“The Grace of Repentance” Sunday Sermon (9:30 AM in the GYM and 9:45 AM Live Stream)

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July 31, 2021

2:39 am

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Announcements, Sermon Topics

You are invited to experience, view or listen to our Sunday morning sermon in one of 5 ways.
1) Participate in our onsite worship service in the GYM which begins at 9:30 AM, SUNDAY at 3757 Mill Street.
2) Watch live on the church Facebook page at 9:45 AM, SUNDAY by going to: facebook.com/srcmarion  There are announcement slides and music at the start of the stream while we wait for the right time to join the service in progress.  Please “like” our Facebook page for future notifications.
3) Watch the same recording later on Facebook at a time more convenient for you: facebook.com/srcmarion
4) Watch the same recording later on our newly created YouTube channel. Just type in “Second Reformed Church of Marion” when you go to youtube.com  Or you can click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo3ZNP8OgRarSQXfqzGcn-Q
5) Listen to the audio recording and see sermon outline on our church website: sermons.srcmarion.org

Title: The Grace of Repentance

Scripture: James 4:7-10

Theme: Graciously offering to receive us back, the Lord calls us to repent of our love affairs with sin.

  1. Voluntary self-submission that __________________________ God.
    1. V. 7a. Therefore looks to God’s promise of grace to the humble.
    2. James’ 10th command humble yourselves, bookends his 1st one, v. 7.
  2. Satan will try to ________________________ you back, obstruct you.
    1. Resist the Devil anticipates conflict, subtle or overt pressure.
    2. Don’t expect defeat. God promise power to overcome the Evil One.
  3. God’s _________________________________ invitation, v. 8.
    1. Repentance involves running home to the Lord. You can come home!
    2. Repentance means seeing our sins as God does, owning our offenses.

 

Questions for Study:

  • How does one’s view of God’s Person & Character influence the character of their repentance?
  • John Calvin emphasized this basic Scripture truth: we will not see ourselves aright as we are before God, without seeing God aright. Why? Hint: Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 36:9.
  • How might the average Christian respond to James strong instructions for how to repent in 4:7-10? (See also Solomon’s inspired counsel in Ecclesiastes 7:1-6). Remember, James’ call for actions that befit repentance are directed at believers (v. 11 context, he calls them brothers).
    How do you respond to such language? What does your response say about you?
  • From what James addresses in vv. 7-10, what “components” of our lives need to be involved in true repentance? E.g., v. 9 relates to our affections, emotions. Note what David & Paul say about these: Psalm 51:8-17; II Corinthians 2:5-8; 7:5-11.
  • Whenever one turns or returns to the Lord, he or she becomes a target for Satan’s wiles. What has God given to protect us from Satan’s expected counter-offensives? See Ephesians 6:10-20; Jesus’ example in Matthew 4:1-11.