Message by Dr. David Drake
Confess Your Sins
Nehemiah 9:1-3 (Part 2)
Nehemiah 9:1-3 (NASB)
1 Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the sons of Israel assembled with fasting, in sackcloth and with dirt upon them.
2 The descendants of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.
3 While they stood in their place, they read from the book of the law of the LORD their God for a fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the LORD their God.
I. TRUE CONFESSION OF SIN WILL BE USED OF GOD TO HUMBLE US
II. TRUE CONFESSION OF SIN EXPOSES WHAT WE HAVE DONE AND WHO WE ARE
Nehemiah 9:2 (NASB)
2 The descendants of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.
1. Confession of sin is a personal act.
2. Confession of sin is a penitent act. (Ref. Psalm 51)
3. Confession of sin could be a public act.
James 5:16 (NASB)
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
III. TRUE CONFESSION OF SIN SHOULD BE A PART OF OUR TOTAL WORSHIP OF GOD
Nehemiah 9:3 (NASB)
3 While they stood in their place, they read from the book of the law of the LORD their God for a fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the LORD their God.
1. The Bible shows us how the purity of God shadows the sinfulness of man.
Isaiah 6:1-7 (NASB)
1 In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple.
2 Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
3 And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.”
4 And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke.
5 Then I said, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.”
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs.
7 He touched my mouth with it and said, “Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven.”
2. Confession places us in fellowship with God.
3. Confession brings a sovereign God and His sinful child back together in fellowship.
Luke 15:21-24 (NASB)
21 “And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet;
23 and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate;
24 for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.