The Grace of Confession, Part 5
01-14-26 grace of confession 5
The Grace of Confession, Part 5: Devotional Study in the Life of David
I. Introduction and Opening Prayer
A. Series Introduction
This is the fifth installment of the series "The Grace of Confession."
Previous four installments are available for anyone new to the series.
The purpose of the moment of silent prayer before the study is to take on a new meaning for everyone.
This topic of confession is very important and will continue for approximately three more weeks.
B. The Principle of 1 John 1:9
1 John 1:9 : "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
This action ensures the filling of the Holy Spirit.
The filling of the Spirit is one-half of the Christian's power system.
The other half is the perception, metabolization, and application of Bible doctrine.
It is very important to be filled with the Spirit when studying the Word of God, as the Holy Spirit is our true teacher.
C. Opening Prayer
A prayer is offered, thanking God for the day and the opportunity to study His Word.
A request is made for the Holy Spirit to open the hearts of the people to receive the truth and for it to be life-changing.
A prayer for the speaker to have the power to speak with the authority and grace the Word deserves.
II. Tonight's Study: A Devotional on the Life of David
A. Change in Schedule
Extra slides were prepared from material intended for last week.
Tonight's lesson will not be the next installment of "The Grace of Confession" series proper.
Instead, it will be a devotional study focusing on the life of David.
There is also material prepared on testing, momentum testing, undeserved suffering, and providential preventive suffering, which may be covered if time permits.
The speaker is working on many projects and posting content on Facebook.
B. Review of Last Week's Study: The Grace of Confession
Topic : "Recovery and the Grace of Confession."
Main Point: We confess our sins because God will not allow any human merit or human good to enter His plan.
Word Study: homo legeo
This is the Greek word for "confess."
It is in the subjunctive mood in 1 John 1:9.
The subjunctive mood is the "mood of potential," meaning "if, maybe we will, if, maybe we won't."
This is where the "if" in "If we confess our sins..." comes from. It depends on our volition.
The words "forgive" and "cleanse" in 1 John 1:9 are also in the subjunctive mood ("if, maybe we will be forgiven... if, maybe we will be cleansed").
Principle of Divine Order: We must do things the way God has outlined, with accuracy and preciseness.
This connects to the word stoicheo , a military term meaning "to march in formation exactly." It is used in the Bible for concepts like walking in, following, and being led by the Spirit.
Correlation between Confession (homo legeo) and Belief (pisteuo)
Principle: "Just as how we have received Christ, so walk in him."
Salvation comes through belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, which is a non-meritorious system of perception.
Faith is a non-meritorious system of perception, designed by God so that no one can take credit.
Even the faith we have is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9).
We were saved by believing, not by doing anything.
Confession as a Non-Meritorious Act
Confession ( homo legeo ) is the same as belief; it's a non-meritorious system that brings us back into fellowship with God.
Definition of homo legeo: to name, to cite, or to acknowledge.
Warning: We must not add works to confession, just as we must not add works to salvation.
Salvation is not "believe and be baptized," "believe and walk an aisle," etc. It is simply "believe."
Confession is not "confess and feel bad," "confess and promise not to do it again," "confess and do penance." It is simply to acknowledge, admit, name, and cite.
The Danger of Adding Works to Confession
This is crucial because confession is one-half of the Christian's power system.
This series was born out of questions regarding 1 John 1:9, revealing a lack of understanding.
"Recovery by works" seeks to add something to the simple act of acknowledging sin.
Legalism and intermediaries (altar calls, emotional releases) create a false sense of feeling good but are an attempt to add works to grace.
Those who add works to confession are never forgiven and never filled with the Spirit because it becomes works, not grace.
C. The Principle of Grace vs. Legalism
Principle of Grace : God does all the work.
Legalism: Demands emotionalism and ignores that God does all the work under grace.
Scripture Reference: Romans 11:5-6
Romans 11:5-6 : "In the same way then... there has also come to be at this 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; otherwise grace would no longer be grace."
Grace is unmerited favor; it cannot be earned or deserved.
We cannot live by both works and grace; it is one or the other. You cannot be filled with the Spirit and be in the cosmic system simultaneously.
Paul makes this distinction repeatedly.
The Simplicity of Confession
The important thing is to follow God's instructions.
It is not fun for human nature to follow instructions when it cannot take credit.
In confession of sin (rebound), salvation, and spiritual growth, the issue is always the work of God. Man can add nothing.
Analogy: "What did you do to be saved? Nothing. Why would you think that the policy has changed?" The same way you are saved is the same way you are forgiven—by faith, by trusting God.
D. Old Testament Example of Confession
Scripture Reference: Jeremiah 3:13
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."
This was spoken to an apostate nation.
God says, "only acknowledge." This is not because He thinks lightly of sin, but because He wants His people to know they can recover by trusting in Him, not by their own works.
Final offer for the QR code for the slides is made to those who have just joined.
III. Introduction: Why Confess Our Sins?
A. Framing the Question:
This is a continuation of a study, taking time for a more devotional aspect.
Primary Question: If we are saved and all our sins were judged at the cross, why must we still confess them?
B. The Immediate Answer: Divine Design
We confess because God designed and outlined it this way.
Analogy: Why is salvation by faith? God could have chosen other systems (empiricism, rationalism) but declared it is by faith.
The short answer is: We do it because God said so.
C. The Deeper Answer: Fellowship (Illustrated by David)
A deeper understanding comes from studying the life of David and the concept of fellowship.
IV. Doctrinal Review: The Three Imputations
A. All Personal Sins Judicially Imputed to Christ:
All our personal sins were judicially imputed to Christ and judged at the cross. This principle will be repeated.
B. The First Imputation: Adam's Original Sin
Our old sin nature is passed genetically through the father.
At physical birth, Adam's original sin was imputed to us.
This is a "real imputation" which condemned all mankind universally.
This universal condemnation is an act of God's grace and fairness.
If we had to stand on our own righteousness, one sin would condemn us with no opportunity for salvation.
Universal condemnation provided a universal solution.
Note on Children: All people who die before the "age of accountability" are automatically saved by grace. This is seen in the study of David, whose child died. God covered every basis.
C. The Second Imputation: Divine Righteousness
At salvation (after believing), the very righteousness of God is imputed to us.
This is part of being a new creation in Christ; we have a new righteousness.
D. The Third Imputation: Believer's Personal Sins to Christ (Crucial Point)
This point is being driven home because misunderstanding it can get a believer "stuck" and "bounce you out of the plan of God."
It can lead to "chain sinning": one sin leads to guilt, which leads to staying out of fellowship, which can lead to giving up and living like an unbeliever.
Core Principle: The Bible never teaches that your personal sins are imputed to you.
If a person goes to hell, it is not because of their personal sins, but for one reason: failing to believe in Jesus Christ, the only way of salvation.
All sins have been dealt with.
However, we still have a sin nature in time, a proclivity to sin, which is why God created the way of confession to restore the filling of the Spirit.
V. Scriptural Support for the Imputation of Our Sins to Christ
A. Isaiah 53:6
"All of us, like sheep, have gone astray. Each of us has turned to his own way, but the Lord has caused the wrongdoing of us all to fall on him."
B. 2 Corinthians 5:21
"He made him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of god in him."
The imputation of our sins to Jesus was a judicial imputation, not one of affinity, because Christ was sinless. This was an act of God's sovereignty and justice.
C. 1 Peter 2:24
"and he himself brought our sins in his body up on the cross so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness. By his wounds you were healed."
VI. The Doctrine of Balance: Grace vs. Legalism
A. The Danger of Extremes:
People may not listen to the whole counsel of God, leading to imbalance.
Extreme #1 (All Grace/License): "I can just do whatever I want... God forgives me."
Extreme #2 (Legalism): "You have to stop sinning... get rid of sin out of your life."
The devil is a master of extremes and wants this imbalance in your life.
B. Finding the Balance:
Truth 1: We will absolutely, positively, 100% never be judged for our personal sins (past, present, and future).
Clarification: When Christ died, all our sins were in the future, so future sins must be included.
Truth 2: This is not a license to sin and live like hell without consequences.
Sin has negative consequences, including divine discipline and natural consequences that occur even after returning to fellowship.
C. The Proper Perspective and Application:
The purpose of this study on the grace of confession and the filling of the Spirit is to prevent personal sins and failures from keeping you out of fellowship with God.
God designed an instant plan for restoring fellowship.
Recovery:
Repentance involves changing your thinking and growing over time.
Getting back into fellowship is instant, requiring no work or merit on our part. It is all of God.
We confess; He is faithful and just.
VII. The Believer's Relationship with Sin Post-Salvation
A. The Ongoing Reality of Sin:
All our sins were imputed to Christ, yet believers still possess a sin nature and the capacity to sin.
We have the ability to break fellowship, but not salvation.
B. The Critical Issue:
The issue is not if believers sin, but how sin is handled after salvation.
C. Preview of Key Texts:
Last week, Psalm 32 and Psalm 51 were mentioned for reading.
Tonight's study will be primarily from Psalm 32 and Psalm 51, and also 2 Samuel.
VIII. The Life of David: An Illustration of Grace Without License
A. "Grace without license" defined: Not taking advantage of God's unmerited favor as a license to do whatever we want.
If that is your mentality, something is already off in your spiritual life.
Our failures are between God and us. God's promise is forgiveness and cleansing upon confession.
We have a "license to sin" not from 1 John 1:9, but from our own volition. We will sin on our own.
B. Principles from David's Life:
Serious sin without loss of salvation.
Restoration without self-reformation.
C. God's Evaluation of David:
Acts 13:22 : "After he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, concerning whom he also testified and said, ‘I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will do all my will.'"
Definition of "a man after God's own heart":
It is not about being a perfect man who always does right.
It is about:
1. Grace orientation: Understanding God's policy towards us is always grace, so our policy towards ourselves and others should also be grace.
2. Willingness to acknowledge failure.
3. Quick to return to divine viewpoint.
D. David's Failure: The Reality of Heinous Sin
Historical Account: 2 Samuel 11:1-27 (The story of David, Bathsheba, and Uriah).
David's sins included: Adultery, murder (by proxy), and abuse of authority.
Doctrinal Principle: Grace never minimizes sin. Sin produces real damage in time.
E. David's Greatest Mistake: The Problem is Remaining Out of Fellowship
His greatest mistake was not the acts of sin alone.
It was concealment, delay, and self-management of consequences.
F. David is Confronted and the Experiential Cost of Unconfessed Sin:
Advice: Keep short accounts with God. Confess as soon as you realize you've failed.
Guilt is what keeps most people out of fellowship.
David was out of fellowship for at least nine months or more (the child was born).
He was confronted by Nathan the prophet after the child's birth.
IX. David's Testimony of Unconfessed Sin: Psalm 32
Personal Anecdote: The speaker uses his life and Facebook posts to teach and show his thought process, utilizing God's Word to handle life's pressures, similar to how David's Psalms give us insight into his experience.
A. Reading of Psalm 32:3-6:
v. 3: "When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long." (Physical effects of being out of fellowship).
v. 4: "For day and night your hand was heavy upon me. My vitality failed, as with the dry heat of summer, Selah." (Divine discipline).
v. 5: "I acknowledged my sin to you and did not hide my guilt. I said, ‘I will confess my wrongdoing to the Lord,’ and then you forgave the guilt of my sin." (The moment of confession and forgiveness).
v. 6: "Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to you in a time when you may be found. Certainly in a flood of great waters, they will not reach him."
B. Exegesis of Psalm 32:6:
"To be found": Not about God's omnipresence, but about His access and availability .
"Flood of great waters": Represents overwhelming discipline. It is an image often used in ancient poetic literature for irreversible consequences.
This verse is talking about avoiding the "sin unto death."
X. Excursus: The Sin Unto Death
This is not the main topic, but mentioned because of its relevance.
It is not a loss of salvation.
It is divine discipline up to and including God taking a believer home early, resulting in loss of rewards and blessings in eternal life (dying a "loser").
How long does it take? Only God knows the timeframe.
Application: If you are still alive, regardless of your past failures, God still has a plan for you. You can get back in fellowship immediately.
God knew about all your future failures the first time you failed. You are still here.
Do not think in terms of "how much can I get away with?"
XI. Introduction to the Sin Unto Death and Divine Discipline
1 John 5:16: "If anyone sees his brother or sister committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask God and will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death. I am not saying that you should ask about that."
The Bible clearly states there is a sin that leads to death.
1 Corinthians 11:30: "For this reason, many among you are weak and sick, and a number are asleep."
Word Study : The word "sleep" is a common euphemism in ancient literature for physical death.
It is never used for "soul death" or "soul sleep."
Doctrinal Note: "Soul sleep" is a false teaching, specifically a Jehovah's Witness doctrine. The Bible is clear, especially in the original languages, that "sleep" in this context means physical death.
The verse describes divine discipline for unconfessed sin: some are sick, some are weak, and some have died.
1 Corinthians 5:5: "I have decided to turn such a person over to Satan for the destruction of his body, so that his spirit may be saved."
Doctrinal Principle: Unconfessed sin results in loss of fellowship, loss of joy, loss of momentum, and invites divine discipline.
The timing, extent, and severity of divine discipline are under God's sovereign will. There is no formula.
Unconfessed sin puts you out of fellowship with God, but you do not lose your salvation.
This is illustrated by David's groaning and loss of vitality.
XII. The Nature and Purpose of Divine Discipline
Analogy: A parent with seven children disciplines each one individually according to their needs.
Discipline is not done uniformly, but as a parent, you will discipline your children when they do wrong.
Purpose: To teach them, bring them back from the wrong path, and keep them from hurting or destroying themselves.
God acts as a loving Father, bringing discipline to get us back into fellowship.
Key Point: Divine discipline is always an act of grace.
It is never for God to "clobber" you or "pay you back" for your sins. It is not God "getting you."
This is tied to the doctrine that all sins have been judged at the cross.
Illustration: The mentality of someone getting a flat tire and thinking, "that's God getting me back for last week," is a wrong view of God. God's policy is always grace.
God's desire is for relationship, fellowship, blessing, and growth.
Scripture says, "Let the wicked person forsake his way... and return unto the Lord... so he will have compassion on him."
XIII. Case Study: David's Sin and Confrontation (2 Samuel 12)
2 Samuel 12:1-12: Nathan's Parable and Confrontation
Nathan comes to David with a story to avoid being summarily executed.
v. 1-4: The parable of the rich man with many flocks and the poor man with one ewe lamb. A traveler comes, and the rich man takes the poor man's lamb to feed him.
v. 5-6: David's anger burns against the rich man. He declares the man deserves to die and must make fourfold restitution for his lack of compassion.
v. 7: Nathan declares, "You are the man."
v. 7-9: God, through Nathan, reminds David of all He has given him (anointed king, delivered from Saul, given master's house and wives, the house of Israel and Judah) and states He would have given more. God asks, "Why have you despised the word of the Lord by doing evil in his sight?"
David's sins are listed: striking down Uriah the Hittite and taking his wife.
v. 10-12: The consequences are pronounced:
The sword shall never depart from his house.
Evil will rise against him from his own household.
His wives will be taken and given to a companion in broad daylight.
"Indeed, you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all of Israel under the sun."
XIV. David's Confession and Immediate Restoration
2 Samuel 12:13: "Then David said to Nathan, 'I have sinned against the Lord.' And Nathan said to David, 'The Lord also has allowed your sin to pass. You shall not die.'"
Speculation : Had David not waited nine months or more, would the discipline have been the same? We don't know; it's up to God's sovereign will.
David was on the verge of the sin unto death, showing the danger of prolonged unconfessed sin.
Analysis of David's Confession:
No excuses, rationalizations, emotional manipulation, or self-punishment.
It wasn't, "Oh my, how could I have done this? I'm going to make it up to God."
It was a simple, factual acknowledgment: "I have sinned against the Lord."
This is the model: Acknowledge it, name it, cite it, pick up the pieces, and move on.
XV. The Joy of Restoration (Psalm 51)
Psalm 51 is a restoration psalm, not a salvation psalm.
Psalm 51:10-12: "Create in me a clean heart, God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence and do not take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit."
Key Phrase : "Restore to me the joy of your salvation," not "Restore my salvation."
When fellowship is broken by unconfessed sin, we are not in danger of losing salvation, but we lose the joy of our salvation.
Fellowship was lost, not salvation.
Dispensational Note: In that dispensation (Old Testament), the indwelling of the Holy Spirit was not permanent. For believers today, the Holy Spirit indwells permanently but can be grieved and quenched by sin (immorality or human good).
Doctrinal Principle: Restoration is instant. Joy and momentum follow fellowship.
XVI. The Misery of Being Out of Fellowship (Psalm 32)
Psalm 32:3-4 (revisited): "When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away. Though my groaning all day long for day and night, your hand was heavy upon me."
This shows why David prayed for the joy of his salvation to be restored.
Being out of fellowship caused physical sickness and problems.
"Your hand was heavy upon me" refers to divine discipline.
Revisiting the Question of Discipline:
Speculation: Perhaps the severe discipline Nathan announced would not have occurred if David had confessed sooner. We cannot know for sure because God is sovereign.
God may choose to bring discipline and may choose to keep the consequences in place even after we get back into fellowship.
Key Principle: Once back in fellowship, any ongoing suffering from the consequences of past sin becomes suffering for blessing.
God is sovereign: He can remove all, some, or none of the consequences.
If God does not deliver you from something, He intends for you to go through it. We must trust His perfect knowledge and plan for each individual.
XVII. Application: Avoiding Paralysis of Analysis
Do not get caught up in the "minutia of life."
Avoid constantly questioning: "What about this? What if this is wrong? Is this a door from God? Am I under discipline? Is this the devil?"
Do not get trapped in the "paralysis of analysis" in your spiritual walk.
The Path Forward:
1. Do what you know to do.
2. Operate in the power system God has given you (the filling of the Spirit).
3. Metabolize and apply Bible doctrine.
4. Move forward.
Trust God. If God has a plan for your life, He wants you to know it and will not trick you.
God utilizes even our failures to bring about His plan. We "fall into grace."
XVIII. Temporal Consequences and God's Sovereignty
2 Samuel 12:13-14 (revisited): "Then David said to Nathan, 'I have sinned against the Lord.' And Nathan said to David, 'The Lord has also taken away your sin, you shall not die. However, because of this deed you have given occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born to you shall surely die.'"
Temporal consequences remained.
Doctrinal Principle: Forgiveness does not always remove the temporal consequences of sin.
The child's death was not because God refused to forgive David (He had already declared the sin was taken away).
The child was not being punished; the discipline was directed at David.
It demonstrated that sin has real, tangible consequences.
David understood this distinction:
While the child lived, he prayed and appealed to God's mercy.
After the child died, he worshipped God and moved forward.
Principle of Leadership: "To whom much is given, much is required."
As king, David's discipline may have been more severe because of his high position and the great blessings God had given him. God had reminded him, "I've done all of these things for you, and I would have done even more."
XIX. Conclusion
Why David continued to advance spiritually is the subject for future study.
Reference to a book by "Pastor Bob" (Robert McLaughlin) on the life of David being available.
XX. Introduction & Review of David's Example
A. The Appropriateness of the Study:
This section of the study was originally intended for another sermon but was moved here because it serves as a powerful illustration of the "grace of confession" in a person's life (David).
David committed what most would consider horrible sins: adultery and murder.
These sins remained unconfessed for a long time, weighing on him.
B. David's Restoration to Fellowship:
The sermon has shown how David got back into fellowship.
There was no penance required.
There was no "running down to the altar" or confessing to other people.
Scripture Reference: Cites the principle from David's psalms (though not a direct quote or chapter/verse given).
Key Phrase: "against you and you only have I sinned."
Doctrinal Point: When we commit personal acts of sin, it is between us and God. It is God we need to get right with to be restored to fellowship.
C. The Results of David's Confession:
David immediately resumed:
1. Doctrinal intake
2. Leadership
3. Writing Scripture (he wrote many more psalms)
4. Spiritual growth
Doctrinal Point: Failure did not define David; grace did.
Application:
Do not let failures in your life define you.
Do not let failures keep you out of fellowship with God or out of His plan for your life.
Momentum in the Christian life resumes immediately after confession.
David remained a "man after God's own heart," not because he avoided failure, but because when he failed, he returned to grace and refused to live outside of fellowship.
XXI. The Mechanics of Confession and Forgiveness
A. Foundational Verse for the Grace of Confession:
Scripture Reference: Colossians 2:13
Quote: "And when you were dead in your wrongdoings and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our wrongdoings."
Grammar/Word Study (Greek):
The verse contains a Greek participle ("having forgiven") and a main verb ("he made you alive").
In Greek grammar, the action of the participle must occur before the action of the main verb.
Therefore, the "having forgiven" had to happen before God "made you alive."
Doctrinal Point: All of our personal sins and failures—past, present, and future (tonight, tomorrow, a year from now)—have already been forgiven and paid for at the cross.
Application: There is no reason to live outside of God's plan. When you fall, you confess it.
B. The Process of Confession (1 John 1:9 Principle):
Definition: Confession is to name it, cite it, and agree with God.
Mechanism: You are looking back and pointing to the cross, to the courtroom case that was already settled, and agreeing that what you did was a sin.
Illustration (Personal):
The speaker often confesses the sin of bitterness.
When anger and bitterness arise and the Holy Spirit convicts him, he prays: "Father, I confess the sin of bitterness and anger."
He then picks up the pieces and moves on.
Application:
Do not get guilty, condemned, or "sorry."
Sometimes you will feel sorry for your sins, and other times you won't, but you know they are sin.
Key Point: The issue is not how you feel about the sin, but doing what God says to do, the way He says to do it.
C. The Foundation of God's Forgiveness:
God is "faithful and just to forgive us our sins."
Key Principle: The entire Christian life depends entirely on God, not on us. If it depended on us, we could never function. Our lives are not a disaster because of God's grace, mercy, goodness, and faithfulness.
Word Study: The speaker prefers the word "just" over "righteous" in this context (will be discussed in future studies).
Doctrinal Point: We are justified. The court case is done. We have been declared righteous in God's eyes and now possess the very righteousness of God.
God wants to bless His righteousness (which is in us).
Mechanism of Confession & Justice:
When we confess, we are making an adjustment to the justice of God, not His love. His justice is our point of contact with Him.
We are pointing to a court case that already took place when we say, "I confess this sin."
Warning Against Adding to Confession:
Do not add anything to the simple confession (e.g., "Oh, I feel so bad," or "I'm not going to do it again").
This will prevent the "filling of the Spirit" and result in being "in chain sitting."
Analogy: Adding works to confession is the same as trying to add works for salvation. God will not accept it. We must do it God's way.
XXII. Concluding Exhortation and Personal Testimony
A. The Encouragement of these Principles:
This study on the grace of confession is intended to be super encouraging.
Attribution: The principles taught are birthed from the speaker's own understanding, learned from Pastor Bob (Robert McLaughlin) and Pastor Thieme (R.B. Thieme Jr.), but most importantly, from personal application.
"I'm teaching what I'm applying in my own life."
B. Critical Doctrines for the Christian Life (Post-Salvation):
1. Understanding Salvation: Knowing who you are in Christ and what happened to you when you were saved. These are doctrines not needed to get saved, but are important now that we are saved.
2. Understanding the Character and Nature of God: Knowing who God is according to the Bible.
3. Understanding the Power System: Knowing the power system we are designed to operate in as a "new creature."
This is not a self-help program or about cleaning up your own life. It is a whole new way to operate.
It is not about motivational speeches ("Five points to relieve stress," "three points to make more money").
C. The Call to Application:
Once you understand these principles, you must apply them by living in them and doing things God's way, regardless of how you did them before.
Promised Result: You will be able to stand in the midst of pressure, adversity, trial, and tribulation with fantastic joy, peace, and happiness.
Personal Testimony:
The speaker's current life is the basis for this promise. He is facing "pressure on every side, adversity on every side."
In the midst of it, he is happy and has fantastic peace.
He has more peace now than before these pressures began in the last six months to a year.
He has a greater "personal sense of destiny."
Reflection: He is glad he did not start his teaching ministry with the doctrine of "personal sense of destiny" (which was his original plan), because now he has so much more experiential knowledge to share on that topic when God allows him to teach it.
XXIII. Closing Prayer
A. Petition for the Congregation:
Asks the Father to open the hearts of everyone present and anyone who listens to receive these truths.
Asks God to lead and guide each person in their pre-designed plan.
Prays against any distractions or obstacles that would hinder God's plan.
Asks God to reveal to each person the hope of their calling.
Prays for God to use each individual to glorify Him and to open doors of opportunity.
B. Benediction:
"And I pray that you will surround each of us tonight, Father, with your love and your mercy and your grace. In Jesus' name, amen."