Episode 135: Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand - Is there something "at Hand" in 2023?

JOEL 2 GENERATION PODCAST

“Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17) Is there something “at Hand” in 2023?

REPENTANCE and the KINGDOM OF GOD

John the Baptist - In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matt 3:1-2)

Jesus - From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matt 4:17)

Peter - “Repent” (Acts 2:38, 3:19) – to believing Jews

Paul - “Repent” (Acts 17:30) – to pagan Greeks in Athens

DO CHRISTIANS NEED TO REPENT? – turn from sin (stop) and obey God

Lord’s Prayer - …And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. (Matthew 6:12)

James – Book of James written to believers!

Apostle John - 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. (1 John 1:8-10)

Apostle John – to CHRISTIAN churches

in Ephesus “Repent” (Rev. 2:4)

in Pergamum “Repent” (Rev. 2:16)

in Thyatira “Repent” (Rev. 2:22) - only those committing immorality

in Sardis “Repent” (Rev. 3:3)

in Laodicea “Repent” (Rev. 3:19)

Pete(r) - to the church in 2023

in Irvine “Repent” (PEF) PEF = Pete EVERY Friday

THE ANSWER? – YES…but only on an “as needed basis”

What might our repent on an “as-needed basis” be this morning?

Complaining? Arguing?

Philippians 2:14 - Do everything without complaining or arguing.

Broken relationships?

Matthew 5:23-24 - 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Inappropriate Talk?

Ephesians 4:29 - Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

“Let no foul language come from your mouth”

“Stop all your dirty talk…”

Giving? Mistreated?

Luke 6:30 - Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.

1 John 3:17 - 17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?

Sharing the Gospel?

Mark 16:15 – He [Jesus] said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”

Unbelief? Doubting God’s Word?

John 14:26 - But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Lustful thoughts? Impure thinking?

Matthew 5:28 - But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to desire her [with lust for her] has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brothers, …whatever is pure…think about [dwell on] these things.

Anger? Slander? Unkindness? Unforgiveness? (“Cluster Bomb”)

Ephesians 4:31-32 - 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

James 4:11 - 11 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers (Slander)

Prayerlessness? Unthankfulness?

1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 - “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”

Selfishness? Pride? Superiority?

Philippians 2:3 - Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

Favoritism? (especially towards rich/powerful)

James 2:1, 9 – 1 My brothers and sisters, believers…must not show favoritism…. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.

Worldliness?

James 4:4 – …Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.

Romans 12:2 – Do not be conformed to this world

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world

Don’t be like the people of this world…

Gluttony/Care of Body?

1 Cor 6:19-20 – body = temple of the Holy Spirit…glorify God in your body