Acts 17:30-31 October 31 - AM

Today is Halloween Halloween is of pagan origin – Druids Adapted into religious calendar November 1 – All Saints Day October 31 – All Hallows Eve This was the wild night for evil before the saints took control the next day Similar to Mardi Gras – the wild Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and Lent

Today is Halloween Let me make it clear: I do not encourage the use of witchcraft, demons, or satanic practices I do not have a problem with children in costume – “Trick or Treat” With all this fun – an important thought is missing

Repentance Repentance is a forgotten doctrine Jesus commanded repentance John the Baptizer preached repentance Paul (in our text) demanded repentance There are three facets to Repentance

Expressing Repentance 1930’s movie – Frankenstein The monster is loose – everyone is afraid They are chasing him, seeking to destroy him and he does not understand why He enters a house to hide from the mob seeking to destroy him

Expressing Repentance He sees himself in a mirror He is frightened, repelled and horrified He is now afraid of his own image

Expressing Repentance Biblical Example – David Adultery with Bathsheba Nathan comes to David “You are the man.” Psalm 51 is David seeing the monster in the mirror Psalm 51:3 Psalm 51:3 - For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me.

Expressing Repentance Parable of Two Sons Matthew 21:28-30 Matthew 21: “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ 29 He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. 30 Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?”

Explaining Repentance Repentance is Repentance is A collision of perception with truth A collision of perception with truth Malachi 3:7 Malachi 3:7 - Yet from the days of your fathers You have gone away from My ordinances And have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” Says the LORD of hosts. “But you said, ‘In what way shall we return?’

Explaining Repentance Repentance is Repentance is A collision of perception with truth A confusion of old thinking and new doubts – Haggai 1:7 - A confusion of old thinking and new doubts – Haggai 1:7 - Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Consider your ways! Luke 5:32 Luke 5:32 - I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Explaining Repentance Repentance is Repentance is A collision of perception with truth A confusion of old thinking and new doubts A Consciousness of sin against God A Consciousness of sin against God Psalm 51:3 - Psalm 51:3 - For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me.

Explaining Repentance Repentance is Repentance is A collision of perception with truth A confusion of old thinking and new doubts A Consciousness of sin against God A Courage to agree with God and disagree with the world A Courage to agree with God and disagree with the world Psalm 51:4a – Psalm 51:4a – Against You, You only, have I done this evil in Your sight -

Explaining Repentance Repentance is Repentance is A collision of perception with truth A confusion of old thinking and new doubts A Consciousness of sin against God A Courage to agree with God and disagree with the world A Courage to agree with God and disagree with the world Job 42:5b-6 – Job 42:5b-6 – But now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself. And repent in dust and ashes.

Explaining Repentance Repentance is Repentance is A collision of perception with truth A confusion of old thinking and new doubts A Consciousness of sin against God A Courage to agree with God and disagree with the world A Continuation in the new walk – A Continuation in the new walk – We make resolutions, changes, turn over a new leaf – but it does not last We must continue in our changed way

Experiencing Repentance Have you experienced repentance in your life? Have you experienced repentance in your life? Prodigal Son – Luke 15 Prodigal Son – Luke 15 He wasted his living doing wrong In the pig pen – he saw the monster in the mirror Private knowledge – “came to himself” Personal inventory – “servants better than I am” Public confession – “I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight”

Experiencing Repentance Have you experienced repentance in your life? Have you experienced repentance in your life? Have you seen the “Monster in the Mirror”? Have you seen the “Monster in the Mirror”?