Repentance
Matthew 4:17 (NIV)

From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."


Introduction: We have to enter a house through the door. If we climb over a wall and break a window to enter a house, we would be thieves. We have to enter the kingdom of heaven through repentance. Without repentance, no one can enter heaven. John the Baptist began his ministry by saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." Jesus started His public ministry by saying the same thing, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

1. The repentance of unbelievers.
1) The sin of unbelief and not serving God (Jer 2:13; Joel 2:12-13; Mk 1:15).
2) The sin of breaking God’s commandments (Dt 30:9-10).
　　3) The specific sins that the Holy Spirit points out (Jn 16:8-9).
　　- When we repent and believe in Jesus Christ, we will be born again through
　　 the Holy Spirit (Jn 3:3-8).

2. The repentance of believers.
1) No one can remain clean in this world polluted with sin (1Jn 1:10, 9).
　　2) Sins that are hidden and a festering wound.
　　? If a wound does not heal, it will fester.
　　? A festering wound should be drained so it can heal.
(A) A wound is painful. Unrepentant sin causes guilt, hurting our conscience, and infects our prayer and faith.
(B) It is hurtful to drain out the pus. Repentance is painful and embarrassing. However, this is the only way to heal the disease of our faith (Jas 5:16).
　　 ? The story of a woman who had cancer?thyroid, biliary, uterine, and breast cancer
　　 (Pr 28:13; Heb 4:16).

3. Repentance and cleaning up the garbage.
1) No matter how good a house you live in, you must always clean the house every day.
　　2) Christians must clean up the garbage in their heart (Mk 7:20-23; 1Co 3:16-17).
　　3) Do not make an excuse. Repent of your sins (Ps 32:5; 51:17).
　　? The life of a hypocrite is exhausting?an endless battle against one’s conscience
　　 (Tit 1:15; Heb 10:22).
　　? The life of a person living under false pretense is tiring (Ps 101:7).
　　 - A legal divorce, a divorce in the heart.
　　 ? A woman president and arthritis.

Conclusion: A life that does not waver (Mt 7:24-27).