SERMON - REPENT YE SINNERS

                                          REPENT  YE SINNERS

Just how many times have we seen people carrying signs as they say, "The end is near...Repent...Repent?'

How many sermons have you listened to that cried out to you, 'REPENT?'

The question I ask is, 'How long do you think you can hold out against the necessity of repenting?

Now, I ask, 'what is the meaning of the word 'repent?'

Repent: 1. To turn from sin and to dedicate oneself to amendment of ones life.

2. To feel regret or contrition.

Those seem to be easy words to understand , but often, all too often they are just words you do not act on.

Some religions teach their followers to simply confess their sins and those sins are forgiven. Many Christian Pastors teach their followers to, 'confess your sins to God and they are forgiven.' 

What neither teach, or neglect to tell their followers is, 'the act of repenting is actually, 'turning away from those sins and truly regret committing such sins.'

Let us look at a situation and ask ourselves, 'does that person who sinned truly repent and gain God's forgiveness?' 

A person who lives by selling or distributing illegal drugs prays for forgiveness for those acts with the knowledge that he/she will be selling those illegal drugs within minutes or hours of having confessed those sins.  

Has that person shown repentance?  With the knowledge of those illegal drugs being used and causing another person to sin, is there repentance being shown?

Or, If a person commits murder then confesses to that murder knowing he/she will murder again, is there repentance?

God says:

2 Chronicles 7:14  if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.  

The command is simple, "seek my face...turn from their wicked ways..."

Again and again  our Bible says..."turn away from sin...'

I implore you...'Turn away from your wickedness and pray to the Lord...'

Repenting (turning away) of evil is what must take place to gain God's forgiveness. If you have a problem that is stopping you from totally turning away you must strive to cease from committing that sin and make every effort to expel that from your life.

Now, I am telling you that when you hear, "repent, the end is near," although you see that as overbearing, the words expressed are stated with true concern for your spiritual well being.

No man knows the exact moment when their life will end. If you are  wise enough to realize that you can die at any moment then you are wise enough to see if you have truly repented and your sins have been forgiven.

Ezekiel 3:19 But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn from their wickedness or from their evil ways, they will die for their sin; but you will have saved yourself.   

Ezekiel 3:21 But if you do warn the righteous person not to sin and they do not sin, they will surely live because they took warning, and you will have saved yourself.”   

There is a summation to heed in:

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting

anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

The Lord is returning. Do not think He is slow as He is being patient for allowing time for as many as possible to repent.

Do not think you are alone in your journey in life and are the only one having problems with sin. We, each and every one of us, are sinners. It is due to the sinfulness of our nature that God sent His Son, our Lord and Savior, to man.  He knows our earthiness and sinful nature. Let us, man or woman fulfill His wish for us and repent from sin and seek His forgiveness.

I urge you, if you have a sin that you are repeating over and over and confessing that sin to Him  do not give up! Do not be so vain as to tell yourself, 'I can handle this thing all by myself,' Call upon the Lord for assistance in gaining control over that sin. 

There is a hymn I am  certain you have heard. "Yes Jesus loves me...I am weak but He is strong. Call upon Him as El Gibbor...God of strength...Ask for His forgiveness and do all within your power to truly repent.

(Closing prayer)

Heavenly Father, Lord most high, Your mercy is without end.

Lord, We are sinners  and we are  truly trying to repent. You are our only hope and we beg You to be with us and help us.

Father we ask that You strengthen us from sin and light our paths as we walk these earthly planes.

Father, we thank You for sending Your Son to show us the way.

Lord, we ask that You enlighten our elected leaders, protect our police men and women and our military. Please lead them in Your ways. We beg You to bring sanity to our political leaders and have them repent of their ways.

Abba, we ask that You intervene in the Ukraine conflict and bring peace to Your children.

In Jesus name we pray, Who is One with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever, 

Amen, amen and amen 

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Pastor Lee S Gliddon Jr
God's Word Christian Ministry
Conservative Patriot http://conpats.blogspot.com