David
Know the Bible
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The missing word in today’s Gospel is repentance. When was the last time you heard someone preach repentance? If you had to guess, it’s been a long time for most of us. But flip open the Bible and you’ll find the word on every page. John the Baptist preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). Jesus began His earthly ministry with nothing other than these words (Matthew 4:17). The apostles preached it, the early church lived it, and heaven itself exults when one sinner repents (Luke 15:7). Repentance is not some minor theme of the Bible. It is at the very center of the gospel.
So what does repentance really mean? The New Testament word for repent, metanoia, refers to a change of mind that results in a change of direction. It’s not just feeling bad about your sin. It’s turning from sin and turning to God. Paul described it to the Thessalonians: “You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9). That’s repentance in action, not just regret but a total shift in loyalty.
Repentance and faith are not two steps. They are two sides of the same coin. To truly believe in Jesus is to turn from sin. To truly repent is to put your trust in Him. Peter’s sermon on Pentecost made this abundantly clear: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Faith without repentance is a hollow life and repentance without faith is a life of despair. Together they make up the biblical response to the gospel.
But repentance is not just words. It is something we should see manifested in a changed life. John the Baptist told his hearers to “bring forth fruits in keeping with repentance” (Luke 3:8). The crowd asked, “What then should we do?” And his answer was startlingly practical: share with those in need, stop robbing people, be satisfied with what you have (Luke 3:10–14). Repentance is not merely an inward feeling. It results in outward change. Paul puts it this way: “Repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance” (Acts 26:20).
In my observation, this is where most modern preaching is lacking. People are told over and over that belief in Jesus doesn’t mean anything has to change, and yet Jesus never preached such a message. In fact, He was crystal clear that this is not the way of salvation: “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). The call of the gospel is not just to add Jesus to your life. It is to turn your life over to Him. It is to deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow after Him (Luke 9:23).
And here’s the good news: repentance itself is a gift from God. In Romans 2: 4, Paul says, “The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.” God does not expect us to clean ourselves up before coming to Him. He works in us to produce true repentance that leads to life. That’s why 2 Peter 3: 9 says He is patient, “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
True repentance changes lives. It’s not just a one-time event at the moment of salvation, though it does begin there. It should also be a way of life as we continually confess our sins and walk in obedience to Christ (1 John 1:9). Genuine repentance is marked by a changed direction, new desires, and a new life that produces fruit for God’s glory.
So here’s the question: have you repented? Have you turned from sin to God in Jesus Christ? This is not about adding religion to your life. It’s about turning from death to life. Jesus is calling you to repent and believe the gospel. This is the only way to be saved.
The following Call to Repentance sermon says we must repent to be saved. It uses Scriptures to show the necessity of repentance from sin and repentance to God. It's a call for the church to preach repentance simply, as Christ and the apostles did. It's also a call to every saint to regard repentance both personally and in the preaching of the true gospel.
Listen to more on this subject: The Call to Repentance
So what does repentance really mean? The New Testament word for repent, metanoia, refers to a change of mind that results in a change of direction. It’s not just feeling bad about your sin. It’s turning from sin and turning to God. Paul described it to the Thessalonians: “You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9). That’s repentance in action, not just regret but a total shift in loyalty.
Repentance and faith are not two steps. They are two sides of the same coin. To truly believe in Jesus is to turn from sin. To truly repent is to put your trust in Him. Peter’s sermon on Pentecost made this abundantly clear: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Faith without repentance is a hollow life and repentance without faith is a life of despair. Together they make up the biblical response to the gospel.
But repentance is not just words. It is something we should see manifested in a changed life. John the Baptist told his hearers to “bring forth fruits in keeping with repentance” (Luke 3:8). The crowd asked, “What then should we do?” And his answer was startlingly practical: share with those in need, stop robbing people, be satisfied with what you have (Luke 3:10–14). Repentance is not merely an inward feeling. It results in outward change. Paul puts it this way: “Repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance” (Acts 26:20).
In my observation, this is where most modern preaching is lacking. People are told over and over that belief in Jesus doesn’t mean anything has to change, and yet Jesus never preached such a message. In fact, He was crystal clear that this is not the way of salvation: “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). The call of the gospel is not just to add Jesus to your life. It is to turn your life over to Him. It is to deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow after Him (Luke 9:23).
And here’s the good news: repentance itself is a gift from God. In Romans 2: 4, Paul says, “The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.” God does not expect us to clean ourselves up before coming to Him. He works in us to produce true repentance that leads to life. That’s why 2 Peter 3: 9 says He is patient, “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
True repentance changes lives. It’s not just a one-time event at the moment of salvation, though it does begin there. It should also be a way of life as we continually confess our sins and walk in obedience to Christ (1 John 1:9). Genuine repentance is marked by a changed direction, new desires, and a new life that produces fruit for God’s glory.
So here’s the question: have you repented? Have you turned from sin to God in Jesus Christ? This is not about adding religion to your life. It’s about turning from death to life. Jesus is calling you to repent and believe the gospel. This is the only way to be saved.
The following Call to Repentance sermon says we must repent to be saved. It uses Scriptures to show the necessity of repentance from sin and repentance to God. It's a call for the church to preach repentance simply, as Christ and the apostles did. It's also a call to every saint to regard repentance both personally and in the preaching of the true gospel.
Listen to more on this subject: The Call to Repentance
