Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Greetings…

This year our focus has been on the “Fundamentals” of God’s word.

Lately, we have been focused on specifically “God’s Plan of Salvation” by examining each specific step God requires for one to have their sins washed away.

Thus far…

We have examined what “grace” really is.

It is God’s gift of Jesus for our sins and the free gift offered to everyone willing to take hold of that gift.

We have examined the necessity of studying God’s word unto salvation.

In other words, that one “must study” God’s word to actually know who their Savior, Jesus the Christ actually is.

We have studied the difference between belief in God, faith in God, and faithfulness in God.

Belief in God is knowing he exists.

Faith in God is trusting in God to keep his word.

Faithfulness in God is acting upon that trust in God.

Last week, we studied repentance unto salvation.

That one must understand their sin, have a godly grief concerning their sin, be willing to change their mind toward sin, and then change their behavior concerning sin.

That one cannot properly repent without counting the cost of each of these before actually repenting or “turning from sin to God.”

As was the case with each of those steps we now find the next logical or reasonable step in God’s plan of salvation which is “Salvation By Confession.”

The reality there is much more to “confessing Jesus” than most realize.

So, with that in mind let’s examine our lesson by first…

Defining Confession

Webster’s Dictionary.

to tell or make known (as something wrong or damaging to oneself)

to acknowledge (sin) to God or to a priest

to declare faith in or adherence to

Vine’s Lexicon.

lit., “to speak the same thing” (homos, “same,” lego, “to speak”)

to confess by way of admitting oneself guilty of what one is accused of, the result of inward conviction

to declare openly by way of speaking out freely, such confession being the effect of deep conviction of facts

Summary

In other words when God talks about confessing Jesus as Lord what he means is…

We are to “show our loyalty to Christ in confession.”

We are to “celebrate and honor Christ in our confession.”

We are to “make a promise with our confession.”

Let’s take a closer look at each of these.

Show Our Loyalty To Christ

By Admitting We Know Jesus.

We demonstrate our loyalty to Jesus when we admit we are not ashamed of knowing Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

Matthew 10:32–33 (NKJV)

32 Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.

33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

We also show our loyalty in confession…

By Outwardly Revealing We Know Jesus.

Again, we demonstrate our loyalty to Jesus when we outwardly reveal or show we are not ashamed of Jesus.

This is done by those seeking to have their sins washed away by “verbally” or “outwardly” expressing their recognition and loyalty to Jesus.

Matthew 10:32–33 (NKJV)

32 Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.

33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

Summary

It is our responsibility to expound to people the great importance of confession.

It isn’t just saying “Jesus is Lord and Savior” it is saying “Jesus is my Lord and Savior” and him will I be loyal to.

When God talks about us confessing Jesus he not only is discussing us revealing our loyalties but that we are to also…

Celebrate & Honor Christ

We Celebrate Jesus As The Son.

When we confess Jesus we are celebrating his coming to this earth by becoming the “Son of God.”

This truth is bore out in the eunuch’s confession.

This is further seen in the Hebrew writer’s statement in Hebrews 13:15.

Not only do we celebrate Jesus’ name as “Son of God” in our confession…

We Honor Jesus With Praise.

Notice how Jesus is praised in Revelation 5:9-14.

I’m not saying that when we confess Jesus, we must recite what is said here; what I am saying, is that we must have this heart when we confess Jesus.

Summary

We have a responsibility, when studying with someone, to help them see the need to celebrate and honor Jesus in their confession.

That Jesus is truly worthy of this celebration and honor.

Lastly, we find God expects when on confesses Jesus as their Lord unto salvation that they are…

Making A Promise

A Promise To Stay Loyal Unto Death.

When we make that great confession that Jesus is our Lord and Savior what we are saying is that “I promise, give an oath, give my word” that I will stay faithfully loyal to the Son of God and his righteous word.

Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness…

When we confess Jesus the Son of God we also make…

A Promise To Faithfully Celebrate & Honor Unto Death.

When we make that great confession that Jesus is our Lord and Savior what we are saying is that “I promise, give an oath, give my word,” that every day as a child of God, a disciple of Christ, a Christian, I will wake up, celebrate, and honor my Lord with praise and thanksgiving both personally and in my actions so as God is glorified.

Summary

People need to know that their confession is a promise to God, a giving of their word that they will stay faithfully loyal and will faithfully celebrate and honor Christ as is his due all the days of their life.

Conclusion

When we study with someone we shouldn’t gloss over the “confession” part of God’s plan for one’s salvation.

We must explain that one is verbally promising to be loyal, celebrate, and honor their God all the days of their life.

This is no small ask of someone nor should someone take it lightly (Matthew 23:16-22).

Invitation