Sackcloth & Ashes: A Look At True National Repentance - Part 5

“Collective Repentance: A Call for National Humility and Return to God”

Read & download full video transcript here: https://robertwimer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Sackcloth-Ashes-FULL-SERMON-TRANSCRIPT.pdf

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The Path Forward – Hope Through Christ

Let’s be honest—it can feel overwhelming when we look around at the state of the world. The darkness seems so deep, and the weight of collective sin feels like it’s crushing everything in its path. But here’s the good news: there’s hope. And that hope is found in Jesus Christ.

It’s easy to get lost in the doom and gloom, to focus on the moral decay, the violence, and the waywardness of society. But as believers, we are called to be the light in that darkness. We’re not here to merely lament the state of the world—we’re here to proclaim the answer. We’re here to show the world that in the midst of all this brokenness, there is a path forward. And that path is through Christ.

The Power of the Gospel

The message of the gospel is simple yet profound: Jesus Christ came to save sinners. That’s the core of it. It’s not just a message of personal salvation, but a message of hope for entire nations. The gospel has the power to transform lives, families, communities, and yes, even entire nations.

If we’re serious about turning this country back to God, it starts with the gospel. But not just any watered-down version of it—the full gospel. We need to preach the hard truths about sin, repentance, and judgment, but we also need to share the overwhelming grace and mercy found in Jesus. It’s not an either/or; it’s both.

It’s easy to get stuck in the judgment part when we talk about collective sin. And sure, judgment is real. God is just, and there are consequences for sin, both on an individual and national level. But here’s the thing: God’s mercy is just as real, and that’s what we need to focus on.

God’s mercy is available to anyone who repents. Just like He spared Nineveh when they turned from their wicked ways, He can and will spare us if we do the same. That’s the beauty of the gospel. It’s a message of redemption, no matter how far gone we are.

Standing in the Gap

As believers, we are called to stand in the gap for our nation. Just like Abraham interceded for Sodom and Moses prayed for Israel, we too can cry out to God on behalf of our country. It’s easy to sit back and say, “Well, things are too far gone” or “This nation is under judgment.” But remember, God listens to the prayers of the righteous. He is moved by the cries of His people.

Look at the prophet Daniel. He prayed for Israel while they were in exile. He confessed not only his own sins but the sins of the nation. He didn’t just throw his hands up and accept their captivity. He interceded. And God heard him.

We need to do the same. We need to pray for this nation, for its leaders, for its people. And we need to do more than just pray. We need to speak out. We need to be bold in proclaiming the truth of the gospel, even when it’s uncomfortable. Even when it costs us something.

A Call to Action: Living as Salt and Light

Jesus called us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-16). Salt preserves, and light dispels darkness. But what happens if the salt loses its flavor? What happens if we, as believers, blend in so much with the world that we no longer stand out?

We are called to live differently. We’re not supposed to conform to the world’s standards. We’re supposed to set the standard, to be the example of what it looks like to follow Christ. That’s the first step in turning this nation around—being a living testimony of God’s grace and truth.

And living as salt and light doesn’t just mean preaching or sharing Bible verses. It means loving your neighbor, even when they disagree with you. It means standing up for what’s right, even when it’s unpopular. It means living with integrity, honesty, and compassion in a world that often lacks all three.

If we want to see a revival in this nation, it starts with us. We need to be the hands and feet of Christ, actively showing the world what His love looks like. It’s one thing to talk about repentance—it’s another to live it out.

The Church’s Role in National Repentance

The church is meant to be the beacon of hope in any society. When the church is strong, the nation benefits. But when the church compromises, the nation suffers. One of the reasons we’re seeing so much moral decline is because the church, in many cases, has failed to uphold the truth of the gospel.

We’ve watered down the message. We’ve traded biblical truth for cultural relevance. And in doing so, we’ve lost our power to influence the culture around us.

It’s time for the church to rise up. It’s time for pastors, leaders, and believers to speak the truth in love. To call sin what it is, but also to extend the hand of grace and forgiveness. We can’t have one without the other.

Revival begins in the house of God. If the church will repent—if we will humble ourselves and seek God’s face—then we will see change. But it has to start with us. We can’t expect the world to repent if the church refuses to acknowledge its own sins.

A Message of Hope in Dark Times

Yes, these are dark times. But we don’t have to be afraid. We know the end of the story. Jesus wins. He will return, and He will set all things right. But until that day comes, we have a job to do. We are called to be the light, to spread the gospel, and to make disciples of all nations.

There’s hope because God is still on the throne. There’s hope because Jesus still saves. There’s hope because the Holy Spirit is still at work in the hearts of men and women. And there’s hope because the gospel is still the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes.

Conclusion: The Time is Now

If we truly want to see this nation turn back to God, it starts with us. It starts with the church. It starts with you and me. We need to pray, we need to repent, and we need to proclaim the gospel boldly and without fear.

Collective repentance is possible, but it won’t happen by accident. It will take intentional action, fervent prayer, and a commitment to live out the truth of the gospel in every area of our lives.

So, let’s not wait any longer. Let’s not sit idly by as our nation drifts further away from God. Let’s be the ones who stand in the gap, who cry out to God for mercy, and who proclaim the message of hope through Jesus Christ. Because there is still hope.

There is always hope. And that hope is found in Christ alone.