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Good News: The GIFT of Repentance! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the October 15, 2023 sermon, “Good News: The GIFT of Repentance”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Luke 13

“I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
Luke 13:5 (NIV)

Today I continued a series from the gospel of Luke as we gaze deeply into God’s Word to find the good news of Jesus shared with us by Luke the physician.  As Jesus is teaching about the kingdom of God, we find Him giving us a closer view of repentance.  I suspect that gift is not the first word that comes to mind for most of us when we think of repentance.  When we know God’s desire and patience that wants all people to repent, we begin to understand just how much of a gift repentance is to all who would turn to God.  In turning to God with a desire to change, we find the . . .

  • Goal of repentance: — (Luke 13:1-5, 2 Peter 3:9)

    • When we read the answer of Jesus to members of the crowd who were talking about individuals who had been killed by Pilate, it appears that perhaps there was a thought that these people somehow deserved it.  Jesus uses this opportunity to address the true goal of repentance — that without it we all perish.  The will of God is that no one would perish but that all would come to repentance as the way to avoid perishing.  When we embrace the gift of repentance, we come face to face with the goal of eternal life.

  • Integrity of repentance: — (Luke 13:14-16, Isaiah 26:2-3)

    • With the goal of repentance being eternal life, it is important that we apply this gift with integrity.  Jesus had a practice of healing those who would come to Him in faith, regardless of whether the religious leaders thought it was an appropriate time or place.  God’s Word tells us that when our mind is fixed on God and our trust is placed in Him, we can experience perfect peace.  It is a peace that comes when we understand the results of our repentance has more to do with God’s integrity than ours.  When we embrace the gift of repentance, we find an honesty before God that lifts us to a place of peace.

  • Freedom of repentance: — (Luke 13:18-20, Psalm 119:30-32)

    • As Jesus tells parables to describe the kingdom of God, He makes it known that there is growth and room for all who would come to Him.  The kingdom of God begins as a seed of truth planted in the hearts and minds of people and it grows into something that has room for all who would seek rest.  God’s Word provides that boundaries that allow us to run in freedom according to His commands of truth.  We don’t get to set the requirements or expectations of what repentance ought to look like . . . that is God’s job.  When we embrace the gift of repentance, we find freedom to live for God and the wisdom to help others know that same freedom.

  • Transformation of repentance: — (Luke 13:24-30, Colossians 1:21-23)

    • Jesus makes it clear that there are many who will try to enter the kingdom of God and not be able to enter it because they never changed.  It is not enough to go to church, sing the songs, listen to the sermons, and even give time and money.  Jesus makes it clear that when we experience the gift of repentance we will be transformed by His power.  We are presented blameless before God, not because we have become perfect through our efforts but because we have been transformed through an acknowledgement that we needed God’s help in living in a new direction.  When we embrace the gift of repentance, we find the will and power to live a transformed life.

Today, what will you do with the GIFT of repentance?