Summary: In this sermon (preached from Revelation 2:5, 16 and Revelation 3:3, 19 by Pastor Andrew Ray), we learn what repentance is and how the Lord demands repentance in this present from both the saved and the lost.

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Notes:

The Chemistry of Repentance
Revelation 2:5, 16; Revelation 3:3, 19

I. THE PRECURSORS TO REPENTANCE

A. The Call for Repentance

1. The Lord Jesus said, “I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Matthew 9:13; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:32).
2. Simon Peter said, “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness” (Acts 8:22).
3. Paul preached to both Jews and Greeks, “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21).
4. Paul warned that some had “not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness” which they had committed (2 Corinthians 12:21).
5. Others merely needed to repent “from dead works” (Hebrews 6:1).

B. The Cause of Repentance

1. The Lord now “commandeth all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:30).
2. The Lord is willing “that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
3. In response to His demands, the Lord gives man space (Revelation 2:21) and the ability to repent (Acts 5:31; Acts 11:18; Romans 2:4; 2 Timothy 2:25).
4. In order to bring about an environment for repentance, the Lord rebukes and chastens (Revelation 3:19). This is an act of God’s goodness (Romans 2:4).
5. In order for repentance to follow, the goodness of God must be met by godly sorrow in man (2 Corinthians 7:9-10).

II. THE COMPANIONS OF REPENTANCE

A. Self and Sin Abhorrence (Job 42:6; 2 Timothy 2:25)

1. Repentance goes hand-in-hand with abhorring one’s sinfulness (Job 42:6).
2. Repentance comes only as man acknowledges the truth (2 Timothy 2:25).

B. Turning from Sin and Self (Ezekiel 14:6; Ezekiel 18:30)

1. Turning away from idols and abominations (Ezekiel 14:6)
2. Turning away from transgressions (Ezekiel 18:30)

III. THE RESULTS OF REPENTANCE

A. Forgiveness from God (Acts 5:31; Acts 8:22)

1. Though repentance does not guarantee forgiveness (Acts 8:22)
2. Forgiveness will not occur without repentance (Acts 5:31)

B. Change of Direction (Matthew 21:29)

1. An individual may feel sorrow without repenting
2. However, an individual who repents by definition changes what he is doing.
3. Otherwise, he is not repentant.

IV. THE REPERCUSSIONS OF NO REPENTANCE

A. Shame (Matthew 11:20-21; Matthew 12:41)

1. If God had been as noticeably gracious with others as He has been with me, they might have responded with repentance.
2. Shame on us that we do not respond more swiftly and noticeably to the grace and goodness of God.

B. Opposition from the Lord (Revelation 2:16; Revelation 3:3)

1. Failure to repent not only keeps man in opposition to God
2. But increases the fury because light was received that there was a breach

C. Perishing (Luke 13:3, 5; Revelation 2:5)

1. For the lost, the death leads to eternal judgment in hell followed by the lake of fire.
2. For the saved, this is an early death resulting in the loss of spiritual rewards.

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