329. Have I Repented Enough?

In the final part of our series on repentance and forgiveness, Dr. J. Mark Beach turns to some pastoral questions. What becomes of the believer who cannot name every sin he has committed? How should elders deal with a member who refuses to repent? And how do we examine our hearts without sliding into scrupulosity on one side or carelessness on the other? Dr. Beach argues that justification must stand before sanctification in preaching and pastoral counseling, and that to reverse the order is to cast the sinner back upon themselves instead of upon Christ. He also explains why Calvin is a better guide here than many of the Puritan and Pietist writers. Read Dr. Beach's full article, ⁠"Forgiving Like God? Some Reflections on the Idea of Conditional Forgiveness,"⁠ in the Mid-America Journal of Theology: https://www.midamerica.edu/uploads/files/pdf/journal/06_beach_journal2015.pdf

Jesus only saves SINNERS! Jesus saves anybody who recognizes they are a sinner and ask Jesus for salvation. I Corinthians 6:9-11 makes it very clear that Jesus saves fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate, abusers of themselves with mankind, thieves, covetous people, drunkards, revilers and extortioners. Joshua 2 explains that Rabah the harlot was a true believer when she helped Israel destroy her city, but Joshua 6:22-23 reveals she saved her entire family from destruction. Matthew 4:23-25 reveals the type of people who listened to the sermon on the mount, but also there were there listening some who said they prophesied in the name of Jesus, they cast out devils in the name of Jesus, and in the name of Jesus did many wonderful works, but Jesus said he never knew them. Luke 23:39-43 states that Jesus even saved the thief on the cross, a man so worthless the Roman government put him to death! John 3, John 7:45-53 and John 19:38-39 declares that Jesus also saved religious, but lost people, such as Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple because he was afraid of the Jews. Jesus can save anybody, even you, if you are lost. Come to Jesus and confess your sins to him and him alone. He knows all about you and he can and will forgive you and freely give you eternal life.

Salvation only comes through Repentance. Repentance acknowledges one has done wrong and knells before the One who has the power to forgive.

In this exposition of Romans 1:28–32, Dave Jenkins explains what it means for God to give sinners over to a debased mind. Paul traces the effects of rejecting God through our thinking, our relationships, and the evil we are willing to approve. As the passage leads into Romans 2, it calls us to examine our own hearts and look to Jesus Christ for forgiveness and a renewed mind. For more from our Romans series please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/category/sermons/romans-the-gospel-that-changes-everything/

The words of a talebearer are slanderous, untrue and hurtful. Even the strongest of men can feel gut-punched when they are the target of such words that wound. Also Reference: (2 Corinthians 13:1), (1 Timothy 5:19), (Matthew 18:15-20), Matthew 12:36 https://bbfohio.com

In the fifth petition of the Lord's Prayer, we ask God to forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Does that make our forgiving others the condition of God's forgiving us? In Part 2 of our series on repentance and forgiveness, Dr. J. Mark Beach examines the question with Calvin, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the parable of the unmerciful servant. Dr. Beach shows why the Reformers refused to make our forgiveness of others the ground of God's, and what it does demonstrate. Dr. Beach also takes up a hard pastoral question: what do we owe a brother who has wronged us and shows no sorrow?

The sermon addresses the theological tension between the irreversible nature of justification and the ongoing necessity of confession, using Psalm 32 and Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter 11 as the primary framework. It argues that while believers are permanently justified by Christ's imputed righteousness and cannot lose their saved status, they continue to sin and must therefore regularly humble themselves, confess specific sins, and seek pardon to restore fellowship with God. The teaching contrasts this Reformed view with Roman Catholic and Arminian perspectives, emphasizing that assurance rests on God's eternal decree and Christ's complete atonement rather than human performance. Furthermore, it asserts that the method of salvation remains consistent across the Old and New Testaments, with both covenants pointing to justification by faith alone in Jesus Christ.

Donald Trump says he doesn't forgive his enemies, and he doesn't love them. Should we commend his honesty, or condemn his less-than-Christ-like words? In today's episode, Kevin plays clips from the president's recent interview on 60 Minutes, and a 2015 exchange at the Family Leadership Summit. He responds to Trump's remarks about forgiving and loving his enemies, then asks what gets in the way of asking God for forgiveness. His answer is one word: pride. Jesus said that if we don't forgive others, our Father won't forgive us, and the way to forgiving others is first seeing our own need to be forgiven. Kevin also draws the line between personal vengeance and the God-given role of the civil magistrate in Romans 13. A ruler can punish evil without bitterness, but only if he loves God first. #Generations #KevinSwanson #LoveYourEnemies #Forgiveness #ChristianWorldview #Romans12

Should you pray for a sinful brother?

This sermon explores the theological significance of the sin offering in Leviticus, distinguishing it from the burnt offering by focusing on the restoration of broken fellowship rather than the establishment of right relationship with God. The teaching clarifies that while salvation is secure and unbreakable, daily sins, particularly those of ignorance or omission, require confession and a return to the cross for cleansing. By analyzing the specific rituals for the high priest and the congregation, the sermon highlights the insufficiency of the old covenant priesthood, which could not bear its own sins, in contrast to Jesus Christ, who suffered outside the camp to fully absorb the wrath of God. The message emphasizes that the cross remains the sole place for healing, forgiveness, and the renewal of intimate communion with the Father, urging believers to humble themselves and seek restoration through the blood of Jesus.