Mystery of Repentance and Confession

True Life When the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; man became a living being. (Genesis 2:7) The mysteries (sacraments) give LIFE to the church because the Holy Spirit is present. Why are we studying/learning about the mysteries? My goal is to live a mystical (sacramental) life so that I may be changed and become like Christ.

Why did God create us? to have a special relationship to be adopted to the Father like His Son and to be the temple of the Holy Spirit *Sin broke the relationship Son took our nature to recreate and renew our nature again to be worthy of our relationship with the Holy Trinity Baptism is the gateway to enter into this special relationship with the Holy Trinity The problem of sin

Baptism & Repentance Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 Repentance and confession = second baptism Ex. Washing of feet at Last Supper Tears of repentance = waters of baptism Repentance and confession is the sacrament of healing and reconciliation.

What does repentance mean? Coming from the Greek word “metanoia” which means changing of the mind. Repentance is not just a feeling of regret but it is a lifestyle change. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2

What is sin? Read Matthew 19:16-22 New Testament writers used a Greek word for sin which is “hamartia.” Means: missing the mark off-target wrong goal

Our Sickness For the wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23 “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Mark 2:17

Driven from Paradise “What is this you have done?” Genesis 3:13 Sin leads to separation from God Separation from God = DEATH *Old Testament roots (Lev. 5:1, 5,6)

Scenario

Psalm 32:1-5 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” And You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

What is our measuring stick? See Ephesians 4:11-13 The measuring stick for us is not how well or poorly we keep the commandments. The measuring stick is the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself.

2 Broad Categories of Sin Sin of commission involves doing, saying, thinking or feeling something we shouldn’t. Sin of omission occurs when we fail to do, say, think or feel something we should. Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” James 4:17

What is our remedy? The remedy for our sickness is repentance! “But unless you repent you will all likewise perish” Luke 13:5 See 2 Corinthians 7:8-11

Diagnosis A Spiritually Healthy Person See 1 Samuel 24:1-6 An Untreated Sickness See 2 Samuel 11

Ultimate Goal: Relationship with Holy Trinity (Kingdom of God) Repentance is the primary preparation for the Kingdom. Before the Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, St. John the Baptist was sent to prepare the path for Him. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” Matthew 3:2 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say,“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17

What is Confession? Confession is admitting my sin to God in the presence of a priest and declaring my repentance so that I can receive absolution for my sin. A meeting with God, Himself Example of Zacchaeus Other examples in NT: Matt. 18:18, John 20:21,22, Acts 19:18, James 5:16, 1 John 1:9

Confession is not… Counseling Story telling Justifying my sins A chat with Abouna

The Spiritual Doctor “If impure thoughts trouble you, do not hide them, but tell them at once to your spiritual father and condemn them. The more a person conceals his thoughts, the more they multiply and gain strength. But an evil thought, when revealed, is immediately destroyed. If you hide things, they have great power over you, but if you could only speak of them before God, in the presence of another, then they will often wither away, and lose their power.” Sayings of Desert Fathers

Light vs. Darkness “ to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’” Acts 26:18

The Spiritual Doctor St. Gregory of Nyssa said: “Regard the church priest as a spiritual father for you, reveal to him your secrets openly, just as a patient reveals his hidden wounds to the physician, and so is healed.” “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

Receiving Absolution Priests absolution: “loosen the bonds of our sins…” Liturgy “whereby we were bound and sold on account of our sins…” 6 th Hour Litany: “Tear off the bond of our sins, O Christ our God and save us…” Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. (Gal. 5:1)

A Picture of Repentance & Confession Luke 15:11-32

The gifts of repentance Repentance is restoration, freedom and joy. I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:7