1. What Is Repentance? 2 nd Cor. 7:9-10 2 Cor 7:9-10 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. 10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.

2. Sometimes our translations are not helpful enough. We read a word like “repentance” and wonder if we have a clear conception of the meaning. –We don’t use it much in conversation. –We are acutely aware that the modern meaning of a word may not convey the meaning of the original. This is a word that is essential to understand. Paul associates it with salvation in our text. Luke 13:3 makes us understand that the lack of repentance brings destruction. Repentance and repent are used in pivotal passages, such as Luke 24:46-47; Acts 2:38. What if you don’t understand it? –What if you think it is the feeling of sorrow? You’d be wrong! –What if you mistakenly think that it is good deeds? Again you’d be wrong! What I hope to do this morning is to show you, using Bible examples, just what it is to repent. Then, when you examine yourselves and ask, “Have I truly repented?” you’ll know. Luke 13:3 I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Luke 24:46-47 and He said to them, " Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, " Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

3. THE CASE OF THE NINEVITES - Matt. 12:41; Jonah 1:1-2 They heard the preaching of Jonah. –They were challenged with the truth. –They came to understand that the God of Heaven condemned their lives. Matt 12:41 The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment, and will condemn it because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. Jonah 1:1-2 The word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai saying, 2 "Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and cry against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me."

4. THE CASE OF THE NINEVITES - Matt. 12:41; Jonah 1:1-2 They heard the preaching of Jonah. They believed God, Jonah 3:5 –They were convinced that Jonah’s message was real. –Perhaps they learned about Jonah being in the fish. –Perhaps Jonah had been confirmed a prophet many other ways. Jonah 3:5 Then the people of Nineveh believed in God; and they called a fast and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least of them.

5. THE CASE OF THE NINEVITES - Matt. 12:41; Jonah 1:1-2 They heard the preaching of Jonah. They believed God, Jonah 3:5 Their life changed. –From pride to humility - sack cloth. –From satisfaction to self-denial - fasting. –From idolatry to true worship, 3:8. –From evil to righteousness, 3:8. –The temples closed their doors, the night-life shut down, no drinking, no carousing. Peace and calm envelopes the city. Jonah 3:5 Then the people of Nineveh believed in God; and they called a fast and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least of them. Jonah 3:8 But both man and beast must be covered with sackcloth; and let men call on God earnestly that each may turn from his wicked way and from the violence which is in his hands Jonah 3:8 But both man and beast must be covered with sackcloth; and let men call on God earnestly that each may turn from his wicked way and from the violence which is in his hands

6. THE CASE OF THE NINEVITES - Matt. 12:41; Jonah 1:1-2 They heard the preaching of Jonah. They believed God, Jonah 3:5 Their life changed. IN NONE OF THE POINTS OUTLINED ABOVE CAN YOU FIND REPENTANCE PROPER. –Can’t see repentance, only its effects. –Our text (2 Cor. 7:9-10) tells us it’s not godly sorrow. –Matt. 3:8 tells us it’s not fruits or works. –Yet Jesus told us that the Ninevites repented. –Matt. 21:28-30 illustrates nicely. It is the difference between “I will not” and “I will.” Repentance is a change of mind, of will. –So, the Ninevites, having heard Jonah and believing God, changed their minds and then changed their lives. At the point of changing their minds they repented. 2 Cor 7:9-10 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. 10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. Matt 3:8 Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance; Matt 21:28-30 "But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ' Son, go work today in the vineyard.' 29 "And he answered, 'I will not'; but afterward he regretted it and went. 30 "The man came to the second and said the same thing; and he answered, 'I will, sir'; but he did not go

7. THE CASE OF THE PRODIGAL SON - Luke 15:10-24 We see in the context (v. 10) that the subject is repentance. He remembered from where he had fallen, v. 17. He made a determination, v. 18. “I will get up…” He brought it to action, v. 20. –He began his journey. –He confessed his fault. Luke 15:10-24 In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." 11 And He said, "A man had two sons. 12 "The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.' So he divided his wealth between them. 13 "And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. 14 "Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. 15 "So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 "And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. 17 "But when he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! 18'I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men."' 20 "So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 "And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22 "But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; 23 and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.' And they began to celebrate Luke 15:17 "But when he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger Luke 15:20 So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

8. THE CASE OF THE PRODIGAL SON - Luke 15:10-24 We see in the context (v. 10) that the subject is repentance. He remembered from whence he had fallen, v. 17. He made a determination, v. 18. “I will arise…” He brought it to action, v. 20. Where did the repentance come in? –Not when he came to himself. –Not when he started for home. –Not when he confessed to his father. –It was at the moment he determined to make a change, v. 18. “I will get up and go to my father…” Once again, there is a point after godly sorrow (2 Cor. 7:10) and before fruits or good works (Matt. 3:8) where repentance is found.

9. THE CASE OF YOUR REPENTANCE Since the day of Pentecost God has proclaimed through the Gospel that all men everywhere MUST repent. –Peter’s pronouncement, Acts 2:38. –Paul’s pronouncement, Acts 17:30. You must ask yourself if you’ve truly repented. This is of grave importance. –Did you just make a show of obeying the gospel? (peer pressure, emotionalism, to please parents, to get the girl) –Or, was there a moment in time when you determined that you were going to do things God’s way? –Even Christians sometimes need to repent. We find ourselves in sin. We are commanded to repent. (Simon - Acts 8:22) Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, " Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 17:30 Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, Acts 8:22 Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.

10. THE CASE OF YOUR REPENTANCE Since the day of Pentecost God has proclaimed through the Gospel that all men everywhere MUST repent. –Peter’s pronouncement, Acts 2:38. –Paul’s pronouncement, Acts 17:30. You must ask yourself if you’ve truly repented. This is of grave importance. –Did you just make a show of obeying the gospel? (peer pressure, emotionalism, to please parents, to get the girl) –Or, was there a moment in time when you determined that you were going to do things God’s way? –Even Christians sometimes need to repent. We find ourselves in sin. We are commanded to repent, Acts 8:22.

11. Repentance is a change of mind, of will that follows godly sorrow, and that is shown by works of obedience. Having heard the call of the Gospel, have you repented?