The Consequences of Disobedience Zephaniah 3:6-8 June 9, 2016 Christian Education 1

True Repentance averts wrath is an old English word defined in dictionary as ‘deep, intense anger and indignation’. Wrath is defined as ‘stirring of resentful displeasure and strong antagonism, by a sense of injury or insult’; Anger 2

True Repentance averts wrath as ‘righteous anger aroused by injustice and baseness’. Such is wrath. And wrath, the Bible tells us, is an attribute of God. J. I. Packer Indignation is God’s righteous anger and punishment, provoked by sin. Divine wrath 3

True Repentance the only alternative ›2 Chronicles 7:14 - If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.2 Chronicles 7:14 ›Acts 3:19 - 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;Acts 3:19 ›Luke 13:3 - I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.Luke 13:3 ›Ezekiel 18: But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. Ezekiel 18:

What Is Repentance? ›There are different ideas in our day of what repentance is and its role in salvation.salvation ›To have the truth about this important subject we must draw our doctrines from the Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16,17). ›Is repentance merely changing your mind or is there much more involved? ›Could it be turning from wickedness? 5

Let's take a look at the clearest and most accurate Biblical definition of repentance. ›Jesus' teaching about Jonah and the Ninevites quickly yields the true answer to the repentance definition enigma: ›“The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they REPENTED at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here” (Mt. 12:41). ›So whatever the Ninevites did is what the Lord Jesus identified as repentance in the Bible. 6

The Ninevites believed God. ›They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. ›When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. 7

Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh: ›"By the decree of the king and his nobles: ›Do not let any man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish." ›When God saw WHAT THEY DID and how they TURNED FROM THEIR EVIL WAYS, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened (Jonah 3:5-10). 8

Thus, we can conclude repentance in the bible occurred when the Ninevites: 1.humbled themselves, 2.and called urgently on God, 3.giving up and turning from their evil ways. (2 Chronicles 7:14) ›REPENTANCE IS MORE THAN FEELING SORROW FOR SIN, IT’S DOING SOMETHING ABOUT SIN. 9

Peter taught that repentance is the remedy to perishing: ›“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). 10

Though not an exhaustive listing, the following bible truths shows the repentance meaning: Have godly sorrow and an earnest desire to clear yourself (2 Cor. 7:10,11) Call urgently on God, give up your evil ways and violence (Jonah 3:5-10) Come near to God; wash your hands; purify your hearts; grieve, mourn and wail; change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom; humble yourself before God (Jam. 4:8-10) 11 ***End of Lesson***