Made New
Week 3: A Repentant Heart

(2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

(Acts 3:19)  Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

True Repentance—Cut To the Heart

(Joel 2:12–13) That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. 13 Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish.

Acts 2:37–38) When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 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.

Repentance in the Old Testament

Two metaphors are used in the Old Testament, both expressing the thoroughness, intensity, and even pain of repentance.

(Jeremiah 4:4) Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, circumcise your hearts, you men of Judah and people of Jerusalem, or my wrath will break out and burn like fire because of the evil you have done— burn with no one to quench it.

(Hosea 10:12) I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’

Repentance in the New Testament

Metanoeo— meta (turn to a new course) and nous  (the mind)

“In the New Testament, this Greek word is used to denote a complete, radical, total change. It means a decision to completely change one’s thoughts, behavior, and actions or to entirely turn around in the way one is thinking, believing, or living. Thus, the word “repent” in the New Testament gives the image of a person changing from top to bottom — a total transformation wholly affecting every part of a person’s life.” (Rick Renner)

The Opposite of Repentance—  Resistance   

(Acts 7:51)  “You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!

David’s Model Prayer of Repentance—Psalm 51

(Psalm 51:16-17)  You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

(Psalm 5:1-10) Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. 5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. 6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. 7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 

So what must I do?

(Acts 3:19)  Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.

√  Decide today to cease all to God.

√  Ask God to you areas of resistance in your life.

√  Ask God to    your heart and restore the feeling of pain associated with sin.

√  Pursue a lifestyle of    repentance without resistance to God and his love.

√  Expect “ ” to come your way!