Worship 101: Repentance

MONDAY

The Message of Jesus is one that needs to be received with intent of letting it change your life. Jesus became like us so that we can, in turn, become like Him. This is the purpose of our Christian walk. Read Ephesians 5:1-2. Who are you to imitate? How are you to imitate God? Read Matthew 5:43-48. Who are we to be like? Is it possible to be perfect? What do you think Jesus means by v.48? Read Phillipians 3:12-16. Paul defines what “perfection” is all about in these verses. It’s about maturing. It’s about vision. It’s about attitude. The Greek word for “perfect” is teleioo. It means to complete, i.e. (lit.) accomplish, or (fig.) consummate (in character):--consecrate, finish, fulfill, (make) perfect. (Strong’s Hebrew & Greek) Write Micah 6:8 on an index card and memorize it. Have you dedicated your children to the Lord? If you have kids, take some time out to dedicate them to God. Have a prayer with your household and dedicate each one to God.

TUESDAY

As we studied last week, in order to be able to please the Lord you must die to self. Dying to self involves believing that the message of forgiveness you heard has the power to change you! If your belief doesn’t affect your behavior, then why have beliefs? Read Ezekiel 18:30-32. How will you be judged? Does the Lord want you to live? What must you do to live? The problem is not God's unwillingness to save you, but rather your refusal to be saved! This is a masterful call to repentance. It is not divine grace or human freedom, but God's mercy and your choice. This is a call to those who have pushed God aside to awaken and renew themselves in faith in God. Read Hebrews 12:1-2. What must you do first, before you begin to run with endurance? Who are you going to fix your eyes onto? Why? Write 1 Peter 1:13 on an index card and memorize it.

WEDNESDAY

"Repent" is the translation of the Greek verb metanoeo, meaning “to have another mind, to change the mind”, and is used in the N.T. to indicate a change of mind in respect to sin, God, and self. A complete reversal. True repentance leads to change in behavior, which is what is expected from God. Read Luke 3:6-14. How did John recognize a true repentant attitude? What were the multitudes asking John? “There is no way of fleeing from the wrath to come, but by repentance; and by the change of our way the change of our mind must be shown. If we are not really holy, both in heart and life, our profession of religion and relation to God and his church, will stand us in no stead at all; the sorer will our destruction be, if we do not bring forth fruits meet for repentance.” -- Matthew Henry. Write Acts 17:30 on an index card and memorize it.

THURSDAY

The most difficult part about repentance is initiating a change of heart and mind. Once the heart and mind are in sync with the Spirit, changes in attitude and actions will follow. Read 2 Corinthians 7:8-11. According to verse 9, does God intend for us to be sorrowful? Maybe you would like to go back to the study on pliability and look at Thursday’s Quiet Times about his topic. Does worldly sorrow produce fruits in keeping with repentance? So what is the difference between godly and worldly sorrow? Whenever there’s still any regret in your heart, you haven’t truly let go of your attitude -- you haven’t repented. When you let go of sin, the attitudes in verse 11 will be clearly manifested in your attitude and life. Notice also that in Hebrews 11, all these people were commended for their faith because they showed a change of heart and mind that lead them to action. Write Hosea 14:1-2 on an index card and memorize it.

FRIDAY

Jesus died for us on the cross that our sins might not be held against us as long as we are willing to repent. One of the most illustrative passages as to how we begin our act of repentance is 1 John 1:5-9. What is the difference between walking in light and walking in darkness? What does walking in the light involve? The phrase "But if we walk" is suggestive of a life-style. The verb is in the present tense and denotes continuous action. John has in mind the practice and habit of life which is characterized by constant fellowship with God. Through the shed blood of Jesus, there is forgiveness and redemption from sin. The word "cleanse" (katharizo, Gk.) is in the present tense and denotes continuous action. The blood of Jesus "keeps on cleansing" from all sin. Therefore, walking in the light stems from having a mindset of renewal (Rom 12:1-2). Write Acts 3:19 on an index card and memorize it.

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