The Grace of Confession, Part 4

James Ramieri

01-07-26 The Grace of Confession 4

Sermon Outline: The Grace of Confession (Part 4)

I. Introduction and Opening Prayer

A. Technical Housekeeping & Personal Anecdote

QR code provided for sermon slides (starting on slide 37).

Personal anecdote about transitioning from traditional sermon preparation (dry erase board, handwritten notes in notebooks in the 90s) to modern technology (Word documents, PowerPoint).

Mentioned studying with "Pastor Bob" (Robert McLaughlin) a couple of summers ago.

Learned to use new technology via YouTube.

B. Moment of Silent Prayer & Explanation of the Process

This is a recorded message, so the process of silent prayer will be explained.

Topic of Study: "The grace of confession."

Key Scripture: 1 John 1:9 - "if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us for our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Doctrinal Point: Confessing our sins ensures the filling of the Holy Spirit.

The Believer's Power System:

1. The filling of the Holy Spirit.

2. The Word of God (perception, metabolization, application of Bible doctrine).

The Holy Spirit is our true teacher, so it's vital to be filled with the Spirit to study God's Word and stay in His plan.

Instructions for Silent Prayer:

In the privacy of your own soul, bow your heads.

Confess any known sins.

Put aside any disturbances or cares ("cast our cares on him for he cares for us").

C. Audible Prayer

Prayer of thanks for the day, God's faithfulness, provision, and blessings.

Prayer of thanks for trials, tribulations, and pressures, as it is through suffering that God is glorified.

Prayer for the congregation to have open hearts to receive the Word and for God to quicken it to their souls.

Prayer for the speaker to have power, authority, and grace in delivering the message.

II. Context and Purpose of the Current Study

A. Background of the Sermon Series

The series began several weeks ago after a six-week study on the "doctrine of walking."

The original plan was to study the "doctrine of the pre-designed plan of God."

The direction changed due to receiving many questions about 1 John 1:9 and confession.

The speaker realized this principle, though well-understood by him, was taken for granted and not fully understood by others.

B. The Importance of Confession

It is very important to understand the grace of confession to ensure the filling of the Spirit.

Without the filling of the Spirit:

We are unable to please God.

We are outside the pre-designed plan of God for our lives.

We are operating in the cosmic system.

Attribution: Cites R.B. Thieme Jr. (via Pastor Bob) saying most believers are in the pre-designed plan of God only once in their life, at salvation, because they don't know how to recover the filling of the Spirit.

You can be moral and good or bad and wicked, but "Those that are in the flesh cannot please God."

C. Tonight's Focus

This is week four of the study. We are looking at the mechanics of confession.

A "detour" is planned after the current slides to do a devotional-style study of Psalm 32 and Psalm 51, looking at the life of David.

Definition of "Devotional" study for this context: Not taking a subject out of the Bible and making it mean anything we want, but taking a passage and using it devotionally while maintaining its exegetical accuracy, without doing a full-blown exegesis of the entire passage. It's a contrast to the more academic approach of word studies and doctrine categorization.

III. The Sins of the Tongue and the Basis for Forgiveness

A. Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:29-31

"Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth but if there is any good word for edification according to the need of the moment say that so that it will give grace to those who hear. do not grieve the holy spirit of god by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption all bitterness wrath anger clamor slander must be removed from you along with all malice."

B. Review of Gossip and Maligning

Gossip: Whispering or passing along information (true or not) that is not our place to share.

Maligning: Cutting someone up with our tongue; slandering their character.

Application: We must live our own pre-designed plan before God, not worrying about or talking about others.

Confession (1 John 1:9) is for our sins, not for pointing out the sins of others.

C. The Basis for Forgiveness

Doctrinal Point: Every sin we have ever committed has already been judged on the cross.

Principle: Our personal sins are never imputed to us; they were imputed to Christ and judged at the cross.

The Dilemma: We still have a sin nature, a proclivity to sin, and we still sin.

This study answers the question: "If all of our sins were forgiven, then why do we have to confess them?"

Mention of a movement that teaches 1 John 1:9 is no longer necessary, or that it was written to unbelievers as a salvation passage. This is incorrect based on the context of the letter.

IV. The Mechanics of Confession (Homologeo)

A. The Act of Confession

When a believer acknowledges or cites his sins, he is using faith directed towards a courtroom case: the cross.

Greek Word Study: homologeo - to name, to cite, to admit, to agree with.

Confessing sin now is an act of fellowship with God where we refer back to the cross, admitting and citing sins that were already paid for.

Reason for Confession: The first reason is because the Word of God commands it. The deeper reason is the necessity for fellowship, which will be shown through the life of David.

By confessing, you are agreeing with God that the sin needed to be judged.

B. Confession as a Non-Meritorious Act

Comparison with "Belief":

The verb for "to believe" is pisteuō . This is how we are saved.

Believing is a non-meritorious system of perception (faith). It involves no works (raising a hand, walking an aisle, baptism).

Merit is in the object of faith (Christ), not the act of faith itself.

Illustration: Sitting in a chair without inspecting it. Your faith in the chair is only as good as the chair's ability to hold you.

You can have 1/10 faith in a valid object (Christ) and be saved, or 10/10 faith in an invalid object (a water bottle) and not be saved.

Salvation is free because Christ paid for it; we simply believe.

Connecting Salvation-Faith to Christian-Walk-Faith:

Scripture: Colossians 2:6 - "Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him."

Application: We received Christ by faith (non-meritorious); therefore, we walk (live the spiritual life) by faith (non-meritorious).

Confession (homologeo) is also a non-meritorious system of perception.

It emphasizes what is being trusted in: the finished work of Christ.

There is no merit in admitting your sin to God; He already knows the facts.

C. Two Parallel Non-Meritorious Systems

Salvation: You believe , a non-meritorious act looking at the cross.

Fellowship: You admit/confess, a non-meritorious act looking again at the cross.

In both cases, you cannot take credit for being saved or for being forgiven.

V. The Dangers of Adding Human Merit to Confession

A. Rejecting Human Emotion and Works

The kingdom of darkness wants us to try to take credit for forgiveness by mustering up emotion.

Misuse of "godly sorrow": People often misuse the concept of godly sorrow to mean you must feel sorry for your sins to be forgiven.

Distinction: Metanoia (repentance) is not the same as confession/rebound/recovery. Rebound is a momentary restoration to fellowship.

Doctrinal Point: No one is forgiven because they repent, promise not to sin again, or feel sorry. Involving these things makes it less likely you will be restored to fellowship.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:10 - "For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death."

Explanation of 2 Corinthians 7:10:

Paul had corrected the Corinthians, and their "godly sorrow" was a recognition that Paul was right.

It was a realignment of their thinking with divine viewpoint—a change of mental attitude.

This is not emotional self-punishment.

Greek Word Study: metanoia (repentance) means a change of mind, not feeling bad. It is a long-term change from doctrine, which requires being filled with the Spirit via 1 John 1:9.

B. The Danger of Delaying Confession

Caution from the Life of David: David remained out of fellowship for a significant period after his sin with Bathsheba.

There is a window of time for confession before divine discipline comes, but we don't know its length. God is sovereign.

Application: Keep short accounts with God. Don't let sins build up. The longer you wait, the harder it is to return to fellowship, especially if you get into arrogance or emotional sins.

C. Blaspheming God's Plan

Warning: "If you try to add your feelings, penance, vows, or human function, you are blaspheming God's plan and sinning again."

The core issue is the finished work of Christ. Either sins were paid for at the cross, or they weren't. We must believe the Word of God.

When confessing, even if you feel bad, don't focus on the feeling. God doesn't care how you feel. Simply agree with Him (name it, cite it).

God's promise is that "He is faithful and just to forgive...and to cleanse." This is not based on how we would act, but on God's character and faithfulness.

The Subjunctive Mood of 1 John 1:9:

"if we confess" - Subjunctive mood (maybe we will, maybe we won't; our volition).

"to forgive" and "to cleanse" - Also in a subjunctive mood. This implies we may or may not receive forgiveness/cleansing depending on whether we confess the right way.

Final Prohibitions:

Do not make vows or promise God you won't sin again.

Do not promise to do better.

Do not let others impose legalistic standards on you.

Simply confess your sin to God based on the finished work of Christ.

VI. The Simplicity of Confession and the Danger of Chain Sinning

A. The Simplicity of God's Command

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:31 - "but if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged."

Principle: Emotional reaction has nothing to do with your sin. Emotions are responders, not leaders. How you feel is of no consequence.

B. The Cycle of Chain Sinning

Feeling guilty about your sin and living in that guilt is another sin (chain sinning).

The Downward Spiral:

1. You sin.

2. You feel rotten and unworthy.

3. You stay out of fellowship.

4. You think "How could a Christian do that?"

5. You go back to sin again because you figure "God won't have me, so to heck with it."

6. You go from sin to guilt, sin to guilt, like a chain smoker.

7. Finally, you throw in the towel and live like an unbeliever.

This is what happens to many people.

VII. Introduction: The Problem with an Incomplete Understanding of Grace

A. The Ineffectiveness of a "Stop-and-Go" Christian Life:

Many believers have a fluctuating relationship with God.

This has been a personal, imperative study for the speaker over the last 1.5 to 2 years since being back.

To have victory in the Christian life, one must understand:

The grace of confession.

The finished work of Christ (salvation doctrines like reconciliation, propitiation, etc.).

Eternal security (that you cannot lose your salvation).

The character and nature of God.

Without this understanding, believers will never have victory or walk the walk God calls them to.

They will eventually give up, believing the Christian life is too hard, complicated, and full of failure.

B. The Inability to Live the Christian Life in Human Strength:

A core teaching: None of us can live the Christian life on our own.

God does not expect us to live it in our own power.

God gives believers the power to live the new life created at salvation.

The mistake is trying to clean up the old life to make it presentable to God.

Instead, God provides a new life, which is found in the Word.

We must learn, study, metabolize, and apply these doctrines, which is what is being done with the grace of confession.

VIII. Guilt is a Separate Sin

Sin is sin, and guilt is another sin.

A. Scripture Reference: Psalm 32:5

"I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my guilt. I said I will confess my wrongdoings to the Lord, and you forgave the guilt of my sin."

Doctrinal Point: God not only forgives our sin but also forgives and cleanses us from the guilt that accompanies the sin.

(Note: The speaker indicates a future discussion on Psalm 32 and 51).

B. The Importance of Knowledge Over Feelings:

Emotional reaction has nothing to do with your sin. How you feel about your sin is of no consequence.

The important thing is to learn what sin is, not how we feel about it.

Application: To confess properly, we must first know what sin is.

Consequences of Sin:

There can be lasting consequences from spending time in the cosmic system (sowing and reaping).

Unconfessed sin brings discipline into our life.

Illustration: David had to suffer consequences for his sin. His life was spared, and he was restored to fellowship, but some consequences remained.

Whether consequences are removed is up to the sovereignty and will of God.

C. Guilt as a Tool of the Cosmic System:

A guilt complex is a way to get into "chain sinning."

A guilt complex is "a sin paralyzed into evil."

Many believers are taken back into the cosmic system because of guilt.

IX. Personal Testimony and the Nature of God's Forgiveness

A. Speaker's Personal Testimony:

One thing that kept the speaker from God for a long time was not knowing what sin truly was.

There are misconceptions about the 20 years he was away from God.

His area of weakness leaned more toward "Cosmic 2" (crusader mentality, moralism) than "Cosmic 1."

Even as an unbeliever, he tended to live under the laws of divine establishment and be "kind of moral."

Doctrinal Point: Cosmic 2 is often harder to recover from, which is why it took 20 years.

He experienced a lot of guilt and shame, not for "horrible, gross things," but for walking away from God, his ministry, and his relationship with the church.

During those 20 years, he did not suffer the sin unto death.

Warning: This is not a license to see how much one can get away with. That mindset indicates a deeper problem.

B. The Character of a Forgiving God:

God is long-suffering.

God is not willing that any should perish.

God is full of loving-kindness and is patient.

Scripture Reference: Isaiah (implied, not quoted chapter/verse)

"God's ways are higher than our ways. God's thoughts are higher than our thoughts."

Context: The context of this often-quoted passage is God's forgiveness. It follows the call: "let the wicked person forsake his way, and the unrighteous person his thoughts, and return unto the Lord, for he will have compassion on him."

Application: God is saying, "I'm not like you; I'm forgiving and loving." Humans often want to see people suffer and pay for their wrongdoing, but God is not like that.

X. Satan, Guilt, and the Arrogance Complex

A. Satan's Primary Weapon:

The Bible says Satan is "the accuser of the brethren," who accuses God's people day and night.

Satan's most powerful weapon is not sin itself, but using guilt on those who sin to get them involved in evil and away from God's plan.

Doctrinal Point: Guilt is not part of the Christian life. Feeling guilty and condemned is not part of the Christian way of life.

God's command is simply to "name it and cite it and nothing else."

B. Guilt as Arrogance:

Feeling guilty is a form of arrogance, part of the arrogance complex of sins.

When you feel guilty, you are preoccupied with yourself.

Illustration: Some people internalize everything bad that happens around them, feeling they caused it even if it was beyond their control.

This is not sincerity or bearing the weight of the world; it is arrogance.

It is a preoccupation with self.

Application: Recognizing this as arrogance is the first step to getting out of it.

The solution is humility, which is difficult because it requires you to stop thinking about yourself and start thinking about God's ways, His Word, and His plan.

Key Truth: God is in control. You cannot mess up God's plan.

XI. The Christian Life: A System of Thought, Not Emotion

Many believers are too emotionally involved with their sins to understand grace principles.

The system for the royal family of God is thought, not emotion.

Christianity is not about how you feel or even what you do; it is about what you think. It is a system of thinking before it is a way of life.

The battle is waged in your thinking.

A. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a Secular Parallel:

Science borrowed this from biblical principles: Thoughts -> Feelings -> Actions.

Personal Testimony: The speaker recognized these principles during treatment at Butler Hospital. The doctrine was familiar, but he was too far gone in apostasy and "scar tissue of the soul" to access it then.

Attribution: Pastor R.B. Thieme Jr. said he saw people with 20 years in his ministry lose everything in one summer.

Analogy: Someone cutting you off in traffic.

The event does not make you mad. No one can make you feel anything.

Emotions are a responder.

It is what you thought about the event that made you mad, which can then result in an action (e.g., cutting them off in return).

The thought, even if for a millisecond, is the starting point.

B. The "Check Up from the Neck Up":

This is the constant evaluation of your thinking.

Personal Application (Speaker):

The speaker channels his own trials into doctrine he posts on social media (Facebook).

These posts are not random; they are written when he is "going through something."

What he writes is the doctrine he is thinking about while going through the trial.

The Process of Application:

At his stage of life, he doesn't even use step one of the faith-rest drill (claiming promises) anymore.

He is always in a mode of "doctrinal rationales," constantly explaining doctrine to himself.

He evaluates his thoughts and situations in relation to the doctrine resident in his soul.

This is how to live the Christian life, have victory, avoid being "tossed to and fro," and execute God's plan.

C. Practical Steps for Application:

Habitually perform a "check up from the neck up."

Ask: Is there bitterness? Anger? Fear? Anxiety? Depression? Why?

Go back to the character and nature of God.

Sovereignty of God: This is a particularly comforting doctrine for the speaker. Nothing can happen unless God either ordained it or is allowing it.

You must choose to believe this truth from the Word of God.

Walking by Faith:

Sometimes it's hard to believe, especially when you are going through it. This is where we walk by faith, not by sight.

"Don't lean on our own understanding... Acknowledge God in all our ways, and He will direct us."

We will have times of testing, trial, and pressure.

By applying these principles, those difficult times won't last as long, and you will see victory.

D. Building Spiritual Momentum:

This leads to spiritual autonomy and maturity.

You build momentum by applying doctrine, one thing upon another ("line upon line, precept upon precept").

You can build momentum with the faith-rest drill.

Illustration: You go through a situation that would have crumbled you two years ago, but this time you don't fall apart. You realize, "maybe this works."

The next time, you remember that success and trust God again.

Eventually, it becomes a part of your life, building momentum one success after another.

It starts with the choice to just try it.

XII. The Danger of Works-Based Recovery (Legalism)

If emotion dominates your soul, you will end up in pride and arrogance.

We confess our sins because God will not allow any human merit or human good to enter His plan.

A. Recovery by Works: This is the human tendency to add something to God's simple instruction (naming/citing sin).

Analogy to Salvation: People struggle to accept salvation by grace alone.

1. Legalism toward others: A legalist doesn't want to believe in eternal security because they don't want someone "living worse than me" to also go to heaven. They reject what the Bible teaches because of an attitude that is not grace-oriented.

2. Pride in self: Humans find it hard to accept they can't contribute anything to their salvation or forgiveness. It makes them feel like they "owe somebody something."

This leads to trying to "show God how bad I feel," thinking that feeling bad will earn forgiveness.

Doctrinal Point: God refuses this kind of relationship. There is no "creature credit" in Christianity. God will not allow us to take credit for things done in our own power.

B. False Recovery Mechanisms:

Legalism and Intermediaries: Confessing to a priest (Roman Catholicism), pressure to come forward at an altar call, crying, and emotional release.

These create a false sense of feeling good.

It boils down to arrogance, and it is not a correct utilization of 1 John 1:9.

Doctrinal Point: The restoration of the filling of the Spirit is not taking place for those who engage in this "show."

It becomes a performance, like the Pharisees ("Thank God I'm not like other people... like this tax collector").

Conclusion: None of this counts with God. You cannot fool God. God knows your heart and has provided a way that requires none of that "junk."

C. God's Prescribed Way:

We just do what God told us to do.

Greek Word Study: Stoicheo - "Follow the leader," "Walk by the spirit," "Follow the spirit." It implies accuracy and preciseness.

God knew we would still sin and fail. He made a way for fellowship.

Positionally, we are sanctified. Experientially, we are growing.

All we have to do is do it God's way, which is difficult for people.

XIII. Grace vs. Works: The Foundation of the Christian Life

A. Scripture Reference: Romans 11:5-6

"In the same way, then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God's gracious choice."

"But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, since otherwise grace is no longer grace."

B. Doctrinal Point: The Christian life is a binary choice: it is either by grace or by works. It cannot be a mixture of both.

This is a similar principle found in Ephesians 2:8-9.

C. Application: At some point, every believer must reach a place of humility and decide to do things God's way.

This involves depending on God, trusting God, believing His Word, and walking in the Christian life as outlined in His pre-designed plan.

If we fail or fall short, the correct response is to "pick up the pieces," "rebound and keep moving."

XIV. The Nature of Rebound (Confession of Sin)

A. Doctrinal Point: The key to confessing sin is simply following God's instructions.

It's not always "fun" because we cannot take credit for the result.

The confession of sin (rebound) is always about the work of God, not the work of man.

B. Analogy: Salvation vs. Post-Salvation Life

Question: What did you do to be saved?

Answer: Nothing. You believed.

Application: Why would you think the policy changed after salvation? The same way you were saved (by grace through faith/belief) is the same way you are forgiven. It is to believe.

XV. Misconceptions about 1 John 1:9

A. Common Objection: Some claim 1 John 1:9 is a "license to sin."

B. Correction: 1 John 1:9 is a grace provision.

C. Doctrinal Point: Our true "license to sin" is our volition (free will) combined with our sin nature.

We have a proclivity to sin and the free will to choose it.

God has already given us the "license" to choose our path.

D. Clarification: 1 John 1:9 is not a license to sin; it is a provision to restore fellowship with God, enabling us to execute the pre-designed plan of God.

XVI. What God Desires in Place of Guilt

A. Doctrinal Point: God doesn't want our guilt complexes, promises to do better, or additions to His plan.

B. Scripture Reference: Proverbs 23:26

"Give me your heart, my son, and let your eyes delight in my ways."

C. Word Study:

"Heart": This is not the cardiovascular system but our mind, our thinking. God wants our thinking.

"My ways": This refers to God's Word, to Bible doctrine.

D. Scripture Reference: Jeremiah 3:13

"Only acknowledge your wrongdoing, that you have revolted against the Lord your God, and have scattered your favors to the strangers under every leafy tree. And you have not obeyed my voice, declares the Lord."

E. Context: This was spoken to an apostate nation.

F. Doctrinal Point: God says "only acknowledge" not because He thinks lightly of sin, but because He wants us to know that recovery is possible.

We can't do anything to recover on our own except to trust Him.

When we acknowledge our sin, He provides the plan, doctrine, and wisdom needed to recover and get back into fellowship.

XVII. The Importance of This Doctrine for the Pre-Designed Plan of God (PDPG)

A. Personal Reflection: The teacher notes the importance of this doctrine, how it "came on a whim" but has been a blessing. It must be understood before moving on to studies on the pre-designed plan of God.

B. Doctrinal Point: Confession/Rebound (1 John 1:9) is our "power system."

C. Analogy: The New Spiritual Species

God gives every species He creates everything it needs to live the life He ordained for it (e.g., mammal, fish, bird).

The Bible says believers are a "new spiritual species," a "new creation in Christ."

Salvation is not just getting "another chance" or cleaning up our act; it is becoming a new creation.

Though we are a new creation, we still possess the old sin nature.

Therefore, like any other species, God must provide everything needed for this new spiritual species to thrive.

D. The Power System for the New Creature:

1. The filling of the Holy Spirit.

2. The perception, metabolization, and application of Bible doctrine.

E. Application:

This is how we operate as a new creature.

This is how we "don't fulfill the lust of the flesh" — by walking in the Spirit, not by trying to clean up the flesh or make the sin nature better.

The goal is to spend the maximum amount of time operating in the pre-designed plan of God for our life.

F. Conclusion: 1 John 1:9 is the key to accessing this power, along with the Bible doctrine that accompanies it.

XVIII. The Expanded Definition of Sin

A. Doctrinal Point: Bible doctrine teaches us the true definition of sin, which is much broader than just overt immorality.

B. Examples of often-overlooked sins:

Being miserable (The Bible commands us to be happy).

Application Question: "When's the last time you've confessed the sin of being miserable?"

Not praying (The Bible commands us to pray).

Application Question: "When's the last time that you've confessed that sin?"

C. Common Misconception: Many believers think they are "doing pretty good" as long as they are not an alcoholic, drug addict, criminal, etc.

D. Correction: A believer could actually be "doing really bad" by indulging in the "worst sins of all," which are pride and arrogance. These are worse than being an alcoholic or drug addict.

XIX. Concluding Remarks and Homework Assignment

The study of David (Psalm 32 & 51) will be postponed to the beginning of the next session.

It was originally planned for the "Seven Laws of the Harvest" study but fits well here.

The speaker wants to give it adequate time and not rush it.

A. Homework for Next Class:

Read Psalm 32 and Psalm 51 .

Read the historical context in 2 Samuel 11:1-27.

The session will end after four more slides, finishing the current topic.

XX. Closing Prayer (Led by David)

Summary of Prayer Points:

Thankfulness for the opportunity to learn.

Acknowledgement that the new life has a new way of thriving: the Word of God.