The Most "Unpopular" Sermon Ever Preached

Introduction: Have you ever heard a sermon that you didn’t like? When I ask this question let me clarify that I’m talking not about the quality of presentation, but the content of the message presented. A sermon you didn’t like because it convicted you of something that you knew to be out of line in your life. I think it’s safe to assume that if you’ve been attending church for any significant amount of time, you’ve probably experienced a sermon you didn’t care for, we’ve all been there. And if you haven’t been there yet, it’s a guarantee that at some point in time you will be there. Perhaps this morning, out time together in the word this morning may leave you hearing a sermon you don’t like

Background: As we read through Scripture we see many sermons that were preached that we could label as “unpopular.” Preached by various people in various places, for various reasons. The most unpopular of them all centered on the topic of “REPENTANCE.” This is a concept that is as universally despised today as it was when the ink on the pages of the Old Testament was still wet. It’s a word that has produces the same type of response as many of the 4-letter words in our lexicon.

The prophets of the Old Testament preached “repentance,” and they were stoned for it. John the Baptist preached repentance and he was beheaded for it. Jesus preached repentance and he was crucified for it. The Apostles preached repentance and they were stoned and martyred for it.

Do we see a pattern here? Yes we do! It’s a pattern that’s been forming from the very beginning of time. As humans living in a fallen state separated from God (by our own choice) we have a severely adverse reaction to repentance, our pride often gets in the way of doing what we know to be right. We never like to be told that we’re wrong, we never have and new will!

Proposition: So like it or not, today we’re going to be examining this most unpopular of subjects, one we dislike, but one we cannot afford to ignore.

Transition: How important is this concept of repentance, well consider this the opening words of the New Testament cry out to us even today, the words of John the Baptist “ repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” We hear those words, but many may ask…

I. WHAT EXACTLY IS REPENTANCE?

• Scripture is clear on what repentance is. The Greek word for repentance is metanoeo, which means to “change the mind,”

• In the New Testament that change is always for the better

• Christ commanded Saul to preach to the Gentiles so they would repent (Acts 26:16-18

• This change of mind is brought about because of “Godly sorrow” for the sins one has committed – This change requires the person to “HATE” the sin

• Repentance is the “reformation” of a person in reference to God and His person

• The prophet Isaiah knew the need for repentance to be in the lives of the wayward nation of Israel (Isaiah 55:8)

• When men’s thoughts cease to resemble God’s thoughts, then their conduct will follow suit, and cease to be Godly

• This in the nutshell is the importance of repentance; a call of men’s minds