Resources

What is a neglected doctrine in the preaching of American churches today? Kevin Swanson explains in this video that a missionary recently explained to him that in Uganda, the emphasis of much of the preaching centered around repentance. What needs to happen in America is to prioritize the preaching of a message of repentance.  Churches in America understand the grace of God, but they don’t understand the doctrine of repentance. The Great Commission calls us to preach a Gospel message that includes repentance. We have an imbalance when it comes to preaching a message of repentance.  2 Timothy 4:2-4 (NKJV) - "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables."

How does national repentance begin? Curt Daniels explains in this video that we see multiple examples of national repentance in the Old Testament. In these examples, individuals in leadership positions took the first step in repenting for national sins.  Today, parents and elders should be doing the same. We ought to identify sins in the family and in the church and repent for them. National repentance begins first in the family and in the house of God.  Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NKJV) - "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up."

Is repentance necessary to come to Christ? John Snyder explains in this video that repentance is absolutely necessary to come to Christ. Repentance is not just cleaning up one's outward appearance. There must be a mourning for our sin, a turning from it, and an embracing of godliness.  There is no room for both Christ and our sin. We must repent and turn away from sin. There must be a humility in the life of a believer that understands how spiritually weak they are. Believers must hunger and thirst after righteousness.  Matthew 5:4-6 (NKJV) - "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled."  

What is the difference between worldly and godly sorrow? Jason Dohm explains in this video that there is a clear difference between worldly sorrow and godly sorrow. Judas exemplified worldly sorrow. After he betrayed Christ, he was sorry and flung the money into the temple, but he then went and hung himself. His worldly sorrow literally resulted in his death. Godly sorrow drives you to repentance. It leads to salvation. 2 Corinthians 7:8-10 (NKJV) – “For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. 9 Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.”

What can repentance be compared to? Joel Beeke explains in this video that repentance can be compared to a soldier marching in one direction and then doing an abrupt about-face and marching in the opposite direction. Similarly, when God saves a person, there is a new birth and that sinner leaves his old life behind. You leave the old life and sin no longer has dominion over you.  This is a lifelong change. This is not just a one-time event in the life of a Christian. You keep striving after godliness and repenting for sin throughout your entire life.   2 Timothy 2:22 (NKJV) - "Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." 

What does repentance look like in the home? Dennis Gunderson explains in this video that it is such a great blessing to have one’s transgressions covered and forgotten. David spoke much about the blessings of God's forgiveness. He also declares how he lived in misery when he tried to hide his sin.   We as fathers must show a transparent spirit in front of our spouses and children about own struggles with sin. As we do family worship with our families, when sin is uncovered, we should see that as the providence of God and freely confess it in front of our families. Psalm 32:1-2 (NKJV) – “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.”

What can we learn from David’s repentance from Scripture? Rob Ventura explains in this video that there are lessons that we can learn from David’s repentance found in Scripture. David first says, “Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation.” There is forgiveness from God that we do not deserve.   David continues and declares that he will teach others about the ways of God. After we have been forgiven much, we are to tell others about the ways of God.  Psalm 51:12-14 (NKJV) – “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.”

How should we approach the subject of reformation today? Anthony Mathenia explains in this video that there is a great need for reformation today. The greatest reform that we need is to go back to Scripture. We must look to see what Scripture says about everything.  Families and individuals must go to the Scripture to see how God has prescribed that we live. How do we live in the church, home, and community? We must get back to the Scriptures and look only to the Scriptures with regard to how we will worship God and live our lives. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct[a] your paths.”

How can we poorly implement reformation in the family? Gary Powers explains in this video that we can poorly implement reformation in our own family when we don’t think, pray, or study God's Word before demanding change.  As a father, we can just harshly demand that they act a certain way without explaining why. Leading by power is the lowest form of leadership. We must first model it in our own lives. We as fathers must look to the life of Christ and the patterns and precepts laid down in Scripture and teach others to do the same. Ephesians 5:1-2 (NKJV) – “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”

How should a father talk to his children if he is guilty of harshness or anger towards them? Jeff Pollard explains in this video that there will undoubtedly be instances where a father sins against his children in some way. He needs to sit them down and tell them that he is sorry for what he did. He must explain that there is no excuse for the way that he reacted. He must tell them that how he just treated them was sinful, even though the occasion might have demanded discipline. It is important to ask for their forgiveness and to seek reconciliation. Ephesians 6:4 (NKJV) – “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”

Should repentance be a one-time event in the life of a believer? Carlton McLeod explains in this video that he has heard of some churches that teach that once you are saved, there is no need for repentance. You can keep on living however you want. This is a very unbiblical position.  Repentance is absolutely necessary for salvation but also a critical component of daily walking with the Lord. Repentance helps us to understand how sinful we are and how great our need is for a Savior.  1 John 1:8 (NKJV) – “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”

What is the difference between sorrow for sin and repentance? Michael Beasley explains in this video that there is a difference between mere sorrow and genuine repentance. Worldly sorrow still clings to sin even though there might be grief shown over sin. We can be sorry for what we have done but not truly repent. Just because you feel sorrowful doesn’t mean that you are repentant over the sin that you have committed. In the book, “Pilgrim’s Progress,” John Bunyan talks about a man locked in an iron cage and how this man discusses his sin and the sorrow he had for his sin. But, this man remained in the cage because he was not genuinely repentant. Sorrow by itself does not mean that a person is repentant for their sin. Luke 13:3 (NKJV) – “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”