1. The Importance Of Confession …

2. To Be Saved – Hear Jn 6:45 Rom 10:17 – Believe Jn 8:24 Heb 11:6 – Repent Lk 13:3 Acts 17:30 – Confess Mt 10:32 Rom 10:9-10 – Baptize Mk 16:16 Acts 2:38 1 Pet 3:21 To Stay Saved – Faithfulness 1 Cor 15:1-2 Rev 2:10 The Gospel Plan Of Salvation

3. The Importance Of Confession

4. It Is More Than Faith  TEXT Ù Jn 12:37-43  It is a step beyond one’s faith  An episode during the last week of the Lord’s life on earth vv. 12-13  The Jewish council had earlier issued such an edict re: confession 9:22

5. The Importance Of Confession It Is More Than Faith  TEXT Ù Jn 12:37-43  These Jewish rulers believed (had faith)  Yet, they refused to confess Christ (verbally acknowledge Him as Lord)  “Faith Only” advocates must deal with this passage re: their doctrine

6. The Importance Of Confession It Verbalizes One’s Faith  TEXT Ù Rom 10:1-13  Jewish rejection of the gospel vv. 1-3  Christ is the “end” (goal) of the Law re: righteousness v. 4  Moses wrote about righteousness vv. 5-8  On a law basis…perfection is demanded

7. The Importance Of Confession It Verbalizes One’s Faith  TEXT Ù Rom 10:1-13  Jewish rejection of the gospel vv. 1-3  Christ is the “end” (goal) of the Law re: righteousness v. 4  Moses wrote about righteousness vv. 5-8  On a faith basis…receipt of word preached

8. The Importance Of Confession It Verbalizes One’s Faith  TEXT Ù Rom 10:1-13  Confession accompanies faith vv. 9-13  As much as faith, confession “leads to” salvation

9. The Importance Of Confession It Verbalizes One’s Faith  It is the willingness to publicly affirm what one believes  Example before the N.T. church began Mt 16:13-18  Who Jesus is compared to others  An inseparable link to what is at the core of His kingdom

10. The Importance Of Confession It Verbalizes One’s Faith  It is the willingness to publicly affirm what one believes  Examples after the N.T. church began Acts 8:37 1 Tim 6:12-13  Required after one has been taught AND before one is immersed  Eternal life is dependent upon confession

11. The Importance Of Confession It Produces A Greater Confession  TEXT Ù Mt 10:24-33  Context = discipleship  To become like our Master…not fearing man  The Lord Himself will do 1 of 2 things –  He will deny knowing us Mt 7:21-23  He will confess us Mt 25:21, 34

12. The Importance Of Confession It Produces A Greater Confession  The only way Christ will confess us before the Father is if we confess Him before men  Either we agree with the truth of His identity or we don’t Mt 12:30  There can be no “Closet Christian” cp. Esth 2:10 4:7-14

13. The Importance Of Confession It Produces A Greater Confession  The only way Christ will confess us before the Father is if we confess Him before men  Either we agree with the truth of His identity or we don’t Mt 12:30  He is the Apostle & High Priest of our confession Heb 3:1

14. The Importance Of Confession Conclusion  Sometimes we are surprised, disappointed to hear what some say publicly  Something shameful…disrespectful  Not so re: these all important words  Those gathered here would love nothing better than to hear a lost sinner confess Christ as Lord…see him/her immersed

15. The Importance Of Confession Conclusion  One day, we all will confess Jesus as the Christ Rom 14:11  Such a confession will not benefit us if we did not do it in this life  Confess Him NOW while such an affirmation will benefit you Phil 2:5-11

16. The Importance Of Confession …