(Clip) We Need Hell-Fire Preaching on Repentance
Leonard Ravenhill passionately calls for a return to fervent, hellfire preaching on true repentance, emphasizing the necessity of genuine new birth and heartfelt brokenness in the Christian life.
This sermon emphasizes the urgent need for true repentance and the transformative power of being born again. It challenges the complacency and lack of genuine spiritual rebirth in many professing Christians, highlighting the necessity of experiencing the glory of God and a radical heart transformation.
Full Transcript
Here's a little strange man with a leather gerber around his loins and old camel skin around his neck, and people are swarming from everywhere. What does he say? Read the four laws. He uses that word nobody likes, repent.
You know, we are preaching an acceptable gospel today. Make it as painless as we can. And all we do is give people a shot to put them to sleep so they'll get to hell quicker.
We need some hellfire preaching on repentance. One old definition says repentance is to leave the sin I've done before and show that I in earnest grieve by doing it no more. If a man is genuinely born again, all things pass away, all old things pass away, and all things become new.
If any man, anywhere, at any time, being Christ, he may be the most twisted, perverted, carnal, cruel, stinking man in the whole world, but if the miracle of regeneration comes in him, he gets a new heart, a new mind, a new spirit, a new inlook, a new outlook, new everything. We've forgotten about the majesty of the new birth. People just nod their head and say the sinner's prayer and go straight to hell down the aisle after they've leaned their head on the shoulder of the pastor.
You know, I doubt if five percent of professing Christians in America are born again. I'm astounded, bewildered, confused, baffled when people tell me in America we've 75 million people still with the Holy Ghost and with the rottenest nation on earth. Come on.
But the glory has departed. I'm convinced that when Jesus stood in a temple that day, he was singing of the day when the glory of God filled the temple. Do you remember the time when Solomon stood there and the glory came down and the priest could not minister for the glory of God? In God's name, when are we going to see that? Do you know why we don't cry and weep and feel our bowels are taller than our livers? Because we've never seen the glory of God.
That's why we're content to tread the theological doctrinal treadmill until we're weary, we drop into bed tired out. We haven't departed one iota. There isn't an angel, Gabriel or Michael.
Nobody could say we deviated from the truth of Baptist teaching or Pentecostal teaching or somebody else's teaching. We have no passion. We have no brokenness.
Why should I preach to you? God knows I'm adding condemnation to you tonight. You can't handle the truth you've already got. You've had it for five or ten years, you can't handle it.
Why should I bring you more truth?
Sermon Outline
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I
- The decline of true repentance in modern preaching
- The danger of a painless gospel leading to spiritual complacency
- The necessity of hellfire preaching to awaken sinners
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II
- Definition and significance of genuine repentance
- The transformative power of the new birth
- The evidence of true regeneration in a believer's life
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III
- The spiritual condition of professing Christians today
- The absence of God's glory in contemporary worship
- The need for brokenness and passion in the church
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IV
- The challenge of confronting hardened hearts with truth
- The danger of theological complacency without true transformation
- A call to embrace conviction and genuine spiritual revival
Key Quotes
“We need some hellfire preaching on repentance.” — Leonard Ravenhill
“If a man is genuinely born again, all things pass away, all old things pass away, and all things become new.” — Leonard Ravenhill
“People just nod their head and say the sinner's prayer and go straight to hell down the aisle after they've leaned their head on the shoulder of the pastor.” — Leonard Ravenhill
Application Points
- Examine your heart to ensure your repentance is genuine and results in life change.
- Reject a painless gospel and embrace the conviction necessary for true spiritual growth.
- Seek the presence and glory of God to cultivate passion and brokenness in your walk with Christ.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Leonard Ravenhill mean by 'hellfire preaching'?
He refers to preaching that boldly confronts sin and calls for genuine repentance, emphasizing the reality of hell and the need for urgent spiritual transformation.
Why is repentance important according to the sermon?
Repentance is crucial because it signifies turning away from sin and evidences a true new birth, resulting in a transformed life aligned with Christ.
What is the 'new birth' mentioned in the sermon?
The new birth is a spiritual regeneration where a person receives a new heart, mind, and spirit, marking the beginning of a genuine Christian life.
Why does Ravenhill criticize modern Christian preaching?
He criticizes it for being too comfortable and painless, which leads to spiritual complacency and a lack of true repentance among believers.
What is the significance of the 'glory of God' in the sermon?
The glory of God represents His manifest presence, which Ravenhill laments is missing in contemporary worship, resulting in a lack of passion and brokenness.