Hello, I'm Shelley Quinn. 00:00:00.96\00:00:02.20 Did you know that repentance is a gift from God? 00:00:02.23\00:00:06.10 Join us today on Pressing into His Presence 00:00:06.13\00:00:08.60 as we consider this glorious truth. 00:00:08.64\00:00:11.61 Welcome to Pressing into His Presence. 00:00:33.46\00:00:36.00 On this series dedicated to prayer, 00:00:36.03\00:00:38.17 we are working our way through a companion book 00:00:38.20\00:00:42.27 that is also titled "Pressing into His Presence." 00:00:42.30\00:00:45.34 And if you're following along, today 00:00:45.37\00:00:46.98 we're beginning on page 73. 00:00:47.01\00:00:50.75 On our last program, we talked about 00:00:50.78\00:00:53.11 receiving the gift of God's forgiveness 00:00:53.15\00:00:56.05 and today we're going to be 00:00:56.08\00:00:57.79 focusing on receiving God's gift of repentance. 00:00:57.82\00:01:01.79 But first, I want to revisit the idea of forgiving others. 00:01:01.82\00:01:06.49 I kind of left you hanging last time with Christ's words 00:01:06.53\00:01:09.63 from Mark 11:26 where He said that if we don't forgive others 00:01:09.66\00:01:14.14 neither will our heavenly Father forgive us. 00:01:14.17\00:01:17.14 You know, in Matthew 18 00:01:17.17\00:01:18.47 Jesus told the parable of the unforgiving servant. 00:01:18.51\00:01:21.84 This man owed a debt of 10,000 talents. 00:01:21.88\00:01:26.11 I've heard some say 00:01:26.15\00:01:27.18 that's about $10 million in our economy. 00:01:27.22\00:01:29.98 He owed this to his master and he begged for mercy 00:01:30.02\00:01:33.36 and the master took pity on him and canceled his debt. 00:01:33.39\00:01:37.39 But did the servant remember the forgiveness extended him 00:01:37.43\00:01:41.36 and do likewise? 00:01:41.40\00:01:42.90 No, the miserable wretch soon found another fellow 00:01:42.93\00:01:47.44 who only owed him a 100 dinare, that's about $20. 00:01:47.47\00:01:53.04 And grabbing the destitute man by the throat, 00:01:53.07\00:01:55.91 he demanded immediate payment. 00:01:55.94\00:01:58.51 He ignored please for pity and he jostled him off to jail 00:01:58.55\00:02:03.28 because the poor so couldn't meet his obligation. 00:02:03.32\00:02:07.56 Other servants took note and reported 00:02:07.59\00:02:10.09 the lack of merciful exchange to the master 00:02:10.13\00:02:13.46 and the master took that ungrateful man 00:02:13.50\00:02:17.07 and he handed him over to the jailers 00:02:17.10\00:02:19.97 until his debt could be repaid. 00:02:20.00\00:02:22.57 The formerly forgiven but unforgiving person found-- 00:02:22.60\00:02:29.84 he received a dose of his own medicine, if you will. 00:02:29.88\00:02:34.08 And Jesus concluded his parable with this warning. 00:02:34.12\00:02:37.39 He said, "So my Heavenly Father 00:02:37.42\00:02:39.82 also will do to you to each of you, 00:02:39.85\00:02:43.19 if you do not forgive from your heart, 00:02:43.22\00:02:47.13 your brother, his trespassers." 00:02:47.13\00:02:50.53 Does this parable imply as some people think 00:02:50.57\00:02:53.44 that we only have to forgive those who ask to be forgiven? 00:02:53.47\00:02:57.77 Let me share a story that we shed a little light on this. 00:02:57.81\00:03:00.94 It's a little bit embarrassing, but my husband and I 00:03:00.98\00:03:03.95 once entered into a partnership 00:03:03.98\00:03:05.78 with a globetrotting businessman 00:03:05.81\00:03:07.98 from a Middle Eastern country. 00:03:08.02\00:03:10.09 He was connected with royalty 00:03:10.12\00:03:11.55 and his lavish lifestyle exemplified prosperity. 00:03:11.59\00:03:16.86 Our corporate attorney investigated him. 00:03:16.89\00:03:19.73 There were no red flags, international bankers 00:03:19.76\00:03:22.80 and reputable businessmen stood as his references 00:03:22.83\00:03:25.80 giving glowing reports about the prince. 00:03:25.83\00:03:29.27 And we were young and filled with robust naivety 00:03:29.30\00:03:32.97 but our dreams were soon dashed. 00:03:33.01\00:03:35.58 This charlatan was operating an extremely sophisticated 00:03:35.61\00:03:39.45 international scam. 00:03:39.48\00:03:41.48 So following a hunch, I traveled to Europe 00:03:41.52\00:03:44.65 and I spent eight weeks unraveling the web of deceit 00:03:44.69\00:03:49.66 that he had weaved over many years. 00:03:49.69\00:03:52.69 And as it turned out 00:03:52.73\00:03:54.40 those who sung his praises were equally deceived 00:03:54.46\00:03:58.23 and they were still hoping to recoup 00:03:58.27\00:04:00.44 some of their associated losses. 00:04:00.47\00:04:03.24 So while sitting in a hotel in Luxembourg I received word 00:04:03.27\00:04:08.28 that the prince had put out a hit contract on my life 00:04:08.31\00:04:13.48 because I had exposed him. 00:04:13.52\00:04:16.15 For weeks, I flew from country to country 00:04:16.18\00:04:19.49 unraveling his unsuspecting support network, 00:04:19.52\00:04:23.46 nervously watching over my shoulder. 00:04:23.49\00:04:26.43 And when I returned to United States, 00:04:26.46\00:04:28.43 I was still filled with anxiety. 00:04:28.46\00:04:33.10 But within months, I sensed that his threat 00:04:33.13\00:04:36.24 was more bluster than reality, 00:04:36.27\00:04:39.37 still before my fears were subdued, 00:04:39.41\00:04:42.88 something sinister happened in my heart. 00:04:42.91\00:04:46.28 I had never hated anyone before until now. 00:04:46.31\00:04:51.45 J.D. and I were newly weds 00:04:51.49\00:04:52.85 and our short association with this man 00:04:52.89\00:04:55.99 had saddled us with $250,000 in debt. 00:04:56.02\00:05:00.73 I loathed this deceitful person who had threatened my life 00:05:00.76\00:05:05.77 and plunged us into deep financial problems. 00:05:05.80\00:05:09.47 And my heart broke for his victims. 00:05:09.50\00:05:12.21 Government officials one who actually took his life, 00:05:12.24\00:05:15.88 businessmen and innocents 00:05:15.91\00:05:18.11 whose lives had been turned upside down. 00:05:18.15\00:05:22.15 This man, our ex-partner, 00:05:22.18\00:05:24.55 was in my mind the devil personified. 00:05:24.59\00:05:28.16 And one night 00:05:28.19\00:05:29.22 while I was praying for forgiveness of my sins, 00:05:29.26\00:05:32.69 the Lord impressed this thought on my mind. 00:05:32.73\00:05:35.26 He said, "Forgive the prince and I will forgive you." 00:05:35.30\00:05:39.47 What? 00:05:39.50\00:05:40.54 I was incredulous and I replied. 00:05:40.57\00:05:43.04 I said, "Lord, you can't really mean that. 00:05:43.07\00:05:46.37 How can you expect me to forgive him? 00:05:46.41\00:05:48.38 He hasn't expressed regret or repentance?" 00:05:48.41\00:05:52.55 And another thought entered in my mind. 00:05:52.58\00:05:54.95 "Even as I have forgiven you, you must also forgive him." 00:05:54.98\00:05:59.35 And I said, "How, Lord, 00:05:59.39\00:06:02.29 I don't know how to forgive him." 00:06:02.32\00:06:05.86 Then these words came to my mind. 00:06:05.89\00:06:08.26 "Pray for his salvation child." 00:06:08.30\00:06:11.30 What? No, no, no. 00:06:11.33\00:06:13.94 I said, "I don't want him to be saved, Lord. 00:06:13.97\00:06:16.87 Let him rot in--" well, you know where. 00:06:16.91\00:06:21.41 Now my dear husband wanted me to omit this remark 00:06:21.44\00:06:24.91 because it is so unlovely and unlike me. 00:06:24.95\00:06:28.05 Today the harshness in my words shocks me 00:06:28.08\00:06:30.99 but I was at that time, decades ago, 00:06:31.02\00:06:33.86 an immature Christian in emotional turmoil 00:06:33.89\00:06:37.56 and the remark stands as evidence 00:06:37.59\00:06:39.79 of my dissipated state of mind. 00:06:39.83\00:06:42.90 God impressed his thought on my mind again. 00:06:42.93\00:06:46.13 He said, "Pray for his salvation, 00:06:46.17\00:06:49.44 forgive him and I will forgive you yet again." 00:06:49.47\00:06:53.81 Reluctantly, I said, "Okay, Lord, 00:06:53.84\00:06:56.64 I will pray for his salvation but you know I don't mean it." 00:06:56.68\00:07:01.32 Now I wasn't being respectful, just honest. 00:07:01.35\00:07:04.59 God already knew how I felt so I might as well admit it. 00:07:04.62\00:07:08.79 Now I don't know how long I prayed. 00:07:08.82\00:07:11.33 A few weeks perhaps before God worked 00:07:11.36\00:07:15.33 an amazing transformation in my heart. 00:07:15.36\00:07:18.87 I saw my enemy finally 00:07:18.90\00:07:22.00 as the lost in suffering so that he really was 00:07:22.04\00:07:25.51 and I no longer regarded him from a worldly point of view. 00:07:25.54\00:07:29.94 Now I saw him from God's view point 00:07:29.98\00:07:33.25 and rather than just merely 00:07:33.28\00:07:34.88 mouthing a prayer for his salvation I pleaded for it 00:07:34.92\00:07:39.19 and I actually meant what I prayed. 00:07:39.22\00:07:42.02 God had opened my heart and poured His love 00:07:42.06\00:07:45.06 and compassion into my heart for this pitiful creature. 00:07:45.09\00:07:49.46 I no longer hated this man. 00:07:49.50\00:07:51.60 Somewhere in the process of praying for his salvation 00:07:51.63\00:07:56.34 God had worked out forgiveness in my heart. 00:07:56.37\00:08:00.71 Let me ask. 00:08:00.74\00:08:01.91 Do you think for one moment that it made any difference 00:08:01.94\00:08:05.78 to this callous con artist that I had forgiven him? 00:08:05.81\00:08:10.45 Nah. 00:08:10.49\00:08:11.42 He could have cared less but how about me. 00:08:11.45\00:08:15.42 Did my life change for the better? 00:08:15.46\00:08:18.46 You know it did the bitterness and resentment was gone 00:08:18.49\00:08:22.00 and now I could ask for forgiveness of my sins from God 00:08:22.03\00:08:26.07 with full assurance and He restored my peace. 00:08:26.10\00:08:31.47 I could consider the experience 00:08:31.51\00:08:34.08 without my blood pressure rising. 00:08:34.11\00:08:37.01 My heart was again filled with goodwill 00:08:37.05\00:08:40.12 toward all mankind. 00:08:40.15\00:08:42.18 God had instructed me to forgive 00:08:42.22\00:08:45.15 not for the benefit of this man but for my own benefit 00:08:45.19\00:08:50.19 so that I could become like Christ. 00:08:50.23\00:08:54.00 Jesus said in Matthew 5:44, 45 00:08:54.03\00:09:00.44 He said, "Love your enemies bless those who curse you, 00:09:00.47\00:09:05.81 do good to those who hate you and pray for those 00:09:05.84\00:09:09.71 who spitefully use you and persecutes you." 00:09:09.74\00:09:14.08 Why? 00:09:14.12\00:09:15.55 Well, that you maybe sons of your Father in heaven. 00:09:15.58\00:09:21.22 You know, some of Christ's teachings 00:09:21.26\00:09:23.63 are difficult for human hearts to grasp 00:09:23.66\00:09:26.86 without the understanding given by the Holy Spirit. 00:09:26.90\00:09:30.67 We have a tendency to whitewash Christ requirements. 00:09:30.70\00:09:35.40 I am convinced beyond measure 00:09:35.44\00:09:37.64 that God does everything for our eternal benefit 00:09:37.67\00:09:40.94 as well as to provide us 00:09:40.98\00:09:42.28 with an abundant life here on earth. 00:09:42.31\00:09:45.08 It would be wise for us to quit questioning and simply obey. 00:09:45.11\00:09:51.15 I ask the Lord for an illustration 00:09:51.19\00:09:54.29 that would help me teach the dynamics of forgiving other 00:09:54.32\00:09:58.53 and how it increases our personal wellbeing 00:09:58.56\00:10:02.13 and here it is, listen carefully. 00:10:02.16\00:10:04.37 Imagine a mountain stream 00:10:04.40\00:10:07.24 that is flowing freely down a lush hillside 00:10:07.27\00:10:10.54 and across the meadow and the babbling brook is, 00:10:10.57\00:10:13.54 let's say 12 inches deep and about 2 feet in width. 00:10:13.58\00:10:17.48 Now picture yourself, stretching a tiny wire 00:10:17.51\00:10:20.58 across the stream anchoring it on both sides, 00:10:20.62\00:10:24.42 someone upstream tosses their brown lunch bags into the water 00:10:24.45\00:10:29.36 which flow down and they catch on your wire. 00:10:29.39\00:10:33.60 Soon another person happens along 00:10:33.63\00:10:35.90 and dumps more trash upstream 00:10:35.93\00:10:37.97 which makes its way down to your wire 00:10:38.00\00:10:40.54 and collects with the other deposits. 00:10:40.57\00:10:43.24 Several more litter bugs eventually 00:10:43.27\00:10:45.37 make their contributions of trash 00:10:45.41\00:10:47.64 and over time the trash that is tossed into the stream 00:10:47.68\00:10:52.35 begins to accumulate and mount up. 00:10:52.38\00:10:55.68 What happens to the flowing water? 00:10:55.72\00:10:58.29 Just like a beaver builds a dam stick by stick the debris 00:10:58.32\00:11:04.06 that was dumped into the stream collects around your wire 00:11:04.09\00:11:08.33 and it dams up the water's movement. 00:11:08.36\00:11:11.57 Now let's unpack that illustration 00:11:11.60\00:11:15.47 that tiny wire represents unforgiveness in your hearts. 00:11:15.50\00:11:21.28 The litterbugs are people who pass through your life 00:11:21.31\00:11:24.95 and they throw their trashy hurtful words 00:11:24.98\00:11:28.48 and actions in your direction. 00:11:28.52\00:11:30.89 One piece of trash begins to pile on top of another 00:11:30.92\00:11:34.99 and as it accumulates around that tiny wire of unforgiveness 00:11:35.02\00:11:40.86 securely anchored in your heart. 00:11:40.90\00:11:44.00 One day you finally wake up and realize that bitterness 00:11:44.03\00:11:47.40 and resentment has dammed your heart, 00:11:47.44\00:11:50.94 dammed it up like a beaver would dam it up 00:11:50.97\00:11:53.68 and that the living water of the Holy Spirit 00:11:53.71\00:11:57.01 no longer flows through you. 00:11:57.05\00:11:59.45 You have become unforgiving and unforgiven as well. 00:11:59.48\00:12:05.62 In Matthew 6:14, 15 Jesus said, 00:12:05.65\00:12:12.93 "For if you forgive men their trespasses, 00:12:12.96\00:12:16.53 your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 00:12:16.56\00:12:21.04 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, 00:12:21.07\00:12:24.87 neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." 00:12:24.91\00:12:28.51 And in 1 John 16-- excuse me, 00:12:28.54\00:12:32.35 1 John 4:16, 17 00:12:32.38\00:12:37.42 Jesus says "We have come" 00:12:37.45\00:12:42.29 I should say John says, we'll get this right. 00:12:42.32\00:12:44.99 John says "We have come to know 00:12:45.03\00:12:47.13 and have believed the love which God has for us. 00:12:47.20\00:12:50.03 God is love, and the one who abides in love 00:12:50.07\00:12:53.84 abides in God, and God abides in him. 00:12:53.87\00:12:57.14 By this, love is perfected with us, 00:12:57.17\00:13:00.34 so that we may have confidence on the day of judgment, 00:13:00.38\00:13:04.48 because as He is, so also are we in this world." 00:13:04.51\00:13:11.79 You know, hanging on a cross Jesus prayed, 00:13:11.82\00:13:17.09 Father, forgive him for they know not what they do. 00:13:17.13\00:13:21.26 How that plea must have echoed 00:13:21.30\00:13:24.23 through the hearts of those at Calvary. 00:13:24.27\00:13:27.04 What manner of man is this? 00:13:27.07\00:13:30.07 Love cannot flow through a bitter 00:13:30.11\00:13:34.01 and resentful unforgiving heart. 00:13:34.04\00:13:37.48 Christ wanted His heart 00:13:37.51\00:13:39.58 to remain an open channel of love. 00:13:39.61\00:13:42.68 God is love, that's His perfect essence. 00:13:42.72\00:13:45.59 And to stand as the perfect expression of God's character, 00:13:45.62\00:13:50.33 Christ had to maintain perfect love. 00:13:50.36\00:13:53.26 He forgave those who nailed Him to the cross. 00:13:53.29\00:13:58.00 Our destiny is to become like Jesus, 00:13:58.03\00:14:01.97 as He is so must we be in this world. 00:14:02.00\00:14:06.01 And our journey begins with a heart 00:14:06.04\00:14:08.28 filled with His love, a heart that knows 00:14:08.31\00:14:11.41 how to forgive and be forgiven. 00:14:11.45\00:14:15.08 Let's recap how far we've come in this process of repentance. 00:14:15.12\00:14:20.39 This is combining the lessons of the previous programs 00:14:20.42\00:14:24.83 and this one. 00:14:24.86\00:14:26.19 Thus far we have considered 00:14:26.23\00:14:29.00 how important it is for us to recognize our sin. 00:14:29.03\00:14:34.10 We know that godly sorrow is a good thing 00:14:34.14\00:14:38.44 because it causes us to regret our sin 00:14:38.47\00:14:42.34 and our attitudes about sin have been altered, 00:14:42.38\00:14:45.85 we've confessed our sin asking for forgiveness. 00:14:45.88\00:14:50.12 And we are able also to extend forgiveness to others 00:14:50.15\00:14:55.59 when we understand God's plan. 00:14:55.62\00:14:58.09 And then we have learned about 00:14:58.13\00:15:02.06 our need to receive God's forgiveness 00:15:02.10\00:15:04.80 applying His healing balm to our wounded souls, 00:15:04.83\00:15:08.40 so that we can forgive ourselves. 00:15:08.44\00:15:11.17 And it's important to forgive ourselves. 00:15:11.21\00:15:13.64 And at the conclusion of these four steps of repentance 00:15:13.68\00:15:16.88 the verdict has been rendered, 00:15:16.91\00:15:18.81 we have a bloodbath parting that is ours. 00:15:18.85\00:15:22.45 We stand acquitted of guilt justify by the imputed 00:15:22.48\00:15:26.29 righteousness of Jesus Christ credited to our account. 00:15:26.32\00:15:30.39 We are made righteous by faith and what Christ has done for us 00:15:30.43\00:15:35.76 and what He has done on our behalf is un-- 00:15:35.80\00:15:38.73 He's given us undeserved mercy. 00:15:38.77\00:15:41.67 Now we must continue to the final point 00:15:41.70\00:15:45.71 in the repentance process because without this step 00:15:45.74\00:15:49.61 we would be consigned to hobble along with our habits of sin. 00:15:49.64\00:15:56.22 Our future progress would be hindered. 00:15:56.25\00:15:59.12 This fifth and final part is where transformation 00:15:59.15\00:16:02.49 and triumph are forged 00:16:02.52\00:16:04.46 because step five is where God empowers us 00:16:04.49\00:16:08.13 to change our conduct and make a U-turn 00:16:08.16\00:16:11.23 in the right direction straight towards Him. 00:16:11.27\00:16:14.34 This step in the repentance process 00:16:14.37\00:16:16.64 represents sanctification through the imparted 00:16:16.67\00:16:19.94 righteousness of Jesus Christ who works within us 00:16:19.97\00:16:25.38 and as the process of sanctification 00:16:25.41\00:16:28.05 blossoms in our soul, the seduction of sin withers. 00:16:28.08\00:16:32.39 With absolutely confidence in Christ abilities to save, 00:16:32.42\00:16:36.93 we develop an unwavering commitment to Him 00:16:36.96\00:16:40.23 which permits no room for compromise with the world. 00:16:40.26\00:16:44.23 The process of repentance is incomplete 00:16:44.27\00:16:47.50 unless we turn from self to God. 00:16:47.54\00:16:51.14 Genuine repentance results 00:16:51.17\00:16:54.34 in the rejection of sin in our lives 00:16:54.38\00:16:56.88 and the return of our devotion to God. 00:16:56.91\00:16:59.41 This is not an act we can do by our own power. 00:16:59.45\00:17:02.72 Repentance is a gift from God 00:17:02.75\00:17:05.19 and we should receive it with joy. 00:17:05.22\00:17:07.82 I want you to consider three scriptures. 00:17:07.86\00:17:10.76 Let's look at these. 00:17:10.79\00:17:12.79 2 Corinthians 7:10 tells us, 00:17:12.83\00:17:15.86 "Godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation." 00:17:15.90\00:17:20.84 We should thank God for godly sorrow. 00:17:20.87\00:17:23.27 And then Paul writes in Romans 2:4 00:17:23.30\00:17:25.97 "Do you despise the riches of His goodness, 00:17:26.01\00:17:29.18 forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing 00:17:29.21\00:17:31.85 that the goodness of God lead you to repentance?" 00:17:31.88\00:17:35.68 We should thank God for His patience and goodness. 00:17:35.72\00:17:38.95 And then Acts 5:31 says this. 00:17:38.99\00:17:42.82 "Him, Jesus, God has exalted to His right hand 00:17:42.86\00:17:48.36 to be Prince and Savior, 00:17:48.40\00:17:50.83 to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins." 00:17:50.87\00:17:57.04 We should thank God for the gift of repentance. 00:17:57.07\00:18:02.41 You know, King David was fully aware of his absolute 00:18:02.44\00:18:07.55 dependence upon God to give him the gift of repentance 00:18:07.58\00:18:10.99 that would turn him back to God. 00:18:11.02\00:18:13.25 In Psalm 51:10 he prayed "Create in me a clean heart, 00:18:13.29\00:18:17.99 O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." 00:18:18.03\00:18:22.76 I praise God for leading me to Psalm 51 as my model 00:18:22.80\00:18:26.67 to learn how to press into His presence with repentance. 00:18:26.70\00:18:32.97 He taught me to ask for repentance 00:18:33.01\00:18:36.54 just as I ask for forgiveness. 00:18:36.58\00:18:39.68 When you ask God to forgive your sins, 00:18:39.71\00:18:42.32 do you also ask Him to grant you repentance? 00:18:42.35\00:18:45.79 If not, I hope you will from this day forward 00:18:45.82\00:18:48.72 because you cannot turn around by yourself 00:18:48.76\00:18:51.73 for repentance is the gift, His gift to bestow upon you 00:18:51.76\00:18:56.13 when you acknowledge your need of it. 00:18:56.16\00:18:58.57 You know, Peter's boastful-- 00:18:58.60\00:19:02.07 Peter make this boastful claim in Matthew 26:33. 00:19:02.10\00:19:07.01 He told Jesus, 00:19:07.04\00:19:08.68 and this is toward the end of Jesus' ministry, 00:19:08.71\00:19:10.45 right at the end there He said, 00:19:10.48\00:19:12.15 "O Lord, even if all are made to stumble because of you, 00:19:12.18\00:19:16.69 I will never be made to stumble." 00:19:16.72\00:19:19.79 Jesus responded assuredly I tell you that this night 00:19:19.82\00:19:25.19 before the rooster crows you will deny me three times. 00:19:25.23\00:19:31.60 Oh, how much I was like Peter 00:19:31.63\00:19:34.50 before I learn to depend upon God 00:19:34.54\00:19:37.04 for the gift of turning me around away from my sin. 00:19:37.07\00:19:41.58 I prayed and pleaded for forgiveness 00:19:41.61\00:19:43.81 concluding with the sincere promise to do better 00:19:43.85\00:19:46.98 and by sheer willpower 00:19:47.02\00:19:49.08 I determine to overcome sin only to hear that old rooster 00:19:49.12\00:19:52.55 scratchy voice crowing over my stumbles by the end of the day 00:19:52.59\00:19:56.66 and against my heart felt determination, 00:19:56.69\00:20:00.06 I felt like I had been like Peter, 00:20:00.10\00:20:04.33 I had denied Christ through sin again. 00:20:04.37\00:20:07.40 You know, all sin is a denial of Christ. 00:20:07.44\00:20:11.44 Peter's actions were no worse than ours. 00:20:11.47\00:20:14.14 In fact, Peter proved to be more responsive 00:20:14.18\00:20:17.05 than most Christians. 00:20:17.08\00:20:18.28 Just one glimpse from Jesus' eyes of infinite love disarmed 00:20:18.31\00:20:23.65 this defiant disciple resulting in heart seized repentance. 00:20:23.69\00:20:29.59 Peter wept bitterly over his sin. 00:20:29.62\00:20:33.33 Do we? 00:20:33.36\00:20:35.56 Before his boastful promise not to deny the Lord, 00:20:35.60\00:20:40.24 Peter was a man of bravado. 00:20:40.27\00:20:42.40 He paid no attention to the Lord's preceding warning 00:20:42.44\00:20:46.64 which is found in Luke 21-- 22, Luke 22:31, 32. 00:20:46.68\00:20:54.18 Jesus said here, "Simon, Simon, indeed Satan has asked for you 00:20:54.22\00:21:00.42 that he may sift you as wheat. 00:21:00.46\00:21:02.79 But I have prayed for you, 00:21:02.82\00:21:04.96 that your faith should not fail. 00:21:04.99\00:21:06.90 And when you have return to me, strengthen your brethren." 00:21:06.93\00:21:11.80 Christ predicted Peter would turn away from Him 00:21:11.83\00:21:15.54 and have need of repentance but He also assured Peter 00:21:15.57\00:21:19.37 of His help in returning to Him. 00:21:19.41\00:21:22.21 What did Peter learned in this process of repentance? 00:21:22.24\00:21:25.68 He came to appreciate the need 00:21:25.71\00:21:28.52 for absolute to surrender to God 00:21:28.55\00:21:31.35 and total dependence on Him. 00:21:31.39\00:21:35.09 You know, the secret to success in our daily walk with Christ 00:21:35.12\00:21:39.23 is to recognize that apart from Him we can do nothing. 00:21:39.26\00:21:45.03 Doesn't the Bible warn us 00:21:45.07\00:21:46.60 that we cannot change ourselves anymore 00:21:46.63\00:21:49.44 than an Ethiopian can change skin or a leopard his spots? 00:21:49.47\00:21:53.58 Why do we fail to change after confession of our sin? 00:21:53.61\00:21:57.71 There is only one reason. 00:21:57.75\00:21:59.38 We attempt to change by our own power. 00:21:59.41\00:22:02.28 But please notice that it takes a cooperative effort 00:22:02.32\00:22:07.16 to put to death the misdeeds of our sin, of our flesh. 00:22:07.19\00:22:11.16 Look at Romans 8:13, 14 which says 00:22:11.19\00:22:16.03 "For if you live according to the flesh you will die, 00:22:16.06\00:22:20.20 but if by the Spirit you put to death..." 00:22:20.24\00:22:25.27 Notice there. 00:22:25.31\00:22:26.41 "By the Spirit you put to death 00:22:26.44\00:22:29.64 the deeds of the body, you will live. 00:22:29.68\00:22:32.15 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, 00:22:32.18\00:22:35.65 these are the sons of God." 00:22:35.68\00:22:37.65 So it takes the Spirit, His power and our cooperation, 00:22:37.69\00:22:43.36 it's by the Spirit that we must work together 00:22:43.39\00:22:48.03 with the Holy Spirit to accomplish this change. 00:22:48.06\00:22:51.83 It's His power that makes it possible. 00:22:51.87\00:22:55.34 Listen to what Paul wrote in Philippians 2:12, 13 00:22:55.37\00:23:01.21 which underscores this. 00:23:01.24\00:23:03.08 I'm gonna read it from the amplified. 00:23:03.11\00:23:05.45 It says "Work out your own salvation 00:23:05.48\00:23:09.55 with reverence and awe and trembling. 00:23:09.58\00:23:12.99 Not in your own strength for it is God 00:23:13.02\00:23:17.16 Who is all the while effectually at work in you 00:23:17.19\00:23:20.33 energizing and creating in you the power and desire, 00:23:20.36\00:23:24.03 both to will and to work for His good pleasure." 00:23:24.07\00:23:29.57 Genuine repentance results in being joint to Christ 00:23:29.60\00:23:34.41 and feel afresh with His spirit, 00:23:34.44\00:23:36.85 then He completes the good work 00:23:36.88\00:23:39.11 He began in us as He leads us by His spirit. 00:23:39.15\00:23:43.28 Halleluiah, when we surrender control of our lives to Him, 00:23:43.32\00:23:48.02 God causes us to be all that He calls us to be. 00:23:48.06\00:23:52.89 Matthew 12:20 is a beautiful Bible promise. 00:23:52.93\00:23:58.27 It says "A bruised reed he will not break, 00:23:58.30\00:24:02.97 and smoking flax he will not quench." 00:24:03.00\00:24:06.71 Do you feel battered and bruised by your mistakes? 00:24:06.74\00:24:10.68 Come to Christ, He will heal you. 00:24:10.71\00:24:13.28 Has your first love passion for Christ dissipated? 00:24:13.31\00:24:17.32 Is the wick of your spiritual lamp 00:24:17.35\00:24:20.49 flickering, smoking and about to go out? 00:24:20.52\00:24:23.63 Come to Christ, He will add the oil of joy to your life 00:24:23.66\00:24:28.20 and your lamp will burn brightly. 00:24:28.23\00:24:30.93 Acts 3:19 says this "Repent therefore and be converted, 00:24:30.97\00:24:35.87 that your sins may be blotted out, so that 00:24:35.90\00:24:39.74 times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." 00:24:39.77\00:24:44.75 Repentance is a glorious gift from God, 00:24:44.78\00:24:47.58 it brings times of refreshing that speeds our recovery 00:24:47.62\00:24:51.25 from the sting of sin and revives us spiritually. 00:24:51.29\00:24:54.52 Repentance gives us confidence before the Lord 00:24:54.56\00:24:57.29 and assures us of His power to save. 00:24:57.33\00:25:00.20 Repentance brings rest to our weary souls 00:25:00.23\00:25:03.30 and as we press into his presence through repentance, 00:25:03.33\00:25:06.37 the sin barrier is shattered and we are confident 00:25:06.40\00:25:10.44 that our prayers will not be hindered. 00:25:10.47\00:25:12.77 God quiets our fears with His love. 00:25:12.81\00:25:16.24 He invites us to come boldly before His throne of grace 00:25:16.28\00:25:20.25 to find mercy and grace to help us in our time of need. 00:25:20.28\00:25:25.65 Zephaniah 3:17 says this. I love this scripture. 00:25:25.69\00:25:30.36 It says, "Our Father the mighty one is in our midst 00:25:30.39\00:25:36.30 and He will save us, 00:25:36.33\00:25:37.50 He rejoices over us with singing." 00:25:37.53\00:25:41.40 Do you see God this way? 00:25:41.44\00:25:44.14 Do you see a mighty and loving savior 00:25:44.17\00:25:47.28 who rejoices over you with singing? 00:25:47.31\00:25:51.28 Ah, glory to His holy name. 00:25:51.31\00:25:54.38 In previous programs 00:25:54.42\00:25:56.35 we visited the New Testament altar of Calvary's cross 00:25:56.38\00:26:00.36 and we applied the blood of Jesus to our sins. 00:26:00.39\00:26:04.96 And now in the spirit of the purification rite 00:26:04.99\00:26:09.06 practice by the ancient priests, 00:26:09.10\00:26:11.67 we have symbolically washed our hands 00:26:11.70\00:26:15.24 and feet at the laver in the outer court. 00:26:15.27\00:26:18.51 Cleansed through the process of confession and repentance, 00:26:18.54\00:26:23.31 we are now prepared to go forward. 00:26:23.35\00:26:27.42 Now we are ready to press into His presence further 00:26:27.45\00:26:31.99 and enter the holy place 00:26:32.02\00:26:34.52 and our prayer is that next time 00:26:34.56\00:26:37.86 you will join us for this exciting journey in prayer. 00:26:37.89\00:26:43.50 Now what I would like to do for you right now and for me is 00:26:43.53\00:26:48.57 let's have a prayer together. 00:26:48.60\00:26:50.97 Let's just go before the Lord 00:26:51.01\00:26:53.07 and ask Him to grant us repentance. 00:26:53.11\00:26:56.61 Our most loving and precious heavenly Father, 00:26:56.64\00:27:00.35 how we thank you, how we thank you again, Father, 00:27:00.38\00:27:04.22 for your gifts of grace, for Jesus Christ our Savior, 00:27:04.25\00:27:08.72 for Your Holy Spirit in Your word 00:27:08.76\00:27:10.29 and how we thank you, Father, that you have revealed to us 00:27:10.33\00:27:14.40 the five steps of true repentance. 00:27:14.46\00:27:16.60 O Lord, we praise you because we know you are all powerful 00:27:16.63\00:27:20.67 and that you will work in us 00:27:20.70\00:27:22.67 to willing to do your good pleasure. 00:27:22.70\00:27:25.17 Father, we come before you today 00:27:25.21\00:27:27.18 not only to confess our sins but we come asking 00:27:27.21\00:27:30.88 that you would grant us the gift of repentance. 00:27:30.91\00:27:33.95 Help us, Lord, to develop a sensitive spirit, 00:27:33.98\00:27:37.42 a sensitive heart to you. 00:27:37.45\00:27:39.55 And, Lord, help us day by day to press in to Your presence, 00:27:39.59\00:27:45.09 to come before You with repentance, 00:27:45.13\00:27:47.86 with clean hands and a pure heart 00:27:47.93\00:27:50.03 that You give us when we do, in Jesus' name, amen. 00:27:50.07\00:27:54.57 Well, as always our thought toward you this day 00:27:54.60\00:27:59.64 is that the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, 00:27:59.67\00:28:03.58 the love of the Father 00:28:03.61\00:28:05.18 and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit 00:28:05.21\00:28:07.48 will be with you today and always. 00:28:07.52\00:28:10.49