Be With Me: 7 Minutes of Biblical Wonder
Be With Me is a daily 7 minute chronological walk through the New Testament hosted by Michael Smith. It is for everyone who is curious about what Jesus actually said and did in the gospels. Most episodes will leave you with at least one good thought to chew on for the rest of the day. We start with the Bible and hopefully end with Awe. We are walking through the chronological events of Jesus' life and then thoughtfully considering them. It is meant to spur the devotional life of the Christian and the not-yet-Christian. We occasionally venture into the Old Testament when it helps our understanding of the New Testament events. Everybody has 7 minutes. Everybody needs to wonder. Be With Me is hosted by Michael Smith who has absolutely no special qualifications to do a podcast. He is not a pastor. He has not been to seminary. He does not lead a mega-church. He is not a professional and he has no more credentials than you do. He does, however, follow a great God with an observant eye and a curious heart. Each day, he starts with a study bible and aims for astonishment. ‘be with him’ for 7 minutes as he sets out daily to discover the God who invites us to ‘Be With Me.’
Be With Me: 7 Minutes of Biblical Wonder
“I don’t like repentance.” (God likes repentance) S31e30 Mt4:17
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Right off the bat, repentance is brutal. Why wrestle with it?
Well, a kingdom is at stake. A relationship, a citizenship with a kingdom is at stake.
Perhaps more importantly, a relationship with a King is at stake.
Join me for 7 minutes to see if it is worth it. If it is, follow me.
https://youtu.be/YV71VOxr0vU
“I don’t like repentance.” (God likes repentance) S31e30 Mt4:17
What is the most important skill in life? Probably isn’t easy. For today, it is going to be repentance. It is the key to the kingdom of heaven. This kingdom of heaven is NEAR, it is here. How do I access it?
Caught my eye, caught my ear today is the start of Jesus public teaching ministry: 4:17 from that time Jesus began to preach , saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
This is exactly what John the Bap was saying. 3:1 3 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Road to Jesus leads to repentance then thru repentance
Universal: “I’m the only one who is dealing with the regretfulness”
Before Jesus really began to preach what did He do? He met John the Baptist in the wilderness in southern Israel to MEET PEOPLE AT THEIR repentance. I agree? I regret. I’m sorry? I intend to change. I’m’ gonna turn my heart. I’m’ gonna turn my feet and their should then be FRUIT in keeping with repentance.
As Jesus really begins to preach, what is His message?
Same as John’s. Why. Maybe this is really important. Maybe this is universal. Maybe every person who comes to the Lord comes thru repentance.
What is the motivation for Repentance?the one that is mentioned is
The kingdom of heaven is at hand
The kingdom of heaven is nearby, it is within arms reach
It is close by: do not miss it.
The kingdom is at hand and the King of the kingdom is near
Right relationship with your Creator
Take home: maybe the Lord is rising up repentance in your heart for the first or manyieth time. If so you are not alone. Probably doesn’t feel like full blown on your knees confession. Might just be a tickle of regret. Might just be a thought, you know I could be wrong about this. lead to: Wrestling your soul to agree with God. Regret your disagreement. Well up grief for your offense. Verbalize your heartache in repentance.
The Christian walk starts with repentance. Says who? Jesus.
The Christian walk continues with repentance. Says who? The Hs John 14:26 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you John 16:8–11
8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment
The Christian walk finishes with repentance.
Who amongst us would not, if we knew that today would be our last day, wouldn’t assess and probably ask the Lord for forgiveness?
1. Repentance NEVER COMES ALONE.
It comes with your head changing in agreement of thought with God
It comes with your mouth echoing a verbal assent to this change
It comes with your feet turning to change
It comes with “the fruits” of behavior change. That is: other neutralparties would be able to send fruit inspectors and see some external changes
It comes with your joining a whole posse of repenters. It is called His church to do some of those activities: fellowship, service, worship, communion,
2. Don’t be surprised that repentance will be central to your walk. It was the foundation of John the Bap message and it is the start of Jesus’ message: Repent for the kingdom of heave is at hand
You may not like it, that’s not the main point: God Likes it.
3. Repent: a kingdom is at stake: You can be restored to the family you have always longed for.
4. Repent: a King is at stake—how’d you like to have a relationship with God? It probably, it MUST involve repentance
I have prayed that our Good Lord would bring sin to your remembrance AND you’d be convicted.
Then, do your job: say with your mind, mouth, feet and hands: I repent. Repentance is hard. Maybe the hardest thing. But it is the key to enjoying the kingdom of heaven here, and there.
Final question: Will you repent today?