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Do you believe in the Gospel- the good news that Jesus died and rose again for you? Don’t stay there. You must go farther, you must repent.
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Hello Plano Tx! Hello to everyone who is watching online, or is in the room with us. We are glad you are taking the time to receive the Word of God. My name is Chris Fluitt and I pray that the word of God will change your life tonight.
We are in the 2nd week of the ALL THINGS NEW series.
All Things New
People are hard wired to be attracted to new. This is likely because God our creator is really into New things.
Last week we told you –
Jesus brings us New in Acts Chapter 2
When I say new, I am NOT saying a refresh, turning over a new leaf, or applying a new coat of paint. I am talking about a COMPLETELY NEW CREATION.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV2011) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
Jesus brings us NEW in Acts Chapter 2. We need to walk in the New. Here is how just like Acts 2 shows us.
You need to hear the message of the Gospel – the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ! The believers in acts chapter heard this same message and they believed it.
Acts 2:37 (NIV2011) When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
Belief is awesome. We celebrate belief around here. Some people believed for the first time last Sunday in this altar! How awesome is that!!!???
Yet..
Jesus has more NEW for YOU
If you stop at belief you stop walking in the new Jesus has for you. Jesus has more new for you, so take a step into the new.
We are about to read verse 38 where Peter gives an answer to what they need to do. I want you to notice that the answer to “what do we need to do next” is not “Then Peter said… oh nothing. Believing is enough.”
Let’s take a look.
Acts 2:38 (NIV2011) Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Tell me what was the first NEW thing Peter told them to do?
Repent – Metanoeo
Repent means to…
- Think differently. To Change one’s mind.
- “Turning with contrition (sorrow for what one did) from sin to God” – Tyndale
Repentance is a NEW MIND, NEW DIRECTION, NEW FOCUS, NEW LORD!
Luke 15:7 (NIV2011) I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
Acts 3:19 (NIV2011) Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,
Acts 8:22 (NIV2011) Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.
Acts 17:30 (NIV2011) In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
Jesus has more NEW for YOU
Some might ask “Do I have to repent?” Well do you want to continue to walk in the New? Have had enough NEW and you want to go back to the old? I hope not, because Jesus has more new for you.
Sin is the old. In order for the NEW CREATION to come, the old must pass away. You need to have a funeral for the old. The old needs to pass away in order for the new to come.
Sin is old.. but here is what is new. Forgiveness is new! Grace is new! Righteousness, right standing with God is new!
What is sin? We repent from sin, but we won’t appreciate all that repentance does until we really understand sin.
Sin is the Greek word Harmartia and it means “to miss the mark.”
Sin – Hamartia – “To Miss the Mark”
Imagine a target. Whatever hits the bullseye, the center of the target, is actually what hits the mark. Anything else misses the mark.
God has given us commands to live by and sin is when we miss the mark of God’s will. Have you missed the ideal perfection of God’s commands? Me too… this is what makes us sinners.
10 commandments
- Have
no other Gods before the True God.
- Has God always been your priority? Have you missed the mark?
- Don’t
worship any image.
- Ever worship a celeb, sports star, or a religious image? Miss that mark?
- Do
not take God’s name in vain?
- Have you ever used God’s name in a negative way? Cursed His name?
- Remember
the Sabbath day.
- Are you honoring the day of rest? Are you not respecting the days He has given you on earth?
- Honor
your father & mother.
- Have you ever dishonored your mom or dad?
- Do
not murder.
- Hopefully no one has physically murdered someone… but Jesus extends this command to if you have had hatred against someone you have murdered them in your heart.
- Do
not commit adultery. Remain sexually pure.
- Jesus extends this command and says if we have ever lusted we have committed adultery in our heart.
- Don’t steal.
- Don’t lie.
- Don’t
covet.
- Have you ever wanted what someone else had?
Let’s be honest for a moment and admit we have all missed the mark! We are sinners.
Romans 3:23 (NIV2011) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 6:23 (NIV2011) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Do you want sin? No! Then you need something new.
Sin brings shame. Do you want shame? No! Then you need something new.
Sin brings death. Do you want death? No! Then you need something new.
If you want new…
You need to BELIEVE THE GOSPEL of Jesus! Believe that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again. Believe that He died in place of your sin.
And you need to repent. You need to change your mind and your direction. You need to turn away you’re your sin and turn toward Jesus Christ.
Who can repent? Anyone can repent. Anyone can have their sins forgiven. Here is how…
1 John 1:9 (NIV2011) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
When you repent you are forgiven. When you confess to Jesus that you are a sinner, He forgives you and cleans you.
It does not matter what you have done.
It doesn’t matter what terrible or shameful things you have done.
It does not matter how much you have sinned.
When you repent you are made BRAND NEW!
Isaiah 1:18 (NIV2011) “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
If you will ask Jesus to forgive you today, then He will right then remove all the stains, and the shame, & guilt of you sin.
I am going to give you the opportunity to walk into the New Jesus has for you.
I want you to prepare yourself to come to the front of this stage. I am going to ask you to walk from your chair and to step into the new. If you want someone to pray with you then come meet me in the first 2 feet of this stage.
You can only repent if…
- You believe the Gospel.
- You believe you are a sinner.
- You confess you have missed the mark.
- You are willing to turn from your sin and toward Jesus.