Sermon Central
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What Does It Mean To Repent Of Sin? Series
Contributed by Jason Cole on Apr 1, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: Sometimes in the church we throw around words and due to their constant use we forget what the meaning of the word actually is. One of the most misunderstood words we use is the word "repentance". What exactly does repentance mean and how important is r
Throughout the Scriptures we read of people’s sins and mistakes, but along with that we also see many instances of a true and sincere repentance.
1. David
One of the best examples of repentance in Scripture is that of King David. He royally messed up with Bathsheba. He not only committed adultery, but he lied and committed murder to cover up his sin. Finally, the prophet Nathan regarding his sin confronted him and his response showed what true repentance is all about. Notice, David greatly sinned, there is no denying that, however, it is his sincere repentance that will be remembered more than his sin.
It is amazing that despite that sin, David is remembered for being a “man after God’s own heart.”
2. Nineveh
Judgment was sure to come on the people of Nineveh because of their wickedness, and only one thing could spare them from God’s coming wrath, a sincere change and repentance. After Jonah finally went to the city and warned them about the coming judgment they were sincerely repentant over their past actions and promised to make a change.
Jonah 3:4-5; 10
Because of their repentance and the sincerity of their change, God relented and did not judge the city as he intended on doing.
3. The 3,000
One of the boldest sermons ever preached was the first Gospel sermon ever preached. We have recorded in Acts chapter two some of Peter’s words in that sermon. In that message he taught the thousands of onlookers that they crucified Jesus, and along with that would have been well aware of the grave consequences in playing a role in the death of the Son of God
We do not know how everyone responded to Peter’s message, we do know that they people were cut to the heart, they were under conviction for their role in the death of Jesus, and that conviction lead 3,000 of them to sincere repentance. They were told to repent and be baptized, and we know that 3,000 of those people followed through with that charge of Peter’s.
4. Zacchaeus
When Jesus came to the city of Jericho he came across this short tax-collector named Zacchaeus. Tax collectors were hated in Jesus’ day and were known for their dishonesty. The way in which they made money was by over taxing the people and pocketing the difference. Apparently, Zacchaeus was good at his job because he was wealthy, probably by extorting money from the people. When he came across Jesus his mindset changed and we see true repentance.
Zacchaeus not only was repentant, but he wanted to make his wrongs right, he wanted to make restitution for his wrongs. I think this is a great example of sincere repentance. Can you imagine the sight, as this tax collector went door to door, this time not collecting money, but giving it away? I wish an IRS agent would knock on my door giving restitution and not making collection. I think this tax collector shows that perhaps sincere repentance may even cause us to have to make sacrifices in our lives. We may have to give up habits, relationships, or other things which we enjoy because we are repentant and want to make our wrongs right.
