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The Gospel of Christ and the Problem of Sin

The Gospel Addresses The Practice Of Sin

TEXTRom. 3:23;  6:23;  7:24;  2 Cor. 7:9-11

INTRODUCTION:

A.      THE GOSPEL IS GOD'S POWER TO SAVE FROM SIN( Rom. 1:16-17 ).

          1.       It is the solution to the Problem of Sin.

          2.       It presents Faith as the solution to the Love of Sin.

          3.       We now focus on Repentance as the Gospel's solution to the Practice of Sin.

B.      THE PROBLEM OF THE PRACTICE OF SIN IS SEEN IN THE FACT THAT ALL OF

          US PRACTICE IT( Rom. 3:23;  1 John 1:8-10 ).

C.      THE SOLUTION OFFERED BY THE GOSPEL IS REPENTANCE.

          1.       Luke 24:45-47;  Acts 2:38;  3:19;  17:30-31;  26:19-20.

          2.       When a person TRULY repents, they will cease the PRACTICE of sin!

D.      WE WANT TO CONSIDER THREE QUESTIONS ABOUT REPENTANCE.

          1.       What is "repentance"?

          2.       What are "indications" that repentance has occurred?

          3.       What leads one to true repentance?

F.      2 Cor. 7:9-11 WILL BE THE BASIS OF OUR STUDY.

I.      DEFINING REPENTANCE.

A.      FIRST, SOME MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT REPENTANCE.

          1.       Repentance is not Sorrow, but the result of sorrow( 2 Cor. 7:9-10 ).

          2.       Repentance is not a Changed Life or Conversion, but leads to a changed life in

                    conversion( Acts 3:19 ).

          3.       First, there is Sorrow, then, Repentance, and finally, Conversion.

B.      A PROPER DEFINITION OF REPENTANCE...

          1.       Repent, metanoeo-"1) to change one's mind (heart), that is, to repent   2) to change

                    one's mind (heart) for the better, to amend heartily with abhorrence of one's past

                    sins."  ( Thayer ).

                   Repentance, metanoia-"a change of mind (heart), as it appears to one who repents of

                    a purpose he has formed or of something he has done"( Strong ).

          2.       "This change of mind involves both a turning from sin and a turning toGod"

                    ( Vine ).( Luke 6:43-45 ).

          3.       Repentance, a change of mind.

II.     INDICATIONS REPENTANCE HAS OCCURRED.

A.      2 Cor. 7:11 MENTIONS SEVERAL...

          1.       earnest care (KJV, carefulness), spoude-"1) haste, with haste  2) earnestness,

                   diligence  a) earnestness in accomplishing, promoting, or striving after anything

                    b) to give all diligence, to interest oneself most earnestly"( Thayer ).

                   a.       "Earnestness, zeal, sometimes with haste accompanying it"

                   b.       "Being quick to do what is right!"

          2.       clearing of yourselves, apologia-"1) verbal defense, speech in defense  2) a

                   reasoned statement or an argument" ( Thayer ). To clear one's self of blame.

          3.       indignation, aganaktesis-"indignation, irritation, vexation."( Thayer ).

                   toward the SIN which required the repentance

          4.       fear, Lest the sin be repeated, Lest the sin should not be quickly removed.

          5.       vehement desire, epipothesis-"longing."( Thayer ) to be right in God's eyes.

          6.       zeal, zelos-"excitement of mind, ardor, fervor of spirit"( Thayer ).

                   In this case, in turning from sin and turning to God.

          7.       avenging (KJV, revenge), ekdikesis-"a revenging, vengeance, punishment; In

                   2 Cor. 7:11 -the meeting out of justice; doing justice to all parties"( Thayer ).

                   As the NIV puts it "what readiness to see justice done."

B.      SUCH ARE THE "SIGNS" OF TRUE REPENTANCE...

          1.       Not apathy, not half-hearted service.

          2.       But a desire to do "works befitting repentance"( Acts 26:20 ).

III.    PRODUCING REPENTANCE.

A.      2 Cor. 7:9-10 REVEALS GODLY SORROW PRODUCES REPENTANCE.

          1.       Not simply "sorrow", but one that is "godly"

          2.       Difference seen in a comparison of Judas and Peter( Mat. 26:47-50; 27:3-5 ).

                   a.       Difference not in emotion itself, its depth or intensity.

                             In this case it was not even what he was sorry for.

                   b.       Both Peter and Judas repented.

                             i.        Mat. 27:3. metamelomai, regret.

                             ii.       2 Cor. 7:10. metanoia, change of heart + action.

"which bringeth no regret"

                   c.       Both repented as a result of their sorrow. But the result wasn't the same.

                             The difference is in what your sorrow causes you to do.

          3.       Feeling bad for one's sin is not enough and will not save us

                             Godly sorrow is sorrow that turns us back to God!

B.      HOW CAN WE PRODUCE THE "GODLY SORROW" IN OURSELVES?

          1.       Nathan's rebuke to David provides some insight( 2 Sam. 12:7-13 ).

                   a.       Make an appeal to God's love( vs. 7-8 ).

                   b.       Reveal the sin( vs. 9 )

                   c.       Warn of the consequences( vs. 10-12 ).

          2.       The GOSPEL OF CHRIST produces "godly sorrow" in the same way.

                   a.       It appeals to God's love as a basis for repentance( Rom. 2:4 ).

                   b.       It reveals our sin( Rom. 3:23 ).

                   c.       It warns of the consequences( Rom. 2:5-11 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      THE GOSPEL, IF TRULY RECEIVED, WILL PRODUCE REPENTANCE BY:

          1.       Making us aware of our sins.

          2.       Producing Godly Sorrow which will lead to repentance.

B.      HAVE YOU TRULY REPENTED?

          1.       Can you see indications in your life that you have had a "change of mind?"

          2.       That you IN FACT made "a decision to turn from sin and to turn to God?"

                   a.       If you have not yet obeyed the gospel...you have not repented!

                   b.       If you have become slack in your service you are in need of repentance!