"The Return of Our King: Turning Toward
the Kingdom”
Scripture Reading:
Matthew 3:1-12 ESV
After John was put in prison,
Jesus went into Galilee,
proclaiming the good news of God.
“The time has come,” he said,
“The kingdom of God is near.
Repent and believe the good news!”
Mark 1:14-15
A person who comes to faith in the Lord Jesus
Christ in Romania is called a “repenter”. While
that may sound unusual to us, in fact this name
identifies a central but often neglected call
made by prophets, by John as he baptized, by
Jesus, and by the apostles. Jesus’ first
recorded message was just like John’s, simply
“repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
I. Repentance is a TURN
in our orientation toward God and His
righteousness.
A. It is an INWARD
reality, a change of mind, Matthew 3:6.
B. It must and will result in an
OUTWARD reality,
the “fruits of repentance,” Matthew 3:8;
Acts 26:20.
C. It is a turning FROM
and a turning TO
(1 Thessalonians 1:9).
II. Repentance is necessary in view of God’s
WRATH, Matthew 3:7.
A. It is urgent in view of the coming
JUDGMENT, Matthew
11:20-24; Luke 13:1-5; 16:19-31; Acts
17:29-31.
B. No one enters His kingdom without
REPENTING,
Matthew 3:7-10; John 3:1-15; Acts 2:38.
C. The call goes out to the unbelieving, but
also to the CHURCH,
Revelation 2:5,16,21; 3:3, 19.
III. Repentance brings the joy of
SALVATION, Luke 15:7,
10, 24.
It is in view of the return of the King, the
Lord Jesus Christ, that repentance is urged upon
all people! In this day of grace, the
opportunity is before us that, as led and
empowered by the Holy Spirit, we can turn to Him
and be saved from the wrath that will accompany
his return. Jesus died to secure that
opportunity for you!
For Further Study, Thought, and Discussion:
1. Is the call to repentance a part of contemporary gospel presentations? In
view of its consistent inclusion in the call made by prophets, John, Jesus, the
apostles, and the book of Revelation, what part should it have in our sharing of
the good news?
2. What are some of the “fruits of repentance” (Matthew 3:8) we should expect in
one who truly repents? Consider Luke 3:10-14 and Luke 19:1-10. Apply this in a
modern context.
3. What are the common key elements of the Good News preached by Peter in Acts
2:14-41; by Paul in Acts 17:22-31; and by Jesus in John 3:1-21? Did they miss
any elements that we include and think “essential” in gospel preaching today?
NEXT WEEK: The Return of Our King: The Nature of His Kingdom
Dr. Steve Hardy
