Even under Persecution, Church in Iran Grows

In Sunday school, we looked at how believers ought to have a desire to not forsake gathering together. I mentioned how even persecution doesn't quell this desire (see Hebrews 10:24-25 - the situation of those he is writing to is one involving persecution).

The Gospel Coalition has a a modern example from our brothers and sisters in Iran. It is entitled "5 Ways Persecution in Iran has Backfired." I hope you find it encouraging.

Repentance Vs. Remorse Bible Study

I found myself encouraged and corrected as I thought about and preached on Psalm 51 and the topic of repentance. I find it is often easy to be sorry, but that my sorrow is often not a godly sorrow which leads to true repentance. If you want some help thinking more about the topic of repentance, here is a Bible study I made on the subject. I encourage you to look at it and spend some time with the passages of Scripture listed in it. Maybe do one passage a day.

Repentance and Remorse Bible Study

People often don’t understand what repentance is.  As a result, many people don’t practice true, biblical repentance.  Thankfully, the Bible has a lot to say about this topic.  So, roll up your sleeves and dig into God’s Word to learn what repentance is and how it applies to your life.

1. Read Psalm 51

• What circumstance prompted David to write this Psalm according to the superscription above verse 1 (if you are unfamiliar with this event read 2 Samuel 11-12)? 

• In verses 1-2, what does David plea to God for? 

• He wants God to treat him according to His _____________ and ______________ (v 1).  Why should knowing that God possess these attributes cause a Christian to be quick to confess his or her sins to God? 

• Who does David say his sin was ultimately against (v. 4)? _______________________  Do you realize that every sin you commit has an impact on your vertical relationship (with God) and horizontal relationships (with others)?  David teaches us that ultimately every sin is first and foremost an offense against a holy God.  Our sin is rebellion against God.  We cannot have a right relationship with God if our sins are not dealt with (v. 9).

• In verse 7, who does David ask to cleanse him? ________________________________  Do you try to cleanse yourself from sin by doing good things (going to church, reading your Bible, helping people, etc.)?  Do those things cleanse you? (See Titus 3:5). 

• What does David ask for in verse 10? David realized that the problem was deeper than his sinful behavior.  He needed to be changed and cleansed from the inside out.

• According to verses 16-17 what is God most interested in? ________________________  Does this mean that God doesn’t expect right behavior (read v. 18-19)? 

• How can you apply this passage to your situation?  What are some key aspects of repentance you gleaned from it?

2. Read Proverbs 28:13

• The one who obtains mercy must _______________ and _______________ sins. 

• To confess is to agree with God’s judgment of your sinful thoughts and behavior- to call them what he calls them (rebellion against his loving rule in your life).

• To forsake is to turn away from something and leave it behind.

• Is confessing your sins the same as repentance?  Why or why not?

• How can you apply this passage to your life today? 

3. Read Joel 2:12-13

• The word “return” is used here to refer to repentance.  The same word is used in Ezekiel 14:6, “Thus says the Lord: Repent and turn away from your idols, and turn away your faces from all your abominations.”  In both passages it means to turn from sin to God.

• What does verse 13 say the people should rend/tear? 

• Rending garments in biblical times was an outward way of showing the inward reality of a broken heart.  Is it possible for someone to do outward actions that show a broken heart while not really having a broken heart over sin?  Give some examples. 

4. Read 2 Corinthians 7:8-11

• Paul had sent the Corinthians a letter to confront some of their sins (v. 8).  How did they respond to the letter according to verse 9? 

• In verse 10, Paul says there are two types of grief or sorrow over sin.  What are they? 

• What is the difference between these to types of sorrow?   Is feeling guilty or sorry over sin the same thing as repentance? 

• The word “salvation” here does not just refer to a person being able to enter into heaven one day.  It refers to a Christian’s current spiritual vitality/walk with God and future eternal life.

• Read what one commentator had to say about the difference between these two types of grief:

Being sorrowful as God intended is feeling the deep grief that comes from knowing that our attitudes and actions have harmed our relationship with God.  ‘Godly sorrow’ feels bad because it is missing out on God … Worldly sorrow is the grief that comes about because one’s actions result in missing out on something the world has to offer.  Worldly sorrow feels bad because it wants more of the world (Hafmann, NIV Application Commentary: 2 Corinthians, 312).

            Which type of sorrow do you usually have?  How can you tell? 

• In verse 11, Paul goes on to list 7 qualities or attitudes that are seen as fruit that proves that the Corinthians actually repented.  Read Luke 3:8 and Acts 26:19-20.  Should we expect to see right thoughts and behavior flow out of true repentance? 

• In your situation, what type of fruit (new behavior and thoughts) do you think should flow out of your repentance? 

5. Examples of Sorrow over Sin

• Read Matthew 27:1-5.  This event occurred after Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. 

• Judas felt sad (remorse).  Does Judas exemplify worldly or godly sorrow?  Explain your answer. 

• Read Matthew 26:69-75 and John 21:15-17.  Peter also felt sorrow over his sin.  Does Peter exemplify worldly or godly sorrow?  Explain your answer. 

• Godly sorrow comes from a heart that sees sin as rebellion against God, and it leads to a decisive turnaround from sin to God.  Worldly sorrow feels the same pain, but it is caused because of unwelcomed consequences (feelings of guilt, fear of punishment, or difficult circumstances) and does not lead to a true turning from sin to God.  It may lead a person to turn from a particular sin (to avoid more consequences or as a form of trying to pay for his or her sin), but it will not bring true repentance or lead to God.  Which type of sorrow do most often experience and how do you know which one it is?

6. Summary- Repentance involves the following ingredients:

1. Recognizing your sin and seeing it for what it is: Rebellion against God.
2. Sorrow over your sin.  This may involve literal tears, but it does not have to.  What is important is that your heart is broken over your sin because you know it has dishonored God and affected your relationship with Him.
3. Confessing your sin to God in prayer (agreeing with God that you have sinned and that the sin has affected your relationship with Him and other people).  Be specific and name the sin.
4. Asking for God’s mercy to cleanse you.  Jesus died to pay for your sin.
5. Turning from the sin towards God (both in your heart and behavior).  

Battle Sin by Hating It

Commenting on the Psalm 51, Charles Spurgeon writes,

When we deal seriously with our sin, God will deal gently with us. When we hate what the Lord hates, he will soon make an end of it, to our joy and peace.

If we hate what the Lord hates and love what he loves, will we not find our effectiveness in putting off sin and putting on righteousness growing? We will still fail at times, but as David does in Psalm 51, we return in sorrow and repentance. And what is repentance but the hatred of sin, renouncing of it, and returning to the joy of our salvation.

So, as we battle sin. let's ask God to help us truly hate sin as he does. Until we hate our sin we will not make much progress in battling it. And, until we love what God loves, we will not grow in righteousness.

Why Christians Need to be Part of a Church

In an culture that reeks of individualism, we, as Christians, must often remind ourselves that God has placed us into a family and body with other Christians. By definition we are not to be "lone rangers."

In an article entitled, "Yes Christian, You Need the Church," Josh Buice gives some ammunition for us to combat the pull towards personal preference and individualism. Below are the main headings, but the whole thing is a helpful read (the article is short, so give it a read).

We Need the Church for:

1. Worship – Not Entertainment or Performance
2. Spiritual Development
3. Christ-Centered Friendship
4. Biblical Leadership
5. Missions

If you are wondering what a healthy church looks like, check our 9marks.org for some biblical thinking. 

A Testimony on Dealing with Depression

Crossway has a video (4 minutes) from Phil Ryken (president of Wheaton Bible College) about God's grace as he faced a time of depression.

When Trouble Comes: Phil Ryken's Personal Testimony from Crossway on Vimeo.

I hope you find it encouraging and helpful. Another resource you might find helpful is a sermon I preached on Psalm 88 several years ago (click here and look for the sermon from 7/15/12).

"If I'm Dead to Sin, Why Must I Kill It Every Day?"

Here is a good podcast episode from the Ask Pastor John podcast answering the question, "If I'm dead to sin, why must I kill it every day?".

Is it OK to Spend Money on Leisure?

Randy Alcorn supplies a helpful answer over at his blog. I thought it fit well with what we talked about at Bible study last night. Below is an excerpt: 

I believe that as believers, we should be wrestling with our own wealth in this materialistic, wealth-centered culture and seeking to give more. We shouldn’t assume that just because God has entrusted all this to us He intends for us to keep it. By embracing lifestyles that free up money, we can invest in helping others and furthering the progress of the gospel.  

And yet, the answer isn’t asceticism, believing that money and things are evil. The biblical view is that God has provided for us in His creation a wealth of pleasures and comforts He desires us to enjoy, to His glory: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

...

So how do we find the right balance between how much we give, and how much we keep to use for our family’s needs, as well as for God-honoring recreation and enjoyment? I believe the tension reflected in that question is healthy. As we continue to grow in Christ, we prayerfully evaluate and seek God’s guidance.