By Steve A. Hamilton

Matthew 3:5-10

Introduction: When John the Baptist was baptizing people at the Jordan River, he had some rather harsh things to say to a group of Pharisees and Sadducees.  He addresses them as a “Brood of Vipers!”  He had no quorum identifying them as wicked.  Yet, his contention with them was not over their sins but over their attitude toward repentance.  He tells them they must bear fruits worthy of repentance!  They cannot depend upon their status as a Jew to save them.  God is ready to cut anyone down like a dead tree and throw them into Hell if they won’t bear the good fruits that only a repentant heart can produce.

          So what are fruits worthy of repentance that God expects everyone to bear?

I. The Corinthians provide the answer (2 Cor. 7:9-11).

          A. Paul is praising the Corinthians here for their repentance as it related to his rebuke of them concerning the man who had his father’s wife (1 Cor. 5:1-13).

          B. Not only had godly sorrow produced the appropriate repentance but Paul goes on to tell us the fruits of repentance he recognized in them (vs. 11).

II. “What diligence it produced in you”

          A. “This word properly denotes speed, haste; then diligence, earnest effort, forwardness.  Here it is evidently used to denote the diligence and the great anxiety which they manifested to remove the evils which existed among them” (Barnes).

          B. The Corinthians didn’t just mourn their sin.  They did something about it.

          C. The Corinthians didn’t pretend their was nothing they could do.  When people are convicted of sin, they will do whatever it takes with all diligence to get it removed.

          D. Diligent action to seek forgiveness is a fruit worthy of repentance.

III. “What clearing of yourselves”

          A. The Corinthians apologized for their sin by removing the evil person from their congregation.

          B. The rebuke and recognition of their sin caused them to clear themselves of all wrongdoing (Eph. 5:11).

          C. Confessing and apologizing for sin is a fruit worthy of repentance.

 IV. “What indignation”

          A. Indignation is anger aroused by something unjust (Acts 23:3). 

          B. The Corinthian’s indignation was against their complacency for permitting evil in their mist.  They were upset that they didn’t recognize their evil by permitting such wickedness (1 Cor. 5:2, 11).

          C. Having anger aroused against our sin is a fruit worthy of repentance.

V. “What fear”

          A. The Corinthians were moved with fear.  What would happen if their sin was not removed?  What would happen if their sin was repeated?  They were appropriately scared of the eternal consequence of their sin.

          B. Being moved by the fear of God in order to make correction is a fruit worthy of repentance (Matt. 10:28; Rom. 11:20-21; Heb. 4:1). 

VI. “What vehement desire”

          A. A vehement desire is something that is deeply felt and forcibly expressed.  The offender is so hurt that it causes great pain and effort to express it.

          B. The Corinthians were deeply grieved that they tolerated sin in their members.

          C. Deep grief that is difficult to confess is a fruit worthy of repentance. 

VII. “What zeal”

          A. Zeal is simply eagerness.  The Corinthians were eager to remove their sin. 

                   1. It wasn’t the idea that they would ask for forgiveness if they had too.

                   2. It wasn’t the idea that they would only deal with the particular incidence like a drunkard apologizing for a particular time he was caught drinking.          

          B. Eagerness to remove the entire sin is a fruit worthy of repentance (Rev. 3:19).

VIII. “What vindication”

          A. Vindication is not necessarily revenge.  It is the justification against denial.  In other words, it is making correction even when it is difficult.

          B. In this case, the Corinthians were vindicated by withdrawing their fellowship from that evil person (Matt. 5:29-30).

          C. Making correction is a fruit worthy of repentance.     

IX. Fruits worthy of repentance does not include…

          A. Explaining sin away as though it wasn’t that bad.

          B. Neglecting to seek forgiveness.

          C. Attacking someone else for their error.

          D. Negotiating for terms of forgiveness.

          E. Blaming someone else.

          F. Being sorry for getting caught.

          G. Avoiding the confession and apology for the sin.

          H. A lack of godly sorrow.

          I. Readily committing the same sin again. 

Conclusion: From all indications, the Corinthians were repentant for the sins they committed.  The fruits worthy of repentance were those indications that reflect a contrite (deeply grieved and penitent) heart for the evil that was committed

(Psm. 34:18; 51:17; Isa. 66:2).  Most any resistance toward the repentance of sin does not reflect a broken and contrite heart.  Rather it proves the sinner remains in his sin.  

          Are you ready to repent of your sins?

Last modified: 05/02/08