No Shame in Repentance
-Introduction –
-the danger of becoming desensitized to sin
-We become accustomed to that which we are regularly around.
-example of mortuary, example of Sam
-1 Cor 15:33
-When we consider the ways of this world, we see a great amount of sinfulness - many atrocities -
many things contrary to God’s will.
-When we are around these things more, hear these things more, see these things more, we
become more used to them (more so than we should be).
-example of programming on tv
-In too many of our own homes, we’re falling victim to this process - and with our
kids right there beside us - desensitizing them at an early age.
-1 Tim 4:2
-We Must Remember the Atrocity of Sin and the Necessity of Forgiveness
-Sin should bother us - plain and simple.
-We need to properly train our conscience in accordance with God’s will.
-How did we get a conscience? Gen 1:26 - made in the image of God
-We need to properly train our conscience with the studying & application of God’s word.
-Matt 7:21, Rom 12:1-2
-When considering God’s word, it doesn’t take long to realize that forgiveness is a must.
-Rom 3:23, 6:23
-Sin is a violation against God’s will. It is digusting in His sight – Isa 1:6.
-Sin has many consequences - worst of which is separation from God - Isa 59:1-2.
-God doesn’t want us to be separated from Him and that’s why He sent Jesus.
-2 Cor 5:21, Rom 5:9
-We have a drastic problem of sin. Let’s not become desensitized to it.
-No Shame in Repentance
-For us to receive forgiveness, we must repent - Luke 13:3,5; Acts 17:30
-Story of asking David South a question and his answer
-You can’t measure the success of your efforts just by immediate responses.
-Usually, when we talk about responses, we usually think in terms of somebody’s initial
obedience to the Gospel.
-What about those who have previously obeyed the Gospel, but need to come in confession
and repentance of wrongdoing?
-It seems that we rarely see that taking place.
-There are probably a multitude of factors that effect that. Could it be that some view that step of
repentance as shameful?
-If so, they are sorely mistaken!
-Shame in Sin - Not in Repentance
-There is no shame in repentance. Shame is in sin.
-Jer 6:15; 8:12 - Let’s be careful that we don’t allow our hearts to be hardened and our
consciences calloused to the point that sin doesn’t bother us & cause shame.
-Within the teaching of Jeremiah, we find the topic of shame:
-Jer 3:22-25 - Sinning against God is shameful. Repenting of that sin is not.
-Jer 23:39-40
-vs 40 - “perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten”
-This is a record of their shame. It is perpetual due to the fact that it is recorded in the
scriptures and in the records of history. Their shame will always be remembered.
-Would their “record” be different had they repented? Absolutely.
-The Corinthians:
-1 Cor 5:1-2 - shameful conduct of fornication within the church
-Yet, the record of this man (and of the Corinthians as a whole who had their struggles) is not
left as one of shame. To the contrary: 2 Cor 2:7-11 - gladness, joy, rejoicing, love, clear
-Sin is shameful. Repentance is not.
-I’m afraid some fail to respond because they incorrectly feel that it is a thing of shame. Not
responding when needing to do so - that is where shame is.
-But, when should we feel it necessary to respond in a public fashion with a public confession
and make our repentance known and request prayers on our behalf?
-1 John 1:7-9 - “confess” - With some logic and rational thought, we can properly conclude that the
acknowledgement of sin should correspond with the knowledge of sin.
-Matt 18 - private manner - handle privately
-If it is of public knowledge, it should be handled publicly - acknowledgement to the congregation.
-Summary and Invitation
-Please don’t become desensitized to sin. Sin should bother us.
-We need to remember that sin is a violation against God and separates us from Him.
-We need God’s forgiveness.
-So, don’t feel that there is any shame or cause for embarrassment in responding to God’s
word in repentance. Shame is in sin, not in repentance.
-Do you currently have sin in your life that needs to be addressed?
-Perhaps you are here today and you need to respond to the invitation:
-Initial obedience: Believe (John 3:16, 8:24), Confess (Matt 10:32, Rom 10:9-10), Repent
(Luke 13:3,4; Acts 17:30), Be Baptized (Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16), Live Faithfully (Rom 6:4)
-Return to faithfulness: Confession, Repentance, Prayer - 1 John 1:7-9, Acts 8:22-24
Date: November 6, 2005