When The Messiah Comes To Town

 

Introduction: In 1993, there was a news report on T.V. about a "Messiah sighting" in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, New York. Many of the Lubavitcher Hasidic Jews who live in Crown Heights believed the Messiah lived among them in the person of Rabbi Menachem Schneerson. Word of the Rabbi's public appearance spread like wildfire. Lubavitchers in their black coats and curly sidelocks ran toward the synagogue where the Rabbi customarily prayed.

They jammed by the hundreds into a central hall, elbowing each other and even climbing the pillars to create more room. The hall filled with an air of anticipation and frenzy. The Rabbi was 91 years old. He had suffered a stroke the year before and had not been able to speak since.

When the curtain finally pulled back, the crowds saw a frail older man with a long beard who could do little but wave, tilt his head, and move his eyebrows. No one seemed to mind, though. "Long live our master, our teacher, and our rabbi, King, Messiah, forever and ever!"

They sang in unison until the Rabbi made a small gesture with his hand and the curtain closed. They departed, savoring the moment, in a state of ecstasy. In 1994 as their Rabbi lay dying in New York's Beth Israel Hospital, many signed petitions to God to permit their Rabbi to rise from his deathbed and lead them to the Promised Land, initiating the messianic age.

Rabbi Schneerson died on 12 June 1994. It seemed as though the prophecy had failed, yet many Lubavitchers are awaiting his bodily resurrection.[1] I wonder, would they ever find the true Messiah? Would they even recognize and believe Him if He showed up among them today?

On Redemption road, we will notice how people in a mountain town responded over 2000 years ago when they saw the ancient prophecies had unfolded right in front of their eyes. Let us find out what happens WHEN THE MESSIAH COMES TO TOWN. John 12:12-19.

Today is Palm Sunday, the beginning of the Passion week as known in the Church Calendar. It is good for us to pause, remember and meditate on the events that unfolded from this point on leading up to Easter. After receiving Mary's extravagant acts of love and devotion, Jesus now headed to Jerusalem, which was two miles away from Bethany.

The Holy Spirit prompted Jesus' disciples, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, to highlight this important event. (Mt 21:1-11, Mk 11:1-10, Lk 19:29-38, Jn 12:12-19). Reading them will give us the big picture. I chose the passage from John for his unique approach to the Gospel.

John 20:31, "But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name." By the end of our study, all those listening may believe that Jesus truly is the Messiah.

 

I. THE ROYAL ENTRY.

            Vs. 12-13, On the next day, when the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 they took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, indeed, the King of Israel!" In the ancient Near East, the palm branch symbolizes victory, triumph, peace, and eternal life.[2] They were also tokens of joy used during festivals (Neh 8:15).

 

 

              Early Christians saw palm branches as a symbol of victory of the faithful over enemies of the soul.[3] John foresees this ultimate triumph of the faithful in heaven. Rev 7:9, "After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb.

            They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands." As we hold the palm branches in our hands and wave, let us declare victory over sin in our lives. Let's celebrate the triumphant gift of salvation of our souls.

            The crowds shouted, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, indeed, the King of Israel!" The term Hosanna in Hebrew means "give salvation now." A word of acclamation or praise occurring in Psalm 118:25, "Please, LORD, please save us."

            Every Jew was familiar with that Psalm since it was recited in festivals, especially during the Passover. After shouting of the Hosanna, the crowds shouted, Ps 118:26, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" The context of Psalm 118 may have been the pronouncement of blessing on a Messianic leader. The hopes of redemption heightened during the Passover.

            Only John adds these words, "Blessed is the king of Israel," reflecting his interest in Jesus' royalty which he brings out throughout the passion narrative. The King of Israel suggests the hope that Jesus may be the Messiah. Verses 14-15 qualify the character of his kingship.

 

II. WHEN THE MESSIAH COMES TO TOWN

            Vs. 14-15, "Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said: "Don't be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey's colt." This section marks the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem during the Passover.

            On Passover day, the lambs were being sacrificed. As the scriptures suggested on this day in 1 Cor 5:7, "Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us." The events and the timing surrounding Jesus' entry were a fulfillment of Zechariah's prophecy. How he arrived on a donkey's colt, Jesus presented himself officially to the nation as the Messiah and Son of God.

            In 536 B.C, Zechariah prophesied that the Messiah would redeem the people of Israel one day.  Zec 9:9"Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey riding on a donkey's colt." Each year during the Passover, the Jews must have looked forward to their Messiah. They were delighted seeing Jesus as their future King, but riding on a donkey? 

            Why donkey, why not a horse? The scholars have noted three significant reasons for the usage of the donkey: First, the donkey was a traditional mount for kings, rulers, and prophets in the ancient Near East; Jesus was therefore making an implicit claim to be the King.

            Secondly, In the Old Testament, horses were associated with war and human pride; the donkey may have presented an image of peace and humility. He made a statement regarding his future kingship and kingdom's nature where Love and Peace reign by riding on a donkey.

            Thirdly, a King's image on a donkey approaching Jerusalem was consistently understood to signify the messianic King and his Kingdom's arrival. When the Messiah entered Jerusalem without any pomp and military power, the crowds, the Pharisees, and the disciples responded differently. The disciples could not understand that this was a fulfillment of prophecy until later.

            Vs. 16-19, "Many in the crowd had seen Jesus' call, Lazarus, from the tomb, raising him from the dead, and they were telling others (testifying) about it. That was the reason so many went out to meet him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign. Then the Pharisees said to each other, "There's nothing we can do. Look, everyone has gone after him!"

            On the first Palm Sunday, the crowds testified to a miracle of life they witnessed. As a result, many went to meet Jesus. The Pharisees were indignant; they could not stand the publicity he was getting, which gave them all the more reason to kill him. How glorious would that be on this Palm Sunday the whole town of Sharon and New England goes after Jesus?

            The other day someone said, so and so is a "walking miracle." If you are alive today when many have died due to COVID-19, you are a walking miracle. You may have seen God's healing, comfort, deliverance, protection, and provision. On this Palm Sunday, don't be silent, shy, and passive, but like the crowds in the story, share your miracle with others. By listening to your testimony, some people may believe that Jesus Christ is indeed the Messiah. Amen!

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

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[1] https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon-illustrations/74919/jesus-christ-by-sermon-central

 

[2] in the ancient Near East and Mediterranean world.

[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_branch

WORSHIP THE SON

 

WORSHIP THE SON!

Introduction: As Christian and Jewish Americans prepare to celebrate Easter and Passover, respectively, Gallup finds the percentage of Americans who report belonging to a church, synagogue, or mosque at an all-time low, averaging 50% in 2018.[1] The COVID-19 has further contributed to that decline. Post-Pandemic, it is unlikely the Church attendance will increase.

A new Pew Research Center survey finds that the main reason people regularly go to church, synagogue, mosque, or another house of worship is an obvious one: to feel closer to God.[2] Many people say one fundamental reason they don’t regularly attend church is that they practice their faith in other ways. Others cite things they dislike about particular congregations.

They haven’t found a home church, don’t like the sermons, the music, or the people. Still, others name logistical reasons such as lack of transportation, being in poor health or sick with COVID-19, or afraid of getting sick with COVID or not having the time to go, and so on.

What is the prime reason why God created and saved us? Does the Bible say you have to go to Church? If I were to ask you why do you come to Church, what would you say? On Redemption Road, we found out how repentance plays a crucial role in receiving salvation and living a life of no regrets. We have also discovered that there is life in the Son.

It was nearing Sabbath. Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem, getting ready to complete his mission. Along the way, Jesus established what should be the primary purpose of every person who decides to follow Him. In the passage we read, we will meet an earnest disciple who expressed her love and devotion to God unashamedly by giving up something precious and valuable. Though she was dead over two thousand years ago, her story will live on for generations to challenge believers worldwide in their worship of Jesus the Son. John 12:1-11

I. DINNER AT A FRIEND’S HOUSE

Vs. 1-2, “Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him.”

As per the Jewish custom, all the Jews in the region would come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. It was six days to Passover; Jesus and his disciples were on the road to Jerusalem. Along the way, they stopped at his friend’s house in Bethany.

Bethany was some two miles east of Jerusalem, on the Mount of Olives’ eastern side. Because the number of pilgrims would increase Jerusalem’s population even “six days before the Passover,” it makes sense for Jesus to stay with friends in Bethany and enjoy their hospitality one last time before heading to Jerusalem. It was the home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.

Hearing the arrival of Jesus, the crowds gathered, wanting to see Jesus and Lazarus, the man Jesus had raised from the dead. Out of gratitude and honor of Jesus, Martha cooked up a huge meal. While they were reclining at the table and eating, something unusual happened. 

II. EXTRAVAGANT DEVOTION

Vs. 3, “Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar (327 grams) of expensive perfume made from essence of Nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.” What do we know about Marth and Mary? On one occasion, when Jesus visited their home, Martha was caught up in the busyness of preparing a meal for Jesus.

Whereas Mary sat at the feet of Jesus listening to what he taught, for which Jesus commended her, saying, “There is only one thing worth being concerned about, Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42. Mary had found something precious that no one could ever take it away from her. What is that one thing of worth?

This feast was in honor of Jesus, who was the chief guest of the occasion. While everyone is reclining and eating, Mary again chose her favorite spot, “at the feet of Jesus.” Vs. 3, “Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar (327 grams) of expensive perfume made from essence of Nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. “I want to share the significance of the extravagant acts of Mary’s devotion.

The Spikenard (KJV) or Pure Nard (NIV) was a costly perfume worth a year’s wages. It was found in northern India in the Himalayan regions. It has been speculated that this jar may have been Mary’s dowry or her inheritance. In other words, this jar of spikenard ointment may have been all she had of value, and she poured it out on Him.

Her extravagant gift is a picture of the kind of offering expected of each of us. Numbers 18:29, “You must present as the LORD’s portion the best and the holiest part of everything given to you.” Mary offered the best, the pure, and was willing to give everything as an act of worship.

Preachers preached on principles of worship using Mary’s extravagant acts of devotion. As I was preparing, I felt one of the ideas of this passage was Worship of the Son. How do we know what Mary did was an act of worship? The oil was costly, pure, and when she poured it on the feet of Jesus, the house was filled with fragrance, symbolizing adoration, honor, and worship.

In the OT, the anointing oil was used to consecrate priests to serve in the presence of the Lord. There was an altar of incense in the Tabernacle, and later in the Temple, Aaron and the priests must continually burn fragrant incense on the altar each morning (Exodus 30:7).

What prompted Mary to do such extravagant acts of love and devotion? Could it be that she saw in Jesus what her sister, the crowds, including the teachers of the law, have failed to see? Mary’s acts of anointing Jesus’ feet with pure oil and publicly wiping his feet with her hair evoked sharp criticism from Judas Iscariot and words of recognition and affirmation from Jesus.

III WORSHIP THE SON

Vs. 4-8, “But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” 

Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” What do we see in these verses?

            Judas’s words were contrary to what was going on in his heart. Outwardly he showed concern for the poor, but in reality, he was stealing the money perhaps was given to be spent on the poor. He indeed realized the worth of the perfume that Mary poured on the feet of Jesus.

            Jesus being the reader of everyone’s heart and mind, rebuked Judas not to bother Mary. He affirmed Mary, “she did this in preparation for my burial.” Mary saw Jesus being worthy of her worship and love, so she gave up what was precious to her. Jesus was pleased with that gift.

            Jesus said, “You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” Jesus’ point here is to prioritize devotion to him, not to diminish the importance of serving the poor. As Mary worshipped Jesus by giving up all she owned at that point, we are called to worship the Son by offering up ourselves as a living sacrifice.

Romans 12:1“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.” How are we today? Are we like Judas, who only does the lip service to God? Or like Mary, who showed extravagant devotion to the Lord? From the reading of Luke 10:41, “Mary discovered one thing, that was the Lord Himself.

On the Redemption Road, may we all discover the Son and Worship Him. In closing, let us pray as David did, Psalm 27:4, “The one thing I ask of the Lord—the thing I seek most—is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,” May the Lord grant our desire. Amen!

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[1] https://news.gallup.com/poll/248837/church-membership-down-sharply-past-two-decades.aspx

[2] https://www.pewforum.org/2018/08/01/why-americans-go-to-religious-services/

Life In the Son: (The Redemption Road Part III)

 

LIFE IN THE SON!

Introduction: Last year, on March 9^th, I had the scare of my life, as a regular doctor’s visit ended up in an emergency room. My doctor found out I had an irregular heartbeat. It was a terrifying couple of days for our family in a country where we don’t have an extended family network. As the doctors were putting me through various tests, the Lord gave me a very assuring and comforting verse from Psalm 118:17, “I will not die; instead, I will tell what the Lord has done.” I realized how fragile life is, and it can be gone at any moment.

             I am grateful to be alive today to testify what God has done for me. A year later, on March 9^th, I was fully vaccinated for COVID-19, which has taken so many untimely lives in the USA and worldwide. Having the vaccination doesn’t make us invincible. It is only an extra measure of protection. Our ultimate trust is not in vaccinations, doctors, and science but God.

Here is a short Poem on life: “The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. At late or early hour. To lose one’s wealth is sad indeed. To lose one’s health is more; to lose one’s soul is such a loss that no man can restore.”

The English Cricketer turned missionary C.T Studd once said, “Only one life, it will be soon past, Only What is done for Christ will last.” We all have only one short life to live. How are we living our lives today? What are our values and priorities in life?

On the Redemption Road, we discovered what contributes to a life of no regrets and how repentance leads us to salvation. This morning I want to talk about life, in particular the life after death. How do you view your life? The biblical view is that life is sacred and a gift from God. It is to be respected and protected. People are precious, and all lives matter to God and us. In the passage, we read Jesus drew his audience’s attention from temporal things of life to things that truly matter. He gradually leads them to a place where they can find eternal life. John 6:22-40

 

I. LIFE COMES FROM GOD

The Genesis narrative tells us that God spoke the words “let there be” and everything we see in this beautiful world came into existence. However, he did not say “let there be” when it comes to humans instead, He said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us.” He got to work in Genesis 2:7, “Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person.”

Have you ever considered how you were made and how much your true worth is? The Psalmist wondered of the intricacies that went into creating him and every other human being. Psalm 139:13-16, “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex.

Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” The same craftsmanship goes into creating every child that is born.

The Psalmist exclaimed about his privileged position among God’s creation. Psalm 8:4-6, “what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor.”

These scriptures tell us that all life comes from God and has immense value. We must cherish it and protect it. The sixth commandment tells us, “You shall not murder, “Any violation of this commandment is sin. Don’t believe the whisper of the devil that says you are an accident and have no significance. You are precious to God, and God has kept you on earth for a purpose. Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” How can we know his plans for our lives?

 

II. GOD SUSTAINS LIFE

Our lives not only come from God but are also sustained by God. Before creating man, God created an environment that would sustain life. God placed man in the garden to tend and to watch over it. Our responsibility is to take care of the environment, protect and cultivate the land.

Let us admit that we haven’t been good stewards of God-given resources. I want us to see how God sustains life. Psalm 104:13-15, “You send rain on the mountains from your heavenly home, and you fill the earth with the fruit of your labor. You cause grass to grow for the livestock and plants for people to use. You allow them to produce food from the earth wine to make them glad, olive oil to soothe their skin, and bread to give them strength.”

Could you imagine a world where God holds back the rain and grass from growing? How could anyone possibly think that they can even survive a minute without God? The one who breathed his life into us is capable of taking it out from us. Let us be grateful for our lives today.

Give glory to God if you have the wisdom, a set of skills, and strength to work and provide food for you and your family. If, for some reason, you get sick, are unable to work, or lose your job, don’t you worry; even then, your heavenly Father knows how to take care of you.

Our God is not only the giver of life but also the sustainer. On the redemption Road, we will meet the Son traveling to Jerusalem to accomplish his redemption mission. On the way, he heals a lame man, feeds five thousand, and walks on water, demonstrating His divine power.

After seeing how Jesus multiplied five loaves and two fish, a crowd of people followed Jesus to the other side of the lake. When they found Jesus said, Rabbi, when did you get here? Jesus knew why they were indeed there. Vs. 27, “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you.” There is nothing wrong with working for food, but we miss out on eternal life if that is all that we live for.

 

III. LIFE IN THE SON

            After turning their focus from the temporal to the eternal, he debunks some long-held Jewish believers’ popular views on who provided food for their ancestors in the wilderness. They thought it was Moses who gave them bread from heaven to eat. But Jesus told them that it was God, our heavenly Father, who took care of them and fed them from heaven for forty years.

            The crowd was excited with the perspective of the true bread from heaven, so they said, “Sir, give us that bread every day.” Vs. 35, “Jesus replied, I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again.” He went on to say, Vs. 40 “For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.”

            No matter who you are, life on this earth is not permanent. It may last for a hundred or more years. One day it will come to an end. No one knows when our end might come. After we die, we get to live forever. The question we must ask ourselves is that where would I spend in eternity? You might spend your eternity with God in heaven or without God in Hell.

            It all depends on the choice we make while we still have our breath in us. As a loving father, God would want all people to choose the eternal life found in His Son. For that very purpose, Jesus came into this world to give us eternal life. Hear the words of the Son Himself.

           

 

John 5:24, “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.” Today if you hear his voice and believe in God, you have already received eternal life. While you remain on this earth, you get to enjoy the abundant life in Christ.

You might think you are enjoying the pleasures of sin, but in the end, they will lead you to Christless eternity in Hell. But if you repent of your sins and ask the Son to forgive and give your eternal life, you will live with Him forever in heaven.  There is life in the Son. Amen!

 

 

 

Repentance Unto Life ( The Redemption Road Part II)

 

REPENTANCE UNTO LIFE

Introduction: You can get high on sex. You can get high on alcohol. You can get high on all kinds of drugs. I was high on hate and violence, said Nicky Cruz" When he showed up on the scene, people had every reason to run and hide. He wasn't just the renowned Mau Maus leader -- the toughest gang in New York City -- Nicky was an animal. Pain and violence weren't anything new to Nicky. He grew up in Puerto Rico, where his parents brutally abused him.

When he hit the streets of New York, Nicky was a hardened man void of love and full of hate. Only two people saw the desperate condition of Nicky's heart. One was a psychologist. "He told me about five times. 'There's a dark side in your life that nobody can penetrate. Nicky, you are walking straight to jail, the electric chair, and hell. There's no hope.'"

The other was a pastor named David Wilkerson. He risked his life to tell Nicky there was hope. "I heard his voice: 'God has the power to change your life.' I started cursing loud," says Nicky. "I spit in his face, and I hit him. I told him, 'I don't believe in what you say, and you get out of here." Nicky never expected what he heard Wilkerson say next.

Wilkerson replied, "You could cut me up into 1000 pieces and lay them in the street. Every piece will still love you. "Nicky and his gang showed up at one of Wilkerson's rallies. One by one, they gave their lives to Christ. It was the crucifixion – Jesus' death on the cross -- that grabbed Nicky. "I was choked up with pain, and my eyes were fighting, and tears began to come down, and more tears and I was fighting, and then I surrendered," says Nicky.

"I let Jesus hug me, and I let my head rest on His chest. I said I'm sorry. Forgive me, and for the first time, I told somebody I love you." The love Nicky got in return radically changed his life. "When I had opened my eyes, I got a new heart. I'd been born again. I'm a child of the Lord." Nicky Cruz Once an "animal" filled with hate, today, a lover of souls. [1]

In 1982 he held a crusade in Rotterdam. A rebellious teenage girl was persuaded by her sister to attend the crusade. While in that crusade, the Lord touched her, but it took six months to surrender her life to the Lord fully. She went on to serve God through YWAM, where I met her and got married. I am so glad that Wilma repented and got saved. Last week we began our Journey on Redemption Road. At the first stop, we looked at what leads us to a life of no regrets. Our next stop would be at the milestone of REPENTANCE. Matthew 4:1-17

 

I. THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS (1-11)

Many Christians meditate on this passage during the lent season, identifying with Jesus' fasting of 40 days, his temptations by the devil, and his victory over temptation. Let us see how the devil tempts Jesus, the weapon he used to overpower the devil, and the lessons we can learn.

The devil tempted Jesus in three broad areas of life. The first temptation is the lust of the flesh. Vs. 3, "if you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread. Jesus reminded him where his real sustenance would come from, "the Word of God." (Deut 8:3

The second temptation is the pride of life. Vs. 5-6. The devil tempted him to show off what He can do by suggesting to throw himself off from the temple's highest point. Jesus pointed to the devil that he was stepping out of his boundaries by saying, "You must not test the Lord Your God." (Deut 6:16). A point of observation, our God is the God of all, including the devil.

The third temptation is the lust of the eyes. Vs. 8-9. The devil showed and offered to give him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory if only he knelt and worshipped him. Jesus was furious and sternly warned the Devil that God alone truly deserved all our worship and service. (Deut 6:13).

On all three occasions, Jesus wielded the sword of the spirit to overcome the devil. Vs. 11, "Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus." That was not the end of the devil's temptations; it was just a pause. In Luke 4:13, we read, "when the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came."

On that victory note, Jesus began His public ministry. He picked up from where his cousin John the Baptist left and began to preach, Vs. 17, "Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the kingdom of Heaven is near." Jesus' ministry began in Nazareth and spread to Zebulun and Naphtali as was prophesied by the prophet Isaiah. Jesus's ministry consisted of leading people from darkness to light and calling people to Repentance unto life. 

 

II REPENTANCE UNTO LIFE

Let us look at the word Repentance and its necessity for salvation. Many understand the term repentance to mean "a turning from sin." Regretting sin and turning from it is related to Repentance, but it is not the word's precise meaning. In the Bible, the Greek word metanoeō means "to repent with regret accompanied by a true change of heart and mind toward God."

The Bible also tells us that true Repentance is not just feeling sorry over our sins but will result in a change of actions. Consider the preaching of John the Baptist in Luke 3:8-14. John urged the crowds that came to him for Baptism to prove by the way they live that they have repented of their sins and turned to God. He instructed them on how to live a repented life.

In Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost, he concludes with a call for the people to repent of their sins and turn to God and be baptized in the name of Christ for the forgiveness of sins, then they will receive the Holy Spirit. This promise was given to everyone. (Acts 2:38-39).

In summarizing his ministry, Paul declares, "I preached first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that all must repent of their sins and turn to God—and prove they have changed by the good things they do." (Acts 26:20).

According to John and Paul, Repentance is a change of mind that results in a change of action. Genuine Repentance is followed by a change of mind and change of behavior. To see what Repentance looks like in real life, meet Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector a chief sinner.

He cheated and exhorted money. When he met Jesus, he had a radical change of mind; he said, "I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!" Here is true Repentance coupled with faith in Christ followed by a change of mind and actions. As a result, he pronounced salvation to Zacchaeus invites him to the Israelites' larger family by calling him a true son of Abraham. Luke 19.

Another costly example of true Repentance is found in Acts 19. During his third missionary journey, the Apostle Paul preaches the gospel in Ephesus, and many became believers confessing their sinful practices. Those who repented showed it in their actions by publicly burning their magic books that amount to several million dollars. Acts 19:19

Jesus is still calling us to repent of our sins and turn to God. Repentance is not a suggestion but a command. What produces true Repentance is godly sorrow, which leads us unto our souls' salvation and fruitful lives on the earth. (2 Cor 7:10).

What does Repentance unto life mean? True Repentance calls for a change of mind and change of heart. What do you need to give up? For some, it may be smoking, drinking alcohol, taking drugs, or saying goodbye to bad relationships. For some, it may mean returning the stolen goods or paying back its equivalent amount. Yet, for others, it may mean destroying pornography books, violent video games, and DVD movies, etc.

As the Bible says, we all are sinners and in need of a savior. We are commanded to repent for the forgiveness of our sins. Have you repented of your sins or hiding away from God?

Proverbs 28:13, "People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy." Before it is too late, I urge you to return to God and experience healing and restoration. Once you are saved, then I encourage you to live a life that is pleasing to God by cultivating God-honoring habits of reading God's word and praying daily.

In closing, we can't repent of our sins on our own, let alone prove by the way we live that we have repented of our sins. From the beginning till the end, it has to be the work of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we make a resolve as the Apostle Paul did. Galatians 2:20, "My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So, I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Amen!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[1] https://www1.cbn.com/700club/nicky-cruz-salvation-jungles-new-york