Intro.
A. We're going to talk about an essential act for our salvation and a close relationship w/God
1. Baptism? yes, essential (1 Pet. 3:21), but no..
2. Lord's supper? essential for Christians - not what I have in mind
3. prayer? also in category of essential - not the topic
B. Want us to talk about confession of sin - surprised?
1. How much importance do you give to confession of your sins? scale of 1-10
a. compare to attendance, L.S. and other things mentioned?
C. 1 John 1:9 .....
1. Without confession, no forgiveness!
2. Worry about brethren, good in many areas, but seem incapable of saying, "I've sinned"
3. I love them, concerned about them. God is merciful, but if they can't acknowledge sin, their salvation is in great doubt.
4. They talk a lot about being right, having truth. How much do they confess sin?
LET'S ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT CONFESSION
I. What is confession?
A. An interesting word - homologeo - means, "to say together" "to say the same thing"
1. God sees our sin - we say together with Him that we have sinned.
2. As if we were saying, "You're right God, you know it, and I'm going to say it with you, I have sinned."
B. We're not talking about confessing Christ - that's another lesson
1. In confessing Christ we are saying with God, "Christ is Your Son"
C.Confessing sin is saying together with God, "I have sinned"
II. To whom should we confess our sins?
A. Not to....
1. Priests
a. book "Instructions for Non Catholics," p. 93, "The priest does not have to ask God to forgive your sins. The priest himself has the power to do so in Christ's name. Your sins are forgiven by the priest the same as if you knelt before Jesus Christ and told them to Christ himself." (Boettner 197)
b. confess most intimate details of your life to another man, who knows nothing of them
c. abuses:
i. several ex priests talk with embarrassment of hearing intimate confessions of young women and married women.
ii. control of personal aspects of life.
2. "Discipling partner" (Boston Movement)
a. In this movement you are assigned a discipling partner to whom you have to confess your sins
b. book by Jerry Jones a list of all kinds of petty attitudes, problems confessed
c. same abuses as in Catholicism.
3. Those who know nothing of your sin and who are in no position to help
a. confess is to say together, to say the same thing,
i. implies confession to those who know, who can testify with you that you have sinned.
b. Discretion: Implies that to confess that you have a problem with pornography to whole church might not be helpful. Generally it might b best to confess to God, to a few in whom you have confidence.
B. But to...
1. God - He is the One who knows and who can help!
a. Psalms 32:5
b. Before confession to anyone else, confess to God!
2. Those who know of the sin...
a. All who can say together with you that you have sinned.
b. No, they don't forgive the sin. God forgives. They forgive personal offenses against them.
c. But they need to know of your repentance and rededication.
d. James 5:16
i. There is no healing until there is confession!
3. Examples
a. your spouse! How much do you ask forgiveness of your spouse?
i. Do you think you're always right? Never make a mistake?
ii. Only fooling yourself! Don't fool your spouse, especially God!
iii. A key in resolving marital problems! yet some, can never say, "I'm sorry, it was my fault."
b. your children! How much do you ask forgiveness of your children
i. some say, "if I confess to my children, they will lose respect for me."
ii. On the contrary, they will respect you more!
iii. We shouldn't try to act like we never make mistakes with them!
iiii. I remember my Dad, "I responded too harshly."
iiiii. Do you confess your mistakes, overreactions to your children?
c. your brethren individually - this heals problems in the church
d. the church in general - even if a personal matter, if the church knows, should be confessed to all.
4. Brethren in a position to help
a. Galatians 6:10
b. To help others bear their burdens we must know what they are
c. Means confession to those in a position to help us bear them
d. Not to someone assigned to you (as in Discipling Movement), but someone you trust
III. Apart from no forgiveness what other problems do we have when there is no confession?
A. Physical problems - Psalms 32:3,4
B. Mental problems
C. Conflict in the local church
IV. What are some blessings that come from confession?
A. Clean conscience, relief (Psalms 32:5,11)
B. Healing in the local church
1. Humility is the key
2. James 5:16 doesn't say "you singular" might be healed, but "you" plural.
C. Forgiveness and salvation (1 Jn. 1:9)
V. If there are so many problems with no confession, and so many blessings with it, Why don't we confess more?
A. Answer in one word - PRIDE
1. Satan doesn't want us to be close to God as Psalms 34:18 says we can be with confession
2. He says, "Don't humble yourself, "you're a leader," etc.
3. We try to justify ourselves, blame other fellow, etc.
B. Common excuses given to avoid confession
1. "The other fellow is more to blame than I am."
a. Even if true, you confess your part, even if you feel the other is to blame
2. "It's a private matter"
a. But if knowledge of it is public, a public confession is necessary
3. "No one knows my heart"
a. If your heart is not right, it is more evident to others than you think!
D. Other things that harm your confession
1. Mentioning the sins of others as you confess yours.
a. You worry about yourself. God will take care of the others.
b. Did David take this approach in 2 Sam. 12:13? Did he mention Bathsheba?
2. Saying, "If I have offended you, if I have sinned, maybe I did wrong...etc."
a. either you sinned or you didn't.
b. try not to belittle it.
3. Say, "I'm sorry you're offended."
a. But you're thinking, "you're too sensitive and shouldn't have been offended."
b. This isn't really taking responsibility.
VI. What do we need to confess with more frequency and sincerity?
A. Conviction of sin
1. We have to see our sin for what it is and that we are guilty
2. Objection - But as Christians aren't we free from the dominion of sin?
3. Yes but...
a. We offend in many ways (James 3:2)
b. which means the way we avoid being under the dominion of sin is by confessing a lot!
4. There are many ways we offend - lack of respect, lack of self control, neglect of prayer, neglecting talking to others about the gospel, bad judgment in the home, etc.
5. We need to see these actions for what they are - ugly sins.
6. The solution is to confess to God and to all who can say with us that we have sinned.
B. Humility - The poor in spirit have no problem confessing their sin.
1. The key is breaking our will - Psalms 34:18
2. Often those who are preachers, elders or who know much Bible have difficulty confessing.
a. They think it will detract from their effectiveness as leaders
b. On the contrary, confession makes us better leaders
c. Was David a good leader? Read Psalms 40:12,13
C. Do it a lot!
1. Every time we stumble
2. Every time we show a lack of good judgment or self control
3. The more we do it, the more we will have the blessings that come from it.
Conclusion - The blessings that come from confession are available only if we humble ourselves
A. Those who were baptized by John did so "confessing their sins" (Matthew 3:6)
1. Many aren't baptized today because they think they're not "sinners."
2. They are blind
3. Have you come to see your sins for what they are?
4. Acts 22:16 As you are baptized, you are admitting that you have sins that need washing.
B. Have you been baptized but sinned before God?
1. Humble yourself through confession
2. All who know of your sin, should hear your confession: wife, children, church
C. Let us help!