What Does It Take To Grow? Confession! Overview: Seven Basic Habits of Maturing Christians 1. In order to grow we need to
eatThe Bible 2. In order to grow we need to breathePrayer 3. In order to grow we need good spiritual hygieneConfession of sin
Overview: Seven Basic Habits of Maturing Christians 4. In order to grow we need a caring familyFellowship 5. In order to grow we need
regular exerciseService Overview: Seven Basic Habits of Maturing Christians 6. In order to grow we need protectionTemptation
7. In order to grow we need to giveStewardship Theme Verse--Memorize it! 2 Pet 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. Why dont we mature? 66% said they are just too busy to give the process the time it requires.
25% cited a general lack of interest or motivation to grow. The Goal: That I will commit to the habits necessary for spiritual maturity.
I. God wants you to experience the incredible joy of being completely forgiven of every sin (1-2) A. Gods forgiveness includes every kind of sin imaginable
B. Gods forgiveness clears the guilty completely 1. God carries away your burden of guiltremoves it, forgets it 2. God covers your shameits
defilement is no longer reason for shame 3. God cancels your debtnothing left for you to pay C. Gods forgiveness results
in boundless joy! II. Living with unconfessed sin results in sickness of body and soul (3-4)
A. Youll lose your strength and peace B. Youll lose your joy C. Youll find no relief D. Youll be thwarted and frustrated, lasting success will always elude you
Confession Counterfeits 1. The Martyrs confessionOK, I sinned, so shoot me 2. The Politicians confession, part 1Mistakes were made 3. The Politicians confession,
part 2Im sorry you took offense Confession Counterfeits 4. The Burglars confessionIm sorry I got caught 5. The POW confessionIll mouth
the words, but I wont mean them 6. The Negotiators confessionIll say I was wrong if youll cut me a deal III. The only way you can find the
joy of forgiveness is through the humility of confession (5) A. Confession means I acknowledge ownership of my sins Commitment: Today I claim
ownership of my sins. III. The only way you can find the joy of forgiveness is through the humility of confession (5) B. Confession means I dont
disguise my sins Commitment: Today I call my sins what they are--wrong III. The only way you can find the
joy of forgiveness is through the humility of confession (5) C. Confession means I come back to God on His terms. Commitment: Today I will come back
to God on His terms, not mine. IV. Those who confess their sin gain Gods help A. Those who confess their sins gain Gods complete forgiveness
IV. Those who confess their sin gain Gods help B. Those who confess their sin gain Gods secure protection
Commitment: Today I choose Gods protection rather than His judgment. IV. Those who confess their sin gain Gods help
C. Those who confess their sin gain Gods wise guidance Commitment: Today I choose Gods loving guidance rather than His harsh discipline.
IV. Those who confess their sin gain Gods help D. Those who confess their sin gain Gods unfailing love
Commitment: Today I choose Gods unfailing love rather than sins unending sorrow. IV. Those who confess their sin gain Gods help
E. Those who confess their sin gain Gods triumphant joy Commitment: Today I choose Gods joyful victory rather than sins sad defeat.
The Seven As of Confession 1. Address everyone involved 2. Avoid ifs, buts, maybes 3. Admit specifically what you did wrong
The Seven As of Confession 4. Acknowledge the hurt youve caused 5. Accept the consequences 6. Alter your behavior
7. Accept Gods forgiveness
