Sermons on Repentance
Fruits of True Repentance (Matthew 3:7-8)
As we end our study on abuse, we now want to address how to help an abuser repent and be restored. Because such sins require very personalized counseling our focus is going to be how our church as a whole should approach the process. Pure but not Deceived As believers we have changed hearts and renewed minds; because of this our minds do not naturally fathom or understand the impulses, urges, and deception that engulf the minds of abusers. This…
Resentment or Repentance? (Amos 6:8-14)
Major destruction coming God abhors the violent oppression of the poor. Because of this He is going to utterly devastate the nation of Israel. There will be so much death that extended family members will have to bury their whole family because there will be no one left. Literally entire households will die in the coming judgment. Resentment instead of repentance The people are going to react to the judgment by refusing to mention God’s name. Even though God has…
God is Gracious to Those Who Repent (Amos 5:13-15)
Amos has declared the coming judgment of God in which 90% of the people will die. He then calls on the people to turn from their wicked ways, namely their social injustice. Be silent The natural reaction to Amos’ message is outright rejection. Amos tells them that wise people will be silent. In other words, don’t reject the message outright; take some time to consider what he is saying. We live in a day of foolish, knee-jerk reactions from people…
Profaning God’s Name (Amos 2:7-8)
The next few sins Amos addresses all have one thing in common: the Israelites are trying to gain God’s favor by religious deeds not obedience. In doing so they are profaning God’s name. Sexual immorality The sexual immortality in Israel was out of control. Amos only cites one thing, but it is used as an example of how far into sexual perversion the whole nation had gone. The nation was so far gone that incest and orgies were common place.…
Foundation 4: Regeneration and Assurance (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
What does God’s grace do to a sinner who believes in Jesus Christ? A radical transformation Everything that we were in our flesh before coming to Christ is radically transformed from the inside out by God’s grace. We cease to be what we were, and we are radically transformed. Our soul undergoes such a transformation that although our body remains the same we are literally not the same person we used to be. A new life This radical transformation is…
Full Speed Ahead (Luke 9:61-62)
This Sunday there will be several personal stories about the history of Antioch. Through the years there has been good and bad. God has been gracious and blessed our church for 145 years! In light of our sin and His grace, how should we respond? Luke 9:61-62 gives us good instructions. Don’t dwell in the past This young man wanted to follow Jesus, but he was going to have a hard time saying “goodbye” to his past way of life.…
Dying to Self (John 12:20-29)
While He is in Jerusalem some Greeks come to see Jesus. Jesus teaches them and His disciples the true meaning of His life and how to find meaning in our own lives. Seeds as an illustration Jesus speaks of planting a seed in the ground. In doing so, the seed will cease to exist or die. However, this seed will produce a plant that will grow to produce fruit. If the seed refuses to die it will always be fruitless;…
Repentance & Remission (Luke 24:44-47)
Like the disciples, many people do not understand the resurrection. Why did Jesus have to rise from the dead? What is the significance of this? Jesus explains this to His disciples in Luke 24. Moses shows our death In Genesis we find that our sin has removed us from God’s presence. This is what it means to be dead, cut off from the life of God. We also read that a flaming sword stands in the way back to God.…