SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES - CONFESSION

CONFESSION

For eight weeks we have been studying Spiritual Disciplines. Last week we finished up the second of the three categories of Disciplines– Inward Disciplines, Outward Disciplines, and Corporate Disciplines.

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Last week we finish up the Outward Disciplines. First, we have talked of the Outward disciplines of Simplicity. We covered 9 ways to simplify but the one to remember was whatever distracts you from first seeking the Kingdom of God – next we looked at the outward discipline of Solitude about the importance of silence, holding our tongue and only verbalizing what is necessary to be said and looking for moments to just be with the Lord, alone with the Lord.

‌Then we discuss the most misunderstood and abused discipline of all of the them – the discipline of submission. We talked the importance of letting things go and concluded with the 7 types of Submission most importantly being God, Scripture and Family as the top three. And we closed with the final outward discipline of service. Jesus’ whole ministry centered around the disciple of service and 9 examples of service – hidden acts, small random acts, guarding the reputation of another, allowing yourself to be served, common courtesy which isn’t common anymore, hospitality, listening, bearing another’s burden and sharing the Word of God. The cross on which he died is the ultimate sign of submission, submitting to the will of the Father even submitting to death on the cross. His towel is the sign of service, and we left asking how is God asking me to serve?

This week we start the Corporate Disciplines – disciplines done together with others, and surprisingly the first corporate discipline is that of Confession.

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While submission might be the one that is most abused or misunderstood, confession is probably the one avoided the most.

Augustine of Hippo once said, “The Confession of evil works is the first beginning of good works.”

His plan for redemption cumulated on the cross and was validated by His resurrection 3 days later. Last week we took Communion, The Lords Supper and Paul warns us not to take it in an unworthy manner so before taking the bread we are called to confess any unconfessed sin in our lives so we approach the Lords Table with the right mind set.

I. Why Confession?

Proverbs 28:13 – Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

Luke 13:3, 5 – No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

Confession and repentance go together

Matthew 5:4 – “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Most of time we think of mourning over loss, most theologians believe this is a spiritual mourning – mourning over their sin and persecution

When they mourn over their sin and the sinfulness of the world – God will hear them, comfort them, remove their mourning

At the heart of God is the desire to give and forgive – all thru the OT we keep seeing God asking them to repent and return and if they did – He would forgive and they would be His people – He would bless them and protect them

Salvation we view as an event – “When I got saved…”

Bible sees it both – the event is the starting point – the rest of salvation is the journey

Philippians 2:12 – Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Work out your salvation – allow God who works in you to do His Work and His will in your life

1 John 1:9-10 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

II. What is Biblical Confession?

True confession is not psychological relief from guilt – but true confession is a change in our relationship with the Father and Creator. When we sin we walk away from God and He is “behind” us, we are not looking at Him. But when we confess and repent, it is a literal word picture of turning around, putting our back to sin and temptation and facing the Father and walking back towards Him.

Isn’t Confession more of an inward discipline than a corporate discipline?

It is both –

1 Timothy 2:5-6 – For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

But also

James 5:16 – Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Three things are necessary: an examination of conscience, sorrow, and a determination to avoid sin.”

1. Examination of conscience– allowing the Holy Spirit to bring things to the conscious what needs to be forgiven and set right before God

· Not generalized – not to avoid real guilt,

· Sins of the heart – pride, anger, fear, covetousness, lust

· Sins of the flesh – sloth, gluttony, adultery, greed

2. Sorrow – not emotional sorrow – spiritual brokenness – regret for having offended Our Father – issue of the will – without godly sorrow emotion destroys the confession – confession starts with sorrow but ends in Joy

3. Determination to avoid sin – yearning for Holy Living – true/real desire to not repeat, hatred to unholy actions, thoughts, desires

· Will to be delivered from sin

· Desired to be conquered and ruled by God and not self

Not a call to perpetual self-condemnation

III. How do I Engage in Confession?

Who should you engage in the discipline of confession with? Practically – who should receive your confession?

· Not every Christian is emotionally or spiritually mature to receive certain sins or mature enough, have enough empathy or understanding

1 Corinthians 3:1-3 – But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?

· Not every Christian can keep confidence

Proverbs 11:13 – Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

Proverbs 20:19 – Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.

· Not every Christian sees the value in confession (oh that’s not that bad …)

James 5:16 – Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Proverbs 28:13 – Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

· Look for those who excel at a forgiving spirit, can hold confidence

Jeremiah 17:7-8 – “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

· Look for those living out their faith relationship and exhibits the joy of the Lord

James 2:18 – But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

What if there is a sin you need to confess but don’t have the courage to do so?

1. Find a fellow believer that is

a. mature enough both emotionally and spiritually

b. can hold confidence

c. has empathy and forgiving

d. living out their relationship with the Lord and exhibits the Joy of the Lord

2. Let them know you need help with confession but can't verbalize it

3. Have them simply ask Yes or No questions until you reach the confession stage

4. Have them pray over you

How can you help and be there for someone who needs to confess

· You must have experienced brokenness over your own sin

· Never betray confidence

· Not a call to control them or straighten them our nor dismiss the seriousness of their sin

· Prepare by prayer – discernment, understanding, patience, speak in love, actively listen/engaged listening

· Be disciplined to be quiet – no need to pry more details out, no 20 questions, just listen and be quiet

· If your spirit says there is more – pray silently about it – and allow the Holy Spirit to work in their lives

· Pray for them as they share – God’s love, God’s forgiveness, Peace

· Pray and announce that the forgiveness that is in Jesus is now real and effective for them –

Pray John 20:22-23 over them – lay hands on them

John 20:22-23 – Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

· Pray for God to flow into the deep inner mind and soul and heal the sorrows of the past and of sin – thank God for the ministry and the privilege of being called to share in this ministry

What forgiveness is and is not –

1. Forgiveness is not saying it didn’t hurt or that it doesn’t matter – don’t avoid the issue but allow reconciliation so it does not happen again.

2. Forgiveness does not end the hurt – the pain may continue but forgiveness chooses not it hold it against them

3. Forgiveness means forgetting – however our brains are wired to remember – instead we must choose Not to remember – not hold it against them

4. Forgiveness does not pretend everything is ok when its not – true forgiveness restores relationships but they may never be the same

Molly Collection

Let Us Pray!