Repentance

As we have discussed over the past few weeks  God's Dream for the Church, one of the main topics must be that we have a heart of...
REPENTANCE.

What does it mean to be repentant?  Repentance begins with recognizing that our hearts are rebellious. 

“But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, 

and those defile the man.  For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. 

These are the things which defile the man..." 

(Mt. 15:18-20)

Scripture is full of examples of God dealing with rebellious people.  Isaiah 1 gives us a snapshot of God's actions toward the nation of Israel and their hardened hearts.  Verse 4 of Is. 1 summarizes God's evaluation of His people:  Ah, sinful nation, a people loaded with guilt, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him.

Does this sound like the people of God; people set apart for His purpose?  NO!  The nation of Israel had split apart and those that had been following Him, Judah, were now becoming more and more rebellious.  Why?  Because they did not deal with the sin that had infected their lives.

 Friends, this could easily describe the church in America today.  When we cease to look to God as the One who has purchased us with the blood of His precious Son, Jesus Christ and instead say “My life is my own to do as I please.” we are in the same boat as the tribe of Judah in Isaiah’s day.

What does a good parent do to a rebellious child?  Provide correction and discipline. God is no different.

“For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines 

and He scourges every son whom He receives.” 

(Heb. 12:6)

Although God is tolerant and patient not wanting any to perish (2 Peter 3:9) His tolerance for rebellion has its limits. The southern tribe of Judah refused to heed the prophets' warnings and God had enough of their mechanical sacrifices and burnt offerings.  His dream was that their hearts would turn to Him.  Instead their festivals and assemblies sickened Him because the people refused to turn their hearts to the Lord.  They were just going through the motions.

Think of the typical church today.  How often to we come to fill our spot, do our duty, warm our seat.  Is our worship from the heart or just mechanical and lacking spirit.  Are we ready to wake up and see that we are not what God desires?

So what is the demise of the church if we refuse to be what God desires us to be?  

For the full message shared on 03-03-13 at First Church of God, Racine, WI; go to:

Repentance