This past Sunday at The Gathering @ City of Refuge, the church faced a unique challenge: no electricity! Yet despite the lack of power, the presence of God was strong, and the message of “True Repentance: Turning Back to God with All Your Heart” by Pastor Boucet shone even brighter in the dim light. With fans quiet and screens dark, the congregation leaned in, hungry for the Word and full of joy, proving once again that church isn’t about comfort—it’s about connection with the Lord.
The Call to Return
Referencing Acts 3:19, Pastor Boucet explained that repentance is the gateway to experiencing the refreshing presence of God:
“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”
True repentance isn’t a one-time act—it’s a lifestyle of continually turning back to God, especially when we’ve strayed. The examples of Judas and Peter (Matthew 27:3–5; Luke 22:61–62) illustrate this truth. Judas regretted his actions but never returned to the Lord. Peter, though he denied Jesus, wept bitterly and ultimately came back to Him—restored and renewed.
The Necessity of Repentance
Why is repentance so important? Isaiah 59:2 gives a sobering answer:
“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you.”
Sin builds a barrier between us and God. Pastor Boucet challenged us to examine whether we’re just speaking words of sorrow, or truly turning from sin and realigning our hearts with the Father.
Fruits of True Repentance
Real repentance produces fruit—change that others can see. Zacchaeus is a prime example (Luke 19:8–9). After encountering Jesus, he didn’t just say he was sorry—he restored what he had stolen and gave generously.
“Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” — Matthew 3:8
Likewise, David’s cry in Psalm 51 after his sin with Bathsheba gives us insight into the heart posture God desires:
“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation.” (Psalm 51:12)
How to Walk in Repentance
Pastor Boucet outlined three essential steps:
- Acknowledge the sin (Psalm 32:5) – Confession breaks the power of hidden sin.
- Turn away from sin (Proverbs 28:13) – Forsaking sin brings mercy.
- Turn toward God (James 4:8) – Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.
He encouraged us to make repentance a daily lifestyle, not just a spiritual emergency button.
Even in the natural absence of power, the Holy Spirit’s power was undeniable. As Pastor Boucet shared, repentance restores not just our relationship with God, but also our clarity, purpose, and joy. And this week, The Gathering lived that out—powered by faith, not electricity.