Bible Study: Repentance

A Study on Repentance

By the Rev. Frank Lockwood II

God made a decision to select a king after he allowed Israel to select their own. He chose "a man after his own heart" (1 Sam 13:13). That man was David.

Characteristics of David:

• Naïve (the way he first approaches war)
  
• Violent (his ability in war)
  
• Indecisive (see his parenting techniques)
  
• Unfaithful (Bathsheba)
  
• Murderer (Uzzia)
  
• Repentant (Nathan, Psalm 51)
  

-Vines definition of 'repentant' as; change of mind especially born out of a dislike of current/past mindset or ways

Direct use of the word:

• Isaiah 30:15
  
• Ezekiel 18:32
  
• Matthew 3:8
  
• Matthew 4:17 (by Jesus himself)
  
• Luke 13:3 and following
  
• Acts 2:38
  
• Acts 3:19
  

-we are commanded to repent, but what motivates one or causes one to repent?

• Encounter with (conviction by) God's presence
  
  • Through Prophets: 2 Samuel 12:1-7
    
    • David's response: v13 + Psalm 51
      
  • Person of Jesus: Luke 19:1-5
    
    • Zaccheus---v7 by others sin is mentioned yet Jesus continues to ask for dinner
      
    • V8---Z over hears
      
    • V9---Z responds
      
    • V10---Jesus accepts the response---affirmation
      
  • Holy Spirit directly: Acts 2
    
    • Mighty wind, calling attention
      
  • Holy Spirit working through others: Acts 16:24ff
    
    • The jailor, knowing his fate as a result of the loss of the prisoners, is ready to respond
      
    • Sees that they did not take advantage of the opportunity instead honoring the jailor
      
    • Jailor falls under conviction through the witness
      
  • Each encounter has in common:
    
    • Presence of God
      
    • Presence penetrates the heart
      
    • Person(s) responds to that presence
      
• Acts 2:37 "When they heard this they were cut to the heart"
  
  • Heart (Strong's 2840): heart, mind (seat of thought and emotion)
    
  • Cut (Strong's 2920): to be pierced, stabbed
    
    • It is God who convicts, He calls for the change
      
• Our role?
  
  • To usher in the presence:
    
    • "Praise until the worship comes, worship until the presence comes, soak until revelation comes"
      
    • Filled with the Holy Spirit—how do you know it's full? When it runs over the sides.
      
    • Seeking, knocking, soaking and responding
      
  • Presentation of a Living Gospel
    
    • "Preach the Gospel at all times, when necessary, use words" St. Francis of Assisi
      
    • Agape: Love—that perfect love that presents God's love
      
      • Sacrificial but not foolish
        
      • Calculating the risk, willingness to pay the price
        
      • 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 "love is….."
        

John 13:34: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another."