Calvary Church
Pastor Ottis Barnett - Sunday, August 5, 2018
Psalms 1:1-3 NKJV
God has given us the disciplines of the spiritual life as a means of receiving His grace. Disciplines allow us to place ourselves before God, so that He can transform us.
Christian disciplines fall into 3 categories:
Internal, External, Corporate
Today: Confession
Romans 10:9-10 NKJV
I John 1:8-9 NKJV
Confession is the vessel that carries fallen humanity into forgiveness and transformation in Christ.
Confess - homologéō ("confess") means to speak the same thing, in full agreement
Philippians 2:12 NKJV
I Timothy 2:5-6 NKJV
James 5:16 NKJV
“Therefore when I admonish you to confession I am admonishing you to be a Christian.”- Martin Luther
2 Truths About Confession:
1. Confession needs to be authentic.
2 Truths About Confession:
2. Believers have been given authority to forgive.
Confession has 3 elements...
1. Self examination - We invite God to show us the areas we need his forgiving and healing touch.
2. Sorrow - A deep regret from having offended the heart of the Father. 2 Corinthians
3. Determination to avoid sin - A hatred of unholy living. Romans 12:9
John 20:21-23 NKJV
“Our brother has been given to us to help us. He hears our confession in Christ’s stead and he forgives our sins in Christ’s name. He keeps the secret of our confession as God keeps it. When I go to my brother to confess, I am going to God.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
A Healthy Culture of Confession:
1. Cross centered.
Romans 3:23-24 NKJV
A Healthy Culture of Confession:
2. Committed to personal growth.
II Peter 1:5-9 NKJV
A Healthy Culture of Confession:
3. Concerned for their condition.
James 1:19 NKJV
A Healthy Culture of Confession:
4. Compelled to pray.
James 5:16-18 NKJV
God is calling us into being a church that can openly confess its frail humanity and know the forgiving and empowering grace of Christ. Honesty leads to confession, and confession leads to change.
Final Thoughts: