Necessity of Continuing Repentance

Review of the Importance and Essence of Repentance

0:03 Kind is to pass out one of these sheets of paper to everyone. I mentioned this morning that this being the last in our series of studies on the biblical doctrine of repentance that I had prepared a mimeographed sheet which has the skeleton of the outline that we've covered plus this diagram of the tree.

0:26 You'll receive one of these. I ask you to keep it before you as we review tonight the whole scope of what we have covered and then I want to bring the concluding message in this series of studies on this most vital theme, the biblical doctrine of repentance. I might just say as they're finishing passing these out that I ran off enough that if you'd like some for use to distribute to friends, relatives, keep a few on hand, please feel free to take them. There are several hundred left.

0:57 On the table there and then we have about another hundred back at the study at the parsonage. So if there's need for further copies, please just indicate the same and we'll be glad to make them available. Now just briefly to go through the general structure of our study and this will be an extended review and then we will come to our study tonight and this may help you then in using this for your own use and perhaps as you share. These truths of the word of God with others.

1:30 We first of all began our study by establishing the importance of this doctrine of repentance. One of the forgotten notes in much of modern preaching and teaching concerning the gospel as we saw in our study together these six lines of biblical evidence concerning the tremendous importance of this biblical doctrine. Scripture makes clear that there is no saving faith without repentance. And I.

1:57 Use the little phrase quoting Professor Murray again and again. All true repentance is permeated with faith and all true faith is permeated with repentance. And the text I have given to you in Acts and in Mark one very clearly joined together true faith and true repentance. And then we saw in the second place that repentance is the only alternative to perishing except you repent.

2:23 You shall perish. Thirdly the only. Gospel authorized by Jesus Christ is a gospel of repentance. Luke 24 45 to 48 a very important passage the only one of the Great Commission passages commonly called which gives us the doctrinal content of the gospel authorized by Jesus Christ.

2:45 And one of the dominant notes in that gospel is the note of repentance. And then we saw in a brief study of some of the sermons in the book of the Acts that the only gospel preached by. The Apostles was a gospel of repentance Peter in primarily ministering to the Jews Paul in ministering to the pagans act 17 Paul in the entirety of his ministry to Jew into Greek acts 2021 and 2620 affirms that repentance formed an integral and basic part of his message. And then in Hebrews 6 1 repentance is called the foundational truth clearly teaching here that if this.

3:27 Be defective in a person's foundational relationship to God. Then all the superstructure erected upon a repentance less foundation. Can only be so much sham and will be doomed to crumble. And then the text that we held before you constantly in our study it's only by repentance that we are prepared for the day of judgment God at the point of the day in which he will judge the world.

3:51 By that man Jesus Christ and in the light of that day. He commands all men. Everywhere to repent. So much for the importance of the doctrine.

4:01 And then as we sought to work out the essence of the doctrine I kept before you constantly this formal definition of the shorter catechism. I won't read it you have it there before you. And then in the second place we use this extended illustration the diagram of the tree. And as you can see I know artists but at least you can get the idea that sort of the cross section of a tree.

4:23 We first of all looked at the soil. That's way down the bottom. Of the diagram the soil of repentance the only soil in which true repentance will ever be found is the grace of God. And in these three texts of scripture repentance is called the gift of God.

4:41 It's an evidence of the working of the grace of the ascended Christ when a sinner is brought to true repentance. Then a tree cannot stand unless it be firmly rooted and the two roots of repentance are conviction of sin. And the laying. Hold of Christ crucified.

4:59 And then I've given the text that we looked at and then the trunk the main substance of repentance. The word means a change of mind a deep all pervasive change of mind respecting four basic areas our God our sin ourselves and righteousness. And I've typed those into those four trunks and over to the left I've given some of the basic text of scripture that we studied together. By.

5:26 Nature our attitude to God is one of indifference but in true repentance we turn to serve the living in the true God there is this radical change of mind about God the God whom we've ignored and the God whose claims we've spurned we now see is the God who is worthy of our love and of our obedience. Our attitude to sin by nature scripture says we are the bond servants of sin we drink iniquity like water and our attitude in repentance. And our attitude in repentance. Is one of grief sorrow and repudiation of sin as the text given clearly indicate.

6:03 I'd like to give a quote of Charles Spurgeon on this matter that I did not give that may help enforce this principle that repentance is a change of mind regarding sin. He says and I now quote Spurgeon repentance to be sure must be entire. Many will say sir I will renounce this sin or the other sin. But there are certain darling lusts.

6:26 Which I must keep. Oh sirs in God's name let me entreat you. Is not the giving up of any one sin or fifty sins which is true repentance. It is the solemn renunciation of.

6:39 Every sin. If thou dost harbor one of these accursed vipers in thy heart thy repentance is but a sham. If thou dost indulge in but one lust and thus give up every other. That one lust like one leak in a ship will sink.

6:55 By. Soul. Think it not sufficient to give up thy outward vices fancy it not enough to cut off the more corrupt sins of thy life. It is all or none which God demands.

7:07 Repent says he and when he bids you repent he means repent of all thy sins. Otherwise he can never accept thy repentance as being real. He says guilty as thou wilt oh sinner I abhor thee. I make thyself gaudy like the snake in its azure scales.

7:25 I hate thee still for I know thy venom and I will flee from thee when thou comest to me in thy most specious garb. All sin must be given up or else you shall never have Christ. All transgression must be renounced or else the gates of heaven must be barred against thee. Let us remember this that repentance to be sincere.

7:48 Must be. Entire. Oh how the prince of preachers would be crucified were he to preach in most of our evangelical. Circles today.

7:58 He says the anger of God burns to the person who refuses to repudiate from the heart. Every sin is not saying that there will be immediate victory over all sin. Scripture does not teach this but the disposition of heart is that there is a turning from all that we know to be contrary to the will and to the law of God. Repentance is this change of mind to God the change of mind to sin a change of mind to ourselves.

8:26 Our attitude by nature. We've turned to our own way we live unto ourselves second Corinthians five fifteen but in true repentance. We deny ourselves we say no to self self will self glory self praise as the end and governing motive of life. And return unto him to live unto him who loved us and gave himself for us.

8:50 And then last of all it's a change of mind regarding righteousness. Our attitude by nature. Either we're indifferent to being right with God there is no fear of God before their eyes Romans three eighteen or like the Jews we go about to establish our own righteousness. But in true repentance there is that disposition of heart in which we are glad to be accepted on the basis of the righteousness which God provides in his dear son.

9:19 We count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus the Lord. That we might. Be found in him. Now where that repentance is genuine.

9:30 It will produce its fruit and we saw in our study that such fruit is necessary as the evidence of the genuineness of repentance and the fruit of repentance will be most clearly discerned in the area of our most aggravated. And then in our last study and I told you I didn't know what to call it in but here I call it the leaves of repentance. We will make right our wrongs. With our fellow men where our repentance is genuine a change of mind of God the same to self into righteousness.

10:02 One of the things that will attend such true repentance will be the restitution of property taken. And we looked at the instance of Zacchaeus and also of Onesimus this runaway slave. And then there will be the confession of our sins to the person we have wronged which is the clear teaching of Holy Scripture so much for the review and I hope this makes. The little mimeograph sheet a workable thing for you and now we come tonight to what I'm calling the constant life of the tree of repentance.

Statement 1: Sincere Repentance Must Be Perpetual

10:34 The necessity and certainty of continued. Repentance and I don't know of a more necessary note upon which to close this series of studies and I'm going to make three statements tonight and then demonstrate their validity from Scripture. And then in conclusion draw some practical application from these three. Statements the first statement is this.

10:57 Repentance to be sincere. Must be. Perpetual. Repentance to be sincere.

11:07 Must be. Perpetual. Will you turn please to second Timothy chapter two. Which is a key text of Scripture demonstrating this truth.

11:20 This change of mind of God to sin to self into righteousness. Is it a temporary thing. Have we. Biblical grounds to believe we have the grace of repentance if we have had some temporary some passing change of mind to God to sin to self into righteousness.

11:43 Or. Must we have this perspective that if my repentance is genuine its genuineness will come to light. In its. Continuous second Timothy two.

11:56 And verse nineteen the context of this text is. Paul's statement concerning the fact that some have been teaching heresy. And have overthrown the faith of some within the professing church. Hymenaeus and Philetus have concerning the truth erred.

12:14 Have overthrown the faith of some. Some have gone out of the pale of the professing church. They've relinquished saving truth. They have followed these men.

12:26 Well does that mean then that the true church can be assailed and crumbled. Crumbled by heresy. Can the true church. Fail and fall.

12:35 No Paul says in verse nineteen. How be it the firm foundation of God's standard. Having this sealed. The Lord knoweth them that are his.

12:47 And. Let everyone that name it the name of the Lord depart. From unrighteousness. Or iniquity.

12:56 Though some have had their faith overthrown. God's foundation stands firm. And I believe the reference here in agreement with some of the. More able commentators is to the church.

13:09 No the church has not been shaken. Some who have been spurious believers have been shaken. But God's true church stands. And the imprint of the seal of ownership.

13:20 The seal of possession. The seal of protection is this. From the divine side the Lord knows those that are his. It's that decree of election that fixes the certainty.

13:33 Of the stability of the true church of Jesus Christ. The Lord knows them that are his. And now from the human standpoint. How do I declare that I am his and part of that true church.

13:45 Let everyone that names his name. Depart from iniquity. So the justice certainly from the divine side. The security of the church is rooted in God's elective.

13:58 Purposes his distinguishing love. He knows those that are his. So from the human side. We have confidence that we are part of that true church.

14:09 Only as that seal is wrought out in us. Let everyone who names the name of Christ. Depart from iniquity. And so I submit to you that repentance to be sincere.

14:23 Must be perpetual for everyone who's a part of the true church. Is one who's. Repented but that repentance is not a static thing. It is not a past thing.

14:33 It is a continuous thing. Everyone naming his name continually departing from iniquity. But someone asked the question. When is a Christian to repent?

When a Christian is to Repent: Continual Discovery of Sin

14:44 Well the answer is whenever and wherever sin and this clenching are discovered. Wherever sin is discovered. There is a call to repentance. Whenever sin is discovered.

14:55 There is a call to repentance. Notice this in our Lord's dealings with the seven churches of Asia Minor. We could turn to other passages. But this passage will suffice to illustrate the principle.

15:09 Here our Lord speaking to the church at Ephesus in Revelation chapter 2. Commends them for the areas of virtue that he sees. I know thy works thy toil thy patience etc. Verse 4.

15:24 But I have this against thee. That thou didst leave thy first love. Remember therefore whence thou art fallen and repent. When are they to repent?

15:35 When our Lord discovers sin and declension. Not some other time but then when our Lord speaks and says I have this against thee. And pinpoints the issue. There is the call to repentance to the people of God.

15:51 Further on in this chapter verses 14 to 16. I have a few things against thee. Because thou hast there some that hold the teeth. The teaching of Balaam who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel.

16:04 To eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit fornication. So hast thou also some that hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Which I in like manner repent therefore. Or else I will come to thee quickly and make war with them with the sword of my mouth.

16:23 Here our Lord discovers not declension of heart but a defection from truth. But in this case. He calls to repentance. He says change your mind.

16:33 Let there be a turning. Let there be a rectifying of the situation. Chapter 3. He speaks to a church whose reputation exceeds her experience.

16:43 And he says thou hast a name that thou livest and thou art dead. Well what are they to do? When our Lord discovers this condition. He says in verse 3.

16:51 Remember therefore how thou hast received and didst hear. And keep it and repent. If therefore. Thou shalt not repent.

17:00 But watch I will come as a thief. He calls them to repentance. Further on in this chapter when speaking to the church of the Laodiceans. In their smugness and self complacency.

17:11 He says be zealous therefore and repent. When is a Christian to repent? Whenever and wherever sin and declension are discovered. Repentance to be sincere must be perpetual.

17:27 When is the Christian to repent? Whenever. And wherever sin is discovered. So that the child of God will be a continual penitent.

17:36 Because sin will be continually discovered in his heart. With Peter. It was a glance from our Lord. That stirred his slumbering conscience.

17:47 And led him to repentance. You remember the instance. Our Lord had said before the cock crowed. Thrice thou, twice thou shall deny me thrice.

17:55 And Peter's conscience had slumbered. There was no repentance. He had cursed and denied. But when our Lord looked upon Peter.

18:03 That glance from the Son of God. Pierced his heart. Awakened his slumbering conscience. And it led him to repentance.

18:12 With David it was the searching preaching of Nathan. Who came to him. And after giving that parable you remember said. David thou art the man.

18:20 And the conscience that had been slumbering was awakened. Sin was discovered. And David went down on his face before the Lord. In repentance.

18:29 Peter it was a glance of our Lord. David it was the searching probing ministry of a prophet. With the church at Corinth. Paul could say.

18:39 Oh what clearing of yourselves. What godly sorrow you had. A sorrow that leads to repentance. Not to be repented of.

18:47 What was the means the Lord used with the Corinthians. It was the faithful admonition of the Apostle Paul in a letter. You see God uses all of these different means. To discover sin.

18:59 In the hearts of his children. But wherever whenever and however he discovers it. Whenever sin is discovered there. Is the call to repentance.

19:08 And so the child of God. Who comes not just to play church. But who comes with a heart that longs to follow hard after his God. He's open and receptive.

19:20 It may be a glance of Christ. That comes in the singing of a hymn. As we gather about the Lord's table. It may be the application of a verse.

19:28 Of scripture. It may be the example of a fellow believer. It may be the faithful exhortation and rebuke. Of a fellow child of God.

19:37 But whatever the Lord uses. Wherever and whenever God discovers sin. There God comes to us with his call to repent. And the proof that any past repentance was genuine and sincere.

19:53 Is that there is present repentance. In our hearts and lives. Repentance. To be sincere.

20:00 Must be perpetual. All the promises of God are to the overcomers. Read them there in Revelation 2 and 3. He calls to repentance.

20:10 And then he says to him that overcometh. Blessing is granted. To him that overcometh. Blessing is granted.

20:18 And so as we face this principle. You and I as God's people. Must as it were roll up our sleeves. And determine and settle it.

20:26 That as long as we're here. In this state of imperfect sanctification. Repentance is going to be an integral part of our Christian experience. As distasteful as it may be at times.

20:37 As bitter as the tears of repentance may be. As distasteful to the flesh. As true searching of heart may be. As you heard last Lord's Day morning.

20:49 Settle it child of God. If you would have true assurance that you're his. If you would bear the mark of one who's sealed of God. Then you must be a continual penitent.

21:00 There is no other way open to you. There is no other way. No other way. Repentance to be sincere.

Statement 2: Sincere Repentance Will Be Perpetual

21:08 Must be. Perpetual. But then there's a second statement. And I find this greatly encouraging.

21:14 Repentance when sincere. Will be perpetual. Not only must it be. It shall be.

21:21 Will you turn please to 1 John chapter 3. A chapter. Which is setting forth. The fact that a true child of God.

21:30 Cannot be at home in the realm of sin. Everyone who has the hope of being one day made like unto Jesus Christ. Purifies himself even as he is pure. And then John goes on to say.

21:46 Beginning with verse 5. And ye know that he was manifested to take away sins. And in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not.

21:55 That is he does not make a practice of sin. Whosoever makes a practice of sin hath not seen him. Neither knoweth him. My little children let no man lead you astray.

22:06 He that doeth righteousness is righteous. Even as he is righteous. He that doeth sin. He that makes a practice of sin is of the devil.

22:14 For the devil sinneth from the beginning. To this end was the Son of God manifested. That he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is begotten of God doeth no sin.

22:26 Does not mean. He will not commit specific acts of sin. For John has already said in chapter 1 and verse 10. If we say that we have not sinned.

22:35 We make him a liar. Verse 8. If we say we have no sin. We deceive ourselves.

22:39 He is not contradicting himself. What he is saying is. Whosoever is begotten of God doeth no sin. That is he is not given over to the course of sin.

22:49 To the path of sin. Though there are individual sins in his life. There will be repentance for those sins. Though sin may dominate him in a given area.

22:59 By repentance its domination is broken. There is cleansing. There is repudiation. Though he falls.

23:06 He picks himself up again by the grace of God. Now what does he give as the reason? Notice. Whosoever is begotten of God doeth no sin.

23:15 Because his seed abideth in him. And he cannot sin. Because he is begotten of God. He says.

23:26 The reason he cannot be at home in the realm of sin. Is because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Called here his seed abideth in him. The principle of divine life.

23:40 That which imparted the life of God in regeneration. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is such. That his repentance being the result of the Spirit's regenerating work. In its initial stages being sincere.

23:56 It will be perpetual. He that is born of God. Cannot make a practice of sin. Because his seed remaineth in him.

24:04 And it's the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Which secures and seals to the true believer. His continuance in a life of repentance. Listen to the promises that God gives in the Old Testament.

24:17 Speaking of the blessings of the new covenant. Jeremiah chapter 32. One of the most precious promises in all the word of God. Verses 38 to 40.

24:32 Jeremiah 32 38 to 40. They shall be my people and I will be their God. And I will give them one heart in one way that they may fear me forever. For the good of them and of their children after them.

24:49 And I will make an everlasting covenant with them. That I will not turn away from following them. And do them good. And I will put my fear in their hearts.

25:01 That they may not depart from me. See what God is saying? Sure there is plenty in the world about them. Plenty in the potential of their own flesh to cause them to go back.

25:13 To have an initial repentance that turns out to be nothing. But God says I will do something to secure. Not only the beginning of their walking in my ways. But the continuance.

25:25 I will put my fear into their hearts. So that they shall not depart from my ways. This is essentially the same promise made in Ezekiel chapter 36. A parallel passage.

25:37 And verse 27. Ezekiel 36 27. And I will put my spirit within you. And cause you to walk in my statutes.

25:47 And ye shall keep mine ordinances and do them. This is the wonder of the work of grace. God says you must be perpetually penitent. Then he says I will make you to be perpetually penitent.

26:04 It is sure that you must be. It is certain that you shall be. If I have worked in your heart. So the first statement is true.

26:13 Repentance to be sincere must be perpetual. But the second is equally true. Repentance when sincere will be perpetual. Why?

Divine Security of Perpetual Repentance: Spirit and Intercession

26:21 Because of the indwelling of the spirit. So that in the outworking. In practical experience. Proverbs 24 16 is the experience of the true child of God.

26:32 Notice what God says in this text. And then we will look at a parallel passage in the Psalms. Proverbs 24 16. For a righteous man falleth seven times.

26:44 Oh. The righteous fall. Yes. Does this mean literally seven times.

26:50 If I have used up my seven. That proves I am not a righteous man. No. He is using the term.

26:56 Seven times the number of perfection. The righteous man may fall often. But. Being the righteous man.

27:05 Notice. He rises up again. Why? Because God says I will put my spirit within him.

27:11 So that they may not depart from my fear. I will cause them to walk in my statutes. He that is born of God cannot practice sin. Because his seed remaineth in him.

27:20 And he cannot practice sin. He is born of God. Ah. But by contrast.

27:27 The wicked are overthrown by calamity. The person who makes a fair start. And seems to show the evidence of life. And then some sin swallows him up.

27:38 And he is immersed in it. And as it were drinks iniquity. And he wallows in it. And he is left in it.

27:44 Ah. He says. This is the wicked who is overthrown. No.

27:49 No. The child of God falls seven times. And rises again. Notice Psalm 37.

27:53 A parallel passage. Psalm 37. Verses 23 and 24. A man's goings are established of the Lord.

28:07 See this is the principle we are emphasizing in this second point. Though we must continue in repentance. If we are the Lord's. We shall.

28:17 For our goings are established of the Lord. And he delighteth in his way. Though he fall. He shall not be utterly cast down.

28:26 For the Lord upholdeth him. With his hand. What's the difference between a miserable apostate. Who makes affairs show in the beginning.

28:38 And then utterly falls. And is swallowed up in his iniquity. And the true child of God. Who may have miserable falls.

28:45 As did David. As did Abraham. Who may have areas of the life. That bring great grief to himself.

28:52 Here's the difference. The true child of God. Whose way and goings are established of the Lord. Though he fall.

28:59 He shall never be utterly cast down. For the Lord upholds him. With his own hand. And so the indwelling of the spirit secures.

29:08 That his repentance will be perpetual. And also the intercession of Christ. Secures the same. Scripture tells us in Hebrews 7.25.

29:18 Wherefore he is able to save. To the uttermost. Those who come unto God by him. Seeing he ever liveth.

29:26 To make intercession for them. And that which he prays for his own. Is found in the 17th chapter of John. Is this among other things.

29:34 I pray that thou shouldst keep them from. The evil one. I pray that those whom thou hast given me. Shall be with me where I am.

29:44 Well if those who are his own. Are going to be with him. And the evidence there. That they are his own.

29:50 Is that they continually depart from iniquity. That prayer of our Lord secures. The perpetuation of their repentance.

29:59 This is why our Lord said to Peter. Satan hath desired thee to sift thee as wheat. But when thou art turned again. Strengthen thy brethren.

30:07 Why I have prayed for thee. I have prayed for thee. And my intercession will secure. Your turning again.

30:15 Into the way of righteousness. And so it was a glance from our Lord. That became the means of the fulfillment. Of the intercession of our Lord.

30:23 Child of God it should fill us. With wonder and amazement. How often have you thought. How often have I thought.

30:31 When the Lord has used the phrase. From a sermon that has pricked the heart. And brought the slumbering conscience awake. And stabbed us and brought us to repentance.

30:39 That that phrase. That the preacher used. Was in answer to the intercession of Christ. That you be preserved.

30:47 That sight of Christ. That you got at the communion table. That broke your heart. And grew you afresh.

30:56 That phrase that leaped out in your own devotional life. And seared. And burned its way into your heart. And brought you broken.

31:04 Or those unexplainable times. When you haven't even been disposed. To seek the Lord. And it's as though God has just sent.

31:12 A zephyr of His Spirit's movement. Across your heart. And drawn you afresh. To a place of repentance.

31:21 Those movings and actings of the Spirit. Were the fruit of the intercession of Christ. Even as in Peter's case. That glance from our Lord.

31:29 Was the fruit of the intercession of our Lord. He said I've prayed for thee. That thy faith fail not. And when thou art turned again.

31:37 And the means used was that glance. Oh may God fill our hearts with amazement. At times as I look back in my own life. I'm amazed.

31:45 When I think of how. How imperceptibly sin has dulled my conscience. And how cold I've become. And how vulnerable I've become.

31:53 To so many enemies. Within my own heart. And the world without. That being so foolish.

32:01 And so careless. And unnecessarily exposing myself. To so many dangers. By my prayerlessness.

32:09 And lack of watchfulness. And hardness of heart. How is it that I didn't as it were. Go out and get swallowed up in iniquity.

32:17 And I come back again and again to this. I have prayed for thee. I have prayed for thee. And the intercession of the Lord Jesus Christ.

32:26 Is that which secures. The perpetuation of the repentance. Of the child of God. So true repentance.

32:34 The repentance that the risen Christ gives. Is not the fit of a moment. But beginning that work of repentance. In us as with every other work.

32:42 He begins in regeneration. He will carry it on. Until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1 in verse 6.

32:50 He that hath begun a good work in you. And is not repentance. The beginnings of that good work. He will carry it on until the day of Jesus Christ.

God's Work of Repentance Carried to Completion

32:58 So repentance. To be sincere must be perpetual. Child of God determine. That it shall be so in you.

33:06 But secondly repentance when sincere. Will be perpetual. Hence we can press on in the confidence. That our Lord will carry on.

33:14 The work he's begun. We have a basis to come to him in prayer. And say Lord I see the beginnings. Of repentance in me.

33:22 Something that would never be there by nature. You've begun this. Lord you've committed yourself to carry on your work. And what a strong basis.

33:30 To lead with him. That he will carry on that work. Until the day of Christ. Then there's a third statement.

Statement 3: Non-Perpetual Repentance is Insincere

33:39 I want to make by way of warning. Repentance that is not perpetual. Demonstrates itself to be insincere. The key text of scripture.

33:47 That I want to turn your attention to. Is second Peter chapter two. Repentance to be sincere. Must be perpetual.

33:57 Repentance when sincere. Will be perpetual. Repentance that is not perpetual. Is insincere.

34:06 Second Peter chapter two. Speaking of some who have come in. To the what we would call. The circle of the professing church.

34:21 Who have made some kind. Of confession of Christ. Have even shown some evidence. Of repentance.

34:29 There's been some cutting off. From the defiling influences of the world. And the flesh and the devil. But now notice the description of them.

34:37 Verse twenty. After they have escaped. The defilements of the world. There's been some evidence.

34:45 Of a change of mind to God. To sin to self. And even to the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ. For it says.

34:53 This escape has come through the knowledge. Of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. They are again. Entangled therein.

35:01 And overcome. The child of God. May be ensnared. But we've read these passages.

35:09 That say he is never so ensnared. As to be overcome and submerged. No though he falls seven times. He rises up again.

35:17 Though he is cast down. He'll not be utterly cast down. The Lord upholdeth him. But here's the man.

35:25 Here's the woman. Who's shown some evidence of escaping. The defilements of the world. Through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

35:33 But they are not only entangled. But overcome. By the state of impenitence. Notice what he says concerning such.

35:41 The last state is become worse. With them than the first. For it were better for them. Not to have known the way of righteousness.

35:49 Than after knowing it. To turn back from the holy commandment. Delivered unto them. It has happened unto them.

35:57 According to the true proverb. The dog turning to his own vomit again. And the sow that had washed. To her wallowing.

36:05 In the mire. The dog's nature is such. That as soon as whatever caused his stomach upset. Is gone.

36:14 He goes back to his vomit. Because it's a dog's nature to do so. And for whatever reason the pig. The sow has left.

36:22 Her mud in the mire. Given an opportunity to express her true nature. She's back in that mire. This is the picture.

36:30 Of the person who has some semblance. Of repentance. But that repentance is not perpetual. Peter says it proves it was never sincere.

36:38 The dog was still a dog. And the sow was still a sow. There had never been that transformation. Of heart and of nature.

36:46 For had there been. That work which truly begun. By God's grace. Would have been carried on.

Apostasy and the Nature of Insincere Repentance

36:54 In cases of apostasy are real. It's the Bible that gives us. The history of a Saul. Of a Judas.

37:02 Of a Demas. We didn't get that out of fiction. Those are the raw facts. Of many who give some semblance.

37:11 Of beginnings of repentance. But who prove themselves. To be insincere. Because they do not.

37:19 Pursue. And overcome. I quote Spurgeon again. For his words are so scriptural.

37:28 And searching. Lastly upon this point. True repentance must be perpetual. It's not my turning to God.

37:36 Even today that will be a proof. That I'm a true convert. It is forsaking my sins. Throughout the whole course of my life.

37:44 Until I sleep in the grave. You must not fancy. That to be upright for a week. Will be a proof that you are saved.

37:52 It is a perpetual. Abhorrence of evil. The change which God works. Is neither a transitory.

38:00 Nor superficial one. Not a cutting off of the top of the weed. But an ultimate eradication. Not the sweeping away.

38:08 Of the dust of one day. But the taking away of that. Which is the cause of the dust. You may today go home.

38:16 And pretend to pray. You may today be serious. Tomorrow honest. And the next day you may pretend to be devout.

38:24 But yet if you return. As scripture has it. Like the dog to its vomit. And like the sow to its wallowing in the mire.

38:32 Your repentance will but sink you. Deeper into hell. With divine grace. In your heart.

38:42 As we conclude this study in repentance. With these three statements of scripture. May I in closing bring a word of exhortation. Related to each one.

Exhortation 1: Press On in Perpetual Repentance

38:50 Repentance. To be sincere. Must be perpetual. This then becomes an exhortation.

38:58 To each one of us who professes. To have the grace of repentance. To press on. In the way of repentance.

39:06 Until the battle with sin is over. And our bible teaches us. It is not going to be over. Until he comes back again.

39:14 Or we enter the realm of the spirits of just men. Made perfect through the jaws of death. Child of God. Don't look for an easy way.

39:22 There is none. As long as sin is here. As long as sin is within your own breast. And as long as there is any susceptibility to sin in the world.

39:30 Repentance. To be sincere. Must be perpetual. If it were to roll up our sleeves.

39:39 And press on. And not be discouraged. This is the way it is. But in the light of that second principle.

Exhortation 2: Look to God for Grace to Overcome

39:48 Repentance where sincere. Will be perpetual. We must not look within. For grace to overcome.

39:56 We must look to our sovereign Lord. Who has begun this work of grace in us. And plead with him. To fulfill these covenanted promises.

40:04 I will put my fear within you. And you shall not. Repent from me. Though the righteous falls seven times.

40:12 He rises up again. What tremendous basis of confidence. We have to come to our Lord. And say Lord I know.

40:20 I must continue to repent. But oh Lord. It is not in man that walketh. To direct his steps.

40:29 Turn me and I shall be turned. And so in the light of that second principle. That true repentance. Sincere repentance.

40:37 Is the fruit of the work. In which grace. We may plead with him. And look to our Lord in confidence.

Exhortation 3: Do Not Take False Comfort in Past Grace

40:45 That he will not forsake the work of his hands. Then in the light of that third principle. Any professed repentance. That is not perpetual is insincere.

40:53 Should bring us to the place. Where we never. Now follow me closely. Where we never if we are enmeshed.

41:01 In any given area of sin. With a spirit of indifference. Not seeking to be extricated from it. Not seeking to deal with it.

41:09 Not wallowing in it. It is spiritual. Self destruction. In that condition.

41:18 To try to take comfort. From any past workings of repentance. And I have seen this happen. Time after time.

41:26 When people begin to be entangled. And overcome by sin. They try to look back. To some past experience.

41:34 To give them comfort. That they are still in the state of grace. Listen. In any state.

41:47 Where your heart is in love with your sin. Don't you look for comfort in it. There is not a verse in the Bible. To give you comfort.

41:56 If you are overcome. And crushed. And feel hopeless. And yet you long for deliverance.

42:04 And don't even know the way of deliverance. Ah the very fact that there is a longing. You have grounds to take comfort. Lord you have put this little stirring.

42:12 Of longing for deliverance. Thank you for it. Lord carry on what you have begun. That is one thing.

42:20 For the child of God who hasn't yet been brought. To the place of joyous release. And forgiveness and renewal. To plead with God.

42:28 On the basis of past mercies. But to sit down and sin. And to wallow in it. And take comfort.

42:36 From some past revelations of grace. Is to turn the grace of God into license. And to destroy one's soul with impunity. No.

Final Warning Against Apostasy and Call to Christ

42:46 Repentance to be sincere. Must be perpetual. Repentance wherever sincere. Will be perpetual.

42:54 Repentance that is not perpetual. Is insincere. One of the. Very heart breaking aspects.

43:05 Of the ministry is this awful fact. Of apostasy. And I wonder as I look out into the faces. Of you people here.

43:14 And more generally speaking. It will come with those of you who are younger now. I wonder. Who will be the next Judas.

43:25 The next Demas. The next Saul. Who having been part of the visible church. Is entangled.

43:34 And overcome. Oh if there's a potential Judas here. May you never try to find comfort. When you've turned your back upon the Lord.

43:44 And his truth and his ways. That you once sat with the people of God. No no my friend. Take no comfort.

43:52 Take no comfort. Take no comfort. Never let it be said. That you heard from this pulpit.

44:02 Well if you once made a decision. Everything's all right. No no. If God has begun the work of this grace.

44:12 He'll carry it on. And the evidence that he's carrying it on. Is that among other things. The grace of repentance.

44:20 Is still being supplied in your heart and life. By the risen Christ. Who purchased that grace. Along with all other graces.

44:29 For all of his precious sheep. To make of us. True penitents. For in that way.

44:37 We'll be marked as a people. Full of joy. And of the Holy Ghost. Well you say that's a whole bunch of contradiction.

44:45 If I ever heard it. I thought repentance involved grief. And sorrow for sin. It does.

44:53 But though weeping may endure for a night. Joy cometh in the morning. And what joy is there. That can match the joy.

45:01 Of a vagrant. With the kiss of God's forgiveness. What joy can match. That deep joy.

45:09 Of knowing I'm right with my God. He's discovered sin. But by his grace I've dealt with it. And put it away.

45:17 And go on walking in the light. As he is in the light. I think that's what Isaiah 57 15 means. When it says.

45:25 Thus saith the high and lofty one. That inhabited eternity. Whose name is holy. That dwelleth in the high and holy place.

45:33 With him also that is of a humble. And a contrite spirit. To revive the heart. Of the contrite.

45:41 And to revive the spirit of the humble. He pours in his life. Into that broken and contrite. May God enable us.

45:51 To be that kind of people. Even as he's promised. All of his own will be. And if you find yourself a stranger.

45:59 To what I've talked about. My friend let me direct you to the Lord Jesus. Who sits upon a throne. This night.

46:07 To give repentance. And remission of sin. Cast yourself upon his mercy. Acknowledge that there's nothing in you.

46:15 That can in any way. Make you acceptable before him. But that you do believe his promise. That all who come unto the father by him.

46:23 Will be welcomed. Accepted. Received. Cleansed.

46:31 Forgiven. And true. None but Jesus. None but Jesus can do helpless sinners.

46:39 Let us pray.