SEXUAL PURITY STARTS WITH CONFESSION Jay Tamsett

CONFESSION IS BELIEF IN ACTION We access the blood of Jesus through not just belief, but activating that belief with action. We access the blood of Jesus through not just belief, but activating that belief with action. The action principle here is confession. The action principle here is confession. “Confession is a means of exposing our filthy rags to one another rather than concealing them behind gleaming shame coats” (p. 96)

WHERE ARE YOU ? Genesis 3:9 – “…the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:9 – “…the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” It is natural to hide, and to be reluctant to admit sin It is natural to hide, and to be reluctant to admit sin But without confession, there is no possibility of repentance But without confession, there is no possibility of repentance With repentance, there is forgiveness and mercy With repentance, there is forgiveness and mercy

JAMES 5:16 “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.” Confession is the first step of repentance Confession is the first step of repentance Repentance is the path of the humble Repentance is the path of the humble

KEY TO LASTING FREEDOM IS OPEN CONFESSION We cannot afford to remain isolated and alone in our sins We cannot afford to remain isolated and alone in our sins Through confession, we take away the fig leaf of our own human effort Through confession, we take away the fig leaf of our own human effort Confession exposes the bare weakness of our sinfulness to one another Confession exposes the bare weakness of our sinfulness to one another

MY STORY Work in progress Work in progress Many battles, one victory Many battles, one victory Fighting the good fight means taking some hits Fighting the good fight means taking some hits Measure of health isn’t never falling down, it is how fast you get back up Measure of health isn’t never falling down, it is how fast you get back up

1 JOHN 1:8-9 “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

1 JOHN 1:6-7 “ If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

PRIDE VS. HUMILITY PRIDE Isolation Ad hoc confession, mostly “private” Passive acknowledge of sin Quick to make excuses, blame others HUMILIY Integrated in community / fellowship Proactive and regular confession Fully understand the gravity of sin Take full responsibility for self

WHEN FACING TEMPTATION… Pride says, “I can handle this” Pride says, “I can handle this” Humility says, “I can’t handle this” Humility says, “I can’t handle this” Put no confidence in the flesh (“I can’t handle this”) – FLEE SEXUAL IMMORALITY (1 Cor. 6:18) Put no confidence in the flesh (“I can’t handle this”) – FLEE SEXUAL IMMORALITY (1 Cor. 6:18) Confess weakness, receive strength (2 Cor. 12:10) Confess weakness, receive strength (2 Cor. 12:10) Confess not to be forgiven, but confess because you are forgiven Confess not to be forgiven, but confess because you are forgiven

TWO DEATHS – ONE CROSS Death to (specific) self Die to the identity that I created as a result of my sin This identity is the “old self” “Old self” is an idol that must be destroyed Every idol demands worship through sacrifice Death to (specific) sin Die to the pleasure of the specific sin This sin is supporting and feeding the old identity My habitual sinful behavior indicates what kind of idol I’m worshiping

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS