04 - He Has...Translated Us 2009

We Christians have been turned away from (plucked out of) the kingdom of this present darkness and turned toward the fulfilling life experienced in the Kingdom of God’s Son.

This is always God’s way. We must turn from one thing in order to turn toward another.

So…Salvation begins with Repentance, which means 'to change' or 'to turn.'

Once a person hears the gospel and is convicted that his way of life is wrong, he must change his present behavior. This is true repentance!

In the Kingdom of God, you can’t have your foot in two worlds. There is no experiencing the fullness of God’s kingdom without turning from all known sin.

IN fact, Repentance is the doorway to God’s kingdom.

REPENTANCE is the cornerstone word to N.T. preaching:

Jesus’ debut sermon was one of repentance:

“From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”—Matt. 4:17

And again, He said:

“…but unless you repent (change your mind for the better and heartily amend your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins), you will all likewise perish and be lost eternally.”—Lk. 13:3

The disciples followed suit when they first began preaching:

“So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God.”—Mk. 6:12

John the Baptist’s message was one of repentance:

“Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.”—Matt. 3:8

Paul said of John the Baptist’s ministry, “John’s baptism called for repentance from sin.”—Acts 19:4

The first N.T. message on the Day of Pentecost was one of repentance:

“Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God…then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”—Acts 2:38

And scripture says that God’s will for all mankind is that they would repent:

“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”—2 Pet. 3:9

What is Repentance?

First, Repentance is not just feeling sorry, remorseful, or conscience-stricken, but being so troubled in one's heart that one begins to live according to God's standards—according to God's law. Feeling sorry without changing one's life is not repentance!

Listen to how Paul describes what happened to the Corinthians following a stinging letter of rebuke from him:

“Now I am glad I sent my letter (of rebuke), not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. 10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.

11 Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right.”--2 Cor. 9:9-11

Repentance is not just being stirred or convicted, but genuine repentance brings change.

PRINCIPLE: The “fruits of repentance” are visible actions—'works'—that demonstrate a person has actually changed.

SECOND, REPENTANCE is not a negative word, but is a hugely positive, hopeful and blessed word.

Repentance removes that which is alienating us from God and destroying our soul.

THIRD, TRUE REPENTANCE welcomes scrutiny.

“Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves…” 2 Co. 9:11

PRINCIPLE: True repentance will go a second, third and fourth mile in order to right a wrong. True repentance is happy to present proof of its reality in someone’s heart over and over again.

Following repentance, we are “TRANSLATED” or “turned toward” the Kingdom of God.

“Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.”—1:13

First, This also is not talking about later, but RIGHT NOW in this present life.

The phrase “Kingdom of His Son” is not talking about a place (heaven) but about a condition.

Listen to what Jesus said about the Kingdom of God:

“And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”—Lk. 17:21

Where is the Kingdom of God? The Kingdom of God is present wherever God rules with love and grace.

Paul is teaching us what God has done for us IN THIS LIFE.

The Kingdom of God is the daily experience of “righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

“For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of right living and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”—Ro. 14:17

When we were translated into the Kingdom of His Son, we were also:

Made a part of God’s family:

“His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ."--Ephesians 1:5

Had our names written in the Book of Life:

“Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.”—Rev. 21:27

Were signed, sealed and delivered by the Holy Spirit:

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were SEALED WITH the Holy Spirit of promise…”—Eph. 1:13

We were sealed WITH the Holy Spirit, and we were sealed FOR the day of our redemption.

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were SEALED FOR the day of redemption.”—Eph. 4:30

SEAL: to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation

LOOK WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE FOR US!!

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