TEXT:  Acts 17:30-31

INTRODUCTION:

A.      WE NEED TO PREPARE FOR JUDGMENT( Matt. 25:1-13 – Ten virgins ).

B.      HOW DOES ONE PREPARE?

          1.       By turning to the Lord.

          2.       By obedience.

          3.       By conforming the character.

C.      WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO TURN TO THE LORD?

I.      WHERE ARE WE NOW?

A.      IF WE HAVE NOT TURNED, WE ARE IN SIN( Rom. 3:23 ).

B.      WHAT IS SIN?( 1 John 3:4;  James 4:17 ).

C.      WHAT IS SO BAD ABOUT SIN?

          1.       Rom. 6:23;  Eph. 2:1.  Spiritual death( Eph. 2:12;  Isa. 59:1-2 ).

          2.       It dishonors man( Rom. 1:24;  2 Tim. 2:21 ) and God( Rom. 2:23 ).

          3.       It results in eternal destruction( Rom. 2:5-9 ).

II.     IN VIEW OF JUDGMENT ALL SHOULD REPENT(Acts 17:30-31).

A.      REPENT:  metanoia, “change of mind or purpose implying a change of action.”

B.      METAPHOICALLY DESCRIBED AS “TURNING.”

          1.       Turning from something( Acts 14:15;  3:19, 26 ).

          2.       Turning to God( Acts 11:21;  1 Thess. 1:9;  Acts 26:18, 20 ).

C.      REPENTANCE – TURNING – NECESSARY PREPARATION

          ( Acts 17:30-31;  Luke 13:5 ).

III.    WHAT IS THE NATURE OF REPENTANCE?

               WHAT IS INVOLVED IN TURNING TO GOD?

A.      TURN NOT JUST WITH THE BODY, BUT WITH THE HEART( Luke 1:17 ).

                   “A CHANGE OF MIND”( Matt. 15:7-8 ).

B.      A CHANGE OF SERVITUDES( Rom. 6:4, 12-13, 17-18 ).

C.      A NEW CHARACTER( Col. 3:9-10 ).

D.      NEW PERSPECTIVES.

          1.       Toward sin( Rom. 12:9 ).

          2.       Toward righteousness( Rom. 12:9;  Matt. 5:6;  1 Thess. 5:21 ).

          3.       Toward God and our neighbor( James 4:7-10 ).

IV.   WHAT MOTIVATES ONE TO TRUE REPENTANCE?

A.      A REALIZATION OF THE TRUE NATURE OF SIN( Psa. 51:4;  Rom. 2:23 ).

B.      AN ACCEPTANCE OF GENUINE GUILT( Rom. 3:23 ).  Saul and David.

C.      SORROW FOR SIN( Psa. 51:16-17;  2 Cor. 7:10 ).

V.    WHAT IS THE RESULT OF REPENTANCE?

A.      BEST SEEN IN THE PARABLE OF THE SONS( Matt. 21:28-32 ).

B.      ZACCHAEUS( Luke 19:8 ).

C.      NO MORE SIN( Rom. 6:1-2 ).

D.      SERVICE TO GOD( 1 Thess. 1:9 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      IS THE ONLY THING STANDING BETWEEN YOU AND GOD A LACK OF

          REPENTANCE? ( Acts 3:19 ).

B.      Acts 17:30-31.