Old Llantrisant Hill
Introduction
- Example of Neil at Vision of Hope
- Now called "180 degrees at Hope House"
- They have seen this happen with many men
- Our word – repentance (v2)
- It means turning 180 degrees away from sin
- Repentance
- Spoke by John the Baptist in Matt 3:2
- Repeated in Matt 4:17 – by Jesus
- The messege of the Apostles – repent, Act 2:18, 3:19, 17:30
- A main message of the Bible
- Is this faithfully preached today?
Why do we need to Repent?
- There is something wrong with the human heart
- Not external things – the evil of society
- Internal things – sin in our heart
- Quotes of the situation into which John the Baptist came preaching
- Isaiah – a time of darkness, great sin and degradation
- John the Baptist prepared the way for the Jesus, the light of the world
- John’s audience: mainly religious/Jewish people
- Perhaps their religion had not helped them
- Perhaps their religion was empty and hollow – example
- Perhaps their religion had hardened them against the truth
- John’s ministry
- Different to the religious leaders of the day – an awakening ministry
- He spoke to people’s consciences
- He was filled with the Holy Spirit
- He had authority because he lived what he preached
- He baptised people "confessing their sins" (v6)
- He had great love for the people
- He spoke plainly to the religious leaders (v7,10,12)
- Are you wheat (to be gathered into heaven) or chaff (to be burned in the judgment)?
- What would you say about our society and politicians?
- What would John the Baptist say about us today?
What is Repentance?
- John the Baptist did not choose a ‘good’ place to preach
- Examples of desert, clothing, etc
- He was not "seeker" sensitive
- Yet God used him
- He knew what message to bring (Luke 3)
- The people asked what to do: give a tunic and food to has none
- The tax collectors asked what to do: collect the correct amount
- The roman soldiers: do not abuse your authority and be content with your wages
- Metanoia – a change of mind
- But also a change of life – example
- Example of sandpaper
Repentance must always lead to Jesus
- What Jesus did on the cross has dealt with sin once and for all
- Explanation
- We are sanctified and continue to repent of sin
- Repentance of itself does not save
- It is a response to the Gospel message
- Turning from our sin to Jesus, the Lamb of God
- Example of Neil
- Example of the "Repenters"
- Bear fruits worthy of repentance