PREACHING REPENTANCE

PREACHING REPENTANCE
by David Wilkerson

What was the first message Jesus delivered after He emerged from
the temptation in the wilderness? Scripture says, "From that time
Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of
heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17).

Jesus called people to repent before He even called them to
believe. Mark writes, "Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the
gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled,
and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the
gospel" (Mark 1:14-15). Christ preached, "Repent first-and believe."

Elsewhere Jesus says of His mission, "I am not come to call the
righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Matthew 9:13). And He told
the Galileans, "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all
likewise perish" (Luke 13:3).

Jesus´ gospel was all about repentance!

John the Baptist also preached repentance, to prepare Israel for
the coming of Christ. John´s message to the Jews was simple
and straightforward: "In those days came John the Baptist,
preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, Repent ye: for
the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 3:1-2).

People came from everywhere to hear John preach. And he told
them in no uncertain terms: "The Messiah is soon to appear in
your midst, so you´d better get ready to meet Him! You may feel
excited that He´s coming, but I´m telling you, your hearts are not
prepared because you´re still holding on to your sins.

"Outside you appear clean and holy. But inside, you´re full of dead
men´s bones! You´re a generation of vipers, snakes, with absolutely
no fear of God [see Matthew 3:7-12]. Yet you have no concept that
you´re even sinners. I warn you-you must deal with your sin before
you can believe on the Savior and follow Him. So, repent, turn from
your sin and live in a way that reflects genuine change!"

-Source-

http://sermons.worldchallenge.org/en/node/26634

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