These are notes from our message on Jan 21, 2024 .
Confession is habitual.
Just like prayer and the Word, it must be a regular practice of a believing church.
None of us become a Christian if we don’t confess; none of us grow if we don’t confess; none of us continue to change if we don’t confess.
Confession is central to a healthy body of believers. In fact, you essentially wouldn’t say someone is a believer, unless they were confessional.
Jesus says, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matt 4:17
John the beloved disciple says 1 John 1:9 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
James the half-brother of Jesus says, James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Peter the rock says “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:16. Oh don’t worry, he denies. But then he weeps.
Paul the greatest convert in history says in 1 Cor 11:31 “if we judge ourselves we will not come under judgment.” I have sinned. By Accusing ourselves, we prevent Satan’s accusing.
Jesus tells the parable of the Lost (Prodigal) Son Luke 15:17
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father.
The prodigal son charged himself with sin, before his father did. Confession must be voluntary.
God lets people go their way.
We think we can live it up.
We end up eating pig food.
We come to our senses.
We run back to the father.
He has wide open arms and doesn’t even let us finish our sentence.
We say we don’t deserve to be the best servant.
He gives us a feast and celebrates.
He shows his other grumbling son He wants all to repent…
Becaase we were lost but now found; dead but now alive.
Confession is healing.
We have joy even when we heavily address sin. The reality. The grips. The depravity. The weight.
Confession helps us recognize who we are. We often think our friends or family members are good people but none of us are good, not one. And we have to stop looking at these things as insults or negative self talk, it’s the truth from the Bible. Confessing is addressing the negative so that we can address the nature of our hearts.
Confession is healthy.
Confession humbles us, reminds that the root within bears gall and wormwood, subscribes us as a hell-deserving sinner; gives vent to a troubled heart….but MAGNIFIES free Grace and love and admiration for what Jesus Christ did for us.
This is why confession is one of the greatest self-esteem boosts!
We can feel God’s arms wide open.
We can worship more purely when we confess our sins.
Proverbs 28:13
He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.
Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.
Confession never stops.
No matter what, for the rest our loves, the battle between flesh and spirit will continue. (Romans 7:15). Jesus said the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
Confession is turning (repenting). Not just tearful eyes; but a turning life.
Eventually we need to get to the point where we stop apologizing and actually CHANGE!
“No man confessing with the heart that Jesus is Lord can commit iniquity deliberately—the two things are utterly incompatible.”
“It is an elementary principle in the true church, that all who become members of it should lead holy lives.”
2 Timothy 2:9 “The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
Acts 19:17-19
And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. 18 Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. 19 And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all.
What in your life do you have to confess, divulge, and now BURN?!