Engaging Culture with Repentance and Righteous Judgment

Nov 16, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: God Commands All People Everywhere to Repent

Repentance is not a suggestion but a divine command, calling every person to turn from sin and pursue a life of holiness. True repentance is not just a fleeting feeling of guilt or a one-time emotional response; it is a lifelong journey of transformation, where the Holy Spirit continually reveals areas in need of change and empowers you to love what God loves and hate what He hates. This pursuit of holiness is evidence of a heart set aflame by God, a heart that desires to walk in obedience and to be continually renewed. Ask yourself if your heart has ever truly burned for the Lord, and if you are living in ongoing repentance, not just relying on a past experience but seeking daily to be conformed to Christ. [34:43]

Acts 17:30 (ESV)
"The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent."

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you have grown complacent or excused sin, and how can you respond today to God’s command to repent and pursue holiness in that area?

Day 2: God’s Judgment Is Certain and Righteous

God has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness through Jesus Christ, and this judgment is both sure and just. It is not based on human standards or fleeting emotions, but on the perfect righteousness of Christ, who alone is worthy to judge. The reality of this coming judgment should sober us, reminding us that God’s patience and kindness are meant to lead us to repentance, not to be taken for granted. His forbearance is an act of mercy, giving us time to turn to Him, but it will not last forever. Let the certainty of God’s righteous judgment move you to examine your heart and live with urgency for the things that matter eternally. [41:18]

Acts 17:31 (ESV)
"Because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."

Reflection: How does the reality of God’s coming judgment affect the way you treat others and the priorities you set for your life today?

Day 3: The Holy Spirit Empowers and Reminds Believers

The Holy Spirit is given to believers to empower them for witness and to bring to remembrance all that Jesus has taught. Just as the apostles were reminded of Christ’s words and works, enabling them to write the Scriptures and boldly engage their culture, so too are you called to immerse yourself in God’s Word so the Spirit can bring truth to mind when you need it most. If you neglect the Scriptures, you leave the Spirit little to work with in your heart and mind. Make it your aim to walk closely with Jesus, filling your heart with His Word, so that you are ready to be His witness wherever He leads. [31:31]

John 14:26 (ESV)
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to deepen your engagement with Scripture, so the Holy Spirit can bring God’s truth to your remembrance in daily life?

Day 4: Jesus Is the Appointed Judge and Assurance of Salvation

Jesus, appointed from the beginning, is both the Savior and the Judge, and His resurrection is the assurance of God’s promises—both for salvation to those who believe and judgment to those who reject Him. The Scriptures testify that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s plan, the one who took on our iniquity and offers us His righteousness in exchange. His authority is unmatched, and His resurrection is the guarantee that God’s Word is true. Let this assurance anchor your faith and motivate you to live boldly for Christ, knowing that your hope is secure in Him. [49:43]

2 Samuel 7:12-16 (ESV)
"When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever."

Reflection: In what ways does the assurance of Jesus’ resurrection and authority give you confidence to face your fears or doubts today?

Day 5: Engage the Culture with the Message of the Cross

The early church turned the world upside down not by social programs alone, but by boldly proclaiming the message of the cross, even when it was rejected or misunderstood. As followers of Christ, you are called to engage your culture with this same message, building bridges for the gospel and living out your faith with conviction and compassion. The world may accept acts of kindness, but it is the truth of God’s Word that transforms lives. Consider how you can keep the main thing the main thing, using your words and influence to point others to Christ, knowing that eternity is at stake. [24:28]

Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'"

Reflection: Who is one person in your sphere of influence that you can intentionally reach out to this week with the message of the cross, and what step will you take to build that bridge?

Sermon Summary

Today’s passage from Acts 17 calls us to consider what it truly means to engage the culture as followers of Christ. The early church did not turn the world upside down simply by meeting physical needs or performing acts of kindness—though those are good and necessary. What set them apart was the message they carried: the gospel of Jesus Christ, a message that confronts the heart and calls for repentance. As we move through our daily lives—whether at Walmart, a restaurant, or anywhere else—we are surrounded by people who, apart from Christ, stand condemned. This reality should fundamentally change how we see the world and our purpose within it.

God has fixed a day when He will judge the world in righteousness. This is not a distant theological concept but a present reality that should shape our priorities and actions. We can fill our lives with good things—family, hobbies, even church activities—but if we lose sight of the urgency of the gospel and the coming judgment, we miss the main thing. The kindness of God is seen in His patience, in His holding back of judgment to allow time for repentance. This is not to be taken lightly or presumed upon; it is a call to examine our own hearts and to respond in obedience.

Repentance is not a one-time event but a lifelong pursuit of holiness. The Holy Spirit works in us, bringing to remembrance the truths of Scripture and revealing areas in need of transformation. If we are not in the Word, we have nothing for the Spirit to bring to mind. True repentance is marked by a burning desire for God, a hatred of sin, and a longing to love what He loves. This is the ongoing work of sanctification, peeling away the layers of sin and self-deception as we walk with Christ.

God’s judgment is righteous and sure, and it will be executed by the One He has appointed—Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead as assurance to all. This reality should produce both a holy fear and a deep assurance in our hearts. We are called to respond not with mere religious activity, but with genuine obedience and worship, keeping the main thing the main thing. As we prepare to remember Christ’s sacrifice at the Lord’s table, we are urged to examine ourselves, to repent, and to live in light of the coming judgment and the hope of the resurrection.

Key Takeaways

1. The Gospel Message Transforms Culture The early church’s impact came not from social programs, but from boldly proclaiming the gospel. Acts of kindness are important, but only the message of Christ addresses the deepest need of humanity. We must not substitute good deeds for the call to repentance and faith in Jesus. [25:02]
2. God’s Patience Is Meant for Repentance God’s kindness in delaying judgment is not permission to continue in sin, but an opportunity to turn to Him. Every day we are given is an act of mercy, a chance to repent and pursue holiness. To presume upon His patience is to misunderstand the gravity of our condition and the urgency of His call. [42:04]
3. Repentance Is a Lifelong Pursuit True repentance is not a fleeting feeling of guilt, but a continual turning from sin and a growing desire for God. The Spirit uses Scripture to reveal our hearts and lead us into deeper obedience. This process is ongoing, marked by both conviction and the assurance of God’s transforming grace. [39:20]
4. God’s Judgment Is Righteous and Certain Judgment is not arbitrary or capricious; it is rooted in God’s righteousness and executed by Christ, the appointed Judge. This should produce both reverence and hope—reverence because of the seriousness of sin, and hope because Christ has borne our judgment and offers us His righteousness. [49:43]
5. Our Lives Must Reflect Gospel Urgency Knowing that God has fixed a day of judgment should shape our words, actions, and priorities. We are called to engage the world not as spectators, but as witnesses, keeping the gospel at the center of all we do. This is the main thing, and everything else must flow from it. [56:43]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[24:28] - Engaging the Culture: Acts 17
[25:41] - The Power of the Gospel Message
[26:21] - Seeing the World as Lost
[27:38] - The Church and Cultural Separation
[28:52] - The Danger of Twisting Scripture
[29:32] - God’s Glory and General Revelation
[30:53] - The Holy Spirit Empowers Witness
[32:06] - Scripture and Remembrance
[34:43] - God Commands Repentance
[36:35] - The Work of Regeneration
[38:35] - A Heart Burning for God
[40:38] - Repentance and the Pursuit of Holiness
[42:04] - God’s Kindness and Delayed Judgment
[45:20] - Wrestling with Righteous Judgment
[49:43] - Jesus: The Appointed Judge
[54:51] - Living in Light of Judgment
[56:43] - Keeping the Main Thing Central
[59:20] - Preparing for the Lord’s Supper

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Acts 17 and the Urgency of the Gospel

Bible Reading

Acts 17:30-31 (ESV)
> The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.

Romans 2:3-4 (ESV)
> Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
> And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Observation Questions

According to Acts 17:30-31, what does God command all people to do, and what reason does He give for this command?
In Romans 2:3-4, what is the purpose of God’s kindness and patience toward us?
What authority does Jesus claim in Matthew 28:18-20, and what does He command His followers to do with that authority?
The sermon mentioned that the early church’s impact came not just from good deeds, but from the message they carried. What was unique about their message? [[25:02]]

Interpretation Questions

Why is it important that repentance is described as a command from God, rather than just a suggestion or invitation? How does this affect the way we view our own need for repentance? [[34:43]]
The sermon says God’s patience is meant to lead us to repentance, not to be taken for granted. What are some ways people might misunderstand or misuse God’s patience? [[42:04]]
How does the reality of a fixed day of judgment, as described in Acts 17, shape the way Christians should see their priorities and daily lives? [[26:21]]
The sermon described repentance as a lifelong pursuit, not a one-time event. What does ongoing repentance look like in the life of a believer? [[39:20]]

Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to see the world as lost and in need of the gospel, not just in need of good deeds. When you go about your daily life—at the store, at work, or with friends—how do you see the people around you? Do you see them as God sees them? How might this change your interactions? [[26:21]]
God’s patience is described as an act of mercy, giving us time to repent. Is there an area in your life where you have been presuming on God’s patience instead of responding in repentance? What would it look like to take action this week? [[42:04]]
The sermon said, “If we are not in the Word, we have nothing for the Spirit to bring to mind.” How consistent is your time in Scripture? What is one step you can take this week to be more intentional about being in God’s Word? [[33:22]]
Repentance was described as a burning desire for God and a hatred of sin. Is there a sin or habit in your life that you have grown comfortable with? What would it look like to ask God to give you a deeper hatred for that sin and a greater love for Him? [[39:20]]
The reality of God’s coming judgment is meant to produce both holy fear and deep assurance. Which of these do you feel more strongly—fear or assurance? Why? How can you grow in a healthy balance of both? [[49:43]]
The sermon emphasized keeping “the main thing the main thing”—the urgency of the gospel. Are there good things in your life (family, hobbies, even church activities) that sometimes distract you from the main thing? What is one way you can refocus your priorities this week? [[56:43]]
Jesus commands us to go and make disciples. Who is one person in your life you can pray for and intentionally reach out to with the message of Jesus this month? [[56:07]]

Sermon Clips

“But their message is what turned the world upside down. And that message, as Pastor Jonathan actually spoke of in his sermon, we have to build bridges in evangelism to bridge that gap because guess what? They're not going to accept you. They're not going to accept your message. Look, they're going to accept the free food. They're going to accept They're going to accept the hoodies. They're going to accept everything that is fleshly. They'll accept that, but they will not accept your word because it is God's word.”

“You know, any Christian worth his salt knows that that God has fixed a day that that he will judge the world. But what does it look like if if we don't believe that? If God has not fixed the day in which he's going to judge the world, what are we doing? Look, you could be the best the most awesome sports fan you wanted to be. You can go to all the football games. You got to all the basketball games. You can do all the things. You could be the best father. You can take them on the best camping trips. Amen.”

“These are good things. These are not bad things which we have to like restrain ourselves from. These are good things. But you could just be the ultimate and pour all your funds into that. That would be how you lived your life. This full of flesh, full of desire. I want what we I want now and I can have it. I mean that's what we call hedenism. We just have all all the fleshly things. And guess what? It's only when we meet the rub of that entering into sin that the church separates from its culture.”

“But look, we believe that God has a reason that he is fixed a day. It's because God cares for his glory. He cares for his glory. A matter of fact, that is the whole reason in which God made creation. Remember Romans 1:20 where his invisible attributes namely his eternal power, divine nature have been clearly perceived ever since the creation of the world in the things that have been made. So guess what? That last little bit. So they are without excuse when when are they out without excuse? at the judgment. They're held without excuse at the judgment.”

“This is what we would call general revelation that God in his creation that you can view creation and you can tell that they're a God, but God's going to hold them accountable to that. Listen to this. says Jesus is speaking in Acts 17 and 8. I feel like I jumped a large portion. I think I did. I think I jumped my Yes, I did. Okay. Sorry. Sorry. It's good. Let us I don't want to mess up Gabby. Yeah. So, Acts She's already went. Okay. Very good. I I'll jump down. Um, but here is Jesus speaking in Acts 1:7 and 8.”

“He said, he said to them, "It is not for you to know the times or the season that the father has fixed by his own authority, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in Judea, in Samaria, and guess what? In Stanley County, to the ends of the earth, you will be my witnesses there." And look, it is the Holy Spirit's job to give you a power in witnessing. That's what he does. He empowers you to be the witness.”

“You don't have to really work these things up as much as that the spirit of God is working in and through you. Listen to this. Jesus also speaking in John 14:26. But the helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to remembrance all that I said to you. You know, small group, we were actually kind of breaking this apart a little bit last night. How does that how does that work its way out? How does that work its way out?”

“How did it work its way out with them first of all and then how does it work its way out with us? Well, it worked its way out with them is that you had these apostles which followed Jesus for his entire ministry. They went through they seen what Jesus did. They they seen how he healed the sick. They heard his message and then he went and died on the cross and was gone. And he he he said to them, you know, the Holy Spirit, let's see, back in John 14:26, he said he will send the helper who will bring to your remembrance all things.”

“So these guys went out into the culture. They went out into the culture of their time and he would bring back the remembrance of things which Jesus had taught them. Y'all know what happened when those bringing back to remembrance happened? You know what was created? The scripture. Scriptures were created. That's how they were wrote. That was how the Holy Spirit had his hand in men, writing these things down so that you can have your Bible right now, right here. 2,000 years ago, you're able to pick up scripture and read it.”

“But guess what? It works the same way with you. If you do not pick up the scriptures, you ain't got squat to bring back to remembrance. Do you understand that? You have not a nothing to bring back to remembrance. If you're not in the scriptures, if you're not walking with Jesus in the same light in which the apostles did in and through their time on earth, you have nothing to bring back to remembrance. So, how do you expect the Lord to work in evangelism in you if there's nothing there?”

“I want us to look here at my second point that God that God commands repentance. Look at Acts 17:30. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. Well, if if God is making it a command, he's not saying pretty pretty please come and accept this. He's saying believe or die. It is a command. Believe or die. The command. If God is saying that we need to do this, well, what is repentance? What is that?”

“Maybe it's, oh man, I felt bad that one time, but guess what? I don't feel that bad about it no more. Maybe that's you. Maybe you were sitting in a pew and man, you heard a message from a pastor. You felt guilty for a short time and you fell down. You fell down on tears and you cried and you gave you're you gave yourself over to the Lord never to step back in church again. You have no motivations or love for the Lord at all. Matter of fact, you got to be drugged here by somebody more spiritual than you.”

“Throwing all these sticks on your heart and then at the right time what we would call the doctrine of regeneration, God shows up and he lights your heart a flame a new gives you new desires that you never known. You're different. You're not you don't it's not a it's not a have to. It's a desire, man. You get home, man. I mean, I I hadn't even read the Bible since probably I was probably 10 years old. You're talking about somebody who was like 20 or 21 at this time.”

“And as I read, it was just I had this burning on the inside of me just just to know him and to to read his word. And man, not even being read the scriptures. Then I would come across a verse some verses like this. If you would look with me in Luke 24:13-32. Now, this is after the resurrection. Uh there's two guys. They they they've left the city and they're like, "Man, this is just wild. All this is happening." You know, they're leaving. They're going on a journey seven miles away.”

“And as they're on this journey, they're just walking along and and this man comes up beside them. They didn't know him, but they start telling him everything that happened to Jesus and how we thought he was going to be the appointed one. We thought he was going to be the king of Israel. We thought he was going to be annoyingly that was Jesus and they didn't even recognize him. And it says beginning with the law of Moses. scripture beginning with the law of Moses through the prophets and the psalms.”

“He he led them through showing him showing them who Jesus was, showing them himself in the scripture, not separate. Listen to these guys account after they come back and they get to thinking about it like after he's gone. Listen what they say. And they said to each other, "Did our hearts not burn within us while he talked to us along the road while he opened up to us the scriptures? Did our hearts not burn?" Question. Has your heart ever burned for the Lord?”

“What does that look like for you? You know, repentance is a pursuit for holiness. It is a a life pursuit of holiness. Not just the day of salvation, but that the Holy Spirit over a period of time of your life will take these scriptures and begin to peel the shackles off your eyes. Just like Paul when he's seeing Jesus for the first time, he's peeling these sins like you didn't even realize you were so sinful. He didn't even show you all of yourself at the beginning of salvation.”

“But over time, he begins to show you yourself. And he allows you to have repentance along this walk of faith. Do any of you have that story? Have you been walking through this journey with the Lord and he's shown you yourself over and over again and he's allowed you to to come to him said, "Lord, I hate that in my heart. I cannot stand that about me. Lord, would you rid me of this?" Your prayers change. Your prayers will reach out to the Lord, asking him to take these things away.”

“Why? Because God commands repentance and enables repentance, stirring the heart of his people. That goes on to our third point. God's judgment of the world will be done in righteousness. Look in Acts 17:31 and and we read on which he will judge the world in righteousness. If you would turn with me to Romans 3 2-4, you know, I've heard this verse, man, so twisted so many times. It's not the wrath of God, man, leads us to repentance. It's love. It's this oohy gushy love type talk.”

“The time of ignorance. God have overlooked those times. Why? Because all of humanity should have perished in Adam and Eve. He should not have let you exist at all. They sinned. They should have went the punishment. But his grace, they should have went to judgment. You were born into this world. Judgment should have happened. So what is his kindness? He's held back his wrath from you and allowed repentance. He's held back his wrath. That is his kindness.”

“How did he do it? And when they had those who bore the ark of the Lord had gone six steps, what happened? Obedience. Obedience happened in six steps. He sacrificed an ox and a fatted animal. And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was wearing a linted ephog. So David and all the household of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord and shouting and sounds and harps and I mean he went right back to what they were doing when this thing was on the was on the cart.”

“We got to go back. We got to repent, take steps back of obedience, and fall in line with what the Lord is doing. David struggled with that type of righteous judgment as well. Guess what? How will God bring about such said judgment? Look at verse 31. in Acts. By a man he has appointed and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead. Brother sisters, what are we going to do with that this? What are we going to do with it?”

“How we live our lives as Christians should affect that. We live out these realities. We live out these views. We view our culture in this same way. I mean, you you're either, as I've heard, an evangelist or an impostor. We're left here as the body to go out and engage the culture. That's what we're doing. That's the reason we get Matthew 28:16-20, which I think we've read a few times during this this series.”

“You come to church, you hear the pastor, the deacons are serving, everybody's just doing their part, and then we go home and we eat chicken at mama's house like anybody else. Am I the only one? I enjoy those things. Those are good things, but we must keep the main thing the main thing. I simply want to ask, what are your words going to look like knowing that God is fixed today? What are your areas of influence going to look like when we go back out into the world after you leave here?”

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