Has your heart grown distant from God, weighed down by the challenges of life?

In “Renewed Repentance: The Power of Turning Back to God,” Pastor Adam Burton leads us on a journey to experience true spiritual renewal. Drawing from 2 Chronicles 7:14-16, Pastor Adam explores the essential steps to humble ourselves, seek God’s face, and turn from our sins. He explains how repentance is not just about guilt but about realigning our hearts with God’s will. Through Christ’s sacrifice, we are empowered to embrace forgiveness, healing, and spiritual freedom.

This message reminds us that spiritual renewal is an ongoing process, rooted in humility and the transformative power of the gospel. Discover how turning back to God brings lasting change and true freedom in your walk with Him!

Introduction

Have you ever been lost? I mean, truly lost. Maybe you went hiking in the woods, or you were driving through an unfamiliar city, and suddenly you realized that you had no idea where you were and no idea how to get back. The feeling of disorientation, of being off course—it’s more than unsettling. It reminds us of our human condition and our need for direction in our spiritual lives.

We can find ourselves in a similar state spiritually—not just lost, but actively disconnected from God. Our prayers become lifeless, our worship loses its passion, and our hearts grow cold. We go through the motions, but we feel empty. This isn’t just disconnection; it’s evidence of our need for repentance. But hear this: God, in His infinite mercy, does not leave us there.

Through Christ, He has provided us a way back—a path to renewal. And that path is called repentance. Some of you might be thinking, “Repentance? Isn’t that just about making us feel guilty?” But let me tell you, repentance is not about guilt; it’s about turning back to God. It’s a powerful realignment of our hearts with His.

It’s an invitation to renewal, made possible by the grace extended to us through Jesus Christ. So today, as we continue our series Renewed: A Journey of Spiritual Revival, I pray that this is more than just another sermon you hear, but a call to something more foundational—renewed repentance. We’ll examine 2 Chronicles 7:14, where God speaks to Solomon after the dedication of the temple. Then, we’ll see how Christ fulfills and empowers this call.

Here’s the truth I want you to grasp today, the truth that I believe can change everything: God renews us when we humble ourselves, seek Him, and turn from our sin. But we can only do this through the transformative power of the gospel, through the work of Christ done on our behalf.

I. Humble Yourself

Our first point this morning is to humble yourself. The path to renewal begins with a crucial first step. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God declares, “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

“Humble yourself.” It’s not just a suggestion—it’s a command. But more than that, it’s an invitation to participate in the very nature of Christ in our world today. Humility isn’t exactly a popular virtue, is it? We’re often told to stand up for ourselves, no matter the cost, to be confident, to show the world how great we are.

But God—He demands humility. And for good reason. Think about this: Have you ever tried to pour water into a cup that’s already full? It just spills over, doesn’t it? You can’t add anything to it. Many of our hearts are like that—so full of ourselves, our ideas, our plans—that there’s no room for God to pour in His wisdom, His love, His affection, His direction.

That’s why humility is not optional; it’s essential. It’s about emptying ourselves so that God can fill us. It’s about making room for the Almighty to work in our lives. And here’s the key: we can only truly humble ourselves because Christ humbled Himself first. Philippians 2 tells us that Christ, “being found in human form, humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

Christ’s humility makes our humility possible. His perfect submission to the Father’s will empowers us to submit our wills to God.

Practical Steps to Humility

So, what does humbling ourselves look like in practical terms? Let me give you three aspects, all rooted in Christ’s work:

1. Acknowledge our need for God
It’s about saying, “Lord, I can’t do this on my own. I need You.” Now, some might think this is weakness, but it’s not—it’s wisdom. It’s recognizing, as Christ did in the Garden of Gethsemane, that our Father’s will is supreme.

2. Recognize our sins and shortcomings
We don’t do this to beat ourselves up, but to honestly assess where we have fallen short of God’s holiness. This isn’t defeat—it’s the first step to victory, all made possible by Christ, who bore our sins on the cross.

3. Submit to God’s will
Let’s be honest—this is often the hardest part, isn’t it? Saying, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” This isn’t surrender to an enemy—it’s submission to a loving Father, just as Christ submitted in the garden.

A Call to Humility

So, I challenge you today: In what area of your life are you struggling to humble yourself right now? Is it in a relationship where pride has taken root? A persistent sin that you’ve been unwilling to confront? Or perhaps it’s simply admitting your need for help—from God and from others?

The beautiful truth is that when we humble ourselves, we’re not losing anything of value. In fact, we’re gaining everything. James 4:6 promises us, “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” When we humble ourselves, we position ourselves to receive God’s grace, His wisdom, His renewal. It’s this divine exchange: our pride for His power, our sin for His righteousness. And all of this is made possible through the humility and sacrifice of Christ.

II. Seek God’s Face

Now that we’ve humbled ourselves, God calls us to take the next crucial step: seek His face. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, He commands us, “seek my face.” Let’s read it again: “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

“Seek my face.” It’s a phrase we often hear in church, but what does it truly mean in light of Christ’s work? Think about someone you love—maybe it’s a spouse, a child, or a close friend. When you’re having a heart-to-heart conversation with them, what do you do? You look them in the eye. You seek their face. It’s an intimate, personal connection.

And that’s what God is inviting us to—an up-close and personal relationship, not a distant, formal one. Here’s the amazing truth: through Christ, we can now approach God’s throne with confidence. Hebrews 4:16 tells us, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Christ has made it possible for us to seek God’s face, for He is “the image of the invisible God.” When we seek God’s face, we are seeking Christ Himself.

How to Seek God’s Face

So how do we actively seek God’s face through Christ? Let me give you three ways:

1. Through Prayer
Not just going through a list and rattling off a bunch of requests, but truly conversing with God—listening as much as we speak. Prayer is about building a relationship, and Christ has opened the way for us to approach God as our loving Father.

2. Through His Word
When we read the Bible, we’re not just gathering information; we’re hearing God’s heart. We see His character, and we get to know His desires for us. All Scripture points to Christ, who is the Word made flesh.

3. Through Worship
Whether it’s singing on Sunday morning or marveling at God’s creation, worship helps us focus on who God is and express our love for Him. True worship is only possible through Christ, our great High Priest.

A Heartfelt Pursuit

So, let me ask you: when was the last time you truly sought God’s face through Christ? I’m not talking about saying a quick prayer or showing up at church, but intentionally seeking to connect with Him. There’s a powerful promise in Jeremiah 29:13: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Did you catch that? When we truly seek God, He promises that we will find Him. He’s not hiding from us—He wants to be found. And in Christ, He has made Himself fully known to us. But notice what it says: “with all your heart.” Half-hearted seeking won’t cut it. God demands a wholehearted pursuit of Him.

When we do that—when we truly seek His face through Christ—we open ourselves up to transformation, to renewal, and to a deeper understanding of who He is and who we are in Him.

The Challenge

So today, as we turn back to God and seek renewal, I challenge you to commit to seeking His face through Christ. Not just His hand for what He can do for us, but His face—who He is. Pursue that intimate, personal connection with our Creator and Savior. It’s not optional; it’s essential for true spiritual renewal. But know this: it’s made possible by the work of Christ on our behalf.

III. Turn from Sin

This leads us to our third point: turn from sin. We’ve humbled ourselves. We’ve sought God’s face. Now comes the next crucial step: turning from our sin. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God commands us to “turn from their wicked ways.” Let’s look at it again: “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Turn from sin. It’s a challenging call. It means change. It means action. And it’s not always comfortable. We live in a culture that often tries to soften sin, calling it “mistakes” or “poor choices.” But God doesn’t mince words here. What does He call it? Wickedness. Anything that separates us from Him. Anything that falls short of His glory.

Imagine that you’re driving down a road and suddenly realize, “I’m going the wrong way.” What do you do? You don’t just acknowledge it and keep driving, do you? No—you make a U-turn. You change direction. That’s what repentance is all about. And here’s the crucial truth: we can only repent because of what Christ has done for us. Romans 2:4 tells us, “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?”

It’s God’s kindness in Christ that leads us to repentance. Christ’s sacrifice breaks the power of sin and enables us to turn away from it.

Practical Steps to Turn from Sin

How do we practically turn from our sin through Christ’s power? Here are three steps:

1. Identify the sin
This requires honesty. Ask God to reveal the areas in your life that are not aligned with His will. As we draw closer to Him, His light exposes the darkness within us. This is where seeking God’s face helps because we become more aware of what we need to change.

2. Confess it 
John 1:9 tells us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Confession brings our sin into the light, and in Christ, we are assured of forgiveness. There s power in acknowledging our sin before God.

3. Turn away from it
True repentance means change. Maybe it means removing ourselves from tempting situations, seeking accountability, or replacing sinful habits with godly ones. We do this through the power of the Holy Spirit, given to us because of Christ’s work.

The Call to Repentance

So, let me ask you: what sin in your life do you need to turn away from today? Is it an addiction? A harmful relationship? Pride? Maybe something more subtle like apathy or selfishness?

There’s a beautiful picture of repentance in the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. The son doesn’t just feel bad—he gets up and returns to his father. And what does the father do? He runs to meet him. He embraces him and restores him. You see, that’s how God receives us in Christ when we repent.

Repentance isn’t a one-time event—it’s a lifestyle. It’s continually turning from sin and turning toward God. And when we do that, we experience true renewal—a freedom that can only come through Christ.

IV. Trust in God’s Promise

So today, as we seek renewal, let’s turn from our sin. Let’s change direction and experience the freedom and restoration that God offers us through true repentance. This brings us to our final point: trust in God’s promise. We’ve humbled ourselves, we’ve sought God’s face, and we’ve turned from our sins. Now we come to the culmination of this process of renewal: trusting in God’s promise.

Let’s look again at what God declares in 2 Chronicles 7:14-16:
“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. For now I have chosen and consecrated this house, that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time.”

What incredible promises! God says He will hear, He will forgive, and He will heal. God promises His attention, His presence, and His enduring commitment. But here’s the key: we must trust in these promises. And how can we trust them fully? Because of Christ.

In 2 Corinthians 1:20, we are told, “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.” Every promise of God finds fulfillment in Christ—it’s the ultimate “Yes” to all of God’s promises.

How to Actively Trust in God’s Promises

So, how do we actively trust in God’s promises through Christ? Here are three ways:

1. Know the promises
This is why reading and studying Scripture is so crucial. God’s Word is full of promises made to us, and all of these promises point to and are fulfilled in Christ.

2. Remind ourselves of them daily
The Israelites were often instructed to set up memorials to retell the stories of God’s faithfulness. Why? Because we are prone to forget. We need these constant reminders of God’s promises and how Christ fulfills them.

3. Act on them
James tells us that faith without works is dead. If we truly trust God’s promises in Christ, it should change how we live, how we make decisions, and how we face challenges.

Living Out God’s Promises

So let me ask you: what promises of God do you need to trust in today? Maybe it’s His promise of forgiveness, and you need to accept that Christ has truly wiped your slate clean. Maybe it’s His promise of provision, and you need to trust Him in a difficult financial situation. Or perhaps it’s His promise of purpose—you need to believe that He has a plan for your life in Christ.

Trusting in God’s promises doesn’t mean that everything will go smoothly. It doesn’t mean we won’t face hardships and challenges, but it does mean we have an unshakable foundation in Christ, an anchor for our souls. Think about Abraham. God promised him descendants as numerous as the stars, but for years Abraham remained childless. Yet Romans 4:20-21 tells us, “No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.”

Friends, that’s the kind of trust God is calling us to—a trust that doesn’t waver when circumstances seem to contradict the promise. And we can have this trust because we see how God has already fulfilled His greatest promise in sending Christ.

The Promise of Renewal

Here’s the beautiful truth: as we trust in God’s promises in Christ, we experience the renewal He offers. Our faith grows stronger, our perspective shifts, and we begin to see life through the lens of God’s faithfulness rather than our circumstances. Psalm 103:2-5 reminds us of God’s promises when David says,
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

This is the kind of renewal God offers when we trust in His promises through Christ: forgiveness, healing, redemption, love, compassion, satisfaction, and renewed strength.

So today, as we seek this renewal and turn back to God, I challenge you to trust in Christ. Take God at His word. Believe that as we humble ourselves, seek His face, and turn from our sins, He will indeed hear from heaven, forgive our sins, and bring healing and renewal to our lives. This isn’t just a good idea; it’s a divine invitation to experience the fullness of God’s promises in Christ.

Conclusion

As we come to a close this morning, I invite our worship team to come forward.

I want to close with a story—a story of a man named Joseph Scriven. Now, you may not recognize his name, but you probably know the song that he wrote: What a Friend We Have in Jesus. Joseph was a man who faced incredible heartbreak. He lost his fiancée the day before they were to get married. Heartbroken, he moved to Canada to begin a new life.

He dedicated himself to helping others, living simply, and serving those in need. But years later, when his mother fell ill, he wrote a poem to comfort her. That poem became the hymn we all know today.

Picture this: Joseph alone by a small candlelit table, writing words of comfort while tears roll down his face. The room is cold. The pain of loss feels fresh. But even in that dark moment, he finds hope in the love of Jesus. And he pens these words:
What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear.

Every stroke of his pen is filled with trust in the promises of God, even when the entire world around him seems to crumble.

Joseph Scriven faced loss, heartache, and sorrow, but he trusted in God’s promises. He found comfort in the truth that Jesus is always with us, that He bears our burdens, and that His grace is sufficient. Joseph didn’t allow his pain to make him bitter; he allowed it to draw him closer to God.

So today, each of us has a choice. We can choose to remain stuck in our pride, our sin, our fear—or we can choose to trust in the promises of God. We can humble ourselves, seek His face, turn from our sin, and trust that He will hear, forgive, and heal. Friends, this is your invitation to renewal.

If you’re here today and you’ve never truly trusted in Jesus with your life—if you’ve never surrendered to Him in your heart—today is the day.

Picture the arms of Jesus outstretched, inviting you into His embrace. He came, lived a sinless life, and died on the cross for our sins. And He rose again so that we could have new life.

He, and He alone, offers forgiveness, freedom, and the promise of eternal life. All you need to do is come to Him. You need to humble yourself, turn from your sin, and trust in His finished work on the cross.

So if you feel that tug on your heart today—if you feel the Spirit prompting you—don’t ignore it. Respond. Come forward. I’ll be standing right down here to pray with you and receive you. But don’t leave today without knowing that you are right with God and that you have experienced His renewal.

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father God,
Oh, we thank You for Your incredible mercy. Lord, we thank You that You do not leave us lost and broken, but You call us to Yourself.

So today we pray for renewed hearts—hearts that are humbled, hearts that seek You, turn from sin, and trust in Your promises through Your Son, Jesus Christ. May we be renewed by Your Spirit. May our lives reflect Your glory.

It’s in Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.