The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1919-05-24

INTERMEDIATE TOPIC 49, Turning
From Sin To God.
SENIOR AND ADULT TOPIC-Tne
Nature and Fruit Of Repentance.
!. The Repentance of the People of
NineVeh (3:1-l0).
The following steps are noted in
their conversion:
l. Hearing the Word of the Lord
wv. III.
The Lord commanded Jonah 70 go to
Nineveh, a great and wicked city. and
there preach the preaching that he
babe him. JOnah's runaway expert
ence (See chapters l. y was such that
he was willing TO obey God. His
chastisement was severe, but by Gods
grace he was now ready to execute the
commission. Jonah arose and went
unto Nineveh according to the word
Of the Lord" ". 3). So great was the
city Of Nineveh that it required three
days to compass it; that is, TO visit its
very centers of activity. Jonah. com
ing from Palestine, doubtless entered
the city from the south. and during
an entire day going from center 10 cen
ter cried, Yet forty days and Nineveh
shall be OverthrOwn" ". ~. Since
the kings palace seems To have been
in the south part of the city JOnah's
message soon found its way to him. Ii
every preacher would preach what God
bids him there would be more cities
turning TO God.
,. Believing God ". %.
They not only believed God would
visit judgment upon them, but believed
in God, and put their trust in him for
mercy and salvation.
3. Repented wv. 5-9).
Their penitence was shown in 0D
proclaiming fast and putting on sack
cloth wv. 90. These marks of hu-
initiation were shown by all. from the
king on his throne To the most humble
man. (2) Cried nightly TO God ".
y. In the midst of their humiliation
they cried with intensity To God. CD
Turned from their evil ways ". 81.
The final test of penitence is turning
from sin it is hating sin badly enough
TO quit it.
4. Accepted by God ". 10Y. When
the Ninevites turned from their evils
God refrained from executing doom
upon them. 1t averted judgment. God
is Interchangeable. His holy nature is
unalterably opposed TO sin. When men
repent from their sins his wrath is
turned aside. This is what is meant
by God repenting.
u. The Necessity of Repentance
duke 13:1-5).
Repentance is necessary on the part
of all, since all are sinners. THE /
wages of sin is death" (ROm. :23). |
While God is unalterably opposed to .
sin he is infinitely gracious. His holy .
nature cOmpels him to cause judgment .
10 fall upon those who will not turn
from their sins to serve him. Re-
pentance is not merely matter of
privilege. but of absolute necessity il
one would escape the wrath of God
is the only door Of escape
from perditiOn. 1t is not a question of
how great sinner one is that de-
termineS the need for repentance. since
God cannot look upon evil: For thOl
art of purer eyes than 70 behold evil.
and canst not look upon iniquity"
(Hab. 1-13). No one can ever see him
in peace unless he turns from his sins.
God commands men to repent (ActS
1880.
III. The Blessed Rest It's of Repen-
lance (Acts > 1899.
!. Remission of sins. Remit means
10 send away. The one who repentS
IS rid forever of his sins, for he is
new man in Christ
,. Gift of the Holy Spirit. When
1ne is regenerated he not only is rid of
MS sins. but God. the Holy Spirit.
-akes UP his abode in him. lie is his
teacher, guide and defender. These
blessed results ought to move one 10
'ppent. The goodness OF God ought 10
provoke men To penitpnce.