REPENT

Acts 2:36-39

Repent...It’s one of those words we’d rather not hear. But maybe we’ve heard it so much it has lost its meaning. If the idea of repenting doesn’t sting us a little, then we've lost our understanding of the word...and most of all, the message of repentance. In the Bible...the word Repent means Change – a change of mind that results in a change of heart and life.

On most Sunday mornings at Trinity Baptist Church – Repentance is preached in the hopes that someone will change their mind about God. ...Change their mind about eternity. ...Change their mind about the Bible. ...Change their mind about salvation. It is a call to turn from sin and turn to Christ. It’s a call to believe differently and behave differently.

Wow. No wonder we don’t like to hear the word.

Notice again verse 37. It’s the greatest question ever asked by sinners who want to be saved. “What shall we do?” That question stems from a heart overcome by conviction – overwhelmed by the love of God – and overturned by the grace of God. It is a question that demands an answer.

...But as great a question as they asked...it is preceded by three questions that I must ask:

What did they hear? “When they heard this...”
They had heard the Gospel of Christ – and they heard they were guilty of crucifying the One whom God had made both Lord and Christ.

What did they feel? “They were cut to the heart...”
The word means to strike or stun. What if...What if the Jews had crucified their Messiah? What if what Peter was saying was true? What if they had rejected their only hope and the fulfillment of scripture? What if they had killed God’s Son?

What did they say? “...And said to Peter and the Apostles”
They asked, “What shall we do?” Peter responded with one word: “Repent.” He didn’t promise them wealth or health – He didn’t soften His words...He spoke with authority and certainty. Repent is the call to turn from sin. It is the call to deny self. It is the call to be transformed. The Gospel according to Jesus is no easy message. It demands change. It demands repentance.