Confession of Sin – audio

Old - G E L N D J J R 1S 2S 1K 2K 1C 2C E N E J P P E S I J L E D H J A O J M N H Z H Z M
New - M M L J A R 1C 2C G E P C 1Th 2Th 1T 2T T P H J 1P 2P 1J 2J 3J J R - Topical - All - Archive

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Text: 1 John 1:9; James 5:16.

Introduction

1. The Bible tells us that we are to confess our sins.

2. 1 John 1:9.

3. James 5:16.

4. But how does this work?

a. Are we to confess our sins to a priest?

b. Are we to confess our sins publicly? If so, how often should one do this?

c. Are we to confess our sins only to God?

5. Tonight, let us consider what it means to confess our sins and how we should go about doing it.

Body

I. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO CONFESS SIN?

A. Simply put, confession of sin means that one acknowledges sin in their lives. Psalm 51:3.

B. Confessing sin in our lives is the first step toward repentance.

1. Certainly, one who does not admit sin in his life will never repent of it.

2. This is a common problem. John 9:39-41

3. Without repentance, there is no forgiveness.

C. But to whom do we confess our sins?

1. Genesis 39:8-9.

2. Ultimately, all sin is against God, so obviously we must acknowledge our sins to Him. 1 John 1:9.

3. Are we to confess our sins to men?

a) Yes and No.

b) The answer to this question depends upon the nature of the sin being confessed.

c) Generally speaking, the sin needs to be confessed (acknowledged) as widely as it is known.

d) However, there is also James 5:16 to consider.

(1) This tells us that it is good to confess our faults / sins / shortcomings to one another so that we can pray for one another.

(2) There are times that all of us need the prayers of the church.

(3) Those prayers are effective.

II. CONFESSION OF PRIVATE SIN.

A. Private sin is sin that is only known by you and God.

1. As such, it needs only be confessed to God.

2. It need go no further.

B. Ultimately, there is only one mediator between God and man and that is Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5.

1. The idea of having to have a human mediator in order to deal with God is foreign to Scripture.

2. Jesus is our Mediator. As such, we can approach God through Him.

C. However, there may be times when our private sin is getting the best of us.

1. Sins like: drug addiction, alcoholism, pornography, gluttony, etc.

2. We may need to seek the prayers of the church for strength to overcome these sins and “be healed.” James 5:16.

3. Please remember though, those confessing sins need to be willing to do their part in repenting of those sins as well.

III. CONFESSION OF SEMI-PRIVATE SIN.

A. By “Semi-private,” I am referring to sins that are not public but that are known to at least one other than yourself.

B. Perhaps, you have sinned against a brother or a brother has sinned against you.

1. A sin such as this needs to be taken care of as widely as it is known.

2. Note Matthew 18:15-17

a) The ultimate goal is to make peace.

b) Between the brethren and if a sin has indeed been committed and it is not just a misunderstanding…

c) To make the offending brother / sister right with God.

3. Every attempt has to be made to keep this sin as private as possible. 1 Peter 4:8.

4. All too often, what happens is brethren confess their brother’s faults with us.

5. As seen from the passage above… sometimes this type of sin might become public knowledge if there is no repentance on the part of the guilty party.

C. Sometimes, we may sin against an individual who is not a member of the church.

1. In doing this we have hurt not only our influence but the influence of Christ and His church.

2. When this happens we must repent of our sin and make restitution (as much as is possible) with the one we sinned against.

IV. CONFESSION OF PUBLIC SIN.

A. Sometimes, our sins are committed in a very public way.

1. Perhaps our actions have brought reproach on the church.

2. Perhaps our actions have led others astray. i.e. Doing drugs and leading others to think that it is ok to do such.

B. Public sin needs to be taken care of in a public way.

1. Acts 5:1-5.

2. Galatians 2:11-14.

3. 1 Corinthians 5:1-5.

C. Public sins are also sins against the church.

1. When we sin in such a way, we must seek the church’s forgiveness.

2. The church (if it is what is should be) is all too willing to forgive, they just need to know that forgiveness is sought.

3. We offer this opportunity when we give the invitation.

 Delivered on: November 13, 2011. Streetsboro.