The Gift of Confession - Tim Horman
On Sunday, Tim Horman continued our Deeper series by sharing a message about into the importance of confession in the Christian walk. Below you’ll find both audio and video recordings of his message as well as a summary article with small group discussion questions relating to the message.
The Power of Confession: Walking in the Light Together
Tim began his message by sharing the story of a conversation he had with a man he had known for over a decade. This man, who had been a faithful Christian, was battling a secret life that had overwhelmed him, leading to the destruction of his marriage and family. Despite the years of friendship and ministry together, the man never reached out when his struggles began. By the time he confessed, it was too late, and the damage was already done.
This story serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of living openly in the light. Even those who are saved, forgiven, and loved by God can fall into patterns of sin and darkness if they do not address their struggles and bring them to the light. Tim’s message that day was clear: confession is not just about acknowledging sin before God; it’s about walking in the light together with others. This journey of confession and community allows us to overcome sin and grow in Christ together.
The Struggle with Hidden Sin
The man in Tim’s story was not the only one to experience the destructive force of secret sin. Tim pointed out that this happens often, even among those who appear spiritually mature and well-put-together. As a pastor, he had seen this time and again – people who loved God, believed in Jesus, and had salvation but were not honest with themselves or others about their hidden struggles. Their failure to walk in the light led to great pain for themselves, their families, and their communities.
This is not an isolated issue. Sin, when hidden, festers and gains power over our lives. Like a closet packed with things we don’t want to face, we might try to shut the door and hope the mess stays contained. But Tim challenged our community by saying that walking in the light – through confession and openness with one another – is essential for Christian growth. As we’ve been exploring in the series, spiritual growth requires more than just personal effort; it requires others to walk with us, encourage us, and help us confess and face our struggles head-on.
Confession as the Key to Walking in the Light
The Bible speaks directly to this issue. In 1 John 1:5-9, the Apostle John highlights the importance of confession and walking in the light:
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him, there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:5-7, NIV).
John clearly states that walking in the light is not just about avoiding sin; it’s about living in openness and honesty with others. When we refuse to confess our sins, we are deceiving ourselves. But when we confess, the blood of Jesus purifies us, and we experience true fellowship with one another.
This kind of transparency can be difficult, and many Christians struggle with feelings of shame and guilt, even after confessing sin to God. Some may even doubt their forgiveness, believing they can never fully be rid of their sin. Tim addressed this, offering encouragement and emphasizing that God’s grace is unending. No matter how many times we confess, God’s forgiveness is faithful and just. He reminded the congregation that if we keep walking in the light – continually acknowledging our sin and our need for God’s grace – we will be purified.
Horizontal Confession: The Power of Confessing to One Another
While confession to God is essential, Tim pointed out that the Bible also speaks about a horizontal form of confession – confessing our sins to one another. This is often a neglected practice in many Protestant churches, but it is an important part of walking in the light and growing in community.
James 5:16 says, “Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (NIV). Here, James directly connects confession to healing, both physical and emotional. Confession to one another leads to powerful prayer, which has the ability to heal not only our bodies but also our souls.
Many people resist confession to others because it exposes their weaknesses, and they fear judgment. However, Tim stressed that confession to a trusted, mature believer is not about shame; it is about freedom. By exposing our sin to the light, we strip it of its power. Sin thrives in darkness, but when brought to light, it loses its ability to control us.
In the same way that Alcoholics Anonymous uses confession and accountability to help people break free from addiction, the church is called to be a place of accountability and grace. When we confess our struggles to one another, we invite healing and freedom into our lives.
The Role of Absolution in Confession
Tim also explored the concept of absolution, which is a powerful part of confession. While some denominations, such as Catholic and Orthodox traditions, view absolution as a sacrament, Tim suggested that the church, as a whole, can practice this ministry by extending forgiveness to one another. As he put it, “By Christ Jesus, by his blood, your sins are forgiven.”
This is not just an intellectual understanding of forgiveness; it is a deeply spiritual moment where the truth of God’s forgiveness is spoken over a person’s life. Tim explained that when someone confesses their sin, the church has the authority, through Christ, to declare forgiveness and absolution. This declaration is powerful because it helps the person understand that they are truly forgiven, not just in their minds but in their hearts as well.
The practice of absolution is a reminder that the church, as the body of Christ, has been given the power to minister healing and forgiveness to one another. It’s not about the person offering absolution but about the authority of Christ working through the believer to set the person free from the grip of sin.
Living in Freedom: The Ongoing Journey of Confession
One of the most powerful points Tim made was that confession is not a one-time event but an ongoing journey. As we continue to grow in Christ, we will always encounter areas of our lives that need to be brought into the light. This is not a sign of failure but a part of the sanctification process. Every time we confess and receive forgiveness, we experience a deeper level of freedom and healing.
Sin does not dissipate after we commit it; it takes root and grows stronger. Tim likened sin to a vampire that feeds on darkness. But when we bring our struggles to the light, the power of sin is broken. Every time we confess and seek forgiveness, we weaken sin’s hold over our lives.
Tim concluded his message with a call to action: to embrace the gift of confession, not only to God but also to one another. This practice is essential for spiritual growth, both individually and as a community. When we walk in the light and confess our sins, we experience deeper fellowship with one another, and the power of God’s forgiveness works to heal us.
Questions for Reflection & Small Group Discussion:
Personal Reflection: Are there areas of your life where you are hiding in the darkness? What fears or obstacles might be preventing you bringing them into the light through confession?
The Power of Confession: In what ways have you experienced healing or freedom through confessing your sins to God? How might confessing to others deepen that healing?
Accountability: Who in your life can you trust to confess your struggles to? How can you build a culture of accountability and openness in your small group or church community?
Forgiveness and Absolution: How does hearing the words “your sins are forgiven” spoken over you impact your understanding of God’s grace? How can we extend this forgiveness to others in our lives?
Walking in the Light: What are some practical ways you can walk in the light with others in your community? How can you help others experience the freedom that comes from confession?
Ongoing Confession: Confession isn’t a one-time event but an ongoing practice. What does it mean for you to live in a posture of continual confession, and how does this contribute to spiritual growth?
The Role of Community: Why do you think it's important to confess sins to one another in a community? How can a church or small group become a safe place for this kind of honesty?
Healing through Confession: James 5:16 talks about confessing sins to one another so that we may be healed. What kind of healing do you think confession can bring – physically, emotionally, or spiritually?
By embracing the power of confession and walking in the light together, we can experience the fullness of God’s forgiveness and grow deeper in our relationship with Him and with one another.