1. Building strong foundations
Hebrews 6:1 - 2

2. Building strong foundations
The need for strong foundations
The writer to the Hebrews wants his readers to move on from the basics
His list in these verses outline what were considered to be the basics of faith
Without these firmly understood he says that we cannot move on in our understanding of God and His ways
Grasp these and we can move on to maturity

3. Building strong foundations
REPENTANCE FROM DEAD WORKS
What is repentance?
Not just remorse, feeling sorry for what we have done
The Greek word translated as repentance is metanoia and literally means turning round
It is an act of the will, a decisive move
Remorse can move on to become repentance but it is a decision that needs to be made
Compare the prodigal son (Luke 15:18) and Esau (Hebrews 12:16-17)

4. Building strong foundations
REPENTANCE FROM DEAD WORKS
Repentance is the first essential foundation
John the Baptist – Matthew 3:2
Jesus – Mark 1:14 – 15, Revelation 2:16
Peter – Acts 2:37-38
Paul – Acts 20:21
It is God who works in a person’s heart to bring them to repent, to bring them to that act of the will that turns to God (John 6:44, 2 Corinthians 7:10)

5. Building strong foundations
REPENTANCE FROM DEAD WORKS
What are dead works?
Trusting in false gods (not just false religion)
Idolatry
Doing good to earn salvation – faith is evidenced by our works but our works do not result in saving faith
Religious rites and ceremonies that are not undergirded by scripture

6. Building strong foundations
CONCLUSION
The importance of repentance
Repentance is not just a one off decision it is a lifelong act of the will to trust and follow God and His ways
Ensure you are not bound up in religious rituals
Ensure you do not become ensnared by a love of the world and its attractions
Dead works produce death, repentance leads to life in all its fullness