True Repentance

Temple Baptist Church - 05-21-2008

2 Corinthians 7:5-11

Introduction:

A. The Apostle Paul, through the guidance of the Holy Ghost, had written the first Corinthian epistle is response to what was transpiring within the body of the church. Though given in both truth and love, it was a stern rebuke! Though an Apostle and great man of God, Paul was still a man; therefore, he feared the reception to the letter that he had sent. (How many times God’s men go home after a tough message and wonder: was I too tough? Did I preach in the right spirit? Was the message received in the manner it was given? WILL I HAVE A CONGREGATION WHEN I GOT BACK?)

B. Paul was comforted by the coming of Titus who gave the report of the reception and turning of the people. The people received the Word of God as it was and responded with contrition and repentance. Paul was elated! (How many times do God’s men come back to the church wondering: will I have a congregation when I get there and find that everyone is there and the church is intact!)

C. Thus we find the Apostle Paul. The message was received and the people got right with the Lord. I want to look at the reason for Paul’s reaction of joy when Titus gave his report. The report of “True Repentance.”

D. The Corinthians were sorry, not angry! Vs 7

1. Their Earnest Desire – They corrected their sin.
2. Their Mourning – They were sorry for their sin.
3. Their Love – They were not angry with God’s man. They loved him all the more.

1. There was Reception - 1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received [it] not [as] the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Proverbs 9:8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

Proverbs 13:1 A wise son [heareth] his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.

2. There was Realization - Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

3. There was Repentance - 2 Corinthians 7:10-11 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, [what] clearing of yourselves, yea, [what] indignation, yea, [what] fear, yea, [what] vehement desire, yea, [what] zeal, yea, [what] revenge! In all [things] ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

Psalms 38:18 For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.

REPENT'ANCE, n.

1. Sorrow for any thing done or said; the pain or grief which a person experiences in consequence of the injury or inconvenience produced by his own conduct.

2. In theology, the pain, regret or affliction which a person feels on account of his past conduct, because it exposes him to punishment. This sorrow proceeding merely from the fear of punishment, is called legal repentance, as being excited by the terrors of legal penalties, and it may exist without an amendment of life.

3. Real penitence; sorrow or deep contrition for sin, as an offense and dishonor to God, a violation of his holy law, and the basest ingratitude towards a Being of infinite benevolence. This is called evangelical repentance, and is accompanied and followed by amendment of life.

4. Repentance is a change of mind, or a conversion from sin to God.

5. Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation. Matthew 3:7-8 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

6. Repentance is the relinquishment of any practice, from conviction that it has offended God.

THE RESULTS OF REPENTANCE

1. Godly Sorrow – 8-10 (It Brought Repentance and relief) Repentance not to be repented of that brought about an end of the chastisement (for a season).

2. Salvation – vs 10 (Not spiritual salvation but physical salvation)

a. It Brought Forgiveness - 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

b. It Brought Protection (death) - Pr 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall have mercy.

3. Carefulness – vs 11 (To be anxious or to take thought)

a. It Brought Removal Of Sin
b. It Brought Avoidance Of Sin

4. Clearing – vs 11 (apologia-to clear oneself) They made things right. Have you ever heard someone say, “If I have done wrong” or “If I have hurt anyone?” This is an admission of guilt with a sincere apology. When we pray, we do not say to God: “If I have sinned, please forgive me.”

5. Indignation – vs 11 (Sore Displeasure or hatred for sin.) Most of the time, we continue to sin because we love it. When we see our sin as God sees our sin, we have a hatred similar to His divine hatred.

6. Fear – vs 11 (Dread or terror. Reverence for one’s husband!) Fully understanding both the displeasure of the Lord and the consequences to follow.)

7. Vehement Desire – vs 11 (A passionate desire or longing to both do right and be right.)

8. Zeal – vs 11 (A hungering and thirsting for the things of God)

9. Revenge – vs 11 (To punish in order to maintain right) This is not to get vengeance personally as vengeance belongs to God.