Week 3: Repentance

1. Repentance
1.1. Definition: (Verb) the activity of reviewing time lost because of one's actions, idleness or sensual pleasures that caused harm or wounded one’s own self or another; and changing of one’s mindset and actions out of feelings of pain, sorrow or regret for something done or spoken. It creates a commitment to personal change and resolving to live in a different, better manner because of past conduct. Synonyms include: regret, remorse, guilt, self-reproach, shame. Short Definition: repentance is a change of mind that results in a change of action.
1.2. Christian repentance isn’t just saying a prayer and getting baptized. It’s a change of lifestyle that refreshes you. A process that kills addiction, depression and unforgiveness.
1.2.1. XXXXXX You shall know them by their fruits
1.2.2. Acts 26:20 declares, “I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.”
1.2.3. Acts 3:19 "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord."
1.3. Christian Repentance happens from understanding the goodness of God
1.3.1. Romans 2:4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
1.3.2. 1 John 4:19 We love Him, because He first loved us.
1.3.3. Our response to Gods Goodness is love. That’s why the enemy has tried to convince us that God is mean and bad.
1.4. The enemy works by making us bitter at God and others. It was enemy that prompted our fall and brought problems like insecurity, hatred, racism, loneliness, addiction, depression. AND YET HE GETS US TO BLAME GOD!
1.4.1. Prov 19:3 The foolishness of man ruins his way, And his heart rages against the LORD.
1.5. So How Good is God?
1.5.1. God spent six days creating a perfect garden where everything was perfect before making us.
1.5.2. Jer 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
1.5.3. Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
1.5.4. John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
1.6. Practicalities:
1.6.1. Discern what bothers God about your life. Allow God to convict you about sin that you’ve been ok with.
1.6.2. Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; 24 And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.
1.6.3. Resolve to remove iniquity from your life. Even if you don’t have the self-control yet
1.6.4. Begin searching out how to remove iniquity
1.6.4.1. Find people who have overcome it, talk it over with them
1.6.4.2. James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
1.6.4.3. Pray over it, releasing it to God
1.6.4.4. Ask spiritual elders for prayer
1.6.4.4.1. James 5:13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.
1.6.4.5. Believe that God can do it
1.6.4.5.1. James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
1.6.5. Set goals, have accountability
1.6.6. Don’t give up.
1.6.7. Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us
1.6.8. Live a disciplined life



1.6.8.1. Four Legs: Daily Word Time, Daily Worship Time, regular Fasting and Prayer, Sowing Time, Talent and Treasure into the kingdom of God