Weekly Update – March 5th, 2026
On Sunday, Jason Franklin preached for us out of Luke chapter 13:1-9. Here, the main call from Jesus was to repent. The question that prompted this response from Jesus was over a tragedy that occurred with Pilate killing a group of Galileans and mixing their blood with their sacrifices (13:1). The implication from those asking Jesus about his thoughts is that these Galileans had done something wrong or were in sin for God to allow such suffering as this. Jesus responds by saying, “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” In other words, there is none who are righteous (Rom. 3:10), no one more deserving, no one exempt from pain, for all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory (Rom. 6:23).
This leads us to ask, “What does it mean to repent?” Before we answer that question though, let’s take a look at what some common displays of false repentance are. We talked about this a bit on Sunday morning, but I want to highlight them again for you so that you can see the contrast. Therefore, here are four common displays of false repentance:
First, mistaking confession for repentance. Many think that simply saying they are sorry and then moving on fixes whatever situation they are in. What is even more popular is to not even acknowledge the sin but to confess a mistake, saying things such as, “oh, I misspoke, I’m sorry” or “I gave you misinformation, I’m sorry.” This isn’t even really confession now. Actual confession is good and is a part of repentance, for we must acknowledge our sin, but confession alone will accomplish nothing.
Second, mistaking worldly sorrow for repentance. The apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 7:10 that there is a worldly sorrow that does not lead to repentance because it merely acknowledges guilt but does nothing to change. Instead, often what worldly sorrow or worldly grief leads to is penance, or a desire to do something good to make up for the guilt within. Judas is a prime example of worldly sorrow gone wrong to the extreme, as he ends up hanging himself (Matt. 27:5), instead of repenting of the sin of betraying the Son of God.
Third, mistaking excuses with repentance. When caught in a sin, it is easy to simply say, “oh, that is just who I am.” Some might say, “I’m naturally an angry person, so you will have to excuse my outbursts.” Or “My enneagram or personality type means that I typically react in ways that others don’t.” Others might even say, “I tend to act the way I do because of my past, or because of my parents, or because of the stress in my life.” Many of us might have legitimate issues in our lives that greatly affect us, but at the same time, none of them are excuses for sin.
Fourth, mistaking general comments with repentance. Often when confronted with something wrong in their life, many will say, “well, nobody is perfect” or “we all make mistakes.” What is worse is when we fail to even acknowledge a mistake and say something like, “please forgive me for anything that I said that may have offended you.” Here you have just a general statement that is trying to sooth over a situation. The problem with this is that though confession alone is not repentance, repentance without confession isn’t repentance either.
False repentance will only lead to false confidence in yourself. What we need is true repentance. True repentance comes through a change in our minds, a change in our heart and desires, followed by a change in our behavior and our actions. This only occurs through a turning away from sin and a turning to Jesus Christ. This not a temporary event either. No, repentance is the inclination of our life now. For just as we strive to live every second of our life by faith, so too, we now live every second in repentance, as we seek to continually put down sin and look up to Jesus. For as Charles Spurgeon said in All of Grace, “All the while that we walk by faith and not by sight, the tear of repentance glitters in the eye of faith.”
Contrary to the way it might sound, living with a posture towards repentance is not a morbid obsession with sin. Instead, we must see repentance paired with a life that lives in the freedom that forgiveness brings. Again, as Charles Spurgeon said, “It may seem a strange thing, but so it is – the bitterness of repentance and the sweetness of pardon blend in the flavor of every gracious life and make up an incomparable happiness”
Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson
Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson
Fighter Verse for the Week
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."
- 1 John 2:15-17
Announcements:
Sunday Evening Service: Our next Sunday evening service will be on Sunday, March 8th at 6:00pm. On this evening we will pray together and hear from David Hutchison as he preaches from 1 John 5:6-12
Prom Dress Giveaway: The prom dress giveaway is in need of volunteers. See Amy Blankenship or sign up on the bulletin board in the hall. Click HERE for more details.
Spring Work Day: On Saturday, March 21st at 8:00am there will be an all church work day. Come and help us clean, make minor repairs and get our building ready for all of the spring/summer activities that will take place.
Members’ Meeting: Following the morning service on Sunday, March 29th, we will have a potluck lunch and members’ meeting. There is a signup sheet for the potluck on the bulletin board in the hall.
Easter Schedule: There will be many opportunities to connect with us this Easter season. First, join us on Palm Sunday on March 29th at 10:30am. Second, Maundy Thursday will be on April 2nd, at 7:00pm. Lastly, celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ with us on April 5th. That morning we will have our annual Easter Breakfast at 9:15am with our Worship Service to follow at 10:30am.
Annie Armstrong Easter Offering: Every year at this time, we raise funds to support missionaries all over North America who are serving with the North American Mission Board (NAMB). This year, our goal at First Baptist Church is to raise $3000. You can give on Sunday mornings through one of our offering boxes located in the foyer or the welcome center. Just mark your envelop as “missions” or “Annie.” Or you can give online HERE and choose “missions” under the Fund tab. You can find more information about this offering HERE.
Men’s Study: Our next Men’s study will begin on Wednesday, April 8th from 8:00-9:15pm. The book for this study will be The Case for Christ. See Clint Blankenship for more information.
Ladies Bible Study: On Tuesday, February 17th, a ten week Bible study through the book of Joshua began. There are two sessions, one at 9:30am and another at 6:00pm. You can check out more information about this Bible study, HERE.
Family Discipleship Guides: These guides are designed to help equip parents further engage with what our children and youth are learning. You can find a guide for AWANA, HERE and for our Youth, HERE.
Building Remodel: We have officially kicked off our fundraiser! There are commitment cards available in the sanctuary as well as in the welcome center. Feel free to pick up one and return it to one an available basket. If you would like to give a one time or a reoccurring gift, you can do so HERE and select “building remodel.” You can also give through one of the offering boxes at church. Be sure to mark your envelop, “building remodel.” Check out a video highlighting the work done so far.
Food Pantry: The food pantry is currently in need of some food items. For a complete list of food pantry needs, click HERE.
Awana Bible Club
Awana Clubs are held on Wednesdays throughout the school year. Dinner is at 6:00pm with Awana Clubs starting at 6:30pm. Children can be registered HERE.
Equipping Hour
We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “Habits of the Household” meets in the Sanctuary, a study in Hebrews in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the Old Testament meets in the classroom next to the nursery. You can find more information HERE.
Giving
To Give Online, Go HERE.
You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030
Home Groups
Home Groups typically meet on the first and third Sunday of each month. Please contact Pastor Michael if you would like to join a Home Group. You can find more information HERE.
Prayer
An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE.
Prepare for Sunday
Guide for Worship can be found HERE.