REPENTANCE II: THE POWER OF REPENTANCE  The nature of our repentance is established on the premise stated in Romans 6: 23 “ 23 For the wages of sin is death…”

Repentance II  We were created in the image and likeness of God.  God is spirit, and it is in our spirits that our strength lies  God made a special world as a gift for us to dwell, and, in fellowship with Him, to upkeep. So, God made us special bodies suitable for this mandate  We are spiritual beings in earthly bodies  Sin is like a virus. It destroys us spiritually

What is sin?  Sin is any act of disobedience to God  When the first man sinned, he left the world predisposed to sin. This means that all men would be exposed to sin and would be affected by it  Sin devalues our ability to upkeep the standard God has set for us to have a pure relationship with Him  It erodes our spiritual connection to God  Our untarnished spiritual connection with God gives us everlasting life  Sin brings us death

THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF DEATH  PHYSICAL DEATH  In this is all out thoughts, ideas, skills, talents, dreams and goals for a meaningful life  ETERNAL DEATH  Complete and final  separation from God and all  chances of redemption

PART II: The Power of Repentance  GOD WANTS TO PARDON US FOR ALL OUR SINS, AND TO SAVES US FROM BOTH TYPES OF DEATH  Daniel 12; 1 – 3 ……..everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.

The importance of repentance  Repentance is one of three steps that will assure us of our names being entered in the Book of the Lamb

PART II: The Power of Repentance  When our names are entered into the Book of the Lamb, God awards us a special prize!

THE POWER OF REPENTANCE  Romans 6:23 …….. the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord

Who is Christ Jesus in the process?  Jesus is the key through which our repentance is accepted by God  John 3:16 16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, [a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.a

REPENTANCE: preached by John the Baptist  MARK 1: 1 – 8  1 The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 It is written in Isaiah the prophet: "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way — 3 "a voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.‘ 4 And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

John’s message  We are to clean up our lives through confession and repentance  HIS MESSAGE: We are to repent and be baptized so that we can be saved  (BAPTISM IS ANOTHER`WAY THROUGH WHICH WE ARE SAVED )  HIS WARNING:  8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance….. …

Our repentance leads us to Jesus Christ  Once we repent of our sins and accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior our Holy Spirit Baptism should follow.  ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST IS THE THIRD AND MOST IMPORTANT STEP FOR OUR SALVATION  Through our Baptism by the Holy Spirit we are equipped with the gifts and fruit of the spirit which enables us to live a life of complete surrender to God.

Repentance II  Jesus Christ leads us to our place in heaven

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE REPENT  Luke 15:7 & 10 (New International Version)   Luke 15:7-10 (New International Version)  7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent ……..I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

REPENTANCE II  When we repent, God clears away all records our sins and transgressions  When we accept Jesus Christ as our personal savior, we repent and are baptized, God sees us in our original state: pure and without sin  We are numbered among the saints of heaven  He accepts us as joint heir to His kingdom with Christ Jesus

A NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST ASSURES US OF: Psalm 103:  3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. 6 The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. 7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: 8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;