Christian, look very closely at the importance that God has placed on CONFESSION ...

Christian, look very closely at the importance that God has placed on CONFESSION ...

• 1 John 1:9 • 1 John 1:9

Without CONFESSION, there is no FORGIVENESS! Without CONFESSION, there is no FORGIVENESS!

CONFESSION (homologeo) is an interesting word which means, “to say together” or “to say the same thing.”

CONFESSION (homologeo) is an interesting word which means, “to say together” or “to say the same thing.”

God sees our SIN! Thus, we say together with Him that we have SINNED.God sees our SIN! Thus, we say together with Him that we have SINNED.

Not to PRIESTS, PASTORS OR CLERGY ...Not to PRIESTS, PASTORS OR CLERGY ...

Not to some DISCIPLING PARTNER (Boston Movement) ...Not to some DISCIPLING PARTNER (Boston Movement) ...

• The Catholic Church claims that its bishops and priests have the power to forgive sins. Is that what the Bible teaches?

• The Catholic Church claims that its bishops and priests have the power to forgive sins. Is that what the Bible teaches?

• Some Liberal churches of Christ assign a discipline partner to you, to whom you must confess your sins. Is this what the Bible teaches?

• Some Liberal churches of Christ assign a discipline partner to you, to whom you must confess your sins. Is this what the Bible teaches?

Not to those who KNOW NOTHING OF OUR SIN ...Not to those who KNOW NOTHING OF OUR SIN ...

• Remember ... the word confess means, “to say together” or “to say the same thing.”

• Remember ... the word confess means, “to say together” or “to say the same thing.”

• Confession is to those who know, and who can say with you that you have sinned!

• Confession is to those who know, and who can say with you that you have sinned!

To GOD ... Before confessing to anyone else, confess to God!To GOD ... Before confessing to anyone else, confess to God!

To those WHO KNOW of the sin ... They need to know of your repentance!To those WHO KNOW of the sin ... They need to know of your repentance!

To BRETHREN ... In order to help they must know what the problem is!To BRETHREN ... In order to help they must know what the problem is!

• Psalms 32:5 • Psalms 32:5

• James 5:16 • James 5:16

• Galatians 6:1 • Galatians 6:1

Psalms 32:3-4 Psalms 32:3-4

There can be PHYSICAL PROBLEMS ...There can be PHYSICAL PROBLEMS ...

Romans 1:21-22Romans 1:21-22

There can be MENTAL PROBLEMS ...There can be MENTAL PROBLEMS ...There can be PHYSICAL PROBLEMS ...

Acts 9:26Acts 9:26

There can be MENTAL PROBLEMS ...CONFLICT can arise in the local church ...CONFLICT can arise in the local church ...

Philippians 4:2Philippians 4:2

There can be PHYSICAL PROBLEMS ...

1 Corinthians 1:11 1 Corinthians 1:11

One blessing of confession is a CLEAN CONSCIENCE ...One blessing of confession is a CLEAN CONSCIENCE ...

• Psalms 32:5 • Psalms 32:5

• Psalms 32:11 • Psalms 32:11

One blessing of confession is a CLEAN CONSCIENCE ...

• 2 Corinthians 7:10• 2 Corinthians 7:10

Another blessing of confession is HEALING in the LOCAL CHURCH ...Another blessing of confession is HEALING in the LOCAL CHURCH ...

Humility is the KEY:Humility is the KEY:

• James 5:16• James 5:16

• 1 John 1:9• 1 John 1:9

One blessing of confession is a CLEAN CONSCIENCE ...

• Luke 15:21-24• Luke 15:21-24

Another blessing of confession is HEALING in the LOCAL CHURCH ...The greatest blessing found in confession is FORGIVENESS and SALVATION ...The greatest blessing found in confession is FORGIVENESS and SALVATION ...

• Proverbs 11:2 • Proverbs 11:2

1. THE ANSWER TO THIS CAN BE GIVEN IN ONE WORD ... PRIDE

1. THE ANSWER TO THIS CAN BE GIVEN IN ONE WORD ... PRIDE

• Proverbs 13:10 • Proverbs 13:10

• Proverbs 29:23• Proverbs 29:23

Some say ... “The other fellow is more to blame than I am!” Some say ... “The other fellow is more to blame than I am!”

Some say ... “It's a private matter and it’s nobody else’s business!” Some say ... “It's a private matter and it’s nobody else’s business!”

Others say ... “No one knows my heart!”Others say ... “No one knows my heart!”• If our heart is not right, it is more evident to others

then you think!• If our heart is not right, it is more evident to others

then you think!

• Even so, you need to confess your part!• Even so, you need to confess your part!

• If it was private, nobody else would know about it!• If it was private, nobody else would know about it!• But if it is public, a public confession is necessary!• But if it is public, a public confession is necessary!

2. COMMON EXCUSES THAT ARE GIVEN TO AVOID CONFESSION

2. COMMON EXCUSES THAT ARE GIVEN TO AVOID CONFESSION

1. THE ANSWER TO THIS CAN BE GIVEN IN ONE WORD ... PRIDE

Mentioning the sins of others as you confess yours.Mentioning the sins of others as you confess yours.

Saying ... “If I have sinned, etc.”Saying ... “If I have sinned, etc.”

Saying ... “I'm sorry you're offended.”Saying ... “I'm sorry you're offended.”

• If you sin don’t try to belittle it!• If you sin don’t try to belittle it!

3. OTHER THINGS THAT HARM CONFESSION3. OTHER THINGS THAT HARM CONFESSION

1. THE ANSWER TO THIS CAN BE GIVEN IN ONE WORD ... PRIDE

2. COMMON EXCUSES THAT ARE GIVEN TO AVOID CONFESSION

• You worry about yourself, God will take care of the others!

• You worry about yourself, God will take care of the others!

• If you have sinned, then say that you’ve sinned!• If you have sinned, then say that you’ve sinned!

• This is not really taking the responsibility!• This is not really taking the responsibility!• In fact, it shifts the responsibility to somebody else!• In fact, it shifts the responsibility to somebody else!

Conviction of SIN ...Conviction of SIN ...

• James 3:2 • James 3:2

• 1 John 2:1-2 • 1 John 2:1-2

Conviction of SIN ...Conviction of SIN ...Humility ...Humility ...

• Psalms 34:18• Psalms 34:18

• Psalms 40:11• Psalms 40:11

Conviction of SIN ...Conviction of SIN ...

Every time we stumble. Every time we show a lack of judgment or self-control!Every time we stumble. Every time we show a lack of judgment or self-control!

Humility ...Humility ...Do it a lot ...Do it a lot ...

Blessings that come from confession are available to those who humble themselves and do it ...

Blessings that come from confession are available to those who humble themselves and do it ...

Confess to all who can say with you that you have sinned!Confess to all who can say with you that you have sinned!• If the sin is between you and God, confess to God. • If the sin is between you and God, confess to God.

• If the sin is between you and the church, confess to the church.

• If the sin is between you and the church, confess to the church.

• If the sin is between you and your brother, confess to your brother.

• If the sin is between you and your brother, confess to your brother.

• To whatever level that you have sinned, confess your sin to that level!

• To whatever level that you have sinned, confess your sin to that level!

As you can see, CONFESSION OF SINS is an ESSENTIAL ACT that is involved in our salvation and in our relationship with God.

As you can see, CONFESSION OF SINS is an ESSENTIAL ACT that is involved in our salvation and in our relationship with God.Have you come to see your sins?Have you come to see your sins?

ALIENSINNER

Repent & Confess (Sins)Acts 8:21-24James 5:16I John 1:9

Hear, Believe, Repent, Confess (Christ), Baptism

Romans 10:17Hebrews 11:6

Luke 13:5Acts 8:37Acts 2:38

ERRINGCHRISTIAN