The Most Difficult Command… The Five Rs of Repentance Title Page: The Most Difficult Command…THE FIVE Rs OF REPENTANCE

The Five Rs of Repentance Repentance is not easy because it requires radical change – (Ezekiel 18:20-32) We must do it – (Luke 13:3,5; Acts 17:30) God wants us to repent – (Romans 2:3-6; 2 Peter 3:9) We need to understand the nature of true repentance. The Five Rs of Repentance: Repentance is not easy because it requires radical change (Ezek.18:20-32) It requires behavior and conduct change. We MUST do it (Lk.13:3,5; Acts 17:30) All who come to Christ must meet this condition! God wants us to repent (Rom.2:3-6; 2 Pet. 3:9) Sinners must be truly sorry for their sins against God. We need to understand the nature of true repentance.

The Five Rs of Repentance Usage Number: A-1; Part of Speech: Verb; Strong's Number: <G3340> Original Word: μετανοέω, metanoeō Usage Notes: lit., "to perceive afterwards" (meta, "after," implying "change," noeō, "to perceive;" nous, "the mind, the seat of moral reflection"), in contrast to pronoeō, "to perceive beforehand," hence signifies "to change one's mind or purpose," always, in the NT, involving a change for the better, an amendment, . . . .” Defining our Terms: Repent (Strong/ Vine Expos. Dict.) Emphasize the part in red… —Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words

The Five Rs of Repentance Recognition – (i.e., acknowledging sin) Remorse - (regret and grief over sin) Resolve – (i.e., a change of mind) Reformation – (i.e., a change in lifestyle) Restitution – (i.e., making amends wherever possible) The Five Rs of Repentance: {Overview} RECOGNITION—Acknowledgement of sin. REMORSE—true regret and grief over sin (godly sorrow). RESOLVE—a change of mind (heart). Repentance begins in the heart. REFORMATION—a change in lifestyle, resulting in new conduct. RESTITUTION—making amends wherever possible—sometimes restitution is not possible.

The Five Rs of Repentance i.e., Acknowledging Sin The first step TO repentance – Luke 15:17; Psalm 51:1-4; Jeremiah 3:13,14; Acts 2:37,38; James 4:17 How can we repent of sin that we refuse to acknowledge – Acts 17:30,31 Recognition—Acknowledging Sin. The first step to repentance: Lk.15:17 (prodigal son came to himself). Psa.51:1-4 (David acknowledged his sin with Bathsheba). Jere.3:13, 14 (God called on Judah to acknowledge her sin). Acts 2:37, 38 (required of those who had killed the Lord). Jam.4:17 (understanding what we SHOULD have done but didn’t). How can we repent of sin that we refuse to acknowledge? (Acts 17:30)

The Five Rs of Repentance i.e., Regret and Grief Over Sin 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 “Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.” Remorse, in and of itself, is not repentance. But it is necessary TO repentance. REMORSE--(i.e., Regret and Grief Over Sin) Remorse, in and of itself, is not repentance. But it is necessary to repentance.

The Five Rs of Repentance i.e., Regret and Grief Over Sin Matthew 27:3-5 “Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, ‘I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.’ And they said, ‘What is that to us? You see to it!’ Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.” Does not ALWAYS lead to repentance Remorse (i.e., Regret and Grief Over Sin) In the case of Judas in Matt.27:3-5, there was not true repentance. So he went out and hanged himself!

The Five Rs of Repentance i.e., A Change of Mind Be humble, pray, seek, and turn away (2 Chronicles 7:14). Get yourself a new heart (Ezekiel 18:31). Be transformed by renewing your mind (Romans 12:2). At the very heart of repentance is the resolve to change one’s mind and will Proverbs 28:13; 1 Peter 4:2 RESOLVE—A Change of Mind. At the very heart of repentance is the resolve to change one’s mind and will. Prov.28:13 (confesses and forsakes sins). 1 Pet.4:2 (not continue). 2 Chron.7:14—be humble, pray, seek, and turn away. Get a new heart- Ezek.18:31. Renew the mind (Rom.12:2).

The Five Rs of Repentance i.e., A Change in Lifestyle Luke 15:17-20 “But when he came to himself, he said, . . . ‘I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you,’ . . . And he arose and came to his father.” Reformation—A Change in Lifestyle. Lk.15:17-20—the Prodigal Son. Willing to become a servant in his father’s house—also accepted responsibility for his actions—a change!

The Five Rs of Repentance i.e., A Change in Lifestyle Ezekiel 18:21-22 “But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the transgressions which he has committed shall be remembered against him; because of the righteousness which he has done, he shall live.” Reformation—A Change in Lifestyle. Ezek.18:21,22—Turning away from sin and practicing righteousness—receiving forgiveness of past sins—will not be brought up again!

The Five Rs of Repentance i.e. A Change in Lifestyle If no change in action, then no real Repentance. Ezekiel 18:27-28 “Again, when a wicked man turns away from the wickedness which he committed, and does what is lawful and right, he preserves himself alive. Because he considers and turns away from all the transgressions which he committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die.” If No Change in Action – Then No REAL Repentance!

The Five Rs of Repentance i.e., Making Amends Wherever Possible A thief? A liar? A slanderer? An unscriptural marriage? A murderer? Fruits worthy of repentance – Matthew 3:7-9; Luke 3:8 Zacchaeus – Luke 19:8 The Philippian jailor – Acts 16:33 RESTITUTION—Make Amends Wherever Possible. Must show fruits worthy of repentance—Matt.3:7-9; Lk.3:8. Zacchaeus—Lk.19:8 (restore fourfold!) Philippian Jailor - Acts 16:33 (made up for earlier mistakes) Examples—Thief—Liar—Slanderer—Unscriptural Marriage—Murderer?

The Five Rs of Repentance Repentance is not easy because it requires radical change – (Ezekiel 18:20-32) We must do it – (Luke 13:3,5; Acts 17:30) God wants us to repent – (Romans 2:3-6; 2 Peter 3:9) We need to understand the nature of true repentance. Summary…

The Five Rs of Repentance Recognition – (i.e., acknowledging sin) Remorse - (regret and grief over sin) Resolve – (i.e., a change of mind) Reformation – (i.e., a change in lifestyle) Restitution – (i.e., making amends wherever possible) Conclusion and Invitation—Have You Truly Repented? (Song—Did You Repent?)