Who can tell--Repentance and God

The Three Elements of Repentance

Intro: Illustr. 211. It's never too late to turn.

1. Joel 2:12-14, Rend Your Heart (not your clothes-Mt. 6:16; 1 Sam. 16:7)

Turn with fasting, weeping, and mourning (mourning is better than joy, Ecc. 7:3)

God is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, kind, hates evil (Lam 3:22; Ecc. 8:11)

Who Knows, leave a blessing

1 Cor. 11:31

2. Jonah 3:8-10, Turn From Evil (Cover with sackcloth, cry)

Luke 15, "When he came to himself" (metanoew); when pro athletes turn for the ball, it's there

Who Can Tell, turn away His anger (Ex 32:11-14)

God saw them turn, He repented, and did it not

3. 2 Sam. 12:16-22, Seek God (Heb. 11:6; Mt 12:43)

Then worshipped, ate--contrary to custom, but this was inner sorrow

Who Can Tell, God will be gracious

From where does repentance come? God's goodness (Heb. 12:5-8 and 11; Rom. 2:4)

Gen. 6:3&6; 2 Cor. 6:2

Concl. Sit in the chair--take the chance. Turn.