Repent Ye

Memory Verse: "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:5).

Scripture Reading: Psalm 51.

Introduction: "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 3:2). John, the Baptist, came to Judea with this commanding message. Peter cried, "Repent...for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38). This act of contrition must precede any reconciliation with God.
  How is repentance different than a simple admission of guilt? Repentance is not merely to admit one's condition. It is to recognize the horror of sin and its results in our lives. Besides this, it must include our own feelings of repulsion, and regret, "godly sorrow" and the desire to extricate ourselves from it. We must come to hate sin and long for righteousness.
  Repentance may be defined as regret for the commission of wrong or evil deeds; and the non-commission of right deeds or right living. It can also be called man's reasonable response to God's call of mercy, including the determination to mend one's broken life through the help of God.
  Let's examine the parable of the Prodigal Son. "I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned..." (Luke 15:18). "I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son." The prodigal son was convinced that he was unworthy to be called his father's son any longer. Thus, he fully recognized the nature and tragedy of sin. He was led to return to his father because he believed in the mercy and kindness possessed by his father. He felt sure that his father would allow him to become a servant (not a son).
  We, too, deserved no inheritance; and we would be glad if our merciful Father would give us the joys of a servant's role in the courts of righteousness (Psalm 84:10). But behold! Our Father holds out His arms--He still regards us His sons and daughters--His children of creation. He meets us all the way. He restores us to a complete role as sons and heirs. Our sins are buried in the sea of forgetfulness. We are given clean robes--a cleansed, pure soul; and we receive the gift of eternal life--a gift that cannot be measured or fathomed.

Questions:

1. What message was preached by John the Baptist? Matthew 3:2. By Christ? Matthew 4:17. By the Apostles? Mark 6:7,12. By Peter at Pentecost? Acts 2:38.

2. Who are to repent and what brings about repentance? Acts 17:30; 20:21; 2 Corinthians 7:10.

3. Why are we to repent? Romans 3:23; Acts 2:38; Luke 12:3.

4. Where is repentance to be preached? Matthew 9:18 (last part); Luke 24:47.

5. Is sin a reality which God hates? What constitutes sin? Isaiah 59:2-15; 1 John 3:4; James 2:9-11; Romans 1:28-32.

6. What agency calls man to repentance? John 16:8,13. If not resisted, what will the Spirit do for man? Ephesians 1:13; 4:30.

7. How should we respond to God's mercy? Romans 2:3-10.

8. What are the fruits of repentance? Matthew 3:8; Acts 26:20; Romans 6:12,13; 12:1,2.

9. What fate awaits those who do not repent? Luke 13:1-5; Revelation 2:5; 20:13-15.

10. How did David and Saul differ in their choices and reactions to the Spirit of God? 1 Samuel 15:17-23; Psalm 51:1-4.

11. Are we creatures of free choice of repentance? Joshua 24:15; Ruth 1:15,16; Deuteronomy 30:19.