Mark 1:4

During Advent, we will be looking at how John the Baptist prepared people for Jesus' arrival. John proclaims a "baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." What is baptism? What does repentance look like in today's world? What exactly is sin and how is it forgiven? And how does all of this prepare us for Jesus? We will be asking those questions and more as we prepare for Jesus' birth on Christmas.

Calvin on Repentance

Reformed theologian John Calvin took the Hebrew word translated as "repentance" and the Greek word translated as "repentance," put the terms together, and determined that repentance is when "departing from ourselves, we turn to God."

SERMON OUTLINE:

I. John the Baptist and Repentance
A. Matthew - Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven has come near.
B. Luke - Bear fruits worthy of repentance.
C. John was known for calling people to repentance.
D. An odd ball, who calls Herod to repentance.
E. He prepared people for Jesus by calling them to repentance.

II. Repentance
A. Calvin's definition of repentance. "...departing from ourselves, we turn to God..."
B. What comes first? Faith or repentance? In Reformed tradition, Faith.
C. Faith allows us to admit we were wrong.

III. Admitting you're wrong.
A. Seems to be challenging.
B. Don't ever follow a leader who won't admit he or she is wrong.
C. Story about time I was wrong. Nothing happened. (Onions)
D. You are wrong. Total depravity.

IV. Embracing Repentance leads to Freedom.
A. Powerlessness - 12 Steps.
B. Repentance acknowledges the same.
C. No one asks you to be perfect or to overcome sin on your own.
D. "Turn to God."

V. Repentance creates opportunity to see God's faithfulness in our lives.
A. Not easy.
B. The reward is worth it.
C. What in your life do you need to repent of?
D. With whom can you share it?
E. God is faithful.

NEXT STEPS:

1) Is there anything in life you need to repent of?

2) Pray that God would make it clear to you what you need to repent of.

3) Find someone you trust and let them know what you need to repent of.

4) Turn to God in prayer.

GROWTH GROUP / PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1) How do you understand "repentance?" What does that word mean?

2) What is the best example of someone repenting that you can think of from scripture?

3) What is a good example of repentance that you have seen in your life?

4) Is repenting difficult for you? Why or why not?

5) How can repentance lead someone to freedom?

6) How does repentance prepare us for Jesus?

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