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We Are to Repent of Sin

Dear families,

The popularity of true crime shows reveals something interesting about people. Whether it be a television show, a streaming series, or a podcast, audiences love a good thrilling episode that takes you on a journey from the mind-captivating details of a crime, through the exploration of the evidence, to the identification of a suspect, and concluding with the resolution of who did it, how they did it, and whether or not they are found guilty.

One shared characteristic between each story is this: there is no case if there is no evidence. Evidence is everything to making a determination about a suspect and building a case.

When it comes to repentance, we understand from this biblical word and its contexts throughout Scripture that it requires both an internal and external turning from sin and movement toward God. Repentance is something that takes place inside someone’s heart and mind while also bringing visible evidence of sorrow about sin and the desire to change.

Matthew 3 contains a subtle but direct indication that true repentance always produces evidence of change. Matthew 3:10 says, “Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Just two verses earlier, Matthew warned the Pharisees and Sadducees to produce fruit consistent with repentance. And all of this seems to indicate that there is something that happens in the life of someone who is repentant that is visible to those around him. Where there is true repentance, there is always evidence.

We cannot see the thoughts and intentions of the heart; however, we can look for evidence of repentance. What begins in the heart will certainly impact the life of the believer. When this happens, it becomes visible that change has occurred.

Take time this week to ask the hard question of whether or not there is fruit, or evidence, of repentance in your own life. Has the change of heart that repentance begins led to visible change in your life? If so, find great confidence in the grace of God that led you to repentance. And if not, ask the Lord to help you understand why.

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Zephaniah Warned God’s People to Repent

Dear families,

The Book of Zephaniah serves as a stern rebuke of God’s people and a warning regarding a failure to return to Him faithfully. It also serves as a reminder of God’s expectation of holiness and a description of what that looks like when faithfully lived out among God’s people.

Zephaniah 2:3 offers a call to repentance and a promise of hope for this restoration of the faithful. “Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth, who carry out what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be concealed on the day of the LORD’s anger.” Through Zephaniah, the Lord provided a glimmer of hope amidst His stern rebuke and graphic warning. But He didn’t stop there. Zephaniah ended his prophecy with more than a glimmer of hope, a promise that likely warmed the weary souls of God’s people.

Beginning with Zephaniah 3:9, we find a beautiful picture of God’s fully-restored people. It’s a remarkable image of faithfulness, satisfaction, joy, and mutual benefit that ignites a desire for this reality. It may even ignite in the reader a desire for what could be called “a return to Eden.”

Zephaniah 3 describes an environment of pure speech where all are calling on the name of the Lord. There is also painted a picture of generosity, humility, meekness, joy, singing, celebration, healing, praise, and fortune. Zephaniah also describes an end to failures, arrogance, rebellion, dispersion, lies, wrongdoing, and fear. Following a terrifying warning for God’s people to repent, this wonderful image of restoration leaves the reader with great hope.

The Bible is full of stern reminders of God’s expectation of holiness among His people, but it is always chased by a beautiful and redemptive reminder of His promise to restore all things and the hope that this promise offers to those who repent of their wicked ways and hope in Christ.

Spend some time today asking God to work out the message of Zephaniah’s prophecy in your own heart, to confront you with His holiness and a rebuke of the sin in your life, and to follow that with a reminder of the hope that belongs to all who trust in Christ for the restoration of their soul—and ultimately, all things in the heavens and the earth.

Join us ONLINE or IN-PERSON at 10:30 AM PST TODAY!

>>> Service Stream link: HERE

We're so glad you are joining us!

Join us ONLINE or In-Person at 10:30 AM PST TODAY!

>>> Service Stream link: HERE

We're so glad you are joining us!

Join us ONLINE at 10:30 AM PST TODAY!

>>> Service Stream link: HERE

We're so glad you are joining us!

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We're so glad you are joining us as we celebrate Jesus' birth!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!