Sunday Flyer

The Book of James: Faith That Works

Confession

Pastor Matt Hammett

How do we experience forgiveness, freedom, and healing?
How do we deal with our sin?

The Practice of Confession

James 5:13–20
13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

“To err is human, to confess one’s error, wise.”

- Jerome

James 5:15-16
And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Toxic Tapes
- What’s wrong with me?
- What kind of person would do something like this?
- I’m worthless.
- I am hopeless and will never change.
- I’m a horrible person-If other people found out, they’d want nothing to do with me.

Psalm 32:1-51
 Blessed is the one
 whose transgressions are forgiven,
 whose sins are covered. 2 Blessed is the one
 whose sin the Lord does not count against them
 and in whose spirit is no deceit. 3 When I kept silent,
 my bones wasted away
 through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night
 your hand was heavy on me; 
my strength was sapped
 as in the heat of summer.5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you
 and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
 my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave
 the guilt of my sin.

1. Confess to Jesus first.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

2. Be specific.

3. Confess to one another.


James 1:16a
 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

4. Be gracious receivers.

“Anyone who lives beneath the cross and has seen in the cross the utter wickedness of their own heart will no longer be horrified by even the rankest sins of a brother.”

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

James 5:19-20
My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

Confession:
“I confess…”
• “I confess I’ve been holding onto bitterness.”

• “I confess I’ve been dishonest.”
• “I confess I’ve let fear paralyze me.”
Response: “Jesus blood covers you.”

Prayer of Confession:

"Most merciful God, our heavenly Father, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. Forgive us all of our offenses and grant that we may serve you in the newness of life to the glory of your name. In Jesus’ name, amen."