Sunday Service | Repentance: August 23, 2020

This week, April invited us to have expectations when we gather or, in this case, when we watch the livestream recording--asking God to meet us, speak to us, and lead us in our time together.

T shared a story from his experience in their small group Zoom gathering this week, where the question was asked: Where do we need to seek forgiveness? As he shared a story about a recent experience with friends that left him feeling shame and guilt, his wife had a realization that maybe he had never forgiven himself. He encouraged us all to seek God in those places where we too need freedom from shame.

Brian’s message this week continues to take us down the path of transformation in becoming a good neighbor, as we move from the internal to the external--from retrospective steps like confession, lament, and forgiveness, to the action of repentance.

What is repentance?

Repentance is a change of direction at its heart. This can carry a lot of baggage as a “churchy” word, but it is actually a calling of God on the path of transformation. 

Repentance always leads to action--to changes in our thoughts, actions, and beliefs. Jesus’ cry at the beginning of his ministry announcing the Kingdom of God was “Repent and be baptized,” so it is a crucial step in living out the reality of the Kingdom of God on earth.

The issue we run into with repentance is trying to do it on our own, instead of following Jesus. But to repent is to stop where we are, seek where Jesus is, and follow him as he empowers us to change and to act.

Repentance is not just about making a change; it’s choosing to enter eternal life by following Jesus instead of our own way or the world’s way. It begins with acknowledging that our way isn’t God’s way--which is why:

We all need repentance.

And the fundamental question of repentance is: Do we put others first?

Because true repentance elevates the voice of others instead of our own; it puts others before ourselves; it gives equality to all, regardless of creed or background. And, of course, it lead us to act upon those truths.

Repentance takes us down the journey of love.

Think about the story of the Good Samaritan, where we have been camped out for months now, exploring this idea of being a good neighbor:

What benefit did the Samaritan have in taking care of the injured man? In showing him mercy? None. He saw a need and he acted to meet that need, to show mercy.

Repentance starts with us admitting that we aren’t always the Good Samaritan in our own lives. More often, we are the priest or the levite, putting ourselves ahead of a need we see and could meet. But repentance doesn’t in there, it asks this question:

What does a change in direction look like for me in my life? How can I become like the good samaritan?

This is a hard question, and again, it begins with the willingness of repentance, the willingness to admit that we need to change. Repentance is going through the process of this change.

The power of repentance comes with realizing the mistakes we’ve made and to take a new direction away from it. Repentance is costly in this way, because it is revealed in our actions.

Just look at Luke 19’s story of Zaccheaus’ repentance.

He encountered the way of Jesus, saw that he had more than enough for himself and that he could give it away. But the choice of repentance in this story was him choosing to give back to those whom he cheated. He admitted what he had done and took corrective actions.

Zaccheaus’ story isn’t a formula for us to follow. The Lord will lead us individually to the actions that we need to take to repair the harm we’ve caused by putting ourselves first.

With repentance, start there: where have you caused harm?

Repentance is the transforming power of the gospel. Instead of shame or condemnation, we see clearly whom we need to serve.

Philippians 2.12-13

What does it mean to “work out our salvation”?

It’s not a prayer to fix things, but living in the presence of God so that sin is recognized and we can be free from it. 

Repentance aligns us to the Father rather than our tendencies to fix or have control over others. Change keeps us from repeating these tendencies in our life.

When our neighbors recognize this way of living, they receive the hope of the gospel. Without change, there isn’t that hope.

Repentance makes our hope tangible.

The full redemption of Christ’s love can be our story. We’re moved by God’s love for us and it influences how we interact with others. 

It’s not a flawless life, but a life of love for others. Repentance allows us to invest in others out of love, not obligation.

Repentance must be personal.

Where do I need to repent?

Where have I been the priest of the levite?

Are there actions needed to repair where I’ve caused harm?

And we need the Spirit in these questions and in the ways we move forward. We cannot do this on our own.

So with the Spirit’s help, we can navigate these 4 Steps of Repentance:

1: Responsibility

Own our part of the story

Where have we caused harm or disconnection?

2: Regret

Engage that place where we’ve caused harm/disconnection

Like lamenting

Let it affect our hearts and our lives

3:Resolve

Commit to seek Jesus and his life

and to not act in the same way

“Go and sin no more,” as Jesus says

4: Repair

Begin this process:

Try to connect, apologize to offended party

like Zaccheaus did with those he cheated

Focus on being Jesus’ presence, hands, and feet to those who have been harmed--especially in our current cultural rising of racial equality and liberty.

Be hope-healers instead of hard-hearted priests & levites, who were more concerned with the systems and status quo than a human being.

Jesus is asking us to follow him. Turn to him honestly, and remember: We don’t have to do this alone; in fact, we cannot do it on our own.

A prayer of repentance:

Lord may we be transformed by your love for us and, in turn, become a reflection of your love to those that do not look like us or share the same background as we do. Forgive us for passing judgement on people based on their appearance, ethnicity, or religious affiliation. May we walk in your love and unity with one another. Amen.