January 22 — Confession and Repentance  

Matthew 6:9-13 (ESV) Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
 Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Our focus this morning is found in verse 12: (ESV) Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Reading this verse in the New Living Translation sheds additional light on exactly what those debts are… Sin. (NLT) Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us

What exactly is confession? And what’s the purpose of confession? Definition of confession from Easton’s Bible Dictionary: An acknowledgment of sins to God and to a neighbor whom we have wronged Confession is agreeing with God that our sin is indeed sin. We recognize that in our rebellion, pride, or ignorance, we have decided to do things our way. In confession, we come clean about how we’ve thought or behaved contrary to the Word of God. We agree that we have stepped over the line and that we are in need of His forgiveness. Remember: Sin separates us from God (Romans 3:23 – for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God) and confession of our sin restores our relationship with God:

1 John 1:5-10 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. Look again at verse 9. What is it telling us? Isn’t this marvelous? If we agree that God’s forgiveness is an amazing, undeserved, marvelous gift, why are we often slow to confess or sins?

After confessing, we ask for forgiveness. Luke 11:4a (Following Jesus’ example, He says) Forgive us our sins

Confession of sin is also part of our fellowship with one another: James 5:16

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.

Ephesians 4:32  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

How often do you confess your sins to others? What keeps us from doing this? And while we’re meddling… how are you doing at forgiving those who have wronged you? Why is this difficult for us?

When we struggle with confession and forgiveness, it is important to remember that…

Confession is an application of the gospel in our lives: “Confession of sin is application of the gospel and also

acknowledges our very real need for his sanctifying grace. Authentic confession of sin is a mingling of humble contrition before God, faith-filled appropriation of the grace of reconciliation, and heartfelt gratitude for the satisfaction that has been accomplished in the cross of Christ. For though we are manifestly set apart as God’s own children (1 Corinthians 6:11), we still sin (see Colossians 3:1–11). Thus, confession is part of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.” (From: Article/blog – Confessing our sins together by Ryan Griffith http:// www.desiringgod.org/articles/confessing-our-sins-together) Confession reminds us of our brokenness and the ways we’ve tried to either deny that brokenness or fix it in our own strength. The gospel reminds us that nothing, our efforts nor our denial, can make us right before God. Our only hope is in the cross of Christ. We are reminded that the ground around the cross is level. All of us are in need of God’s grace. As we ponder and experience the grace of God we are able to extend it to others. 1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Confession keeps our hearts ready to receive God’s Word and His instructions: James 4:8-10  Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 

What’s the difference between confession and repentance? Confession is acknowledging our sin before God and Repentance is turning away from our sin and back to God… changing our behavior from sinful to righteous. Repentance — a turning away from sin, disobedience, or rebellion and a turning back to God. In a more general sense, repentance means a change of mind or a feeling of remorse or regret for past conduct. True repentance is a “godly sorrow” for sin, an act of turning around and going in the opposite direction. This type of repentance leads to a fundamental change in a person’s relationship to God. [3] Ronald F. Youngblood, F. F. Bruce, and R. K. Harrison, Thomas Nelson Publishers, eds., Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1995). “Repentance is much more than saying “I’m sorry” like a three year old who gets caught with their mouth filled with cookies they were told not to eat.  Repentance begins with a deep awareness of sin and godly sorrow over our own brokenness.  It includes pleas for mercy and forgiveness, and a turning from sin and self-salvation to Christ as the only Savior and only solution.” (from https:// blog.genesiseureka.com/2009/05/26/prayers-of-confession-and-repentance)

Together – confession and repentance are powerful in our relationship with God. Confession and repentance bring restoration of the fullness of our relationship with the Lord and provide refreshment and healing for our souls. 2 Chronicles 7:14  If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Isaiah 30:15 For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning repentance and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” Acts 3:19  Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,  2 Corinthians 7:10  For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret,  Psalm 32:1-5 (ESV) Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
 2 Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.
 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up[b] as by the heat of summer. Selah 5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

“To repent is to rejoice. We claim the promise of 1 John 1:9 because we know our forgiveness has already been purchased at the cross. Beginning the new year with repentance is to draw closer to Jesus, to appropriate the fresh grace that is ours in him. This is why confession always brings relief and joy. It is the gateway to greater intimacy with God.” — From 4 Ways to Approach the New Year with Jesus by Daniel Darling, December 31, 2016 The Gospel Coalition

Biblical Example of a prayer of confession and repentance over personal sin – Psalm 51 (ESV) Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight,
 so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
 6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
 9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right[b] spirit within me.
 11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.
 14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation,
     and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
 15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
 16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. 18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem;
 19 then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;
     then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Biblical example of a prayer of confession on behalf of a nation or people group. Daniel 9:3-19 3 Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. 4 I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 5 we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. 6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. 7 To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame, as at this day, to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them, because of the treachery that they have committed against you. 8 To us, O LORD, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you. 9 To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him 10 and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. 11 All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. And the curse and oath that are written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against him. 12 He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us and against our rulers who ruled us,[a] by bringing upon us a great calamity. For under the whole heaven there has not been done anything like what has been done against Jerusalem. 13 As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not entreated the favor of the LORD our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by your truth.14 Therefore the LORD has kept ready the calamity and has brought it upon us, for the LORD our God is righteous in all the works that he has done, and we have not obeyed his voice. 15 And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly. 16 “O

Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy hill, because for our sins, and

for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us. 17 Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, [b] make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. 18 O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. 19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.”

Revival Preacher Charles G. Finney (1792-1875) wrote in his book How to Experience Revival a list of commonly overlooked sins in the lives of Christians. Based on Hosea 10:12 ("Break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till He come and rain righteousness upon you"), Finney asserted that unconfessed sin allows our hearts to be hard like fallow ground and that we must “soften the hard and dry heart until it is mellowed and is fit to receive the Word of God.” Basically, these sins that we have not confessed and repented of stand in the way of us being used by God. He encouraged readers to prayerfully go through this list 3 times…on different occasions…and pray each time that the Lord would reveal if these sins are in our hearts. Author and speaker Anne Graham Lotz confessed in her book The Daniel Prayer that the first time she read the list, she felt pretty good about herself because she didn’t think any of these sins were in her life. She said she would follow this “old timey preacher’s” instruction and go through the lists two more times. On her second time through, God made it clear that in addition to the sin of pride from her first time through the list, that indeed – some of these sins were in her life. She said that by the time she made her way through the list a third time, she was overwhelmed by the sin in her life that God was exposing to her through this list. She spent the next few days working through confessing and repenting of those sins.

Sunday School Teachers – let’s take up this challenge to examine our hearts by going through this list three times, on three separate occasions, asking God to reveal any sins hidden in our hearts. Then, you can challenge our class members to do the same. In class, you may choose to simply highlight two or three items on this list just to get class members thinking.

From How to Experience Revival by Charles G. Finney (1792-1875): Let us take up this challenge to examine our hearts by going through this list three times, on three separate occasions, asking God to reveal any sins hidden in our hearts.     Ingratitude. All the times you can remember where you have received favors (grace) from God for which you have never thanked Him.     Lack of love for God. Think how grieved and alarmed you would be if you discovered any lessening of affection for you in your wife, husband, or children – if you saw another engrossing their hearts, thoughts, and time. Perhaps in such a case, you would feel you would die of a just and virtuous jealousy. In a similar way, God calls Himself a jealous God. Have you not given your heart to other lovers and infinitely offended Him?     Neglecting your Bible reading. Note the cases when for perhaps weeks or longer, reading God’s Word was not a pleasure. Some people read whole chapters so carelessly that they cannot remember what they have been reading.    Instances of unbelief. Recall the times when you have virtually charged the God of truth with lying by your unbelief in His express promises and declarations. God has promised to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. Now, do you believe this? Have you expected Him to answer?     Neglect of prayer. Think of the times when you have neglected secret prayer, family prayer, and prayer meetings. Remember when you have prayed in such a way that offended God more than if you omitted prayer altogether.     The way you have performed your spiritual duties can also reflect a poor attitude. For example, praying with a lack of feeling or faith, in a worldly frame of mind, so that your words were nothing but mere chatter. Someone who prays this kind of lifeless, careless prayer would not be able to give a reason for their prayers.     A lack of love for the souls of your fellowmen. Look at your friends and relatives and remember how little compassion you have felt for them. You have

stood by and watched them going right to hell, yet it seemed as though you did not care. How many days have there been where you failed to pray about their sinful condition or show any ardent desire for their salvation?     A lack of concern for unbelievers. Perhaps you have not cared enough for them to learn about their condition. Measure your desire for their salvation. Measure it by the self-denial you practice to help send them the Gospel. Do you deny yourself the luxuries of life? Do you economize, or are you unwilling to subject yourself to any inconvenience to save unbelievers? Do you pray for them daily in private? Are you praying with the correct attitude?    Neglect family duties. Think of how you have lived, putting yourself before your family. How have you prayed? What example have you set before them? What direct efforts do you habitually make for their spiritual good? What duty have you not neglected?     Are you watchful of your own life? Think of how you have hurried through your private duties, never really checking yourself or keeping your accounts straight with God. How often have you entirely neglected to watch your conduct, and, having been off your guard, sinned before the world, the church, and God?     It is wrong to neglect to watch over your brothers and sisters in Christ. How often have you broken your covenant to watch over them in the Lord? How little do you know or care about the state of their souls? Yet, you are under a solemn oath to watch over them. What have you done to become acquainted with them? With how many of them have you taken enough interest to know their spiritual state?     How many times have you seen your brethren growing cold in faith and not spoken to them about it? You have seen them beginning to neglect one duty after another, and you did not reprove them in a loving way. You have seen them falling to sin, and you let them go on. Yet, you pretend to love them. What a hypocrite! Would you watch your wife or child go into disgrace, or fall into the fire, and hold your peace? No, you would not. What do you think of yourself then, when you pretend to love Christians (and Christ) while you watch your brothers fall into disgrace without saying anything.     Neglect of self-denial. There are many who are willing to do almost anything in religion as long as it does not require self-denial. When they are required to do anything that requires them to deny themselves – that is asking too much! They think they are doing a lot for God, as much as He can reasonably ask. They are unwilling to deny themselves any comfort or convenience for the sake of serving the Lord. They will not willingly suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus Christ. Nor will they deny themselves the luxuries of life to save a world from hell.     They have no idea that self-denial is a condition of discipleship. They do not even know what self-denial is. They have never really denied themselves even a

trinket for Christ and the Gospel. Some give great sums, and they do not feel the loss because their offering comes out of their surplus. Yet, those about whom they complain may be giving out of what they need. That poor woman who puts in her dollar has exercised more self-denial than they have in giving thousands.     Worldly mindedness. What has been the state of your heart in regard to your worldly possessions? Have you looked at them as really yours – as if you had a right to dispose of them as your own, according to your own will?     Pride. Remember all the instances you can when you have found yourself acting or thinking with pride. Vanity is a particular form of pride. How many times have you been vain about your dress and appearance? How many times have you thought more, and taken more trouble and time decorating your body to go to church, than preparing your mind to worship God? You have attended church caring more about how you appeared physically to other people than how your soul appeared to the heart-searching God.     Envy. Look at the times when you were envious of those whom you thought were above you in any way. Perhaps you have envied those who are more talented or more useful than yourself.     A critical spirit. Remember the times you have had a bitter spirit and spoken of Christians in a manner that did not show charity or love; the times you have spoken unnecessarily about the faults, real or imagined, of members of the church or others behind their back. Love requires you to hope the best that a situation will permit and believe the best about any ambiguous conduct.     Lack of seriousness. How often have you been lighthearted before God as you would not have dared in the presence of an earthly sovereign? Perhaps you have forgotten that there was a God – or you have had less respect for Him and His presence than you would show toward an earthly judge.     Lying. Understand what lying is. It is any kind of designed deception. If you decide to make an impression contrary to the naked truth, you lie. Do not call them by any soft names. God calls them lies and charges you with lying. You, too, must charge yourself correctly. How numerous are the falsehoods perpetuated every day in business, social situations, words, looks, and actions. All are designed to make an impression on others, for selfish reasons which are contrary to the truth!     Cheating. Remember all the cases in which you have dealt with an individual and done to him that which you would not like to have done to you. That is cheating. God has laid down a rule for this case. "All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them" (Matt. 7:12). That is the rule. And if you have not followed this rule, you are a cheat.     Hypocrisy. For instance, hypocrisy may exist in your prayers and confessions to God. Remember when you have prayed for things you did not really want. You

will know this is happening if, when you have finished praying, you cannot remember exactly what you have prayed for. How many times have you confessed sins that you did not mean to stop committing? Yes, you confessed sins when you knew you would repeat them, just as you expected to continue living.     Robbing God. Think of the times you have misspent your time, squandering the hours which God gave you to serve Him and save souls. Maybe you spend too much time with idle pastimes, more than working to bring people to Jesus. Maybe you do absolutely nothing. Think of cases where you have misapplied your talents and mental powers. Where have you squandered money on your lusts, or spent it for things which you did not need, and which did not contribute to your health, comfort, or usefulness?     Bad temper. Perhaps you have abused your wife, children, family, co-workers, or neighbors.     Hindering others from being useful. Perhaps you have weakened another Christian’s influence by insinuations against him. You have not only robbed God of your own talents, but tied the hands of somebody else. What a wicked person is he who not only loiters himself but hinders others! This is done sometimes by taking their time needlessly, sometimes by destroying Christian confidence in them. By doing this, you have played into the hands of Satan, and you have not only proved yourself to be an idle vagabond, but prevented others from working.