Confession
Summarized Sermon from Carey Nieuwhof
Look at Instagram. We take many pictures of ourselves, pick the best one, augment it, and then post it. The picture does not show our real self, but when others praise the picture, we feel good. No wonder anxiety and depression are on the rise.
We like to cover up. When we make mistakes, instead of taking responsibility of our fault, we complain and blame others.
We think we are better. We are arrogant and condescending, looking down on others.
To go one step further, some are even sure of God’s approval.
Let us learn from Christ’s parable on the prayers of a Pharisee and a tax collector (Luke 18:9-14).
Pharisees were powerful religious leaders who represented the establishment. The tax collector, like today’s drug dealer or pimp, represented the outcast.
They both prayed.
The Pharisee thanked God he was better than others, including the tax collector. He told God he fasted twice a week and gave 10 percent of all he got.
Meanwhile, the tax collector mourned and would not even look up. He called himself a sinner and asked for God’s mercy.
The Pharisee considered himself good even before the eyes of God. In contrast, the tax collector knew he had nothing but dirt, and he confessed to God.
Only the tax collector’s prayer was pleasing to God.
We need to understand that we bring nothing to God. Everything is by His grace. We also should remember we are sinners. We should admit our mistakes and our weaknesses to God and confess to Him. It is through confessing and repenting that we invite God to come in to heal us.
In addition to confessing to God, confess to others, such as to our friends. Admit our mistakes and pray for each another (James 5:16). This is difficult but may draw others closer to us. More importantly, such confessing and praying help address the issue and make us less likely to make the mistake again.
Accept who we really are. Know that we are sinners. Confess our sins to God and to one another. Then pray for each other and ask for God’s mercy. God would help us.
Summarized from a sermon by Carey Nieuwhof:
https://menlo.church/series/the-way#/modal/message/5604/mlo
We like to cover up. When we make mistakes, instead of taking responsibility of our fault, we complain and blame others.
We think we are better. We are arrogant and condescending, looking down on others.
To go one step further, some are even sure of God’s approval.
Let us learn from Christ’s parable on the prayers of a Pharisee and a tax collector (Luke 18:9-14).
Pharisees were powerful religious leaders who represented the establishment. The tax collector, like today’s drug dealer or pimp, represented the outcast.
They both prayed.
The Pharisee thanked God he was better than others, including the tax collector. He told God he fasted twice a week and gave 10 percent of all he got.
Meanwhile, the tax collector mourned and would not even look up. He called himself a sinner and asked for God’s mercy.
The Pharisee considered himself good even before the eyes of God. In contrast, the tax collector knew he had nothing but dirt, and he confessed to God.
Only the tax collector’s prayer was pleasing to God.
We need to understand that we bring nothing to God. Everything is by His grace. We also should remember we are sinners. We should admit our mistakes and our weaknesses to God and confess to Him. It is through confessing and repenting that we invite God to come in to heal us.
In addition to confessing to God, confess to others, such as to our friends. Admit our mistakes and pray for each another (James 5:16). This is difficult but may draw others closer to us. More importantly, such confessing and praying help address the issue and make us less likely to make the mistake again.
Accept who we really are. Know that we are sinners. Confess our sins to God and to one another. Then pray for each other and ask for God’s mercy. God would help us.
Summarized from a sermon by Carey Nieuwhof:
https://menlo.church/series/the-way#/modal/message/5604/mlo