I. INTRODUCTION-- Text: Matthew 3:1-6, Luke 3:7-14
A. In New Testament teaching, baptism is preceded by a confession of faith in Christ.
1. Example: The Eunuch of Acts 8.
2. This particular confession is required for salvation. Romans 10:9-10
B. But, the confession which preceded John's baptism was a confession of sins.
1. The preaching of John centered around repentance. (The specific sins of the publicans and soldiers had to be repudiated.)
2. The baptism of John was a "baptism of repentance. Acts 19:4
3. This means that confession is closely tied to repentance.

II.LESSON-- The "specific" action of confessing sins is taught in the Bible, as well as the "incentives" to do such.
A. Christians are commanded to confess sins.
1. Confession to God. 1 John 1:5-10
a.If TRUTH prevails, we cannot say we have fellowship with God while walking in darkness.
b. If TRUTH prevails, we cannot say we have no sin (singular, SIN in the "abstract").
c. If TRUTH prevails, we cannot say we have not sinned without making God a liar. (see Romans 3:23)
2. Confession to men. James 5:16
a. Why must others know the specific nature of my sin? Can't I simply say "I have sinned" and leave out the details? Consider these principles from the OT.
(1) Sins are often considered to be against heaven.
(a) David sang to God, "Against Thee ONLY have I sinned (Psalm 51:4)," but he was accused of a sin against a man, Uriah (2 Samuel 12:9-13). (NOTE: Even though he said he had sinned only against God, David later prayed in the same context, "Deliver me from bloodguiltiness (a specific sin), O God." Psalm 51:14)
(b) The "Prodigal Son" knew that his sins were against both heaven, and against his father. He said, "I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight." Luke 15:18
(2) So, confession is made to God and to men.
(a) Examples of specific confession:
Numbers 21:4-7 (Murmuring against God and Moses)

Joshua 7:16-21 (God knew the specific sins, and told Joshua. The sins were "theft" and "dissembling," or hiding the sin.)

(b) All "secret sins" are known to God. Ecclesiastes 12:14
(c) "He that covers his transgression shall not prosper; but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall obtain mercy." Proverbs 28:13
(3) The "Law" defines sins. Romans 3:20, 7:7
(a) The Law also commanded specific confession. Lev. 5:1-6
(b) The men of Nehemiah's day took the same length of time to confess sins, as to hear and learn of them in the reading of the Law! Nehemiah 9:1-3
b. Is confession effective just because it is specific?
(1) General confession of sins at the Feast of Atonement was effective for God's purposes in that ritual, in the OT. Leviticus 16:20-22
(2) Some specific confessions were not always effective.
(a) Saul's confession to Samuel was not treated as sincere. 1 Samuel 15:24-31 (To David, also. 1 Samuel 26:21-27:1)
(b) Judas said, "I have sinned, IN THAT I have betrayed innocent blood," but he gained no release from the guilt of that sin (he hanged himself). Matthew 27:3-5
(3) Therefore, "effective" confession has to come from a heart that is broken, and sincere. Psalms 51:10-12, 32:1-6
3. Confession to self should precede correction of others.
a. Jesus showed this in a parable. Luke 6:41-42
b. Paul showed the Jews that they failed in this. Romans 2:1-6, 21-24
B. God's people who have sinned need confession for their benefit.
1. The Chidren of Israel failed of victory at Ai, because of unconfessed sins by one of their number.
2.The future of Israel was in jeopardy, because of unconfessed sins. Ezra 9:1-10:4 (Note how the public sorrow of the GUILTLESS Ezra turned Israel to repentance and confession, and compare the sorrow of GUILTY David, when he saw how Israel suffered from the consequence of his own sin. 2 Samuel 24:10-17)
3. Release from guilt burdens is an advantage we have over our enemies, and desirable for that reason. Micah 7:7-9

III. APPLICATION--

A. The principles of God's work being consistent in all ages, there is no doubt that we suffer hindrances and cause hindrances, if sins are hidden (like Achan's).
B.By choosing to take the expedient of hiding sins, and letting them remain "unconfessed," we practice a type of hypocrisy which closes the door of heaven to us.
C. It is PRIDE that often prevents specific confession, adding the sin of pride to our hypocrisy, and again denying us the blessings of forgiveness.
D. Do we resent the concern of the "guiltless" for the "guilty?"

CONCLUSION-- We need to react, not to the people who are seeking to restore us, but to the TRUTH they speak. Acts 19:10, 18-20