The Confession of Sins Psalms 32:1-5

2 CONFESS homologeo: “lit., to speak the same thing, to assent, accord, agree with” To declare or admit… –Faith in Christ (Matt. 10:32) –Praise to God (Heb. 13:15) –Devoted life to Christ (Heb. 4:14) –Personal sins (1 Jno. 1:9) homologeo: “lit., to speak the same thing, to assent, accord, agree with” To declare or admit… –Faith in Christ (Matt. 10:32) –Praise to God (Heb. 13:15) –Devoted life to Christ (Heb. 4:14) –Personal sins (1 Jno. 1:9)

3 Corrupt Men have Corrupted Bible Teaching on Confession of Sins

4 Sins must be confessed to God in order to be forgiven (1 Jno. 1:9) David, 2 Sam. 12:13; Psa. 32:5 Those who came for John’s baptism, Matthew 3:6 Prodigal son, Luke 15:17-21 Simon, Acts 8:22-24 The Ephesians, Acts 19:18-19 David, 2 Sam. 12:13; Psa. 32:5 Those who came for John’s baptism, Matthew 3:6 Prodigal son, Luke 15:17-21 Simon, Acts 8:22-24 The Ephesians, Acts 19:18-19

5 Goals of Confessing Sins God’s mercy and forgiveness, Psa. 51:1-4 Forgiveness of those we have sinned against (2 Cor. 2:6-7) Restoration of fellowship with God and with brethren (Matt. 5:24) God’s mercy and forgiveness, Psa. 51:1-4 Forgiveness of those we have sinned against (2 Cor. 2:6-7) Restoration of fellowship with God and with brethren (Matt. 5:24)

6 Confess Sins to… God, 1 Jno. 1:9; Psa. 51:3-4 –Against God, Psa. 32:3-5 –Seeking mercy, Acts 8:24 God, 1 Jno. 1:9; Psa. 51:3-4 –Against God, Psa. 32:3-5 –Seeking mercy, Acts 8:24

7 Confess Sins to… One sinned against –To reconcile, Lk. 15:18-19 –To heal the wounds caused by sin, Jas. 5:16 (Matt. 18:15; 5:23-24) One sinned against –To reconcile, Lk. 15:18-19 –To heal the wounds caused by sin, Jas. 5:16 (Matt. 18:15; 5:23-24)

8 Confess Sins to… Those who know of it, Jas. 5:16; 2 Co. 2:5-8 –Not public confession of private sins –Not private confession of public sins –To the extent the sin is known, one’s confession of the sin should also be made known (Jas. 5:16) Private sin…privately confessed, Matt. 18:15 Public sin…publicly confessed, Lk. 15:17-18; Acts 8:22-24 (Gal. 2:14; 1 Tim. 5:20) Those who know of it, Jas. 5:16; 2 Co. 2:5-8 –Not public confession of private sins –Not private confession of public sins –To the extent the sin is known, one’s confession of the sin should also be made known (Jas. 5:16) Private sin…privately confessed, Matt. 18:15 Public sin…publicly confessed, Lk. 15:17-18; Acts 8:22-24 (Gal. 2:14; 1 Tim. 5:20)

9 Things Needed to Confess Sin Godly sorrow, Lk. 18:13; Psa. 38:17-18 Acknowledgement of sin, Psa. 32:5 Forsaking the sin, Prov. 28:13-14 Joined with repentance, Matt. 3:2, 6, 7 Faith in God’s promise to forgive us when we confess, 1 Jno. 1:9 Godly sorrow, Lk. 18:13; Psa. 38:17-18 Acknowledgement of sin, Psa. 32:5 Forsaking the sin, Prov. 28:13-14 Joined with repentance, Matt. 3:2, 6, 7 Faith in God’s promise to forgive us when we confess, 1 Jno. 1:9

10 What Keeps Us from Publicly Confessing Our Sins? Pride / Embarrassment, Prov. 16:18; Jas. 4:6-10 “No harm, no foul” “I’m doing what’s right now, so what does it matter?” Jas. 4:17 Pride / Embarrassment, Prov. 16:18; Jas. 4:6-10 “No harm, no foul” “I’m doing what’s right now, so what does it matter?” Jas. 4:17

11 Guideposts for the Public Confession of Sins As public as our sin is known, Ezra 9; 10:1-3 As specific as is the knowledge of our sin, Luke 3:10-14 As public as our sin is known, Ezra 9; 10:1-3 As specific as is the knowledge of our sin, Luke 3:10-14

12 Why Publicly Confess Sins? To obtain the prayers of the righteous (Jas. 5:16; cf. Acts 8:24) To reclaim a righteous influence, 2 Cor. 7:11 (1 Pet. 2:11-12; Matt. 5:14) To obtain the prayers of the righteous (Jas. 5:16; cf. Acts 8:24) To reclaim a righteous influence, 2 Cor. 7:11 (1 Pet. 2:11-12; Matt. 5:14)

13 The Confession of Sins Without it we will not have God’s mercy Confession of sin is to God and then to men to the degree our sin is known Declaration that we admit and abandon our sin…turn to God God will be merciful! Without it we will not have God’s mercy Confession of sin is to God and then to men to the degree our sin is known Declaration that we admit and abandon our sin…turn to God God will be merciful! 1 John 1:9 James 5:16