Matthew 11:20-24 (NIV) Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
FOUR HARD FACTS ABOUT REPENTANCE
Matthew 11:21 (NIV) Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
1. We Need to Repent
Matthew 4:17 (NIV) From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
WHEN GOD WORKS, WE SHOULD BE MOVED TO REPENT.
Acts 3:19 (NIV) Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,
REPENTANCE IS HAVING A CHANGE OF MIND, HEART, AND DIRECTION.
Proverbs 28:13-14 (NIV)
13 Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,
but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
14 Blessed is the one who always trembles before God,
but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.
Romans 6:23 (NIV) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Matthew 11:20 (NIV) Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent.
2. Jesus Wants Us to Repent
THE GOAL OF JESUS’ MINISTRY WAS REPENTANCE SO PEOPLE COULD FIND LIFE.
Don’t choose resistance over repentance.
Don’t choose rules over repentance.
Don’t choose rebellion over repentance.
Don’t choose rallies over repentance.
GOD MOVES IN OUR LIVES, SO THAT WE WILL REPENT AND BE IN RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.
Revelation 2:4-5 (NIV) Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.
Matthew 11:22 (NIV) But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
3. Judgement is Inevitable
Matthew 11:23-24 (NIV) And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
Hebrews 9:27 (NIV) Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,
2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
THE JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST
THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT
Revelation 20:11-15 (NIV) Then I saw a great white throne and Him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
JUDGEMENT IS MEASURED BY OPPORTUNITY.
Judgement will be harsher for the apathetic than for the godless.
More light comes with more responsibility.
Luke 12:47-48 (NLT) And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. 48 But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.
4. Forgiveness is an Option
Hebrews 9:27-28 (NLT) And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, 28 so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.
YOU CAN REPENT.
2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
YOU CAN BE IN RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
Ezekiel 18:31-32 (NIV) Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? 32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!
LIFE IS AN OPTION.
1 John 1:9 (NIV) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
2 Corinthians 5:20-21 (NLT) So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
COME BACK TO GOD!
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