A Conversation about Spiritual Disciplines
This morning Pastor Justin continued in our series on spiritual disciplines as he taught about confession. Confession is speaking back in agreement about something. When we confess, we are invited to enter into the conversation with God. Confession is not our ideas, but God’s Truth. When we speak back to Him, things change.

3 aspects of confession:

1. Public confession – 1 John 1:7
   • Faith doesn’t follow feelings, but feelings follow faith.
   • 1 Tim 4:8 – Confession is hard work and it is supposed to feel like hard work.
2. Personal Confession – James 5:16
   • We are to confession our sins to one another. John 20:23
   • 1 Peter 2:9 We are a royal priesthood. A priest is someone who represented the people to God. If we are all priests, then we must confess our sins to one another.
3. Private confession
   • There is a time to privately speak back to God. Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 16
   • Use the Psalms (32, 38, 51)

Psalm 51 was written by David after his encounter with Nathan. Nathan helps David see the brokenness and sin in his heart after his lust for Bathsheba, and his coverup with the death of Uriah.

Psalm 51:

• 1-2: Acknowledges God for who His is
• 3-4: You will be proved right in your judgement
• 5: I was born into sin. I was a sinner at conception
• 6: You want me to be good inside. You have told me what was right, but I didn’t do it.
• 7: Hyssop was used in Passover and given to Jesus on the cross. Also medicinal
• 8-10: Make my heart new or I will do this again
• 11-12: I pray that you will make me want to. “I don’t want to want to…”
• 13-15: I cannot worship you unless you open my lips
• 16-19: Lord, you need to build up the walls of my heart before I sacrifice. My sacrifices are no good if my walls are down.

To discuss today
1. What is your confession?

2. What is He bringing before you to name on His behalf?

3. Have you ever spoken God’s Truth over someone that confessed their sin to you? How did you respond?

4. How do YOU behave like a priest?

Prayer
Pray Psalm 51 and speak the Truth to your family and your Creator. He loves you, He knows, and He cares. He invites you to be a part of the conversation.