How many times have you repented in your life?

2. How many times have you repented in your life? When was the last time you repented?

3. Often times we misunderstand the meaning of repentance. Repentance as a way of life

4. The Nature of Sin Sin separates us from God The very nature of God puts him at the very center of our lives. But often times we remove God from his rightful place and put ourselves there instead.

5. The Nature of Sin Martin Luther King described sin as “man curved in upon himself”. We can see through scriptures that sin always focuses on “self”. And choosing “self” over God. Sin is all about what we want and desire… Not what God desires

6. The Nature of Repentance Repentance is turning away from. Going in a different direction. A change of mind or ways. 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. Repentance then means taking “self” out of the center of our lives and allowing God to dwell there.

7. The Nature of Repentance Acts 26:20 – First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and all in Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their obedience by their deeds. Where do we turn? How do you prove your repentance?

8. The Nature of Repentance You see repentance isn’t just an isolated act but a change of mind that results in a change of life. Matthew 3:8 – Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

9. Selfish Repentance Sin is so sneaky that even when we think we are doing good, it can still be about “self” if we are doing it for the wrong reasons. In Luke 18, the Pharisee’s prayer was all about “self”. The draw of “self” can cause us to do what we want, knowing we can ask for repentance later.

10. Selfish Repentance What’s the problem with that attitude? Its all about ME! Even if sorrow is involved, the repentance is only to avoid the consequences of our sin. We don’t think about how our sin effects God and dishonors him. We just think about how we don’t want the punishment so we repent.

11. Selfish Repentance Sometimes we seek to live a life that is just good enough for God. What ends up happening is we set up our own standard of moral excellence. The problem here then is we are reluctant to repent because that would mean we aren’t meeting that standard and God doesn’t “owe” us His blessings.

12. Selfish Repentance So what we’ve done is created our on self-righteousness. Phil 3:7-9 - But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ Jesus. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ – the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.

13. True Repentance So if I can be guilty of a selfish repentance then how do I know the difference between it and true repentance? Luke 7 – Simon, the Pharisee and the sinful woman. Our repentance is much greater when we see the size of our debt.

14. True Repentance But in order to see our debt, we have to examine our hearts and our lives and understand the Gospel. Understanding what God’s grace and love has done for us. Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

15. True Repentance True repentance will come when we understand God’s great love for us, the great debt we owe him, and we build our relationship with him. Keep in mind that repentance isn’t just sorrow for your sins, but the change you are making in your life. Keeping God at the center of your life.

16. True Repentance Repentance is a way of life that is ever changing to reflect the glory of God. Colossians 3:5-11 Galatians 5:24 – Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with it’s passions and desires.