HANDOUT FOR SERMON: LEARNING HOW TO CONFESS.                                                                                                                What can we learn about confession from Biblical teaching? May 15th, 2022, Manchester, TN

INTRODUCTION: We need to learn how to surrender to God totally. Open your Bibles to 1 John 1:5-10 for our lesson today. God teaches about the importance of walking in the light and it is important to understand that sin in our lives will continue to be an issue in our lives.  So, it is important to know that if WE (Christians) confess our sins, Christ is faithful and just to forgive us.  Our lesson will focus on learning: “How does one confess their sins to God?”

The last time you asked God for forgiveness how did you confess your sins to Him? What was that process like? Was it a quick forgive me? A Few seconds or a couple of minutes? Was it emotional, tearful, or painful? Did it bring about a change in your behavior? Because if it didn’t bring on a change of behavior then it was not a very good confession.

Today’s lesson we will be looking at two prayers of David, Psalm 32, and Psalm 51. These speak to the act of confession yet in different ways.

LESSON:

1.PSALM 51 – WALK THROUGH THE CONFESSION OF DAVID.                                                                                                     The first thing that David did was not to assume God was listening and God will automatically forgive him. He knows he must approach God and beg for His forgiveness.  In this Psalm, David is speaking to God.

Psalm 51:

Appeals to God’s Mercy. V.1-2 (David sinned against many, but foremost against God!)
Acknowledges Sin Entirely. V.3-4(He understands the seriousness of his sin, worthy of death.)
Announces God’s Will. V.5-6 (Feels terrible about what he has done! The pain in our walk.)
Asks for Restoration. V.7-12 (Create in me a clean heart even though I don’t deserve it!)
Aspires to be Grateful. V.13-17 (If you will forgive me, then I will teach others & be joyful.)
Gives Joy and a Better Future. V.18-19 (Confess in this manner, then your spirit changes!)

After David prayed and confessed in this manner, he knew there was reason to be joyful and move forward in His relationship with God. Think about David’s sin with Bathsheba. After he acknowledged his sin and asked God for forgiveness, he waited for God to react.  The result of his sin was the child died. David waited! After the child died then David got up, washed himself and went to eat or got on with his life! That’s God’s judgment but I will keep living and I will use the rest of my days to serve the Lord! I have been forgiven! If you don’t feel better after speaking to God and receiving forgiveness, then you probably didn’t confess correctly or in the manner David confessed.

PSALM 32-LEARNING FROM ANOTHER PRAYER & CONFESSION OF DAVID. In this Psalm David is speaking to God, David speaking to others and then God speaking to David. Do you believe confession is evangelistic? Is confession a useful tool in evangelism? Is your process of remaining in God or confession, is that helpful in evangelism?

Psalm 23

Proclamation to Everyone. V.1-2 (A message from God and you feel compelled to say it!)
Confess to the Lord. V.3-7 (In his confession he thinks instantly of others and wish that for others.)
Correction from God. V.8-9 (Sin is a big deal! However, God wants to help and guide you.)
Interaction for the Righteous. V. 10-11 (Many sorrows but He who trust in the Lord rejoice!)

If we could follow this procedure of confession in prayer, then maybe many more would do much better in forgetting the past and avoiding sin.

Confession from the heart.                                                                                                                                                                                     Romans 10:9-10 “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved, for with the heart a person believes result in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.”

CONCLUSION: What have you learned about prayer and confession?

Everyone here today is either lost or has been lost. We were totally unworthy, but God still wanted to save us. Your story is important so tell it!  Tell your story to EVERYONE you meet! People need to know what God has done for YOU! Then they will understand what God can do for them!

Other interesting thoughts about prayer & confession.

Forgetting the past.

Philippians 3:13-14 “But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.”

The peace that passes all understanding!

Philippians 4:17 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Tell them about the inner peace you have because you are forgiven! Let them see this inner peace when you spend time with them.

The value of sharing our sin with our brethren.

James 5:16  “Confess your sins one to another and pray for one another so you may be healed. The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” Understand the power of prayer and offer to pray for others and pray with others. We do not decide how God may respond or how He answers your prayer.