Transformational Ministry

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Transformational Ministry

• Part 8. Repentance

All Bible quotations are NKJV unless otherwise
noted.
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Overview of Transformation

• Five Rs
• Regeneration
• Revelation
• Repentance
• Restitution
• Renewing of the mind

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The Place of Repentance

• Repentance solution that breaks the cycle of
  destruction
• We only need to repent of whats been revealed to
  us
• We advance from one stage of glory to the next
• 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as
  in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being
  transformed into the same image from glory to
  glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2
  Cor. 318
• 12 Not that I have already attained, or am
  already perfected but I press on, that I may lay
  hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid
  hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to
  have apprehended but one thing I do, forgetting
  those things which are behind and reaching
  forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I
  press toward the goal for the prize of the upward
  call of God in Christ Jesus. Phil. 312-14
• Each stage of our advance involves repentance
  death

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Resistance to Repentance

• Repentance is fearful
• It involves giving up part of ourselves, letting
  go of who we were
• It involves walking where weve never gone before
• There are always new stages to climb, each of
  which is fearful
• But its where our true faith can grow
• How we try to avoid repentance
• Redefine Christianity to just actions
• Redefine Christianity to say it doesnt apply
• Blame-shifting short-circuits repentance
• Thats just the way I am
• If you knew what kind of life Ive had
• Acknowledging sin is not the same as repenting of
  it

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Christians Get Stuck

• Many Christians are still at the first stage of
  glory
• They go through the motions with a bunch of
  duties
• They havent been transformed
• They compromise a life of obedience for
  convenience
• The devil keeps attacking their foundation
• Finally the dam bursts
• Example of well-known televangelists
• The bible is clear (Gal. 67-8)
• 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked for
  whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8
  For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh
  reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit
  will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
• Ignoring our motives or our flesh puts us at
  terrible risk
• Fleshy motives will even subvert our good deeds
  for God

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Repentance is Necessary for Healing

• Relief vs. release

• Revelation brings no healing it exposes the flaws

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What is Repentance?

• Psalm 51 is the greatest Bible chapter on
  repentance
• 1 Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your
  lovingkindness According to the multitude of
  Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions.
  2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And
  cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my
  transgressions, And my sin is always before me. 4
  Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done
  this evil in Your sight That You may be found
  just when You speak, And blameless when You
  judge.
• David was a man after Gods own heart, but he
  sinned
• His psalm has no excuses, justification, or
  blame-shifting
• David takes full responsibility for what he has
  done
• He agrees with God pronounces himself guilty
• He does not beg for mercy on human standards, but
  justice on Gods terms

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Characteristics of Repentance I

• It involves motives as well as actions
• If we repent of the suppositions, the actions
  will go
• Repentance is directed toward God
• It is not a person feeling sorry for himself
• We must be God-centered, not self-centered
• Remorse is very different from repentance (2
  Cor. 710)
• For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to
  salvation, not to be regretted but the sorrow of
  the world produces death.
• Sorrow of Judas vs. that of Peter around events
  of the cross

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Characteristics of Repentance II

• The sign of true repentance is a change of
  attitudes
• There is a new humility
• There is a desire for relationships to be
  restored, not holding onto rights
• It should lead naturally to restitution making
  restoration for damages done
• If there is no restitution, it probably wasnt
  repentance, but just confession
• Repentance involves full ownership of the sin
• Excuses or justifications short-circuit
  repentance
• Repentance involves choosing

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God Loves the Sinner but Hates the Sin

• Not sure thats true God doesnt condemn sins to
  Hell
• God hates sinners they are at war with Him
• God receives sinners once they repent
• God loves His children, but not all are (John
  1026-27)
• 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of
  My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My
  voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
• Be careful not to encourage those who are not
  Gods
• 42 Jesus said to them, If God were your Father,
  you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came
  from God nor have I come of Myself, but He sent
  Me. 43 Why do you not understand My speech?
  Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44
  You are of your father the devil, and the desires
  of your father you want to do. John 842-44a
• Even Christians will pay if they choose sin (Gal.
  67-8)

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Levels of Repentance

• Actions I repent of this specific instance of
  this specific sin
• Akin to trying to kill a tree by clipping leaves
  one per day
• Attitudes I repent of this attitude that leads
  to this sin
• Analogous to lopping off a branch of a tree
• There is freedom from the sin for a period of
  time
• If the attitudes come back, then theyre probably
  fed by some
• Affections I repent of something I love more
  than God

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Experience of Repenting of Affections

• Involves horror and revulsion at the depth of our
  depravity
• Involves confronting lies we believe about God
• Either God doesnt really love me (because He
  wont let me do this) or
• God doesnt really know whats best for me or
• God isnt really good or
• God isnt powerful enough to make it OK for me to
  do this
• We cannot trust our feelings in this area
• We need to walk by faith that Gods way is best
• We do not kiss sin good-bye as a familiar friend
  we will see again in the evening

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Affection Repentance is Like Coming to a Cliff

• God says, Jump!
• But Ill be killed!
• True. Crucifying sin is like dying to part of
  ourselves.
• God says, Jump!
• But I dont know how I can live without this
  sin!
• True again. Hes calling us to go some place
  weve never been before.
• By faith, you jump.
• In my experience, God has always brought me to a
  better place
• The place was one I couldnt have imagined with
  my previous experience
• God does a miraculous work in reclaiming my
  desires and love

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Effects of Deep Repentance

• Repentance is where the heavy lifting in
  spiritual healing occurs
• We come to the end of ourselves
• We throw ourselves unreservedly upon God for His
  power
• God uses His Spirit to change our desires
• Deep repentance makes us ready for solid food
  (Heb. 514, NASB)
• But solid food is for the mature, who because of
  practice have their senses trained to discern
  good and evil.
• Previously we looked at evil and said good
• We become trained to maturity through practice

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We Need to Exercise Agency (Choice)

• The cycle of destruction will continue until we
  choose in accordance with Gods provision
• We need encouragement from the Christian
  community
• Healing should be progressive (though not
  necessarily quick) if repentance has occurred
• Christians have to realize that they are
  responsible for
• Starting a sin habit
• Continuing a sin habit
• Ending a sin habit
• Christians are also responsible for rejecting
  Gods help
• God will not force obedience
• Our obedience should be motivated by love (John
  1415)
• If you love Me, keep My commandments.

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Good Counseling Makes People Doubly Accountable

• Example of person jumping off the Empire State
  Building
• Do not allow people to reject Gods provision and
  still say, That was a good experience.
• Rejecting God should involve a little taste of
  the fire they will encounter on judgment day
  (Heb. 1026-29a, 31)
• 26 For if we sin willfully after we have received
  the knowledge of the truth, there no longer
  remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain
  fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery
  indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28
  Anyone who has rejected Moses law dies without
  mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
  29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose,
  will he be thought worthy who has trampled the
  Son of God underfoot, 31 It is a fearful thing
  to fall into the hands of the living God.

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Summary

• The place of repentance
• The solution that breaks the cycle of destruction
• Repentance is fearful we try to avoid repentance
• Christians get stuck
• What is repentance? See Psalm 51
• No excuses or justifications are allowed
• Take responsibility for what weve done
  pronounce ourselves guilty
• It involves motives as well as actions
• It is directed towards God (contrasts with
  remorse)
• Deeper repentance
• Levels of repentance actions, attitudes,
  affections
• Experience of repenting of affections
• Need to exercise agency
• Good counseling makes people doubly accountable