Repentance-The Hardest Command Defined- OT, Hebrew word “naham” literally to lose one’s breathe, to pant, sight or groan. To lament and grieve. When used regarding wrongdoing, it is the expression of the heart which longs to return to relationship and to rue or truly regret and hurt over what severed the relationship.

Repentance-The Hardest Command Naham is used over 40 times in the OT and is used extensively to refer to God repenting. It does not mean God did wrong( 1 Sam. 15:29; Job 42:6;Jer.8:6- “God is not a man that He should repent”). God’s heart is grieved at man’s iniquity and in love He bestows His grace, or in justice He terminates His mercy. It indicates the aroused emotions of God which prompt Him to a different course in dealing with His people. When God repents it is not for anything He has done, but His reaction to how man reacts to God’s commands and precepts.

Repentance-The Hardest Command OT Hebrew word, shubh, a conscious moral separation and a personal decision to forsake sin and enter into fellowship with God. To TURN or RETURN. NT, metamelomai, to have a feeling of care, concern or regret. It expresses the emotional aspect of repentance. It signifies to be careful or concerned about and be sorry but not in the sense of abandonment of sin (Matt. 21:29,32; 27:3) Judas repented in that he had remorse or regret, but not to the point of being sick over sin.

Repentance-The Hardest Command NT, Gr. Metanoeo, to have another mind. To change the mind. To turn. This repentance shows its reality in producing good fruits appropriate to a spiritual life (Matt. 3:8). NT, Gr. Epistrepho, to turn over, to turn upon, to turn unto. Repentance- a change of mind accompanied by grief over sin which result in a change of actions (fruits). True repentance (as it refers to man) involves all of these aspects. One can be in grief over being caught but only to point of getting over the immediate problem. The Bible teaches that “godly sorrow works repentance” (2Cor. 7:9-11).

Repentance- The Hardest Command THREE ELEMENTS OF REPENTANCE 1. Intellectual Element- The change in a sinners heart that moves him to change his evil ways. Man must see sin as an utterly offensive act against God. He must also realize that God’s ways are perfect and right and long to stay in relationship with God’s right Way. He must be aware of the consequences of his actions (Rom. 3:23; 6:23). Sin separates, repentance restores relationship and makes whole again.

Repentance-The Hardest Command 2. The Emotional Element- One may have a knowledge of his sin without being touched by how awful it is. One may dread punishment but not hate his sin. An emotional element must accompany true repentance. See Psalm 51:1,2; and David’s description of his feelings over his sins and his humility in appealing to God for mercy (indicating his feeling of true sorrow over offending God).

Repentance-The Hardest Command 3. The Voluntary Element- This involves the conscious decision to turn or return. The demand for repentance implies free will and individual responsibility for sin. All of these elements must be present in true biblical repentance. Repentance is plainly an intellectual awareness of what sin is which moves one to emotional sorrow over offending God resulting in a voluntary decision to return to relationship with God.

Repentance-The Hardest Command INDUCEMENTS TO REPENT: 1.Goodness of God-Rom. 2:4-…The goodness of God lead to repentance. 2.Severity of God- Rom. 11:22-Behold the goodness and severity of God, on those who fell severity, but toward thee goodness, if you continue in His goodness; or else you will be cut off. 3.Assurance of God- Act 17:30-God commands all men to repent. 4.Judgment of God- 2 Cor. 5:10-we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive for the things done in the body, whether good or bad. REPENT OR PERISH- TURN OR BURN!

Luke 13:5 “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:” Acts 17:30

Romans 3:23 Sinners need to repent Why Preach on Repentance? 1 John 1:8 Back-sliding Christians need to repent

Repentance = “a change of mind which results in a change of conduct” Turn from evil and turn to the good!

Change of Life 1. Involves Turning From Evil 2. Ceasing of Sin Nineveh “…repented at the preaching of Jonah…” (Matt. 12:41) “…they turned from their evil way…” (Jonah 3:10)

“And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he [is] gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.” Joel 2:13 “Let your hearts be broken, and not your clothing,”

2 Corinthians 7:8-10 = Two Words for repent [1] Metamelomai = “after-care” remorse or regret Judas is an example [2] Metanoeo = “after-knowledge” a change of mind that includes:

 Change of opinion in regard to the nature of sin  Change of opinion about sin and God  Change of opinion about the punishment of sin

 He abhors and hates sin in his heart  He desires to stop sin

 Change in your mind about sin  Do not have the desire to repeat sin  Reformation of conduct  Leads to confession and restitution

Sorrow of the world - sorrow for sin Founded on selfishness Not a change of opinion about sin

How can false repentance be known ?  Leaves the feelings unchanged  Still in love with the sin (return over and over)  By someone’s fruits  Works Death  Only partial reformation of conduct  It is temporary  A forced reformation

“Rend your hearts not your garments” Joel 2:13 Repentance is an inside job, not an outside job ! Godly Sorrow Worldly Sorrow

Repentance Change of Mind Godly Sorrow Deep Contrition Produces Change of Life Produces

IS NOT JUST:  Regret  Giving a report to someone about what you did  Being filled with sorrow  Walking down the aisle in the church building  Saying “I’m sorry”  Just stopping the doing of wrong  Starting to attend the services

IS :  A way of life  True hatred of what was done and a resolve never to do it again  Being Ashamed of what you did  Not just a one time event  Continual - as long as we live

From SinToward God Good Light Power of God Righteousness Faith Forgiveness Evil Darkness Power of Satan Sin Dead Works Wickedness 1 Pet. 3:10-12 Acts 26:17-18 Acts 26:18; Rom. 1:16 Ezek. 18:24-28 Heb. 6:1; Rev. 2:5 Acts 8:22

In Christ = SAVED Baptized (Gal.3:27) Confess (Rom.10:10) Hear (Rom.10:17) Faith (Jn.8:24) Repent (Lk.13:3)

Cleansed 1 Jn. 1:9 Forgiven Pray – Acts 8:22 Repent of sins – Acts 8:22 Confess sins – 1 Jn.1:9

One of the hardest commands to obey Repent For The Non-Christian Baptism is easy once he repents For The erring Christian Confession is easy once he repents It is Hard Because: It is the turning point – decision making point It takes humility It involves an admission of wrong

Luke 13:5 “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”

“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted;” 2 Cor.7:10a NKJV

Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga Sunday Morning January 8, 2012