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"What a Change in Direction!" - Second Sunday in Advent
Dr. Scott Koenigsaecker
Dr. Scott Koenigsaecker
Psalm 51:1-12 & Mark 1:1-8 ~ December 5, 2010
INTRODUCTION
A. Change is one of the constants in life.
B. Some of these changes are true paradigm shifts in our life.
C. Christmas, Mark tells us, is about change.
"This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven." Mark 1:4
I. WHAT IS REPENTANCE?
A. The Biblical word repentance has several meanings:
· In the Old Testament it means a change of heart or the turning away from evil.
"He [God] shows them their sins of pride. He gets their attention and commands that they turn from evil." Job 36:9-10
· The New Testament adds the idea of a change in one’s life purpose.
"Now, repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away." Acts 3:19
· "Repentance is the inner change of one's mind and heart that results in outwardly turning away from sin and turning toward God."
Pastor Doug Wendel
B. Repentance isn't……
C. What does the paradigm shift of repentance look like?
· First, it takes an honest evaluation of our sinfulness.
"I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me."
Psalm 51:3
· Second it takes open confession.
"Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just." Psalm 51:4
"They must confess their sin and make full restitution for what they have done." Numbers 5:7
· Third, it takes heartfelt commitment.
"You [God] can teach me to be wise in my inner most being… create in me a clean heart and right spirit in me…make me willing to obey you." Psalm 51:6, 10 & 12
"This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone, a new life has begun!"
2 Corinthians 5:17
II. THE PARADIGM SHIFT OF REPENTANCE HAS MANY BENEFITS.
A. First it changes our eternal destination.
"For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation." 2 Corinthians 7:10
B. Second, repentance results in a positive change in lifestyle.
"Prove by the way that you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God." Matthew 3:8
C. Third is inner peace.
"So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1
CONCLUSION
"If you always do what you've always done, then you will always get what you've always gotten." John Maxwell