Editors Note. Repentance is more than sorrow; it is the changing of the mind that redirects one’s path (Acts 3:19). To be a Christian is to live a life continually mindful of repentance, a daily turning toward God and away from sin (Luke 9:23). Repentance is not a one-time act at conversion, but an ongoing posture of the heart that seeks renewal and transformation (Romans 12:2; 1 John 1:9). This sermon, preached for many years in pulpits, gospel meetings, and lectureships by Larry D. Mathis, is now shared in written form to continue the message of a penitent life.

A Sermon on Repentance

INTRODUCTION

  • God has strictly warned and commanded all accountable beings to repent of sin.
  • This is a serious matter, and we should seek to learn what God has revealed about it.
  • Sin will either be repented of or punished!

DISCUSSION

  1. REPENTANCE IS A UNIVERSAL COMMAND

    1. (Acts 17:30) “Commandeth all men everywhere to repent.”
    2. (2 Pet. 3:9) “All should come to repentance.”
    3. (Luke 13:3,5) Some were told, “Repent or perish."
    4. (Luke 24:47) Repentance is part of the Great Commission:
      “Repentance & remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations.”

  2. THIS SUBJECT NOT OFTEN PREACHED ON TODAY!

    1. Preachers should devote some time to this topic.
    2. In most places, little or no teaching on repentance.
    3. Some admit never hearing a full sermon on it.
    4. Occasionally mentioned briefly at the invitation in connection with baptism (Acts 2:38).
    5. But Jesus said to preach it in his name among all nations (Luke 24:47).

  3. AS A RESULT OF NO TEACHING ON IT, THE COMMAND IS OFTEN MISUNDERSTOOD

    1. Some Christians admit they are not sure what it means.
    2. Some confuse it with other Bible topics.
    3. Many “repent” but never change their sinful ways.
    4. Such is not real Bible repentance.

  4. VIEWED NEGATIVELY

    1. Repentance is not merely being “sorry” or having “conviction” of sin
      1. Some think being “pricked” by a sermon is repentance.
      2. If they feel guilty or bad, they think they have repented.
      3. False – shown in Acts 2:
        1. The murderers of Christ were “pricked” by the sermon but had not repented.
        2. Peter commanded them to repent and be baptized (Acts 2:36-38).
        3. “Godly sorrow” leads to repentance (2 Cor. 7:10).
    2. Repentance is not merely coming forward or walking down the aisle
      1. Many repented in Bible times without walking an aisle.
      2. Too much “aisle walking” and not enough genuine repentance.
      3. Nineveh did not “walk an aisle” when they repented.
      4. Coming forward simply makes desires known to the congregation.
      5. Example: a preacher once told a penitent brother to walk down the aisle again to acknowledge repentance.
    3. Fear is not repentance
      1. Fear may be produced during a sermon, but it is not repentance.
      2. “Fear psychology” preaching:
        1. Common in denominational preaching.
        2. Tours through death, sickness, cemeteries, etc.
        3. Works emotions for the moment.
        4. Causes chills, trembling, fear of death.
        5. But fear ≠ repentance.
      3. Felix trembled at Paul’s preaching but did not repent (Acts 24:25).
    4. Baptism is not repentance
      1. Repentance precedes baptism (Acts 2:38).
      2. May follow baptism (Acts 8:22, Simon).
      3. One baptism (Eph. 4:5) – but repentance may be needed many times (Luke 17:3-4).
      4. Do not make baptism a “catch-all.”
      5. Many baptized without repenting, causing church problems.
      6. Baptism is not repentance and cannot do its work.
      7. A person who refuses to repent is not a proper candidate for baptism.
    5. Reformation is not repentance
      1. Reformation (a changed life) follows repentance.
      2. Repentance precedes the changed life.
      3. The only way to know if repentance has occurred is by the fruits.
      4. John said: “Bring forth fruits meet for repentance” (Matt. 3:8).
      5. A changed life is the fruit and evidence of repentance.
    6. Regret is not repentance
      1. Many regret sin but never repent.
      2. Judas regretted betraying Christ (Matt. 27:3) but did not repent.
      3. His remorse led to despair and suicide, not salvation.
      4. Repentance changes the future; regret carries sorrow from the past.
      5. Peter repented; Judas regretted.

  5. VIEWED POSITIVELY: WHAT REPENTANCE IS

    1. Repentance is a mental act: a change of mind.
    2. It involves the thought process – invisible, but shown in actions.
    3. Changed life is the evidence that repentance occurred.
    4. Repentance = a change of mind that causes a change in lifestyle. For example, Nineveh repented (Matt. 12:41). They “turned from” their sins (Jonah 3:10).
    5. Defined by Jesus (Matt. 21:28-29): A son refused to work, later changed his mind, and went.
    6. Changed thinking that results in changed actions is repentance.

  6. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE ONE TO REPENT?

    1. As long as it takes to change the mind.
    2. Examples:
      1. Possible to repent seven times in one day (Luke 17:3-4).
      2. Nineveh repented together (Book of Jonah).
      3. Saul was penitent for three days before baptism (Acts 9:9).
    3. How long will it take you to change your mind about sin?

CONCLUSION AND INVITATION

  • Repentance has always been preached:
    • Jonah preached and Nineveh repented.
    • John the Baptist preached it.
    • Jesus preached it.
    • The seventy preached it.
    • The apostles preached it.
    • Preachers today must preach it too!
  • Repentance applies to every accountable person – no one is exempt.
  • Individual Christians must repent (Simon, Acts 8:22).
  • Whole cities may need to repent (Nineveh).
  • John called on five of the seven churches to repent (Revelation 2–3).
  • The world needed repentance in Noah’s day – and still does!
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