• Hebrews 2:1
  • Two types of confession in the Bible
    • Bold, courageous proclamation of one’s faith
    • Confession of sin (Acts 19) – this is our topic for this lesson
  • What is confession?
    • Saying the same thing: agreeing with God’s diagnosis
      • Proverbs 5:21
      • II Samuel 12:13
      • II Samuel 24:10 – David acknowledges his sin.
      • Ezra 10:2
      • Nehemiah 9:2
      • Psalm 41
    • To God
      • I John 1:9
      • I John 2:1
    • Go one another
      • James 5:13-16
      • It takes my sin out of the dark and into the light.
      • It brings accountability to others.
      • It changes sin from a shameful secret into something we are working to change.
    • Why is confession difficult?
      • Lack of self-examination and humility.
        • I John 1:5-1
        • Luke 18:9
      • Shame
        • Psalm 32:1-5, 11 – Confession brings healing and relief from shame. It is sin that brings shame – not the confession of sin.
      • Make church a country club instead of a hospital
    • What now?
      • Own your sin
        • Be specific
      • Find a confidant
      • Be a confidant
      • Trust God
    • Proverbs 28:13