A Call To Repentance and Renewal
Pastor Alex Hall | Original Sermon: August 24, 2025 WATCH
In these turbulent times, many of us find ourselves at a crossroads. We're bombarded with messages from all directions - social media, news outlets, and even some religious leaders - telling us what we want to hear rather than what we need to hear. But as we navigate these latter days, it's crucial to discern between truth and falsehood, between what's worthy and what's worthless.
The prophet Jeremiah warns us about false prophets who speak from their own hearts rather than from God's counsel. These voices tell people what they want to hear - that everything is fine, that they can follow the desires of their hearts without consequence. But this is a dangerous deception. The truth is, when we follow our own desires without seeking God's will, we often find ourselves in dark places, struggling with anxiety, depression, and a sense of emptiness.
God's word tells us, "Is not my word like fire, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?" (Jeremiah 23:29). This powerful imagery reminds us that God's truth has the power to break through our hardened hearts, to shatter our misconceptions and prideful attitudes. It may not always be comfortable, but it's always transformative.
In Isaiah 30, we're warned about the sorrow that awaits those who make plans contrary to God's will, who form alliances not directed by His Spirit. How often do we charge ahead with our own plans without consulting God? How many of us are in relationships or situations that aren't aligned with God's best for us?
The call to repentance isn't a harsh judgment - it's an invitation to freedom and renewal. When we turn back to God, acknowledging our need for Him, amazing things begin to happen. Marriages can be restored, anxieties can dissipate, and long-standing doubts can give way to bold faith.
But this transformation requires action on our part. We need to actively seek God's presence, to spend time in His Word not just to get answers, but to be in relationship with Him. It's about turning off the distractions - the phones, the TV, the constant noise of the world - and creating space for silence and solitude with our Creator.
As we do this, we begin to see changes in our lives. Our taste buds change - the things of the world that once seemed so enticing start to lose their appeal. We begin to desire the things of God more than the fleeting pleasures of the world. Our relationships transform as we start to see others through God's eyes.
In these latter days, God is looking for sons and daughters who are walking worthy, not worthless. He's separating the wheat from the chaff, and His Word is the tool of separation. That's why it's so crucial to get into the Word, to let it shape our thinking and guide our actions.
For those who feel like they've been far from God, take heart. He sees you, and He's ready to do something new in your life. It starts with a simple act of surrender - opening your hands, physically and spiritually, and saying, "Jesus, I'm yours."
This surrender might mean breaking off relationships that aren't God-honoring. It might mean repenting of attitudes or actions that don't align with God's will. It might mean stepping out in bold faith, even when it feels uncomfortable or doesn't make sense to the world around us.
Remember, God still heals. He still sets people free. He still works miracles. But often, these miracles are directly connected to our repentance and obedience. As we turn back to Him, we position ourselves to receive His supernatural provision and blessing.
In this season, God is calling His people to a new level of faith and obedience. He's inviting us to see visions, to prophesy, to witness and participate in miracles. But this requires us to be fully submitted to Him, to be willing to hear and obey His voice even when it goes against our natural inclinations.
The promise is that as we do this, we'll see transformation not just in our own lives, but in our families, our communities, and even our nation. We'll see dry bones come to life. We'll see those who are far from God turn back to Him. We'll see restoration and renewal on a scale we've never imagined.
So today, let's make a decision. Let's choose to stand in God's counsel rather than following the false prophets of our age. Let's open our hearts to His transforming Word, even when it challenges us. Let's repent of the areas where we've been following our own desires rather than God's will.
As we do this, we can declare with confidence that God is worthy. He's worthy of our trust, our obedience, our whole lives. In a world full of worthless pursuits, He alone is truly worthy.
This journey of faith isn't always easy. It requires courage, humility, and a willingness to look different from the world around us. But the rewards are beyond anything we could ask or imagine. As we align ourselves with God's will and His Word, we position ourselves to see His kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
So today, will you join in this call to repentance and renewal? Will you open your heart to God's transforming Word? Will you choose to pursue what's worthy and turn away from what's worthless? The choice is yours, but remember - we're in the latter days. There's no time to waste. God is moving, and He's inviting you to be part of it. Will you answer His call?