Repentance is not solely emotional or sorrowful. It is not a series of exercised disciplines required to satisfy judgment against us. It is a cognitive, non-emotional process of wrestling with given information and concluding that change is needed.

Acts 19:4 NIV

Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”

Matthew 4:17 NLT

From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

Jesus is proclaiming to God’s people, the Jews…REPENT!

1. Change your mind about how you deal with sin.
2. Change your mind about how you approach God with your religious disciplines.
3. The kingdom of heaven is now approached by a different way – repentance and confession. Your broken and contrite heart, God will not turn away…repent!

How do we REPENT?

John 3:2 NLT

After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”

Repentance starts with addressing who Jesus is to you:

1. Is He your “Rabbi,” Master, honored above ALL?
2. Do you recognize Him as your Teacher sent to you by God?
3. The miracles, the empty tomb, the life, hope, and direction found in His words – have you allowed them to create a listening ear to Jesus’ words?

HOW CAN I KNOW I’M RIGHT WITH GOD?

John 3:3 NLT

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

1. I tell you the truth… Jesus, the evident Rabbi sent from GOD, is declaring a truth of the highest importance.
2. Unless you are born again… It’s not through great privileges by birth, education, church-fellowship, title, or strict ceremonial observances.
3. You cannot see the kingdom of God… The kingdom of God cannot be seen nor experienced through the religious processes you’ve elevated.

John 3:5-7 NLT

5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.
6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.
7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’

John 3:9 NLT

“How are these things possible?” Nicodemus asked.

John 3:14-15 NLT

14 And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,
15 so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.

4 Points that NICODEMUS needs to repent from, to change his mind about…

1. Being right with God is by NEW BIRTH and not processes, feasts, or special days.
2. Being right with God is about BELIEVING, not doing.
3. Being right with God is believing JESUS is the Son of God and Son of Man.
4. The KINGDOM and ETERNAL LIFE are found in these truths.

Why would God do this?

John 3:16 NKJV

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

1. The NEW BIRTH.
2. BELIVING, not doing.
3. Believing in JESUS.
4. THE KINGDOM and ETERNAL LIFE are found in these truths.
5. All because GOD LOVES US!

Romans 8:15 NASB

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”

TIFAW

Because Jesus is my Rabbi, Master, honored above all, I repent from my way of living.

Knowing He is my Abba Father, and I am His heir, I repent from striving to be good enough and rest in being an heir.

If I find myself in the valley of the shadow of death or climbing to the heights of success, I know He’s with me and wants the best for me. I repent of thinking God’s against me.