The Transformative Power of Confession in Faith
Summary
### Summary
Today's service focused on the theme of confession and its importance in our spiritual lives. We began by reflecting on Psalm 32, which speaks of the blessings of forgiveness and the relief that comes from confessing our sins to God. This set the stage for our exploration of Nehemiah chapters 9 and 10, where the Israelites, after rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, gathered to confess their sins and the sins of their ancestors. This act of communal confession was not just about acknowledging their wrongdoings but also about recognizing God's unwavering faithfulness and mercy despite their unfaithfulness.
We discussed the significance of building spiritual habits, drawing parallels to the well-known book "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People." Just as these habits can transform our personal and professional lives, spiritual habits like prayer, reading the Bible, and attending church can deepen our relationship with God. Among these, the habit of confession stands out as it helps us maintain a clear understanding of God's holiness and our need for His grace.
Confession is not merely about listing our sins but about realigning our lives with God's will. It involves recognizing our shortcomings and making commitments to live according to God's Word. In Nehemiah 10, the Israelites made several commitments: to uphold God's law, to pursue godly marriages, to observe the Sabbath, and to give generously. These commitments were designed to help them live faithfully and avoid the pitfalls that had led their ancestors astray.
In the New Testament, the practice of confession continues to be emphasized. Verses from 1 John, James, Romans, and Acts highlight the importance of confessing our sins to one another and to God, ensuring that we remain in right relationship with Him. Confession allows us to experience God's mercy and forgiveness, and it encourages us to make lifestyle changes that honor Him.
As we reflect on today's message, let us strive to build the habit of confession into our daily lives. By doing so, we acknowledge our need for God's grace and commit to living in a way that reflects His holiness and love.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Blessing of Confession: Confession brings relief and joy as we acknowledge our sins and receive God's forgiveness. Psalm 32 reminds us that when we confess, God is faithful and just to forgive us, lifting the burden of guilt from our hearts. This practice helps us maintain a clear conscience and a close relationship with God. [26:26]
2. Building Spiritual Habits: Just as effective habits can transform our personal lives, spiritual habits like prayer, Bible reading, and confession are essential for our spiritual growth. These habits help us stay disciplined and focused on our relationship with God, ensuring that we live according to His will. [47:28]
3. The Role of Confession in Recognizing God's Holiness: Confession is crucial because it helps us recognize the contrast between our unfaithfulness and God's holiness. By regularly confessing our sins, we remain aware of our need for God's grace and mercy, which keeps us humble and dependent on Him. [50:20]
4. Commitments Following Confession: Confession should lead to concrete commitments that align our lives with God's Word. In Nehemiah 10, the Israelites made commitments to uphold God's law, pursue godly marriages, observe the Sabbath, and give generously. These commitments help us live faithfully and avoid repeating past mistakes. [57:37]
5. Communal Responsibility in Confession: Confession is not just an individual act but a communal responsibility. As members of the body of Christ, we are called to support one another in our spiritual journeys, encouraging each other to confess and make commitments that honor God. This communal aspect strengthens our faith and fosters a sense of accountability. [01:00:34]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[26:26] - Psalm 32: Confession and Assurance
[39:13] - Prayer and Generosity
[40:02] - Reading from Nehemiah 9:1-3
[40:57] - The Importance of Spiritual Habits
[41:59] - Upcoming Events and Engage Service
[43:25] - Nehemiah 9: The Habit of Confession
[47:28] - Building Effective Habits
[50:20] - The Link Between Faith and Confession
[57:37] - Commitments Following Confession
[01:00:34] - Communal Responsibility in Confession
[01:18:14] - ACTS: A Model for Prayer
[01:19:12] - Closing Prayer and Final Song
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 32:1-5: "Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.' And you forgave the guilt of my sin."
2. Nehemiah 9:1-3: "On the 24th day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads. Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors. They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord their God."
3. 1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the blessings mentioned in Psalm 32 that come from confessing our sins? ([26:26])
2. In Nehemiah 9:1-3, what actions did the Israelites take as part of their communal confession? ([40:02])
3. According to 1 John 1:9, what is the result of confessing our sins to God? ([01:02:02])
4. What commitments did the Israelites make in Nehemiah 10 following their confession? ([57:37])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Psalm 32 describe the emotional and physical state of someone who has not confessed their sins? What changes after confession? ([26:26])
2. Why do you think the Israelites included the sins of their ancestors in their confession in Nehemiah 9:1-3? ([40:02])
3. How does the practice of confession help us recognize God's holiness and our need for His grace, as discussed in the sermon? ([50:20])
4. What is the significance of the commitments made by the Israelites in Nehemiah 10, and how do they relate to their confession? ([57:37])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced relief and joy after confessing your sins. How did this affect your relationship with God? ([26:26])
2. What spiritual habits, such as prayer or Bible reading, have you found helpful in maintaining a close relationship with God? How can you incorporate the habit of confession into your daily life? ([47:28])
3. How can regular confession help you stay aware of God's holiness and your need for His grace? What steps can you take to make confession a regular part of your spiritual routine? ([50:20])
4. The Israelites made specific commitments following their confession. What commitments can you make to align your life more closely with God's Word? ([57:37])
5. Confession is also a communal responsibility. How can you support others in your small group or church community in their spiritual journey, particularly in the practice of confession? ([01:00:34])
6. Think about a specific area in your life where you need to realign with God's will. What practical steps can you take this week to address this area through confession and commitment? ([50:20])
7. How can you create an environment in your small group or family that encourages open and honest confession, fostering a sense of accountability and support? ([01:00:34])
Devotional
Day 1: The Blessing of Confession
Confession brings relief and joy as we acknowledge our sins and receive God's forgiveness. Psalm 32 reminds us that when we confess, God is faithful and just to forgive us, lifting the burden of guilt from our hearts. This practice helps us maintain a clear conscience and a close relationship with God. Confession is not merely about listing our wrongdoings but about experiencing the profound relief that comes from God's mercy. When we confess, we are reminded of God's unwavering love and the joy that comes from being in right relationship with Him. This act of humility and honesty before God allows us to experience His grace in a transformative way.
Psalm 32:1-2 (ESV): "Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit."
Reflection: Think of a specific sin or burden you have been carrying. Can you take a moment today to confess it to God and experience the relief and joy of His forgiveness? [26:26]
Day 2: Building Spiritual Habits
Just as effective habits can transform our personal lives, spiritual habits like prayer, Bible reading, and confession are essential for our spiritual growth. These habits help us stay disciplined and focused on our relationship with God, ensuring that we live according to His will. Developing these habits requires intentionality and commitment, much like any other area of personal growth. By prioritizing these spiritual disciplines, we create a foundation that supports our faith and helps us navigate life's challenges with a God-centered perspective. The habit of confession, in particular, keeps us grounded in humility and dependence on God's grace.
1 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV): "Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."
Reflection: What is one spiritual habit you can commit to building this week? How can you incorporate it into your daily routine to deepen your relationship with God? [47:28]
Day 3: The Role of Confession in Recognizing God's Holiness
Confession is crucial because it helps us recognize the contrast between our unfaithfulness and God's holiness. By regularly confessing our sins, we remain aware of our need for God's grace and mercy, which keeps us humble and dependent on Him. This practice not only highlights our shortcomings but also magnifies God's perfect nature and His unwavering faithfulness. Through confession, we are reminded of the vast difference between our sinful nature and God's purity, leading us to a deeper appreciation of His grace and a stronger desire to live in a way that honors Him.
Isaiah 6:5 (ESV): "And I said: 'Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!'"
Reflection: Take a moment to reflect on God's holiness. How does recognizing His purity and your need for His grace impact your daily life and decisions? [50:20]
Day 4: Commitments Following Confession
Confession should lead to concrete commitments that align our lives with God's Word. In Nehemiah 10, the Israelites made commitments to uphold God's law, pursue godly marriages, observe the Sabbath, and give generously. These commitments help us live faithfully and avoid repeating past mistakes. When we confess, it is not just about acknowledging our sins but also about making intentional changes to live according to God's will. These commitments serve as practical steps to ensure that our lives reflect our faith and devotion to God, helping us to grow spiritually and avoid the pitfalls that led us astray in the past.
Nehemiah 10:29 (ESV): "Join with their brothers, their nobles, and enter into a curse and an oath to walk in God's Law that was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord and his rules and his statutes."
Reflection: After confessing your sins, what specific commitments can you make to align your life more closely with God's Word? How can you hold yourself accountable to these commitments? [57:37]
Day 5: Communal Responsibility in Confession
Confession is not just an individual act but a communal responsibility. As members of the body of Christ, we are called to support one another in our spiritual journeys, encouraging each other to confess and make commitments that honor God. This communal aspect strengthens our faith and fosters a sense of accountability. When we confess our sins to one another, we build a community of trust and support, helping each other grow in faith and holiness. This shared responsibility reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles and that we can rely on our brothers and sisters in Christ for encouragement and prayer.
James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: Is there someone in your faith community you can confide in and ask for prayer and support? How can you be a source of encouragement and accountability for others in their spiritual journey? [01:00:34]
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "My prayer is that. That took this time to actually look and examine your heart and to see the secret sins that are in our heart. And when you do that, the Bible is very reassuring in letting us know that when we confess our faults, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. Don't we serve a great and merciful Lord?" (54 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We need to build in these habits and one is confession. That's what we're going to talk about today. Confession is a habit that teaches us the contrast between our faithlessness and God's holiness. And why is this important? It's because it allows us to experience God's mercy, God's forgiveness, God's guidance. It ensures that we're living according to God's will and we get to enjoy the fullness of the covenant blessing that God has for us when we recognize and begin to confess our faults." (31 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When we confess, we're acknowledging that, yes, God, you are holy and I am not. And I need your holiness so that I can be holy, so that I can be pleasing and honoring to you. In and of our own strength, we can never please God. We need the Holy Spirit living within us to do that. And we need to be able to confess, to acknowledge that we lack the holiness that we require. And so confession is a very powerful thing." (30 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When we look at this idea of confession, it wasn't just confessing and ending it there. There was this idea of confession, of taking it and then building in some commitments to allow for us to be centered on the gospel. And so confession lets us see where our faults are at and how we've been unfaithful, but then it's got to be more than that. He's asking us to also take steps to make Christ center in our life." (28 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "But you are a forgiving God. When we confess to God, remember this. You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore, you did not desert them just like he will not desert us. And let us honor him as we recognize our shortcomings." (19 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "What kind of habits do you form in your life that help you in your everyday living, but also what kind of habits are you putting into your life that help you spiritually? And we're going to dive into one of those habits today, talking about confession. Before I jump into that, though, I just want to remind you, we've got a lot of great things coming up with our Engage service. Our Engage service, as you know, is going to be a service that's geared for primarily, well, it's for everybody, but we want to gear it in a way that resonates with our, you know, that age group, 20 to 40, our young adults. And we just want to minister to them in a special way." (36 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When we look at our Christian faith, when we look at our walk with God, a lot of it is about building habits. You know, I don't think we think about it in that, those terms a lot, but we're trying to build habits into our life because we want to be disciplined in how we live out our faith. We know that prayer is a discipline. And if we don't build in the habit of prayer, then a lot of times we can go prayerless. If we're not building in the habit of reading God's word on a regular basis, we're not building in the habit of reading God's word. Then we can kind of get away from that. We don't really understand what God's word is. We get away from it and it's work. It's a habit we have to develop." (37 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When we lack confession, when we don't confess to God, what happens is we begin to, we lose an understanding of God's holiness. We lose sight of who God truly is. And on top of that, we lose sight of how unfaithful we can be, right? How sinful we can be. And so we lose sight of who God truly is. And so we have to begin to think about ways of how can I make God the center of my life? How can I recognize God's holiness? How can I recognize how I fall short as a believer?" (36 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When we read through Nehemiah 9 through 10, this is exactly what's happening. They're building this idea of confession, but then later in chapter 10, they build in these commitments that put them in right alignment with God, not just in the moment, but they're trying to build commitments into their life that allow them to live out a life that's centered on Christ. And we'll go through that. But before we get into that, let's review what's going on in Nehemiah chapter 9 and 10." (32 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "When we look throughout Scripture, what you're going to find is you're going to find communal situations. They weren't just individual. That's why in the New Testament, when somebody would sin, they would set them outside of the community. They didn't set them outside to cast judgment on them. The role was to restore them. But because community was such a marker of identity, they didn't set them outside of the community. They didn't set them outside to when you were set outside of the community, that was a way for people to try to restore you." (29 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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