WHAT ARE WE TO CONFESS
Psalm 32:3 & 5
Psalm 51:1-4
Psalm 19:12
Proverbs 28:13
I John 1:8-9
WHY SHOULD WE CONFESS OUR SINS TO OUR PASTOR?
James 5:16
John 20:22-23
Matthew 18:17-18
Luke 10:16
Isaiah 1:18
DIVINE SERVICE
Lutheran Worship page 136f & 158f
The Lutheran Hymnal page 5f; 15f; & 46f
WHAT ARE WE TO CONFESS
Psalm 32:3 & 5
David here acknowledges his own sinfulness. He agonizes over his sin and confesses it to God.
God hears his prayer for mercy and grants him forgiveness.
Psalm 51:1-4
Here again we see David crying out to God because of his sin. He had just been confronted with
his sins of adultery and murder. What could David do? Where could he go from the wrath of
God. We, like David, are totally dependant upon God's grace and forgiveness. Therefore we
confess our sins to God and for it is against Him that we have sinned.
Psalm 19:12
We confess unto God not only the sins we have committed, but also the sins which we are not
even aware of. We sin in thought, word, & deed. These sins are sometimes not even consciously
known to us, yet they are still sins which need to be confessed unto God.
Proverbs 28:13
To attempt to hide one's sins will bring sure destruction. To confess one's sins will bring
forgiveness and eternal life.
I John 1:8-9
To declare oneself not a sinner is to call God a liar. We have all sinned and fallen short of the
glory of God. But if we confess our sins to God, He will forgive us.
WHY SHOULD WE CONFESS OUR SINS TO OUR PASTOR?
James 5:16
It is God's will that Christians confess there sins to one another and then be assured of
forgiveness. In the context of the passage "elders" are being called upon to bring healing to those
who are sick, both physically and spiritually. The elders are the pastors.
John 20:22-23
God has entrusted His pastors with the authority to deliver His forgiveness to His people. The
pastor is place in the Office of the Holy Ministry which God established for the purpose of
granting forgiveness to those who are sorry for their sins.
Matthew 18:17-18
Once an offence is brought to the church, the authority to bind and loose sin is given to the pastor
as Christ's representative upon earth.
Luke 10:16
When a Pastor speaks the words of absolution it is as if Christ Himself were speaking them. The
pastor serves only as Christ's mouth to speak His words.
Isaiah 1:18
When "Holy Absolution" is announced by the pastor, your sins are totally forgiven by God in
heaven.
DIVINE SERVICE
Lutheran Worship page 136f & 158f
The Lutheran Hymnal page 5f; 15f; & 46f