Fruit of Repentance

Acts 26:18-20 Repent or Perish

In "Fruit of Repentance," Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds Acts 26:20, Matthew 3:8, Matthew 7:17-20, and Romans 6:22, arguing for the absolute necessity of repentance bearing fruit in a believer's life. He defines the nature of this fruit as an extension of initial repentance—ongoing grief for sin, confession, mortification of sin, and purposeful obedience—and identifies its source as the continuing grace of God. Martin challenges visitors and the congregation to examine their lives for genuine fruit, warning that a lack thereof indicates an unregenerate state and leads to perishing.

3 illustrations in this sermon

The Nature of the Fruit of Repentance

compare analogy

Apple Tree and Its Fruit

Driving home: The fruits of repentance are nothing more or less than an extension into the whole of life of the very essence of the beginnings of repentance.

The analogy of an apple tree producing luscious apples illustrates that the fruit of repentance is simply the expression of the tree's life, showing that repentance and its fruit are of the same nature.

It is just the flowering, blossoming out into life of the principles inherent in the repentance itself. That's where the imagery of the tree and its fruit. If you go to a well-kept, well-pruned apple tree in October, and you see on it luscious, ripe apples, what are those apples? They are simply an expression into that particular fruit of the very life of the tree.

26:36 - 27:06 Read in full sermon

The Source of the Fruit of Repentance

person anecdote

Plain Jane Worship and Preaching

Driving home: Frankly, I don't care what you think about me. Because if I never see your face again in this earth, on the day of judgment, I'll act like I'm a Christian. I'll act like I'm a Christian. I'll act like I'm a Christian. an…

Martin addresses visitors who might find the worship 'plain Jane' without entertainment, explaining that the seriousness of heaven and hell precludes jokes and focuses on faithfully delivering God's Word, regardless of personal opinion.

all the world and in all the world and in all the world and in the world and in all the world and in all the world is telling us our story age and origin age being in b the hand c drin so fat the realization this is serious business to be a Christian in the fallen world. He will go on to tell them in this very setting they are like luminaries against the darkness of

43:35 - 44:19 Read in full sermon

palette metaphor

Swimming Against the Current

The point: When feeling the tumult of sin and the world's seduction, plead God's promises, reminding Him that He began the good work and must bring it to completion.

The metaphor of swimming against the current of humanity into hell illustrates the struggle against sin that believers experience, which is evidence of God's work in them, prompting them to plead for His continued grace.

And therefore, we can depend upon Him. We can plead His promises when we feel the raging tumult of our own sin, and the seduction of the world that, like a powerful magnet, pulls on the iron filings of our hearts. And we can say, Oh God, I'm in this struggle because You put me in it. Left to myself, I'd be floating down the stream of humanity into hell with no conflict with sin in the world. But Lord,

46:34 - 47:04 Read in full sermon

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