but about turning away from sin and towards God, allowing the Holy Spirit to work within us. Repentance leads to a deeper relationship with God and helps us become more like Him. As we live by the Spirit, we should see the fruits of the Spirit manifest in our lives, transforming us into a holy people.
### Key Takeaways
1. Repentance is Continuous: Repentance is not a one-time event but a continuous process that involves a change of mind and heart. It is the first step towards salvation and must be a regular part of our Christian journey. True repentance involves turning to God and seeking His forgiveness, not just feeling remorse for our actions. [01:44]
2. Justification and Ongoing Repentance: Being justified by God does not mean we have reached the fullness of holiness. Justification is a declaration of righteousness, but we must continually engage in repentance and faith to grow in grace. This ongoing process helps us align our lives more closely with God's will. [07:24]
3. Sins of Omission: Neglecting to do what is right according to God's instructions is also sinful. John Wesley emphasized that failing to engage in acts of love, kindness, and service towards others is a sin of omission. We must actively live out our faith, not just avoid wrongdoing. [19:10]
4. Transformative Power of Repentance: Repentance is not just about feeling guilty but about turning away from sin and towards God. It involves a transformative process where we allow the Holy Spirit to work within us, leading to a deeper relationship with God and helping us become more like Him. [39:18]
5. Living by the Spirit: As we live by the Spirit, we should see the fruits of the Spirit manifest in our lives, transforming us into a holy people. This involves a persistent endeavor to seek a holy life, walking with God in the way of His commandments and instructions. [43:16]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:44] - The Words of Jesus on Repentance
[03:30] - Definition and Importance of Repentance
[05:28] - The Story of Judas: Remorse vs. Repentance
[07:24] - Justification and the Need for Ongoing Repentance
[09:13] - The Reality of Christian Life and the Deeds of the Flesh
[11:51] - Walking by the Spirit
[13:08] - The Deeds of the Flesh
[14:05] - Modern-Day Temptations and Immorality
[15:49] - Dissensions in the Church
[17:33] - The Church's Response to the World
[19:10] - Sins of Omission
[20:09] - John Wesley on Sins of Omission
[22:06] - The American Church and Comfort
[23:53] - The Covenant of Christian Character
[29:30] - Reflecting on Our Actions
[31:21] - Conviction by the Holy Spirit
[33:33] - John Wesley on Conviction and Repentance
[35:10] - The Role of Jesus as Our Advocate
[37:10] - Seeking God and Repentance
[39:18] - The Cycle of Sin and Repentance in Israel
[41:36] - Paul on Living by the Spirit
[43:16] - The Fruits of the Spirit
[44:30] - A Better Definition of Repentance
[45:17] - Living Out Repentance
[46:59] - Wesley on Repentance and Faith
[49:33] - Closing Blessing and Song
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Mark 1:15 - "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!"
2. Galatians 5:16-17 - "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want."
3. Ezekiel 36:25-27 - "I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus command us to do in Mark 1:15, and why is it significant that repentance is mentioned first?
2. According to Galatians 5:16-17, what are the two opposing forces within us, and what is the result of this conflict?
3. In Ezekiel 36:25-27, what are the promises God makes about cleansing and transformation?
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is repentance described as a continuous process rather than a one-time event in the sermon? [03:30]
2. How does the story of Judas illustrate the difference between remorse and true repentance? [05:28]
3. What does it mean to "walk by the Spirit," and how does this help us avoid the deeds of the flesh? [11:51]
4. How does the concept of sins of omission challenge our understanding of sin and repentance? [19:10]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you have felt remorse but have not truly repented? How can you turn these feelings into genuine repentance? [05:28]
2. How can you make repentance a regular part of your spiritual practice, rather than a one-time event? What steps can you take to ensure this? [03:30]
3. Identify a specific "deed of the flesh" that you struggle with. What practical steps can you take to walk by the Spirit and overcome this struggle? [11:51]
4. Think about a recent situation where you failed to do what is right (a sin of omission). How can you actively live out your faith in similar situations in the future? [19:10]
5. The sermon mentioned the transformative power of repentance. Can you share a personal experience where repentance led to a deeper relationship with God? [39:18]
6. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) to focus on this week. What specific action can you take to cultivate this fruit in your daily interactions? [43:16]
7. How can you support and encourage others in your small group to engage in continuous repentance and growth in grace? What role can you play in fostering a community of accountability and love? [23:20]
Devotional
Day 1: Repentance is a Lifelong Journey
Repentance is not a one-time event but a continuous process that involves a change of mind and heart. It is the first step towards salvation and must be a regular part of our Christian journey. True repentance involves turning to God and seeking His forgiveness, not just feeling remorse for our actions. This ongoing repentance helps us to align our lives more closely with God's will and to grow in grace. It is a transformative process that leads to a deeper relationship with God and helps us become more like Him. [01:44]
Ezekiel 18:30-31 (ESV): "Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel?"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to continually seek God's forgiveness and guidance? How can you make repentance a regular part of your daily walk with God?
Day 2: Justification and Ongoing Repentance
Being justified by God does not mean we have reached the fullness of holiness. Justification is a declaration of righteousness, but we must continually engage in repentance and faith to grow in grace. This ongoing process helps us align our lives more closely with God's will. The Apostle Paul’s writings remind us that the deeds of the flesh are in opposition to the Spirit, and we must walk by the Spirit to avoid falling back into old sinful patterns. [07:24]
Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively engage in repentance and faith to grow in grace? How can you ensure that you are walking by the Spirit and not falling back into old sinful patterns?
Day 3: The Importance of Addressing Sins of Omission
Neglecting to do what is right according to God's instructions is also sinful. John Wesley emphasized that failing to engage in acts of love, kindness, and service towards others is a sin of omission. We must actively live out our faith, not just avoid wrongdoing. This means being proactive in our duties towards God and others, ensuring that we are not just avoiding sin but also doing good. [19:10]
James 4:17 (ESV): "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you failed to do what you knew was right. How can you take steps today to actively engage in acts of love, kindness, and service towards others?
Day 4: The Transformative Power of Repentance
Repentance is not just about feeling guilty but about turning away from sin and towards God. It involves a transformative process where we allow the Holy Spirit to work within us, leading to a deeper relationship with God and helping us become more like Him. This transformation is evident in the fruits of the Spirit manifesting in our lives, as we become more aligned with God's will and character. [39:18]
2 Corinthians 7:10 (ESV): "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death."
Reflection: How has repentance transformed your relationship with God? What steps can you take to allow the Holy Spirit to work more fully within you, leading to a deeper transformation?
Day 5: Living by the Spirit
As we live by the Spirit, we should see the fruits of the Spirit manifest in our lives, transforming us into a holy people. This involves a persistent endeavor to seek a holy life, walking with God in the way of His commandments and instructions. By living by the Spirit, we are empowered to overcome the deeds of the flesh and to live in a way that reflects God's love and holiness. [43:16]
Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Reflection: Which fruit of the Spirit do you find most challenging to manifest in your life? How can you seek the Holy Spirit's help to grow in this area and live a more holy life?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Repentance is the first step towards salvation. It's the first thing that we do as we are looking to be saved. So I want to begin with just a very simple definition of repentance. One of the dictionaries I looked up, it said, Repentance is a change of mind. Also, it can refer to regret or remorse, accompanying a realization that wrong has been done." [03:30] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We need to recognize the truth that if we never do the hard work of developing a relationship with God, then why would we be surprised to come to the realization that those old sins are still embedded in the heart? Sometimes, we come to the altar, and we're saved, and we're just full of all sorts of emotion, but we do nothing to change the most dangerous weapon in our arsenal, the human heart." [10:55] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Conviction is a blessing because God is telling us what we are doing wrong so that we can be closer to him. We go through life, we mess up. Welcome to being human. We mess up and God sends the Holy Spirit and we get that kind of, ah, darn it. Right? I messed up. Some of you view that as God's condemning me. No. What he's saying is you messed up. I want you to see that you messed up so that you repent and I will forgive you and make it right and you will become a better person." [41:00] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Repentance is the act of acknowledging past wrongdoing, expressing remorse or contrition, and committing to the right behavior and obedience to God. It is a transformative process that involves turning away from sin or transgression and turning back to God. We're going to have to work on it, is what that definition is saying. This is a process that we go through. So be comfortable in that. Be comfortable with learning." [44:30] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Repentance says, without him, I can do nothing. Faith says, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Through him, I can not only overcome but expel all the enemies of my soul. Through him, I can love the Lord my God with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength and walk in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of my life." [46:59] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Most Christians think that repentance and faith are only necessary at the beginning of our Christian journey, as if we only have to believe in Jesus that one time and only repent that one time. But this would be an incomplete definition of repentance because it does not deal with the issue of the human heart. It only deals with the issue of the human mind." [03:30] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We have many Christians today who don't recognize that both repentance and faith are essential after we have been saved and in every subsequent stage of our Christian journey. So every Christian should say, well, yeah, I need to have faith. That's great. Did you recognize, though, that you also, need repentance? Because this repentance and faith are just as necessary for our growth in grace as the initial faith and repentance that led us to our salvation." [07:24] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Paul is saying, church, are you going to create factions and dissensions and create strife in the world? Are you adding to the problem? Are you helping? Being a holy people means you're not holier than thou. It means you're learning to be imitated, and living that out well in the church and in the world." [18:33] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Repentance keeps us in a relationship with God. It leads us to a transformation to being His creation. Let us look at a better definition of repentance then. Repentance is the act of being God's creation. Repentance is the act of acknowledging past wrongdoing, expressing remorse or contrition, and committing to the right behavior and obedience to God. It is a transformative process that involves turning away from sin or transgression and turning back to God." [44:30] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "By repentance, we feel the sin remaining in our hearts and cleaving to our words and actions. By faith, we receive the power of God and Christ. Purifying our hearts and cleansing our hands. By repentance, we are still sensible that we deserve punishment for all our tempers, our words, and actions. By faith, we are conscious that our advocate with the Father is continually pleading for us and thereby continually turning aside all condemnation and punishment from us." [46:59] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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