Repentance and Faith

Turn Around – Part 1:  Jesus’ Call – Luke 24:33-49 and Matthew 28:16-20

1. Jesus followers have been given a mission to make disciples from all nations by preaching a gospel message of repentance and faith, baptizing new believers in the name of Jesus, and teaching others how to follow God’s commands (Matthew 28:19-20, Luke 24:47-48)
2. Repentance: The first step in receiving the Gospel (Mark 1:15)
   1. Definition of repentance
      1. Old Testament (return)
         1. Change of direction
         2. A relational word
         3. Refers more to external change
      2. New Testament (repent)
         1. A change of mind (thinking, actions, choices)
         2. Refers more to internal change
   2. Importance of repentance
      1. God commands it (Acts 17:30)
      2. It was the cause of Christ’s coming (Luke 5:32)
      3. Jesus preached it (Matthew 4:17)
      4. It is necessary to inherit eternal life (Acts 11:18)
      5. It is God’s desire for all (2 Peter 3:9)
      6. It is part of the Great Commission (Luke 24:47)
   3. False concepts of repentance
      1. Merely conviction or feeling guilty (Acts 24:25)
      2. Worldly sorrow, sorry I got caught (2 Corinthians 7:10)
      3. Mere reformation, trying to do better (Isaiah 64:6)
      4. Being religious, outward conformity (Matthew 3:7-12, 5:20)
      5. Merely mentally believing or accepting facts (James 2:19)
3. Faith: The second step in receiving the Gospel (Mark 1:15, Hebrews 6:1)
   1. Definition of faith
      1. A response:
         1. To God’s Word (Romans 10:17)
         2. Of trust
         3. Of commitment
         4. Of obedience (James 2:17)
         5. Of confession (Romans 10:10)
      2. God is the focus of our faith (quote in Christianity and Liberalism from chapter on salvation and object of faith)
   2. Importance of faith
      1. Salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9)
      2. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6)
      3. Our righteousness and justification is by faith (Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:23-25, Romans 5:1)
      4. Prayers are answered through faith (Mark 11:22-24)
      5. Faith is our shield (Ephesians 6:16)
   3. False concepts of faith
      1. Merely mental agreement with propositions about God (James 2:18-19)
      2. The power of positive thinking
4. Making disciples includes water baptism in Jesus name (this point will be addressed more fully in future messages)
5. Possible applications
   1. If you have not received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, repent of your sins and put your faith in Christ
   2. If you have received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, continue a daily life style of repentance and faith
   3. Ask God to reveal areas in your life in which you are called to make disciples.
   4. Ask God what next step you should take to share the call to repentance and faith with others.
   5. Consider false concepts of repentance and faith. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal if you have internalized false ideas of repentance and faith.