Sermons on Repentance

What sets Christianity apart from all other religions in the world? What one characteristic marks the beginning of every great revival? What was the purpose of the Old Testament law, and what do these questions have to do with each other? The answer, as presented in this sermon on John 4:27–30 titled “The Need for Repentance,” is the conviction of sin. Using the woman at the well as an example, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows that the beginning of Jesus’s message is to convict of sin and for all to agree with the woman who said, “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did.” Throughout the Bible, people who are brought into the presence of God are first convicted of their sin. Jacob feared and Isaiah confessed in their encounters with the most Holy God. This conviction is not hopeless, but is the mode in which the Christian is brought to the necessary hatred and repentance of sin. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds that if one has not been brought to a place of repentance, then they are in a religion without Christ and one that ends in hellfire. For those who have repented, their conviction of sin is an assurance that they are God’s people.

Peter addresses the Jerusalem crowds in Acts 3 with the very same call that all sermons should have: repent. In this sermon on Acts 3:19 titled “Repentance,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses Peter’s words in this passage not from a theoretical standpoint, but as a practical step that should occur at the end of every message that is shared about the gospel. Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes repentance as a “thinking again” on what one may think they know to be true. At the heart of humanity is wickedness and prejudiced thinking, yet the inerrant word of God calls each and every listener to think again about who God is and who they are in relation to God. One’s own intellect drives one’s emotions and by extension, their actions. Because of the worldly intellect, repentance requires all to think again about what they are convinced in their intellect that they already know. In order for one to truly change their ways and turn away from sin, they must allow for the possibility that their intellect may be wrong and look to the Bible for knowledge to change from pride to humble submission to God, and to turn away from flesh and the world. This is true repentance.

What does it mean to follow Jesus? There are some Christians who say that following Jesus is merely an act of profession or bare intellectual assent. The New Testament tells something different about the Christian life. In this sermon on Acts 5:29–32 titled “Repentance – Door to Forgiveness,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches the biblical message that following Jesus means believing Him and repenting of sins. To believe in Jesus is to believe in His message and obey it. According to the Bible, those who live in unrepentant sin and immorality but claim to be Christian are living a lie as there is no forgiveness without repentance. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones is clear that repentance is not a work; it is simply what it means to be a follower of Jesus and a Christian. It also does not mean that Christians never sin, but only that they continually turn away from their sins and look to Christ. This is the most important message any can hear because it alone contains salvation. There is no salvation apart from repentance of sin and trusting in Jesus. This sermon asks all the crucial question: “do you believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins?”

The goodness of God leads to repentance, but God’s goodness does not erase His wrath. While that may sound severe, in this sermon on Romans 2:2-4 titled “Repentance and God’s Goodness” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones brings the proof. By His unchanging character, God is good and just. Though He is longsuffering, He never ignores sin. His justice requires that He have wrath against sin. It would be like a parent threatening a disobedient child but never following through with a punishment. That child loses respect for the parent since the punishment does not occur. In the same manner, all should be in awe of God and His mercy, and sin should cause active repentance. Christians should never use an attribute of God or Scripture for their own selfish purposes. Paul preaches to the Romans that the kindness of the Lord leads both the believer and the unbeliever to repentance. The fact that the Lord is actively leading His people is a great hope and proof of His goodness and mercy.

“Repent.” This is a command that many, even those outside of the church, are familiar with. But what actually is repentance? In this sermon on Isaiah 1:10 titled “Repentance and Salvation,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on what it means to repent and why every single person ever born is in need of repenting. People who trust in Christ for their salvation from sin do so because they see their need. The word “repent,” he says, means literally to stop and think again. With the culture moving along from day to day at a blistering pace, it is imperative that all stop and think soberly about what they believe regarding eternity— they must repent. The second aspect of repentance when someone is coming to faith in Christ is a changing of the mind, realizing they have been wrong regarding their beliefs about Him, and put their complete dependence on Him for forgiveness from their sins. Third, repentance is ceasing to rely on one’s own capacity and wisdom. Finally, repentance is utter submission to God and His word. Repentance is not when one cries over their sin; it’s when they turn from it and change to follow the Lord instead.

What is the difference between repentance and remorse? In this sermon on repentance, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses the incredible weight of these topics that separate eternal life from death. Repentance is a turning from sin to Christ. It is a genuine regret and full confession of sin. But how does it differ from worldly remorse? Dr. Lloyd-Jones carefully explains that while repentance involves feelings of anguish and guilty remorse, it is repentance that results in a change of mind. Worldly remorse will cry, but not forsake and turn away from sinful activities. The gospel message must call others to submit their life to Christ, not just feel bad about their sin. Only once one has been saved can they come to know the joy of discipleship, forgiveness, and move forward in Christian living. For the gospel message to be believable, the world must see transformed lives, lives redeemed from eternal death.