Killing Kryptonite | Week 9

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Week 9 | Repentance

Weather | 77° F | Humidity 94% | Wind: 3mph ESE

4 Pax continued the book study at Adventure Park at 6:15 for the ninth week of Killing Kryptonite. This week wrapped up the 3rd section of the book. We are in the fourth quarter now, and 3 weeks remain.

The reading assignment was chapters 20-21.

Repentance

  • There is no true faith in Christ without repentance from sin.
  • Why would God care so much how we live?
  • How are all the people that don’t know supposed to know they need to repent unless we tell them?
  • What might happen to us if we tell people to stop sinning and repent?
  • Why is it so important to count the cost of sharing the full gospel?

Chapter 20 – Repentance

  • Repentance is not optional, but necessary to receive eternal life.
  • How is repentance different in the Old Testament vs the New Testament?

Matthew 15:19-20 (NLT) “For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. 20 These are what defile you.”

Repentance involves our mind, will, and emotions. It penetrates the depths of our heart.

Matthew 7:16 (NLT) “You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act.“

  • We are defined by our actions, not our intentions.
  • The majority of leaders focus on only non-confrontational aspects of the gospel.
  • Should we avoid confronting sin and calling for repentance to avoid any hint of legalism?
    • If we don’t new believers will continue to live by today’s standards.
  • New Testament commandments. There are over 500 commands in the New Testament.

Ephesians 5:5-6 (AMPC) For be sure of this: that no person practicing sexual vice or impurity in thought or in life, or one who is covetous [who has lustful desire for the property of others and is greedy for gain]—for he [in effect] is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.6 Let no one delude and deceive you with empty excuses and groundless arguments [for these sins], for through these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of rebellion and disobedience.

Hebrews 13:4 (NLT) Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.

Paul’s message to the lost is clear, they must repent of their sins and turn to God. Paul also instructed a minister to “rebuke with full authority” (Titus 2:15)

Acts 26:20 (NLT) I preached first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that all must repent of their sins and turn to God—and prove they have changed by the good things they do.

Some people only want to hear an uplifting non-confrontational message.

Acts 24:24-25 (NLT) A few days later Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. “Go away for now,” he replied. “When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.”

Since Paul’s preaching confronted sins that Felix was not willing to let go of, it frightened him and he sent Paul away.

Take Action

  • Most churches are built by getting people to repeat the “sinners prayer”.
  • Imagine what would happen if people were invited to repent instead?
  • What would those churches look like (albeit likely smaller)?
  • Ask God to show you the potential of repentance and release it in your life and church.

Chapter 21 – The Three Kings

  • There were 20 Kings (who ruled over Judah) other than Saul David and Solomon (23 Total).
  • There are 3 categories of these kings:
    1. Idolatrous Kings [12] | Those who did not do what was right in sight of the Lord.
      • Rehoboam
      • Abijam
      • Jehoram
      • Ahaziah
      • Athaliah (queen)
      • Ahaz
      • Manasseh
      • Amon
      • Jehoahaz
      • Jehoiakim
      • Jehoiachin
      • Zedekiah
    2. Those who did what was right in sight of the Lord, but DID NOT tear down the places of idol worship among those that they led. [4]
      • Joash | The people worshiped Asherah poles. The Aramean army killed the leaders.
      • Amaziah | He was captured and assassinated. Jerusalem plundered.
      • Uzziah | Not much known about tearing down idol places of worship. He died a leper due to pride.
      • Jotham | King Rezin and King Pekah attacked Judah.
    3. Those who did what was right in sight of the Lord, but DID tear down the places of idol worship among those that they led. [7]
      • Saul
      • David
      • Solomon (faltered later)
      • Asa
      • Jehoshaphat (eventually allied himself with idolaters Ahab’s family)
      • Hezekiah | Was successful in everything he did.
      • Josiah | Successful. Everything went well for him and his people.

We are headed toward difficulty if we only give seekers an invitation to pray the sinner’s prayer, void of calling them to repentance. Otherwise we could just be inviting idolaters into our community.

Take Action

  • The big picture is that God prospered the leaders when they went beyond getting their own lives right.
  • We all have our own realm over which God has given us authority.
  • Ask God to reveal your sphere of authority, and give you wisdom for righteousness in that area.

Homework:

  • The next week’s reading assignment is Chapters 22-23.
  • Please read through Chapter 23 (no more than one chapter per day) by next Saturday 8/25.

Thought for the week:

Do you find yourself only trying to say the nice and easy things to others to avoid confrontation or discomfort? Is remaining silent the same as giving consent?