Proverbs 28:13 Sermon ID - 2122 am – 28 02 10
"CONFESSING OUR SINS
Introduction
1. This an unpopular subject
2. Are there any sinners any more?
3. Few seem to take sin seriously
1. THE WRONG WAY TO DEAL WITH OUR SINS
1) What is sin?
(i) biblical names: shortcoming / trespass / defilement /
provocation / lawlessness
(ii) Its character is: against God and man
2) What forms does sin take?
(i) the ten commandments show it up
(ii) scripture shows it up: Rom. 3:9-18
3) The universality of sin in mankind:
(i) "all have sinned" – other texts
(ii) history shows it in all nations and at all periods
(iii) education, etc., do not cure the problem
4) There is a tendency to hide it (Text)
(i) examples in scripture
(ii) their failures
APPLICATION: Do you admit this truth?
2. THE RIGHT WAY TO DEAL WITH OUR SINS
1) It is clearly wrong to cover sin up
2) People do this out of shame + pride
3) God requires to be honest in this:
(i) we are to face up to our sins
(ii) they are of many kinds (thought/word/deed)
(iii) we are all guilty
4) God tells us there are 2 things to do:
(i) confess
(ii) forsake
5) Confession: to God in secret / also to others if appropriate
OBSERVE: No "priest" but Christ can pardon
6) Forsake: stop doing it – pray against it – take steps to avoid
occasions for it
7) We need all to take sin seriously:
(i) our tongue: See James 3
(ii) our temper: See Prov. also
(iii) our pride: texts
APPLICATION: Be in the habit of confession to God.
3. WHY GOD TELLS US THIS
1) It is the way to get mercy (text)
2) Concealment of sin angers God:
(i) Adam (ii) Achan (iii) Ananias + Sapphira
3) OBSERVE: They did "not prosper"
4) But those who confess find mercy:
(i) David: Ps. 51 (ii) Manasseh (iii) the Thief
5) OBSERVE: They all received God's pardon
6) To confess our sin to God is right + good:
(i) it vindicates God's justice
(ii) it is an expression of repentance
(iii) it is an appropriate act of self-humbling
APPLICATION: Learn to hate the sins you commit
7) God loves to see penitence + humility
ILLUSTRATION: the woman in Simeon's house


CONCLUSION
1.Tears and sight are in place
2.Also, look afresh to the Cross
3.Do you not need this lesson?
PSALM
38: 1 – 7
51: 1 – 6
51: 14 – 17