Below you’ll find links both to the sermon audio and manuscript I wrote for this sermon. I pray they will encourage you in your walk with Christ and spur you on to godliness.
Month: September 2020
Paying Attention to Germs – Sunday’s Confession
Call to Confession
During the last 6 months, we have all paid more attention to cleanliness than ever before. Every time I go into a grocery store someone takes a rag and wipes out a buggy before giving it to me. Hand sanitizing stations are all over the place and people carry mini bottles in every vehicle, purse, or suitcase. And it’s all for good reason. We know there’s a virus that can make someone incredibly sick, or even die. And therefore, our senses have been on high alert for germs.
The Word of God tells us that there is a germ that is far more contagious, and far more deadly than any physical sickness we face—and yet most of our world is oblivious to it. The Bible calls that germ, sin. Everyone is infected with it, and it has a fatality rate of 100%. What if we were as careful and cautious of sin as we have been of a virus? What if every surface of our home was wiped down with repentance? What if every conversation with our children was cleansed in confession and honesty?
The truth is that some of us are only reminded to confess our sins once every 7 days, when we should be carrying confession around in our cars, our purses, and backpacks and briefcases.
In Jeremiah 29:13 God says, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” So, let’s seek him now, as we confess our sins together.
Prayer of Confession
Father,
You have graciously assured us that while those who cover their sin will not prosper, yet those who confess and forsake their sins will find mercy.
Father, we confess the sinfulness of our sin. We have not seen it for what it truly is. We have not considered how terrible it is to offend your law, and to reject your love.
Father, we haven’t considered how damaging our sin has been to others. We confess that our sin has made our hearts cold to their needs of love, fairness, justice, and mercy. Sin has made us unforgiving, impatient, and self-serving.
Father our sins have gone over our head as a heavy burden; they are too heavy for us to carry—but weary and heavy laden, we come to Christ who has promised that in him we shall find rest for our souls.
We know that if we say “Amen” to this prayer while ignoring it in our hearts this prayer will have no effect so we confess our individual sins to you now in silence.
In Jesus name we pray, AMEN!
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
1 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.
Psalm 32:1, 2
If you have placed your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and look to him alone for the forgiveness of sins—then in Christ, your sins are forgiven.
This is the good news. Thanks be to God.