Repent or Perish | Life with Jesus

Paul tells us that "all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God." and Jesus tells us that we must recognize our sin, turn to Him, and repent. But this is not a scary thing. Adam Barnett continues our series on Life with Jesus by encouraging and reminding us that God is not waiting to condemn us, but to welcome us with open arms. Repent or Perish Life with Jesus | Week 5 March 31, 2019 | Adam Barnett Life with Jesus is impossible without repentance. Repentance A change of mind that results in a change of action. Luke 13:1-5 NIV Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Luke 13:6-9 NIV Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’ ” Jesus’ ministry is a display of mercy in view of the coming judgment. Jeremiah 12:17 NIV “But if any nation will not listen, then I will completely uproot it and destroy it,” declares the LORD. When we minimize the PROBLEM, we minimize the SOLUTION. If SIN is not a big deal, neither is the CROSS. Prayer of Confession: O Christ my God, at the last day, we will all stand before your judgment seat. Now, drawn by your mercy and seeking your grace, I come before your presence. I bring before you my unrighteousness, my evil thoughts and deeds. Look on my heart, broken by guilt and humbled in your presence; my sins are more than I can count, and I pray for your mercy. I am your own, marked as yours in baptism and sealed with the Holy Spirit. Yet, I have not been true to your call or faithful in your service. O Lord, my wrongdoing and the weight of what I have not done overwhelms me, but I know that your mercies are endless, they are new every morning, and your compassion surpasses my understanding. Stretch forth your hand to me and receive me, as you welcomed the returning prodigal, the repentant thief, the woman who wept at your feet, and even Peter who had denied you. Where sin has abounded, let grace abound even more, that I may live and serve you now, and, at last, rejoice in the eternal kingdom where you, the ever-living Father and the gracious life-giving Spirit, reign for all eternity. Amen.