WHEN MUST CHRISTIANS REPENT?

To the thinking of most “repentance” is something that sinners must do. And it is true
that Jesus said: “Except you repent, you shall all perish.” (Luke 13:3,5) Repentance is
fundamental to being born again. Except you turn from your sins and unbelief
(repentance) to confess Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of your life, you will never be a
real Christian.
However, repentance is very much a normal part of the life of a sincere Christian. There
are many reasons under different sets of circumstances that call for repentance on the part
of Christians. When is it that Christian must repent?
Christians must repent when they discover that they have sinned against God and
failed. When king David sinned by committing adultery with Bethsheba; in humility,
shame and brokenness he cried unto the Lord. His prayer is found in Psalm 51. He took
full responsibility and cried “against thee and thee only have I sinned and done this evil
in your sight.” He pleaded that God would have mercy on him and cleanse him from his
sins. The Bible teaches us “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our
sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1John 1:9 (KJV) In the model prayer,
Jesus teaches us that we are to confess and repent of our sins.
Christians must repent of their sins when they have discovered they have left their
first love. Jesus confronts the believers in Ephesus (Rev ch 2) saying to them: “I know
your works and patience and uncompromising loyalty to righteousness and faithfulness ,
but I have somewhat against you because you have left your first love. Remember how
you once was driven by love and vision, Repent of your matter of fact legalistic service
and serve me with the same heart you had in the beginning.”
Christians must repent when they have rebelled against the will of God. When we
get in the flesh and do not allow the Spirit of God to have control, we always get in
trouble. Well known examples of that are Jonah, David, king Saul of the Old Testament
and Peter, Demas and Ananias and Sapphira in the New Testament. In Jesus’ parable of
the two sons; the son who rebelled and refused to obey his father, came to his senses and
repented and did the will of his father; while the other said that he would perform his
fathers command, but never got around to do it. I ask you: “Which was the most
honorable son?”
Christians must cry out to God and confess the sins of our churches and our
country. Daniel repented for the sins of his people and Jerusalem:”O Lord, according to
all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy
city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our
fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us.” Daniel
9:16 Oh how we need such a cry of repentance today! The only answer for our troubled
nation is a national repentance and spiritual revival of God’s people (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy
to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. James
4:9-10 (KJV) . For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may
endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning Ps 30:5
Smoky Mountains and Dollywood
October 24-26, 2006

Come with us for a great fall trip

See the beautiful pallette of fall colors
Spend a day at Dollywood (Gospel Music Month)

3 Days and 2 Nights $145.00

(includes lodging, transportation, admission to Dollywood)

Make your reservation today. Call the church office at 424-1916

$45.00 deposit due by October 10.

Be sure to check out more trips and events on MRBC's website:

www.millroadbaptist.org
Corene's Kitchen Corner

Apple Dapple

Mix together:
2 eggs
1 cup cooking oil
2 cups sugar
Add:
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup raisins
3 cups chopped apples
Sift In:
3 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
Mix all ingredients together and pour into greased 8x12 baking dish. Bake at 350 for 45
minutes

Sauce

1 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup milk

Cook on low heat about 3 minutes. Pour over cake squares. Top with ice cream and a
little more sauce.

NOTE: MRBC is compiling their favorite recipes into a book. Send your contribution to
the office at:
Mill Road Baptist Church
80 W Mill Rd
Evansville IN 47710
Ambassadors Bible Class

Confronting Sizzling Hot Social Moral Religious Issues

You won't want to miss a single Sunday through November as we discuss the hot topic
issues of our times. Without question we re in a culture war and there is much socil and
political pressure to alter our lifestyles and the historic values of morality and truth. We
will hold these issues up to the light of God's Word and understand what our position
should be concerning them. We will deal with such topics as:

• Same Sex Marriage

• Should Homosexual lifestyle be a socially acceptable alternative lifestyle?
• Is Islam a peaceful religion?
• Marriage--Divorce and Remarriage
• Is gambling an acceptable venue of entertainment?
• Is the Bible you use accurate and trustworthy?
• Are believers saved by their works or by grace?
• Can a "born again" believer lose his salvation?
• Are the Ten Commandments Taboo?
• Is a Millennium of World Peace under the Reign of Christ realistic?

Bring your Bible and your friends and be blessed in the study of God's Word and enjoy
the wonderful fellowship that you will have with some of the friendliest people in the
world.