Confession

Science shows that when you suppress a traumatic episode you actually suppress your immune system as well.

Antibodies are suppressed when the truth is suppressed.

People who have affairs tend to get sick often, have heart attacks, etc.

Neh. 9

Israelites believed that it is OK to feel bad or uncomfortable from time to time…in fact it was healthy.

Same Hebrew word for confession and worship “Yada”

True biblical confession is not just wallowing in misery, but also glorying in God’s greatness.

2 Cor. 7: 10 worldly sorrow vs. Godly sorrow.

Worldly sorrow…people feel bad but nowhere to go with it. Introspection that leads to implosion. Eyes on what you have done wrong, but don’t get a release in light of the grace of God.

These days it’s all about feeling good, and putting a good face on things.

Evil people are not sick people. Evil people are those who know in their conscience that they have done wrong, but they choose to suppress it or ignore it.

Neh. 9:2 People are not just responsible for their own sins but that they were connected to a community of people. Confession for the community

Confession also includes Who God is. “You alone are the Lord”

“All roads lead to God” that is true. You can follow any road of belief and you will appear before God. The only question is in what role will you meet Him. Only through Christ will you meet Him as “Father” (John 15)

when you are bored, when you are guilty, when you need a little comfort who or what do you turn to? Is Jesus really the only one in the sanctuary of your heart? Do you turn to food, to tv, to sex? Could you say with integrity that Jesus is truly the Lord of all you are?

In confession we come and confess our sin and who we want Him to be. You have chosen me and I choose you as my Lord.

When God was choosing a bride for His Son. He scanned the world and His eyes found and rested on you. He put faith in your heart so you could believe and drew you to Himself.

He is generous. (My mom generous…evil compared to God…if you know how to give good gifts to your children etc…)

Material, numeric, military strength, His very Presence.

Generosity shown sometimes in what He doesn’t do…withholding judgment, should have taken your life when (drugs), our reputations, ministries, etc. By all rights he should have taken so much, but by His generosity (grace) He doesn’t.