Developing A Lifestyle of Repentance

I pray that each one us here today has a strong desire to Press Forward in the Purposes of God in Christ Jesus!

Philippians 3: Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

In Philippians 3:12-14, Paul states… I press on… reaching forward to those things which are ahead… I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Usually, if I was going to encourage you in going forward in the purposes of God in Christ Jesus, I would be preaching a sermon on developing “A Spiritual Warfare Lifestyle.”

A Spiritual Warfare Lifestyle: Key Things to Consider would be: What time to you go to bed? What time do you get up? When do you have your “God-time”? What is your commitment to reading & studying God’s Word? What is your commitment to prayer? Where is God calling you to minister and/or to serve?

A Spiritual Warfare Lifestyle: Key Things to Consider would be: How are you guarding your heart and your mind? Are there strongholds which need to be addressed in your heart, your mind and/or your life? Are you growing in your ability to discern the promptings, leadings and callings of God for your life?

A Spiritual Warfare Lifestyle: Key Things to Consider would be: Do you know what your current “spiritual growth points” are? Are you involved in a mentoring & accountability relationship(s) which addresses these issues on a regular basis?

Yet in recent days, God has been speaking to my heart and showing me the importance, I would dare say, the necessity, of developing “A Lifestyle of Repentance.” (Selah)

Repentance: “Turning away from sin and turning to God and the purposes of His heart!”

Repentance: This turning away from sin and turning to God and the purposes of His heart involves not just our actions, but also our hearts and our minds!

Repentance is a VERY IMPORTANT concept for us as Christians!

Matthew 4:17 17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Acts 2: Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Repentance is our first step when we believe the Gospel of Jesus!

Prior to conversion, our hearts and our minds are carnal and depraved and cannot please God.

Romans 8:5-8 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

The carnal mind is focused on self and the things of this world. The carnal mind is in a bondage which it cannot escape.

2 Corinthians 3: But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

2 Corinthians 3: Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

When we turn/repent and turn to Christ in faith, the veil is lifted and we are enabled by the blood of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit to fix our spiritual eyes upon Jesus and to live according to the Spirit.

Ephesians 4: This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;

Ephesians 4: who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus:

Ephesians 4: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

“Be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” Repentance involves changing the way we think.

Romans 12:1-2 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Repentance involves changing the way we think, day in and day out. This, in turn, affects the focus and direction/trajectory of our lives.

Developing A Lifestyle of Repentance

Psalm 139: Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; 24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Father God, Break my heart with the things which break Yours!

In Philippians 3:12-14, Paul states… I press on… reaching forward to those things which are ahead… I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Acts 3: Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before…