Sermon:  Double-down ...a hands-on perspective to repentance
by Chris Cumming                                                           printer-friendly     MP3    MP3-2020      MP3-2020 after Salvation series

Let me read the first eight words of our doctrine on Repentance:  “Repentance is the act of acknowledging one's sins.”  I often believe that for most in the Body of Christ, this is the primary definition that comes to mind.  One sins and they immediately repent before God.  As the quote from the doctrine states, “the act of acknowledging one’s sins.  However, is this all there is to repentance?  Is there something more that God requires?  If God requires more, just how do firstfruits manifest this requirement?

Let us read the first sentence of the doctrine again, but this time with the addition six words: “Repentance is the act of acknowledging one's sins and resolving to fully obey God.”  So we see that something more than acknowledgement of sin is required.  We must resolve to fully obey God.  Well, just how do we carry out this resolve?  How do we fully obey God?

Today we are going to answer these questions as I encourage all of us to repent before God.

Repent before God.

Since this is the fourth sermon in our series on Holiness, we can easily restate this encouragement and say:

“Manifest your holiness by repenting before God.” OR, “Manifest your holiness by fully obeying God.”

So, under the subject heading of Repentance, how do we fully obey God?  Notice another two sentences from our doctrine on Repentance.

“Repentance signals the start of a changed and godly life. It involves a fully conscious recognition of one's sinful, lawless way of life, a way of life that is antagonistic toward God and His law, accompanied by a firm conviction to make a total change and to begin to live in full accord with God's way of life as described in the Bible.”

From this statement alone, we can see the outline of a repentance procedure.

1] we acknowledge the sin or negative element.
2] we acknowledge that we did the sin or negative element.
3] we make a firm conviction to make a total change.
4] we make the total change [a process over time].
5] we immerse ourselves in the Word of God to ascertain God’s way.

Item five makes steps one through four possible.

Let us take a closer look at the two words that make up the phrase “firm conviction” in Step 3 above:  What is a, “firm conviction?”

Let us take the second word first.
Conviction:
--a fixed or firm belief.
--the act of moving a person to agreement, consent or a course of action.

The firm belief is in knowing what the sin or negative element is and God’s right way of life that stands in opposition to that sin or negative element.  A firstfruit ascertains God’s way in the situation and has a continuing and firm belief in that way.

Now the word, “Firm.”

Firm [as an adjective to the word conviction]:
--not soft or yielding when pressed [or tempted].
--securely fixed in place.  God’s way is securely fixed in your life and thinking.
--steadfast or unwavering.  GTA: “God will not compromise with His Law.”
--determination [the quality of being resolute; having a fixed purpose or intention].
--not fluctuating [to change continually; shift back and forth; tossed to and fro].

As a verb and a description of repenting firstfruits, the word, “firm” means:
--to make firm; tighten or strengthen (sometimes followed by “up”).
--to steady or fix.

Can one see why the name of this sermon is, “Double-down”?  To repent is to Double-down in your efforts to overcome the sin or negative element.  Living in Las Vegas, the term, “Double-down” means to double one’s wager in the game of Blackjack or 21.  In this game, one is initially dealt two cards.  If you feel the cards are especially favorable in you getting to 21 with the next cards you are dealt, you are allowed to double the bet.

There is another definition for the phrase, “Double-down” that is very appropriate to the repenting firstfruit.  To Double-down is to double or significantly increase one’s investment or commitment.  As we see in the definitions of, “firm conviction”, the conviction is our course of action.  “Firm” describes our significant increase or doubling down of effort to the course of action God has led us to.  As you are about to see, most all the scriptures on repentance speak to this doubling down of effort in God’s specifically stated course of action.  Stating the purpose of this sermon once again, we could set the phrase this way:

Continually Double-down in  your repentance before God.

Repentance is a constant way of life.  Repentance is physical and spiritual stewardship of self.  Repentance requires action. Repentance is guided by God.  All power and means of repentance comes from God.  All instructions for your specific course of action are in the handbook to our holiness…the Bible.  Let us get into some of those instructions.

Ezekiel 18:30-32 ...God speaking to the House of Israel but clearly to all individuals in the Salvation process.
30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

Double-down Phrases:
--Turn yourself from all your transgressions.
--Cast away the transgressions.
--Make a new heart and new spirit.

Definitions:
---Cast away: throw; hurl; fling.
---Cast off: discard; reject.
---Cast out: force out; expel; eject.

Psalm 34:14
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

Double-down Phrases:
--Depart.
--Do Good.
--Seek peace.
--Pursue peace.

Definitions:
---Depart: go away, leave
---Seek: go in search or quest of. Go to.
---Pursue: strive for; continue a course of action; proactive. To follow in order to overtake, capture, kill.
---Peace:  mutual harmony between us and God.  Cessation of or freedom from strife.  Freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction and anxiety.

Isaiah 1:16-17
16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

Double-down Phrases:
--Wash yourself.
--Cleanse yourself [see sermon, Rampageous].
--Put away evil.
--Cease doing evil.

Definitions:
---Cleanse: to remove by or as if by cleaning.
---Put away:  put distance between you and the sin or negative element.
---Wash: remove stains.  Word H7364: To lave [wash by pouring water.].

1 Peter 1:22-23
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Double-down Phrases:
--Purified your souls.
--Obeying the truth.
--Love one another.
--Invoke fervency.

Definitions:
---Purify: free from foreign, extraneous or objectionable elements, such as the sin or negative element.  Purge.
---Obey: comply to commands and instructions.
---Fervency: intensity; enthusiasm; zeal; gusto.

Romans 8:13
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Double-down Phrases:
--Mortify bad deeds and habits.

Definition:
Mortify from the dictionary is defined as: subjugate by abstinence and discipline.  Better is the Strong's definition: G2289: to kill (literally or figuratively): - become dead, (cause to be) put to death, kill, mortify.

Notice that this killing of the sin or negative element is accomplished by the Spirit of God in us.  All holiness is accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit.  A scripture on this:

Ephesians 4:22-23
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

Double-down Phrases:
--Put off the old man.
--Be renewed.

Definition:
---Renew: recover; replenish; make effective for longer period.

Colossians 3:5-9
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

Double-down Phrases:
--Mortify bad deeds

James 1:21
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Double-down Phrases:
--Lay apart evil and all things negative and bad.
--Immerse yourself in the Word of God.

Definition:
Immerse: to involve deeply; absorb, to embed

1 Peter 2:1-2
1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Double-down Phrases:
--Lay aside all things evil and negative

1 Peter 4:2-4
2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

Double-down Phrases:
--Live to the will of God.
--Avoid riotous living [see sermon, Rampageous].

James 4:8
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Double-down Phrases:
--Draw nigh to God
--Cleanse your hands.
--Purify your hearts.
--Do not allow yourself to be double minded.

Job 22:21-23
21 Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.
22 Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart.
23 If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles.

Double-down Phrases:
--Acquaint yourself with God.
--Be at peace.
--Receive the Law and words of God.
--Return or repent.

Definitions:
Acquaint: furnish with knowledge.  H5532: minister to, be serviceable to, profit from.  The commentary reads this as, "treasure up, or lay-up. Lay up or procure an interest now with him, and be at peace. Get the Divine favor, and then thou wilt be at peace with God, and have happiness in thy own soul." ~Adam Clarke

3 John 1:11
Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

Double-down Phrases:
--Follow that which is good.

Definition:
---Follow: conform to, comply with, or act in accordance with; obey.  Imitate or copy.  Move forward.  To go after.

2 Corinthians 7:1
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Double-down Phrases:
--Cleanse yourself from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit.
--Perfect Holiness.
--Have fear of God.

Definitions:
---Filthiness: vile; vulgar; obscene.  G3436: a stain, that is, (figuratively) immorality.  Notice the commentary:

From all filthiness of the flesh - The noun used here (μολυσμὸς molusmos) occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. The verb occurs in 1 Corinthians 8:7; Revelation 3:4; Revelation 14:4, and means to stain, defile, pollute, as a garment; and the word used here means a soiling, hence, defilement, pollution, and refers to the defiling and corrupting influence of fleshly desires and carnal appetites. The filthiness of the flesh here denotes evidently the gross and corrupt appetites and passions of the body, including all such actions of all kinds as are inconsistent with the virtue and purity with which the body, regarded as the temple of the Holy Spirit, should be kept holy - all such passions and appetites as the Holy Spirit of God would not produce.

And spirit - By “filthiness of the spirit,” the apostle means, probably, all the thoughts or mental associations that defile the man. Thus, the Saviour Matthew 15:19 speaks of evil thoughts, etc. that proceed out of the heart, and that pollute the man. And probably Paul here includes all the sins and passions which pertain particularly to mind or to the soul rather than to carnal appetites, such as the desire of revenge, pride, avarice, ambition, etc. These are in themselves as polluting and defiling as the gross sensual pleasures. They stand as much in the way of sanctification, they are as offensive to God, and they prove as certainly that the heart is depraved as the grossest sensual passions. ~Barnes Notes

Clearly our procedures are invoked to keep the filthiness of both flesh and spirit away.  We learned about this in the sermon, Rampageous where we see our holiness pushing away all the negative elements.  The number and types of filthiness are legion and this means that you will be led to and inspired to specific procedures and specific convictions.  Each success in this area will help you in the next or additional element.

Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Double-down Phrases:
--Walk after the Spirit.

Definitions:
---Walk: G4043: walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively to live, deport oneself, follow, go, be occupied with.

Galatians 5:24-26
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Double-down Phrases:
--Crucify the flesh
--Live in the Spirit
--Walk in the Spirit
--Control desire and eliminate any desire for anything negative and/or against the Word of God.

Definitions:
---Crucify: notice the commentary:
The corrupt passions of the soul have been put to death; that is, destroyed. They are as though they were dead, and have no power over us. ~Barnes Notes

---Live in the Spirit:  Again from the commentary: "The sense of this verse probably is, "We who are Christians profess to be under the influences of the Holy Spirit."
---Walk in the Spirit: Produce fruit by that Spirit.  Take note that Galatians 5:22-23 lists those fruits.

By your firm conviction and your calling, you live in the Spirit.  By that power, you walk in the Spirit or produce fruit and good works.  The crucifixion of the flesh is a specific procedure you initiate by that Spirit.

Let us look at a verse earlier in Galatians 5.

Galatians 5:16
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Double-down Phrase:
---Walk in the Spirit.

Commentary: Frequent in a metaphorical sense for habitual conduct. ~Vincent's Word Studies

Walk by the Spirit - Follow his guidance in all things. And fulfil not - In anything. The desire of the flesh - Of corrupt nature. ~John Wesley Explanatory Notes

Walk by the Spirit - The Christian life is often represented as a journey, and the word walk, in the scripture, is often equivalent to live. ~Barnes Notes

Walk by the Spirit - “By (the rule of) the (Holy) Spirit.” ~Jamieson, Fausset, Brown

Walk by the Spirit - that is, either after the Spirit of God; making the word inspired by God the rule of behavior, which as it is the standard of faith, so of practice, and is the lamp unto our feet, and the light unto our path; taking [God] for a guide, who not only guides into all truth, but in the way of holiness and righteousness unto the land of uprightness; and depending upon God's grace and strength for assistance throughout the whole of our walk and conversation [conduct]. ~John Gill

Look at this verse again.  The statement is clear.  If you are walking in the Spirit, you will not fulfil the lust of the flesh.  If you are in the Spirit you are in firm conviction.  If you are in the Spirit, you are in holiness.  If you are in the Spirit, you are constantly doubling down in repentance.

In holiness, repent before your God.

Recap of sermon, Double-Down

Outline of a repentance procedure:
1] we acknowledge the sin or negative element.
2] we acknowledge that we did the sin or negative element.
3] we make a firm conviction to make a total change.
4] we make the total change [a process over time].
5] we immerse ourselves in the Word of God to ascertain God’s way.

Double-Down Phrases
--Turn yourself from all your transgressions. Ezekiel 18:30-32
--Cast away the transgressions. Ezekiel 18:30-32
--Make a new heart and new spirit. Ezekiel 18:30-32
--Depart. Psalm 34:14
--Do Good. Psalm 34:14
--Seek peace. Psalm 34:14
--Pursue peace. Psalm 34:14
--Wash yourself. Isaiah 1:16-17
--Cleanse yourself [see sermon, Rampageous].  Isaiah 1:16-17
--Put away evil. Isaiah 1:16-17
--Cease doing evil. Isaiah 1:16-17
--Purified your souls. 1 Peter 1:22-23
--Obeying the truth. 1 Peter 1:22-23
--Love one another. 1 Peter 1:22-23
--Invoke fervency. 1 Peter 1:22-23
--Mortify bad deeds and habits. Romans 8:13
--Put off the old man. Ephesians 4:22-23
--Be renewed. Ephesians 4:22-23
--Mortify bad deeds Colossians 3:5-9
--Lay apart evil and all things negative and bad. James 1:21
--Immerse yourself in the Word of God. James 1:21
--Lay aside all things evil and negative 1 Peter 2:1-2
--Live to the will of God. 1 Peter 4:2-4
--Avoid riotous living [see sermon, Rampageous]. 1 Peter 4:2-4
--Draw nigh to God. James 4:8
--Cleanse your hands. James 4:8
--Purify your hearts. James 4:8
--Do not allow yourself to be double minded. James 4:8
--Acquaint yourself with God. Job 22:21-23
--Be at peace. Job 22:21-23
--Receive the Law and words of God. Job 22:21-23
--Return or repent. Job 22:21-23
--Follow that which is good. 3 John 1:11
--Cleanse yourself from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. 2 Corinthians 7:1
--Perfect Holiness. 2 Corinthians 7:1
--Have fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1
--Walk after the Spirit. Romans 8:1
--Crucify the flesh. Galatians 5:24-26
--Live in the Spirit. Galatians 5:24-26
--Walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:24-26
--Control desire and eliminate any desire for anything negative and/or against the Word of God. Galatians 5:24-26
---Walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:16

back to top    back to Sermons   home