Message - The Urgency of Repentance and God's Call

 

The Urgency of Repentance and God's Call

As we continue our Lenten journey, we are reminded that this season is a time of self-examination, repentance, and renewal. Today's readings call us to:

1. Recognize God's presence (Exodus 3)

2. Learn from the past and stand firm in faith (1 Corinthians 10)

3. Repent and bear fruit (Luke 13)

4. Seek God earnestly (Psalm 63)

Each passage today directs us to turn away from sin and turn toward God, trusting in His grace and faithfulness.

I. Moses and the Call of God (Exodus 3:1-15)

A. The Burning Bush – A Call to Holiness

• Moses was tending sheep when he saw a bush that was burning but not consumed.

• God called him by name: "Moses, Moses!"

• Moses responded, "Here I am", showing openness to God's call.

• Are we attentive to God's call in our daily lives?

• Are we standing on holy ground, recognizing God's presence in our lives?

B. God's Revelation – "I AM WHO I AM"

• God revealed His name: Yahweh ("I AM"), showing that He is eternal, unchanging, and self-sufficient.

• He promised to deliver His people from bondage in Egypt.

• Just as God called Moses to lead His people, He calls each of us to serve Him in our own unique way.

• Lent is a time to listen to God's voice and ask, "Lord, where are You calling me?"

II. Learning from the Past (1 Corinthians 10:1-13)

A. Israel’s Mistakes as a Warning

• Paul reminds the Corinthians of Israel’s journey in the wilderness:

• They were led by God (pillar of cloud, parting of the Red Sea).

• They ate manna and drank from the spiritual rock (Christ).

• But they fell into sin—idolatry, immorality, and grumbling—leading to judgment.

• We are not immune to temptation.

• Do we take God’s grace for granted?

• Paul warns: “If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (1 Cor. 10:12)

B. God's Faithfulness in Temptation

• Paul reassures us:

“God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” (1 Cor. 10:13)

• God provides a way out so we can endure trials.

• Are we relying on God's strength in times of temptation?

• This Lent, let us examine our hearts and turn away from anything that hinders our walk with Christ.

III. The Urgency of Repentance (Luke 13:1-9)

A. Jesus Confronts the Question of Suffering

• People told Jesus about Galileans killed by Pilate.

• Jesus responds: "Do you think they were worse sinners?"

• Then He mentions eighteen people killed when a tower collapsed.

• His message: Tragedies should remind us of the urgency of repentance.

• We should not judge others' suffering but instead examine our own lives.

• Are we living in a way that honors God?

B. The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

• A fig tree had not borne fruit for three years.

• The owner wanted to cut it down, but the gardener pleaded for more time to care for it.

• God is patient with us, giving us time to repent.

• But time is not unlimited—we must bear fruit before it is too late.

• What spiritual fruit are we producing?

IV. Seeking God with a Hungry Heart (Psalm 63:1-8)

A. A Thirst for God

• David expresses a deep longing for God, saying:

“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you.” (Psalm 63:1)

• He describes God’s steadfast love as better than life.

• Are we thirsting for God, or have we become spiritually dry?

• Lent is a time to rekindle our hunger for God.

B. Finding Strength in God’s Presence

• Even in the wilderness, David clings to God.

• True satisfaction comes from God alone, not worldly things.

• In this Lenten season, are we drawing closer to God?

• Are we seeking Him daily in prayer and Scripture?

Responding to God's Call in Lent

1. Listen to God's Call

• Like Moses, we must pay attention to God’s voice and be ready to respond.

2. Learn from the Past

• Paul reminds us to avoid the mistakes of Israel and rely on God’s strength.

3. Repent and Bear Fruit

• Jesus warns us: Repentance is urgent. We must bear fruit before it’s too late.

4. Seek God with All Your Heart

• Like David in Psalm 63, let us thirst for God and find true satisfaction in Him.

Challenge:

• Are there sins in our lives that we need to confess and turn away from?

• Are we bearing spiritual fruit, or are we like the barren fig tree?

• Are we seeking God earnestly, or have we allowed worldly distractions to take over?

This Lent, let us renew our commitment to Christ, knowing that God is always faithful, always patient, and always calling us to a deeper relationship with Him.