“When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.” (Acts 11:18 NIV)

Be gentle, for it’s God who grants repentance

“Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth.” (2 Tim. 2:25 NIV)

Christ was exalted to bring repentance and forgive sins

“God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.” (Acts 5:31 NIV)

Godly sorrow brings repentance

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” (2 Cor. 7:10 NIV)

“Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live! (Eze. 18:30-32 NIV)

An honest,  regretful acknowledgement of sin

Repentance is NOT asking God for forgiveness with the intent to sin again. Repentance is an honest, regretful acknowledgement of sin with a heartfelt commitment to change.

God commands people everywhere to repent

“In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.” (Acts 17:30 NIV)

Repent and do what you did at first

“Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” (Rev. 2:5 NIV)

Jesus said to repent and hold fast to what you have received and heard

“Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.” (Rev. 3:3 NIV)

 “He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24:46-48 NIV)

Repentance (to turn – reverse direction)

The word repent means to turn (or return) and to reverse direction - a complete reversal of ones attitude and values, i. e. a turning away from evil to good, from sin to God. In the New Testament, the key term for repentance is metanoia - It has two usual senses: a "change of mind" and "regret/remorse." True repentance leads a person to say, "I have sinned" and prove it with a 180-degree change of their direction. Repentance requires true brokenness.

Turn to God and be saved

“Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.” (Isa. 45:22 NIV)

Turn from worthless things to God

“Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them.” (Acts 14:15 NIV)

Turn from Idols to the living and true God

“For they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.” (1Thess. 1:9 NIV)

“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” (Prov. 28:13 NIV)

God is gracious and MERCIFUL

“And rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.” (Job 2:13 NIV)

The Lord will have MERCY and freely pardon

Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.” (Isa. 55:7 NIV)

He is a gracious and MERCIFUL God

“But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.” (Neh. 9:31 NIV)

 “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” (Psalms 51:1-2 NIV)

 God delights to show MERCY

“Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.” (Micah 7:18 NIV)

God’s MERCY and love are from old

“Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good.” (Psalms 25:6-7 NIV)

Because of God’s MERCY...

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Rom. 12:1 NIV)

Goodness and MERCY shall follow you all the days of your life

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6 ESV)

 “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” (Eph. 2:4-5 NIV)

Not only is God rich in grace towards us, He is rich in MERCY

Grace and Mercy are similar but different. Mercy is deliverance from judgment. Grace is extending kindness to the unworthy. Mercy is God not punishing us as our sins deserve, and grace is God blessing us despite the fact that we do not deserve it. Mercy and grace are best illustrated in the salvation freely provided to us through Jesus Christ. We deserve judgment, but if we receive Jesus Christ as Savior, we receive mercy from God and are delivered from judgment.

We receive MERCY and find grace

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Heb. 4:16 NIV)

God desires MERCY not sacrifice 

“But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matt. 9:13 NIV)

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (Phil. 4:12 NIV)

The righteous give generously

“The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously.” (Psalm 37:21 NIV)

The one who borrows is a slave to the lender

“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.” (Prov. 22:7 NIV)

God can restore lost fortunes with double for the trouble

“After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.” (Job 42:10 NIV)

The Lord humbles and exalts

“The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts.” (1 Sam. 2:7 NIV)

 “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” (Prov. 22:1 NIV) 

Wealth is worthless in the end

“Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.” (Prov. 11:4 NIV)

God will bless you as He promised

“For the Lord your God will bless you as he has promised, and you will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. You will rule over many nations but none will rule over you.” (Deut. 15:6 NIV)

You can’t serve both God and money

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matt. 6:24 NIV)

Wealth and honor are from God

“Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.” (1 Chron. 29:12 NIV)

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt. 6:21 NIV)

 If you’re faithful with little things  you will be put in charge of larger things

His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” (Matt. 25:21 NIV)

No to ill-gotten treasures

“Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death.” (Prov. 10:2 NIV)

Worldly riches don’t last

“Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.” (Prov. 23:5 NIV)

Seek neither poverty nor riches

“Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.” (Prov. 30:8 NIV)