Join us for Sunday School @ 9:45 am
Sunday Morning Worship @ 11:00 am
Sunday Evening Worship @ 6:00 pm
Wednesday Bible Study @ 6:30 pm

True Confession

True Knowledge; True Assurance

Mar 30, 2014


Series: True Knowledge; True Assurance | Category: 1, 2, 3 John | Scripture: Psalm 51:1–51:19 | Tags: Sermons, Holiness, Confession, Forgiveness

Psalm 51 serves as an illustration, almost a prewritten commentary, on 1 John 1:9a.

All believers struggle with the flesh and do sin.  Therefore, we need to constantly come before our holy God, confessing our faults and rejoicing in His forgiveness.

From Psalm 51 we learn that:

I.  All sin is primarily an offense against God, and such an understanding is necessary if your confession is to be real.  (Ps. 51:1-4)

     A.  God's character is the basis for confession.  (51:1-3)

          1.  The Lord is a God of lovingkindness.

          2.  The Lord is a merciful God.

          3.  The Lord, even in His lovingkindness and mercy, demands "excuseless" confession.

     B.  God is offended above all others when we sin.  (51:4)

II.  All sin is born out of a sinful heart, thus contrite confession is a must.  (Ps. 51:5-9)

     A.  We all sin because all are born sinners.  (51:5)

     B.  God demands perfection in the life of all men.  (51:6)

     C.  When we sin we should cry out for God to change, not just the outward appearance, but the inner man.  (51:7-9)

III.  All sin hinders the fellowship the believing sinner has with God, and thus requires true confession.  (Ps. 51:10-12)

     A.  The confessor should seek to be transformed.  (51:10)

     B.  The confessor should recognize that God owes him nothing.  (51:11)

     C.  The confessor should humbly seek that the Lord restore joy to his life.  (51:12)

IV.  All forgiveness that follows confession is to be recognized through praise to God.  (Ps. 51:13-17)

     A.  Those who confess and are forgiven should teach others of the joy that ocmes from confession.  (51:13)

     B.  Those who confess and are forgiven should sing of God's deliverance.  (51:14-17)

V.  Confession of sin has benefits for many people.  (Ps. 51:18-19)