Confession Series

From the Ashes

Week 4 – Confession

Scripture: John 3:19-20, James 1:14-15, Luke 15

I grew up differently than most kids today. When I was staying with my grandparents in Hayward, we lived on the edge of town, and were allowed to hunt and fish around the property. We had many firearms, all loaded throughout the house, and from the time I turned 10 or 11, I was allowed to grab my .22 rifle whenever I wanted and go plink at squirrels, rabbits, or other varmints, particularly the ones that would get into my grandpa’s garden or flower beds.

But before I had that blanket permission, I was not allowed to touch any of the guns. They were out in the open, and unlocked, but I obeyed that rule even when left home alone while they were at work.

One day, my grandfather had just left with his friend Bob, who was the county surveyor, to go and do some work marking property for a new development coming into the area. Grandma was working, so I was home alone….probably 8 or 9 years old.

I did my usual- played outside. Went for a walk in the woods. Visit old Hayward which was an old, abandoned logging camp about ½ mile walk through the woods. I explored the old theater, went into several of the old houses and found old toys left behind by the original settlers of Hayward, and brought them home with me.

I made myself a sandwich and was sitting at the kitchen table when I heard a thump from the living room. My grandparent’s poodle had knocked over my bolt action .22 from it’s stand. I noticed the bolt was partially up, so I picked it up and brough it back to the kitchen with me and worked the bolt so it was back in the correct position. That of course popped a single bullet out of the chamber and loaded a new one. I looked all over for that shell, but couldn’t find it so I just put it back and continued my day.

My grandfather came home and grabbed a soda from the refrigerator, and I saw him bend down and pick something up. He asked me, “Johnny, were you messing with your rifle?”

I was on the spot….and I made the wrong decision and lied.

I said, “Nope”

He turned around holding up the shell I had ejected and said, “Can you explain this then?”

I was caught. I just looked down at the ground and my grandpa came over to me and cupped the back of my head and made me look up at him.

I was surprised to see tears in his eyes.

He said, “You broke my heart. I didn’t raise you to be a liar- don’t you trust me with the truth, even when you mess up?”

I learned a valuable lesson that day. It’s A lesson that I’ve continued to learn, fail at, and learn again my entire life-

Confession when you mess up is better than living in darkness.

Today we are going to explore this idea of confession- why we are so afraid of using this vital tool God has given us, and the power it has when we humble ourselves and allow confession to cleanse us and set us free from the snare the enemy has set for us.

Let’s begin with prayer-

Prayer: “God, I confess today that I have made decisions that have broken my relationship with you and others. Forgive me for the mistakes I have made. Free me from shame and guilt that I may walk in the newness of life that you offer me in your Son. May my life be transparent before you and may you help me to live my life with wisdom.”

Big Idea: Confession is the process of recognition of sin, turning from it and experiencing the forgiveness of God. Having a regular practice of searching our lives and coming into the light can cultivate a life full of grace and mercy as we rise from the ashes of past sins and poor decision making in our lives.

Admitting failure is difficult. Confessing and coming clean when we are at fault is not an easy task. I’m sure many of you here today have a similar story like the one I just shared. Honestly, we probably all have numerous stories that sound eerily similar.

Thankfully, the stories end differently when God gets involved. With God, we are promised forgiveness when we confess our sins and come clean. And when we bring ourselves into the light we are able to live free, unburdened or hindered by the sin that so easily entangles so that we can run the race set before us. (Hebrews 12:1)

Confession is the 4th topic of our 6 weeks together in our journey to abundant life. Obviously, Jesus led a sinless life so we won’t see any specific examples from His life including sin. However, it is because of Jesus’ sinless life and humble sacrifice that we can experience the unrestrained forgiveness of the Father over our sin.