Category: Repentance
Subject: Repentance
Sermon: The Return of the Remnant (Ezra)
A discussion of the book of Ezra, giving an overview, and examining several points of importance suggested by the book.
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Burdens and Loads
There is a text in Galatians 6 that begins in verse two by saying, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Later in the same context, verse five, he said, “For each one shall bear his own load.”
Now it is obvious to anyone who accepts the inspiration of scripture that there must be a difference between a burden and a load. The Holy Spirit does not contradict Himself, and if the two are the same, the thought produced is nonsensical. There are two aspects of the writing that serve to give us the true sense of Paul’s teaching. The first is an understanding of the definitions of the two words. The second and most important is the context, both immediate and remote. Let’s consider. Continue reading “Burdens and Loads”
Nevertheless
In reading 2 Chronicles 12, we note a particular response of God to the unfaithfulness of King Rehoboam. The chronicler wrote that it happened in the fifth year of the king (2). Shishak, the king of Egypt waged war against Rehoboam at Jerusalem. The scripture states clearly that such a challenge came “because they had transgressed against the Lord.”
The challenge was great: 1,200 chariots, 60,000 horsemen, and “people without number who came with him out of Egypt” (3). The challenge was succeeding as the fortified cities of Judah were taken and Jerusalem was threatened. Shemaiah, a prophet of God, told Rehoboam the reason for the threat. “Thus says the Lord: ‘You have forsaken Me, and therefore I also have left you in the hand of Shishak’” (5).
This declaration brought repentance. “So the leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, ‘The LORD is righteous’” (6). One might think that this repentance (which of course led to the return of God’s favor), was enough to change the course of events. And it did. When God witnessed the repentance of Rehoboam and the leaders of Israel, He granted deliverance. But, the deliverance on this occasion was not total. Consider the words of verses 7-8: “Now when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, ‘They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance. My wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.’” Continue reading “Nevertheless”
Acknowledging Responsibility for Wrong
This is a hard thing for children. It might be because a child thinks that if he admits he has done wrong, there will be consequences. In fact, some children will continue to proclaim “I didn’t do it” or “It wasn’t me” even if they were caught red handed!
It can be the same for Christians as well. Why would a Christian who has sinned deny, or rationalize, or excuse their actions? Well, it may be that they fear what others may think if they admit to not being perfect! But, no one is perfect, and that shows too much concern for what others think, rather than what God thinks! “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away” (Isaiah 64:6). Continue reading “Acknowledging Responsibility for Wrong”
Mining the Scriptures: Galatians 2:11-16
This context is divided into two different passages so that first the event can be examined, and then the message Paul proclaimed (verses 14-21) can be addressed later.
When Peter came to Antioch of Syria, he and Paul had an encounter caused by Peter’s sin. Though by this time the inclusion of Gentiles into the kingdom was established (Acts 15), there was still opposition to it that Peter reacted to by “separating himself [from the Gentiles] fearing those who were of the circumcision” (12).
This was a public sin, and Paul responded publicly, admonishing Peter “before them all” (14). Peter’s actions were public, and they had led others, even Barnabas, to be “carried away with their hypocrisy” (13). Public sin can and often must be dealt with publicly. A little leaven leavens a whole lump (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:6).
Apparently, this admonition left no hard feelings, as Peter wrote approvingly of Paul in his own epistle at another time (cf. 2 Peter 3:15-16). A penitent soul does not harbor resentment for admonition.
Sermon: Jesus’ Restoration of Peter
In our final lesson in the study of Jesus’ words in John’s gospel, we recount the conversation Jesus had with Peter in John 21:15-25
Mining the Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 2:1-11
The text here consists of two main points. The first is that Paul determined to deal with the issues with the Corinthians through writing them, instead of coming personally. Most probably he thought the letter would be a more advantageous way to bring them to repentance, and joy. They were at present at odds because of their carnality, but he wanted to be joyful, and for them to be joyful so he wrote them with “much affliction and anguish of heart,… with many tears” (4).
The second point is regarding the call to withdraw from an immoral man in 1 Corinthians 5. They had done so, which had led to sorrow and repentance on his part. Now, rather than continuing the punishment, Paul encouraged the church to take him back and comfort him, as it is possible for such sorrow to eventually be destructive.
To forgive is the responsibility of the church, based upon the repentance, and was also done by Paul. His reason? “Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.”
“I Am Going Fishing”
Why in John 21 did Peter say, “I am going fishing”? We don’t know for sure, but we do know he was grieved for betraying Jesus on the night of his death. And, we know when he helped to establish the kingdom he remained faithful unto death.
Abundant Grace
The apostle Paul was always quick to acknowledge from where he came. He was a Pharisee, and one who sought to do violence to those who followed Jesus. He serves as a significant witness of the Christ, as one who formerly fought against Jesus, who became His Savior.
Paul knew that his position as one of the redeemed came despite the evil he did as a young man. One of the places where he made this clear is in his first letter to Timothy. In the first chapter, he wrote the following: Continue reading “Abundant Grace”
Sermon: The Curious Case of Simon the Sorcerer
A discussion of Simon’s conversion, and the sin he committed following, taken from the text of Acts 8.
Sermon: Foundational Concepts – Repentance
A discussion defining the concept of repentance, teaching what it encompasses, and establishing its necessity for receiving forgiveness from God.
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The Gospel Plan of Salvation
Speaker: David Hightower
Lessons Learned from Job
As the book of Job begins, we find the man to be extremely blessed by God. He had ten children, and was very rich by the standards of the day. It is said that he was “the greatest of all the people of the East” (1:3). More importantly, he was a man of good character: “that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil” (1:1).
But, all of this was taken away by the devil. It is interesting that so many have a problem with what happened to Job. They do not have a particular problem with Satan’s work, as they expect such from the adversary. Their problem is with the fact that God allowed it! “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person” (1:12). “Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life” (2:6). Continue reading “Lessons Learned from Job”
Sermon: Jesus, Satan, and Peter
Tyler uses the account of Satan’s successful temptation of Peter, and then Peter’s restoration to make some salient applications for us today.
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Sermon: Paul’s Message to the Gentiles
In this short lesson, Stan turns to Acts 14 and Acts 17 to express the truth that the Gentiles must repent by turning away from the worship of idols, and begin to serve the one true and living God.
