Repent and be Refreshed!
Rev. Enoch Thompson | February 7 2025 | Acts 3:17-26
KEY VERSE: ¹⁹Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, ²⁰ and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you — even Jesus. Acts 3:19-20 (NIV)
MESSAGE: When we are sensitive to right and wrong, our consciences alert us when we have erred. Sometimes, the fallen nature of our humanity makes us insensitive to our sins, and we continue as if everything is alright. Yet God is gracious and sends reminders and indicators to us to make us aware of our sins. The purpose of God in doing this is to guide us to repentance so that we can be reconnected to Him and not come under His judgment.
Being told of our sin seems like an attack on our person, and our natural self rises to oppose the revelation of the sin. The Apostle Peter, speaking by the power of the Holy Spirit, touched on the sin of Israel in the crucifixion of Christ. He indicated that both Israel and its leaders acted out of ignorance.
However, there must be a way back to the right path. His message to them was
¹⁹Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, ²⁰ and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you — even Jesus. Acts 3:19-20 (NIV)
Repentance is a deliberate and sincere recognition of our sin, a turning away from our sin and our turning to God. Such turning done in truth brings us cleansing by God from our sin, repentance brings the refreshment of our spirit and soul, and sometimes this is even visible in the freshness of body and healing of sickness. God may even restore lost positions and possessions, but most importantly, our relationship with God is restored, and Christ and His Spirit take a new centre stage in our lives.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
What is the condition of your spirit? Are there lingering sins that you need to turn away from? Is there a need to turn back to God because you have strayed and stayed away from your deep fellowship with Him? Let’s repent; we shall be refreshed!
PRAYER:
Search me, O God, and know my heart today;
Try me, O Saviour, know my thoughts, I pray.
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from ev’ry sin and set me free. Amen
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 38: Exodus 3-4 — God Calls Moses
DAILY word study: REFRESHING The word "refreshing" in Acts 3:19 comes from the Greek word "anapsyxis" (ἀνάψυξις), which means “a recovery of breath,” “revival,” or “cooling relief.” It carries the imagery of a fresh wind or a soothing presence that restores life and vigor.
Peter’s call to repentance in Acts 3:19-20 links forgiveness of sins with times of refreshing from the Lord. This indicates that true renewal and restoration come when we realign our hearts with God. Throughout Scripture, divine refreshment is associated with repentance, obedience, and God’s presence (Psalm 51:10-12, Isaiah 44:3).
Reflection:
Have you experienced spiritual dryness? True refreshment comes when we turn back to God with a sincere heart. What areas of your life need renewal through repentance today?
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