Topical Sermons - The Great Commission According To Luke

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                "THE GREAT COMMISSION ACCORDING TO LUKE"


INTRODUCTION

1. In Luke's account of  "The Great Commission" (Lk 24:44-47), we find
   that Jesus wanted two things to be preached in His name to all
   nations...
   a. Repentance
   b. Remission of sins

2. In Acts, we learn that the apostles did indeed preach repentance and
   remission of sins...
   a. The preaching of Peter - Ac 2:38; 3:19; 5:31
   b. The preaching of Paul - Ac 13:38; 17:30

[Do we understand what it means to repent?  Do we appreciate what it
means to have our sins remitted?  To be sure that we do, let's examine
both concepts, starting with...]

I. REPENTANCE

   A. REPENTANCE PROPERLY DEFINED...
      1. Some misconceptions of repentance
         a. That repentance is simply being sorry
         b. That repentance is a changed life
      2. A proper concept of repentance
         a. "change of mind; involves both a turning from sin and a
            turning to God" - Vine
         b. I.e., a change of mind in which we decide to turn from sin
            and turn to God
      -- Repentance is a decision, preceded by sorrow and followed by a
         changed life

   B. REPENTANCE PROPERLY PRODUCED...
      1. Repentance is produced by sorrow - 2Co 7:9a
         a. Sorrow leads to repentance
         b. Sorrow itself is not repentance
      2. Repentance is produced by godly sorrow - 2Co 7:9b-10
         a. Godly sorrow leads one to repentance, not worldly sorrow
         b. Godly sorrow is that directed toward God, sorrow because one
            has sinned against a holy, loving God, not because one got
            'caught' (cf. David's attitude) - Ps 51:4
      -- The right kind of sorrow produces the proper change of mind,
         leading to salvation

   C. REPENTANCE PROPERLY MANIFESTED...
      1. True repentance will manifest itself in a changed life - 2 Co
         7:11
         a. Such as diligence, clearing of one's self, indignation, fear
         b. Such as vehement desire, zeal, vindication
      2. True repentance will produce works befitting repentance - Ac
         26:20
         a. Such as confessing Jesus, and being baptized into Christ
            - Ac 8:36-38
         b. Such as walking in works that God has ordained for those in
            Christ - Ep 2:10
      -- Apathy, halfhearted service, is not indicative of true
         repentance!

[Often, those who repented when they first came to Christ need to repent
again (e.g., Re 2:4-5).  Wherever there is true repentance, remission of
sins follows...]

II. REMISSION OF SINS

   A. REMISSION OF SINS PROPERLY UNDERSTOOD...
      1. The word remission means "to remit", and involves a dismissal,
         release
      2. A key synonym often used in some translations is the word
         "forgiveness"
      3. Other terms and metaphors are used in the Bible to describe the
         "remission" of sins:
         a. Sins are "taken away" - Jn 1:29; Ro 11:27
         b. Sins are "blotted out" - Ac 3:19
         c. Sins are "washed away" - Ac 22:16
         d. Sins are "covered" - Ro 4:7
         e. Sins are "not imputed" - Ro 4:8
         f. Sins are "purged" - He 1:3; 2Pe 1:9
         g. Sins are "remembered no more" - He 8:12
      4. All signifying the removal of the guilt of sin from the sinner!
         a. A sinner whose sins have been so forgiven is "justified"
            - 1Co 6:11
         b. A legal term which means "not guilty"
      -- The remission of sins is made possible through the blood of
         Christ! - Mt 26:28

   B. REMISSION OF SINS PROPERLY RECEIVED...
      1. By the alien sinner (one who is not yet a Christian)
         a. By believing (trusting) in Jesus - Ac 10:42-43
         b. By repenting and being baptized - cf. Ac 2:38
      2. By the erring Christian (who sins after they have been
         baptized)
         a. By repenting and praying - Ac 8:22
         b. By confessing one's sins to God - 1Jn 1:9
      -- Note that in both cases remission of sins is tied to
         repentance!

CONCLUSION

1. Do we want the blessing of having our sins remitted...?
   a. It is possible only through the blood of Jesus!
   b. It requires repentance brought about godly sorrow for our sins

2. Are you willing to do "works befitting repentance"...?
   a. Not works done to earn or merit remission of sins
   b. But acts of faith done to receive God's grace and mercy through
      the blood of Christ

If you are a sinner still outside of Christ, then believe in Jesus,
repent of sins, confess Jesus, and be baptized for the remission of
yours.  If you are an erring Christian, then repent of your sins and
pray, knowing that God will cleanse you of all unrighteousness...!
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