John K. Jenkins Sr - The Indicators of Repentance

I want to talk to you today about something that I know you’re going to be excited about. I want to discuss repentance. Wow, yeah, I knew you all would be running around the building! I knew somebody would jump up, shout, and dance. Yes, I knew you all would be excited about that. However, it’s actually something people are not excited about. The question I want to raise, or the topic I want to discuss, is what are the indicators that demonstrate you have truly repented? Repentance is not merely being sorry you got caught; it is, in fact, bringing about a change.

Now, I want to invite your attention for a few moments to 2 Corinthians chapter 7. I’m going to begin reading at verse number 9. I need to provide a little background information as I discuss this. In chapter 7, Paul makes reference to earlier correspondence. He had written a first letter, and in this second letter, he acknowledges to them that he saw evidence they had repented and made a change.

Now, just hang with me for a little bit. In the first letter to the Corinthian Church, they had some issues, challenges, and problems. He wrote to correct them. In the first epistle, chapter 1, they were divided and not getting along. In chapter 3, he talks about the fact they were still babes in Christ. He says to them, «Look, you guys have been around long enough that you should be eating meat, but you’re still drinking milk.» That 's true of some of you today.

In chapter 3, he discusses the strife, envy, division, and carnality among them. They had sexual sins occurring in the church, as he mentions in chapters 5 and 6. In chapter 5, he talks about individuals known to be sinning without anyone challenging their lifestyles. In chapter 7, marital problems arise, as husbands and wives are not serving each other’s needs. The wife isn 't fulfilling her husband 's needs, and he decides to leave it there.

In chapter 9, there is a discussion about the pastor’s compensation, which creates tension. In chapter 10, he addresses idolatry and complaints among the congregants. Chapter 11 questions Paul’s authority, with claims that he lacks the right to exert authority. He discusses communion in this chapter, and in chapter 12, he explains how spiritual gifts operate. There is much going on with people prophesying, healing, performing miracles, and sharing words of knowledge and wisdom.

In chapter 13, he emphasizes that while they speak in tongues, they aren 't communicating in a way that builds each other up. Have I lost you yet? In chapter 14, he talks about how gifts should operate within the body of Christ. Chapter 15 addresses doctrinal errors regarding the resurrection, and in chapter 16, he talks about offerings and various issues within the church.

He spends the entire first letter trying to set these matters right. By the time we reach the second letter to the church in Corinth, he celebrates how they have responded and repented. I’m addressing this today because repentance is a lifestyle. Look at your neighbor and say, «It’s a lifestyle.» Now look at the person on the other side and tell them, «It’s a lifestyle.»

What do I mean by «a lifestyle»? It’s not something you do just once. A lifestyle means you are regularly repenting. If you were to be honest, there are numerous things in your life that you need to repent of. The closer you get to God, the more you study the Word, and the more you walk closely with the Lord, the more you realize how flawed you are. Do I have anybody in here who acknowledges their flaws? We should not make excuses, dismiss, or ignore these shortcomings. The call of God is for us to repent the moment He shows us something-turn away from it and leave it alone.

The question is, how do you know when you have truly repented? That is what I want to discuss today: what are the indicators that you have truly changed? In 2 Corinthians chapter 7, I will begin reading at verse 9. Can I just walk through this with you? Now, rejoice, he says, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led you to repentance. Stop. He is excited and grateful; he rejoices not because he made them sorry, but he is glad because their sorrow…