Sermon Central
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The Three C's Of Salvation - Part 2 Confession Series
Contributed by Jerry Flury on Nov 28, 2017 (message contributor)
Summary: Easy believism has permeated our churches. We moved away from talking about three C’s of salvation in an attempt to avoid negativity. True Biblical salvation consists of conviction, confession, and conversion.
III. What does it mean confession of sin?
A. 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
B. If we Confess – if we acknowledge and assent to our sins - denial of sin protects, preserves, perpetuates that sin!
C. Confession is not merely a mental understanding of the fact that a sin has been committed that is being asked for - even the demons understand on some level that they have violated God’s commands (they just don’t really care). Confession is not just a mental assent to having sinned or acknowledgement of your sin.
D. Confession does not mean rendering lip service, or mouthing deeds with vain repetition. It means calling sin for what it is – sin.
E. Likewise confession is not an announcement. It is easy to say "I have sinned but…" and then seek to justify or whitewash our sins.
F. Consider Adam and Eve in the garden after disobeying God. God confronts Adam who basically states. "I sinned. I disobeyed. But it’s not MY fault; it’s THAT WOMAN YOU gave me." God turns to Eve who says, "Yes I sinned and dragged Adam into it; but it’s not MY fault. It was THAT SNAKE in the grass."
G. Confession of sin means owning up to it and seeing it as God sees it.
H. A true confession is a complete admission of guilt. No rationalizing, no blaming.
I. It should be further noted that in 1 John 1:9 the plural "sins" indicates that the confession is to be specific as well as general.
J. Confession is necessary for fellowship. Sin builds a barrier between us and God. Erwin W. Lutzer (1941- )
K. Confession puts us on the same page with God about our sins.
L. Proverbs 28:13 (MKJV) "He who covers his sins shall not be blessed; but whoever confesses and leaves them shall have mercy."
All Scripture unless marked are quote from the Authorized King James Version
(NKJV) New King James Version, © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
(MKJV) Modern King James Version, © 1962-1998 by Jay P. Green, Sr. Used by permission. All rig
