1. Hebrews 12:12-17

2. Sorrow for Sin No question that sorrow for sin plays a part in genuine repentance, 2 Cor. 7:9-10 World offers a counterfeit sorrow that produces death, 2 Cor. 7:10 ESAU: Example of the sorrow of the world – Despised his birthright (Gen. 25:29-34) – Later cried for a blessing but was rejected (Heb. 12:17; Gen. 27:34, 38) 2

3. Sorrow for Sin The heart is only prepared for conversion and salvation once it is crushed by the weight of sin Can then turn completely to God The joy of salvation is then renewed and restored, Psa. 51:10-12 3

4. The sorrow of the world 2 Cor. 7:10 4

5. The Sorrow of the World Momentary – Void of any fundamental change of the heart – King Saul, 1 Sam. 15:24-30; 28:17-20 Rash – Does not look to God for solution and escape – Judas, Matt. 27:3-5 Futile – Produces death, 2 Cor. 7:10 (Rom. 1:30-31) – No remedy for sin 5

6. Godly sorrow 2 Cor. 7:10 6

7. Godly Sorrow God is its object, Psa. 32:5-6 – Not ourselves (self-pity, self-justification, etc.) – We must come to God, Lk. 15:17-19 Heart is crushed before God, Psa. 51:17; 34:18; Acts 2:37 – God will regard the person whose heart is contrite, Isa. 66:2 – It returns to obeying God and is blessed by God, Deut. 30:2-3 7

8. Godly Sorrow Produces repentance, 2 Cor. 7:10; Acts 8:21-22 (change of heart) – Godly sorrow helps replace hardness of heart with understanding, Jno. 12:37-40 – Godly sorrow helps replace disobedience with observable proof of obedience (the fruit of repentance), 2 Cor. 7:11 8

9. Godly sorrow: Are you ready? Ready to repent of sins, be converted to Christ and bear godly fruit? 9

10. Are You Ready? Yes, if you have genuine faith, Heb. 11:6; 12:16-17 – Remove bitterness from your heart, Heb. 12:15 – Pursue peace and holiness, Heb. 12:14 – Be careful! Heb. 12:15 Yes, if your heart is responsive to God, Deut. 10:16; 30:2, 6 (Ezek. 11:18-20) – Humble sorrow needed to be revived, Isa. 57:15 (Acts 16:34) – Spiritually motivated to change, Acts 2:36-40 10

11. 11 God will not despise a broken and contrite heart, Psa. 51:17 “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” (Lk. 18:13-14)