Sin, Repentance, and Evangelism

 By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Jeremiah 25:1-14

 

1 John 1:8

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

(ESV)

 

Many megachurches in our modern culture focus on positives and not on sin, redemption, and the cross of Jesus Christ. (1) While focusing on positives, especially during times of trouble and persecution in the Church is important, sin represents the biggest problem of all humanity for all are guilty and live under a death penalty for their sin (Romans 3:23; 6:23). The mission of the Church is simple, the sharing of the Gospel and making disciples (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). Making disciples begins with evangelism which requires one acknowledging the sin in his or her life and making a public profession of faith in Christ who died for their sins through baptism (Romans 5:8; 10:9-10; Matthew 28:19). Discipleship occurs when the Church shares the truth of our sinful state (Romans 3:23) and its consequences (Romans 6:23), a negative, and then moves to share the positive of Jesus dying for our sins (Romans 5:8), even though he did not sin (2 Corinthians 5:21), and how one can be saved (Romans 10:9-10).  

 

The nations of Israel and Judah had many warnings of their rebellion against God and its serious consequences (Jeremiah 1:16; 5:19; 11:10). The text of Jeremiah 25:1-14 begins with the prophet Jeremiah reminding the people of Judah how he has persistently spoken to them about their rebellion against God and their persistent ignoring of his words from the Lord (Jeremiah 25:1-3). Jeremiah also reminds them that warnings about their sin and rebellion have come from other prophets as well whom they also ignored (Jeremiah 25:4-7).

 

The nations of Israel and Judah are now at a point where they face invasion from the north and Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon (Jeremiah 25:8-9). Not only are the nations of Israel and Judah facing exile and invasion, but they will also experience the loss of their joy and gladness (Jeremiah 25:10). For seventy years the lands of Israel and Judah will become a ruin and a waste with the nations in exile serving the king of Babylon (Jeremiah 25:11). While God is a God of judgment, He is also a God of mercy and Grace, promising punishment for their captors (Jeremiah 25:12-14).

 

The nation of Judah has had ample warning of their rebellion (Jeremiah 1:16; 5:19; 11:10) against God and knows the consequences of this rebellion (Deuteronomy 28:15-28). However, instead of repenting of their sin and rebellion, the people of Israel and Judah have determined not to listen to the warnings from God, provoking God to anger (Jeremiah 25:1-7). This provoking of the Lord to anger will result in seventy years of captivity after invasion from the north and the king of Babylon (Jeremiah 25:8-11). However, the situation for Israel and Judah is not hopeless for God promises to punish their captures after the seventy years of captivity. Unfortunately for Israel and Judah, it took going into captivity to bring them to repentance, something they could have done before going into captivity.

 

The Church at Laodicea was severely reprimanded for their lukewarmness and lack of repentance (Revelation 3:14-22). Unfortunately, Churches no longer stressing evangelism and failing to mention sin are lukewarm for they have lost their missional focus (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8). Like many Churches today, the Laodicean Church focused on their riches and prosperity, claiming to need nothing when in God’s eyes they are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked (Revelation 3:17). Like Israel and Judah, the Laodicean Church claimed to worship God while also worshiping the gods or idols of their riches and prosperity. This should be a warning to Churches today and a call to return to their biblical mission of making disciples which begins with evangelization and the need of acknowledging one’s sinful state (Romans 3:23). Discipleship can then move to equip believers with knowledge of the Word of God, encouraging them through challenges in life, empowering them to speak boldly about what God has done in their lives. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.

 

References:

1. Burk, Denny. Joel Osteen’s Christianity without a Cross. dennyburk.com. [Online] October 15, 2007. [Cited: September 29, 2021.] https://www.dennyburk.com/joel-osteen%E2%80%99s-christianity-without-a-cross/.