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A Message to Preachers on the Need to Preach Repentance from sin. “Why So Many Unfaithful Professing Christians?” – Bible study

A Message to Preachers on the Need to Preach Repentance from sin. “Why So Many Unfaithful Professing Christians?” – Bible study

A Message to Preachers on the Need to Preach Repentance from Sin

Why So Many Unfaithful Professing Christians in Our Churches?
Romans 6:1-18

by Cooper Abrams

    Introduction:         The title of the message identifies the problem. To some degree in all our churches there are a number of people who profess Christ as their Lord and Savior who are clearly not faithful to Him. Their lives pretty much remain the same after their profession of faith, with the exception that now they are identified as Christians because they now have their names on a church roll.

            They are frustrating to the God fearing pastor who loves his flock, and longs with heart felt love to see those to whom God has entrusted him with, living victorious lives in Christ, being a ready and willing tool of God to bring Gloryto our Lord and Savior, and reaping the benefit of the full blessing of God.

             These “Christians” in name only, are frustrating and a source of discouragement to any child of God who longs to see Christ lifted up and magnified and to receive the honor and worship our God and Savior should receive.

            They are frustrating because they are a liability to any local congregation of believers. These folks contribute little if anything unto the local church. Their unfaithfulness is actually a stumbling block to others in the church and the lost the church is trying to reach. They do not present a example of what God desires His children to be. The present a distorted picture of what a Christian is suppose to be.

             We all have heard someone say, “Well if so-in-so is a member of that church I do not want to have anything to do with it.” What they are really saying is that if that person is a Christian, a child of God the whole thing is a sham.

             I am not only talking about those who do not come to church or tithe or take a part in the ministry of the church. I am also talking about the outwardly piteous hypocrite, who sits on the front pew and has a part in everything….a negativepart!

             I agonize over the matter, trying to come to grips with it, and explain it….so as God’s preacher, his pastor, His messenger I can help the poor souls whose lives are marked by being unfaithful to God.

      I. FIRST BEING UNFAITHFUL TO GOD IS SIMPLY SIN.

        A. In order to offer help to a person with a problemthere must be a correct diagnosis of the ailment.

          1. Here I believe is the problem. Many pro-fessing Christians, and church members….have never come to grips with sin, what sin is or how God looks at it.

          2. I preached a message some years ago aboutthe fact God hates sin, and the roof fell in the church I waspastoring. I was accused of being unkind, unloving,uncaring.

          3. Why, I ask myself are they so unset overpreaching a basic fundamental true, that God hates sin?

          4. The conclusion I came to is that they do notunderstand what sin is. Further I wonder how can someoneclaim to be a Christian, a SAVED child of God and not knowthat God hates sin.

          5. How can one know of true salvation withoutunderstanding what sin is and how God views sin?

        B. In reading Rom. 6:2, Paul I believe is addressingthis very issue.

          1. Note V1. “What shall we say then? Shall wecontinue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. Howshall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

          2. There were people in Rome whom Paul hadheard of who were practicing sin openly with no convictionand justifying it by saying….its OK is under Grace.

          3. In the strongest terms possible Paul says,”God Forbid!”. Kenneth Weust, “May such a thing neveroccur!” Literally Paul says, “Let it not be!”

        C. Paul is saying in the next verses, “We were savedFROM sin!”

          1. Salvation is salvation from sin. Sin is thereason we need saving. We need saving from sin!

          2. The true believer is DEAD to sin. That isthe redemptive act of God. That’s what salvation is allabout….being saved from sin! God forgives us when werepent of sin and then gives us a new nature that enables usnot to sin anymore. If men are not sinners there was no needof Christ to die for…what? SIN.

          3. We now live unto God, V10 We are notalive unto Christ our Lord.

          Yes, Paul says CHRIST is our LORD! Thatmeans our master our God.

        D. It seems apparent to me that if a professingChristian, who claims to be saved has no real understandingof sin….then there is a grave problem.

          1. If he has no regard for sin, thinks lightly ofit, has no real conviction about sin then this person has aserious spiritual problem. I ask the question what was onthere mind when they made a profession of faith andsupposedly became Christians? What did they think washappening to them. What in fact were they doing.

            a. Joining a church?
            b. Getting a ticket to heaven?
            c. Identifying with a church for the social good they might reap?

          2. Yes, Christians can sin. But there arequalifying doctrines and truth about God dealing with Hischildren who sin.

            a. 1 Cor. 10:13, “There hath notemptation taken you but such is common to man: but God isfaithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that yeare able; but will with the temptation also make a way toescape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

            a. That truth is this; “For whom theLord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whomhe receiveth. Heb. 12:6

          3. This presents another question: How can aprofessing Christian live habitually in sin, with no apparentchastening of God?

          The answer is he can’t!

          4. Paul in 1 Cor. 11:28-29, (READ) is sayingthese folks who were saved and who did not discerning theLord’s body by blatantly sinning without repentance. Thesepeople were saved and because they were God’s children theywere chastened of God and even God killed some of thembecause they would not repent and turn from their sin.

            a. What does it mean, “not discerningthe Lord’s body?”

            b. Simply, they knowingly, willinglysinned with no regard that every sin brought suffering to theLord Jesus!! They knew better, but could care less!God dealt swiftly and pointedly with such gross ungratefulness.

          5. Many professing Christians sin openly withno remorse or shame and there is not chastening in their lives.

        ILLUS: It was learned that the Sunday School Superintendent in my father’s church was having an affair withwoman in the church. The pastor and deacons went to himprivately and told them of their concern and to learn the truthof the matter that was becoming a scandal in the small town. They were angrily told that it was none of their business andwhat he did in his life was his own business. At this pointcould you say this man was really saved or not? Answer isnot really. Christians are capable of gross sin. The churchdismissed him from his position in the Sunday School and hequit coming to church. He continued the affair, left his wifeand family and bitterly denounced the church. Other thanthe normal destructive effects of a divorce, he lived aordinary life. In time the scandal blew over. He neverreturned to church and lived a normal live. Was he saved? If is very doubtful. Why? No chastening of God. Whatdoes God say he does to his child? Yes, he chastens them anddoes not chasten the Devil’s brood.

    II. SECOND: WHAT CAN THE PREACHER DO?

      A. First we must present the True Gospel asGod would have us too.

        1. This is the day of “easy believism.” Most people believe it totally correct to simply go through aRoman’s road 123 plan of salvation and pronounce the personsaved and a child of God.

        2. I sure you know what I am mean.

      B. One thing is missing in many presentationsof the Gospel and from the “Roman’s road” as many useit…..that is repentance!

        1. When John the Baptist cameannouncing the coming of Christ he preached repentance anddemanded of his hearing….proof they had repented by someaction within their lives.

        2. Jesus also preached, “repent for thekingdom of God is at hand”. We do not preach thekingdom…per-say. The kingdom of God, is at least sevenyears away from this moment, BUT the kingdom of God is akingdom of the saved based on salvation.

        3. ONE thing is clear, repentance is apart of the coming kingdom of God. Repentance is a vitaland necessary part of salvation!

      C. Eph. 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved throughfaith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not ofworks, lest any man should boast.”

        1. Grace is not cheap!!! Grace cost the Son ofGod, all the agony and terribleness of the penalty of sin. ItCost God much!!

        2. Here-in is a problem, in understanding it isfree to us, it has caused some to not appreciate it great Costto God.

        3. They conclude that repentance is not a partof salvation. They are dead wrong! The whole point ofbeing saved is to be saved from sin! A salvation that does notaddress sin is not biblical salvation!

        It is a man pleasing deception of the Devil.

      D. The teaching repentance is a vital and necessarypart of salvation. Do I fully understand it? Simply I answerno. I’ll let the theologians try to explain it.

        But I will teach it, and I will preach it becausethat is part of the Gospel…a vital part.

        This is why I believe so many have no regardfor the fact God says we are not to sin, we are to live holy andrighteous lives before God and the World. We are not tolove sin or NEVER EVER live comfortable with sin in ourlives.

        1. Jesus in Mark 1:15, said, “…the kingdom ofGod is at hand: repent ye and believe the Gospel.”

        2. The 70 disciples Jesus sent out preachedthat men should repent. Mark. 6:12

        3. Jesus speaking to the speaking to the lostreligious Jews said, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, yeshall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:5

        3. Peter in Acts 2:38, at Pentecost “preachedrepent and be baptized every one of you in the name of JesusChrist for the remission of sin and receive the Holy Ghost.”

        4. Again in Acts 3:19, “Repent ye therefore,and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when thetimes of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.”

        5. Paul addressing the lost Greeks on MarsHill, said to them, “And the times of this ignorance Godwinked at; but now commandeth all men every where torepent:” Acts 17:30 Some say that repentance was only atpart of the preaching of the Kingdom. However, these werenot Jews, but lost Greek philosophers.

        6. Others would say repentance is from Christians it comes after salvation and is a part of maturing in Christ.

        Jesus in Luke 5:32 said, “I came not to call therighteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:32

        7. The early church after Peter went andpreached the Gospel to Cornelius the ROMAN centurion.

        Peter told him of Christ Jesus and part of whatPeter told him was that, Acts 10:10, “And he commanded usto preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he whichwas ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.”

        When Peter returned to church in Acts 11:18,”When they heard these things, they held their peace, andglorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentilesgranted repentance unto life.”

        8. Paul in 2 Cor. 7:10 said, “For godly sorrow workethrepentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrowof the world worketh death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10)

        9. 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning hispromise, as some men count slackness; but is longsufferingto us-ward, not willing that any should perish but that allshould come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

      E. In Simple terms God says repentance is a part ofsalvation. They go together.

        1. Why do so many live such sinful andunfaithful lives as professing Christians?

        2. They seem to have no conception orunderstanding of sin.

        3. Why? One reason is maybe wehave not taught them….it is our responsibility.

    III. THIRD: REPENTANCE IS THE BASIS OF A GODLY LIFE.

      A. Therefore if any man {be} in Christ, he is a newcreature: old things are passed away; behold, all things arebecome new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

        1. Why is it we preach over and over againwith little or no response that God children should be faithfuland committed.

        I believe a man is really saved by grace doesnot needed to be told over and over that he is under solemnobligation to serve Christ: the new life within him tell himthat as he hears the Word of God on the matter.

        I believe the Bible is telling us that the savedman HAS repented of sin and will hate sin.

        Sure we know we will sin, 1 John 1:8 tells us thatand we know it from personal experience….but the Child ofGod will fight sin and never be comfortable in it.

        Why, he has been converted from sin! Heis no longer the slave of sin.

        2. To claim to believe that He can save yoursoul, forgive your sins, give you eternal life, and yet be lessthan your Lord and God is simply strange to me and totallyforeign to the Bible.

        To imply that one can could accept salvationfrom sin as a free gift of God and then fail to acknowledgeHis authority over one’s life is a travesty to the reality and thepower of the Gospel.

      ILLUS: In some circles there is a controversy over where aperson came be saved and Christ not be their Lord. They callthe matter “Lordship Salvation.” I have not read those thathave written about the matter. I do not have time and morethan that I believe that were a man is saved Christ becomeshis Lord. I also believe that if Christ does not become the aperson’s Lord that person is not saved. Christ is Lord andyou cannot separate Jesus from His Lordship. Where that putsme in the controversy I do not know, but where it puts me inline with the Bible I do know. It put me squarely in thecenter of God’s truth! That the only place I feel comfortable.

        3. Many are preaching a weak and unscripturalGospel that leaves out the hideousness and evil thing that sinis. Many appear to be ashamed even to talk of sin. Manyare preaching a compromised Gospel tailored to appeasingman’s lust, offering Him, a pure and holy and righteousGod….without demanding any holiness or little devotion topurity of the individual receiving salvation. This”philosophy” of the modern gospel is of the Devil.

          “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober,and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought untoyou at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children,not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts inyour ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so beye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written,Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:13-16

        This false gospel that Paul commended in Galatians1. It is a “another gospel that is not the gospel.” Paul said inGal. 1:10, “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seekto please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be theservant of Christ.”

        That verse puts all preachers to the test. They are manpleasers or servants of God. A true preacher of God has butone duty to be faithful too. To preach the “unsearchableriches of Christ.” (Eph. 3:8)

          “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus theLord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’s sake.” (2 Cor.4:5)

      Conclusion: We have an awesome responsibility as God’s calledmessengers. We must be careful we do not lessen or takeaway from God’s truth. We must preach ALL God’s truthcorrectly, absolutely and in the authority of God’s Word.

      We do a get disservice, yes we commit sin, gross sinif we preach not the whole counsel of God’s Word.

      We must understand it is an impossible task, if Goddoes not do it through us.

      The blind can not lead the blind. We must knowGod’s word and we must preach it. You may lose yourpopularity….some may think you strange. You may losechurch members. You may lose friends. You may beaccused of being unloving and uncaring….of being toodemanding.

      But in truth how can you share Christ’s love for you inany greater way that to loving, and caringly warn people ofthe wages of sin and the need of repentance. That’s theironly hope to receive eternal life and live a victorious life inChrist….bringing honor, glory to Him who isWorthy…producing fruit to His honor.

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