GOOD THINGS ABOUT OUR CONFESSION OF CHRIST

A. 1 Tim. 6:12. To “confess” means to acknowledge that something is true. Many of us have been taught
from childhood that the confession that “Jesus Christ is the Son of God,” in Acts. 8:37, is one of the
“steps of obedience” to the gospel. A person who is unwilling to confess his faith does not have a
saving faith, Matt. 10:32-33, “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him
before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in
heaven.” Rom. 10:10. “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth
confession is made unto salvation.” The confession that Christ requires of us is not merely a one?time
statement of our convictions, but a daily, lifelong acknowledgment of His lordship in both our words and
our deeds.
1. But whether we are talking about our initial confession before we are baptized----or the daily confession
we must make by you life-----confession of our faith may be the most neglected and under-emphasized “step” of obedience. Paul said that Timothy had “confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses,” 1 Tim. 6:12-13, and that this was the same confession Christ Himself made before Pontius Pilate in Matt.27:11-11. Have you ever considered the ways we confession Christ that makes it a good confession?
a. It is good because of the goodness of the truth behind the confession. The truth that is at the heart
of the gospel is not only “good news,” It is the greatest news the world has ever known. That’s
why we must t never be ashamed of the truth of the gospel ---?Rom. 1:16. “It is the power of God
unto salvation for everybody.” Something very terrible has happened if we ever treat that truth
about Jesus as unimportant, common. Do you ever tire of hearing the “old, old story”? We are to
be Christ’s “witnesses” today, and that is done by our confessing and bearing testimony to the
truth of the gospel, whether your government or you neighbor puts you down for doing so. Your
witness is important to your salvation, Rev. 20:4. Without it you have no salvation.
(A) It’s good because it takes courage. It takes courage to stand up in front of an group of
Christians and make the good confession. If you are to “shy” to do that, it would be
impossible to do that in more difficult situations. If we will not even suffer “embarrassment”
for the Lord, what does that say about the depth of our convictions? After obeying the gospel
there will be many times when openly confessing Christ will require even greater courage and commitment. There were many “martyrs” in the New Testament. A “martyr” is one who suffers death rather than hide or renounce his convictions and his love for Jesus. The word “martyr” is a word usually translated “witness.” Rev. 2:13, To the church at Pergamum Jesus says, “I know where you live?where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city?where Satan lives.” That word translated “Witness” is the word “martus.” In Acts 22:20, Paul talks about the time when the Jews murdered Stephen for teaching the Gospel and says, “And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.” Stephen was a martyr, he gave his life to witness, confess his belief that Jesus is his the Son of God, Savior.
(1) Even among the Lord’s people we may be tempted to be less than “straightforward about
the truth of the gospel.” Gal. 2:11?14. If it can happen to Peter, it can happen to you,
But, what Peter did is no excuse for you or me. We simply do not know in advance what
our confession of Christ will cost — the Lord asks us to “sign” a blank contract and He
expects you to fulfill your contract 24-7. Rev 21:8, says, “The cowardly, unbelieving,
the vile, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their
part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone.” The cowardly and those who do
not uphold and confess their faith will be lost. No matter what risk is involved, we must
always “admit” the truth about our convictions, never hiding or misrepresenting them.
Jno. 12:42-43, “Many among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees

they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for
they loved praise from men more than praise from God.” I’m afraid that many today will
be lost for the same reason.
(2) Our confession is good because having confessed Him, Jesus will confess us also. Matt. 10:32?33, “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.” Paul reminds us in 2 Tim. 2:11?13, “Here is a trustworthy saying: (A true, reliaable fact) If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” Rev. 3:5, says, “Those who overcome through Jesus Christ will have their name confessed before God and His angels.”
(B) You either confess Jesus now, in this life, by your faithful obedience or you will confess your failure and folly before Him personally on the day of judgment. Rom 14:10?12, “For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'" So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.”
(1) Now, is the time to confess Jesus as your savior by you obedient response to Him. Rom. 10:9-10, says, “With the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Heb. 4:14, tells us that Remaining faithful to the Lord means that we “hold fast our confession.” Jno. 14:15, Jesus reminds us, "If you love me, you will obey what I command.” Vs. 24, “He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not
my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.” Question? How will you answer God
on the day of judgment?
(2) Acts 20:32.

Spur - 10/19/03 am