“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”
– Proverbs 28:13
Main thought: We often mistakenly think that worship is a Sunday thing that we do and that no preparation prior to Sunday is necessary. But the reality is that throughout the week prior to corporate worship on Sunday, there should be and must be preparation for worship. To think that we can go to worship the Lord on Sunday giving little thought to Him during the week is a great error. The first way that I think that we should prepare for worship is a daily confession of our sins. As Christians, we have been given a new nature, we are a new creature in Christ, and our desires now are focused on pleasing our Lord. But we are still affected by sin and we still sin, and this sin while not severing us from our salvation in Christ (Philippians 1:6), can and does affect our fellowship with Christ. An example of this is seen in the life of David, who committed adultery with Bathsheba and his unconfessed sin definitely brought the displeasure of God and broken fellowship, but when he confessed that sin fellowship was restored (Psalm 51). Also, we see how Peter denied our Lord three times on the night of Jesus being falsely accused and taken away, but obviously, we see from the accounts in Acts that Peter was restored to fellowship with our Lord and was greatly used by God. We deceive ourselves if we think that we do not sin (1 John 1:8), and we also deceive ourselves if we think that the little sins that we commit and leave unconfessed do not affect our fellowship with God and our ability to worship Him with the people of God on Sunday. Our sins need to be confessed, for as Solomon writes here that if we conceal our sins, we will not prosper. I believe the application is that we will not prosper in any way, especially spiritually, if we fail to confess and forsake sin. We are assured here that if we do confess and forsake, God in His mercy will forgive us and cleanse us so that we might daily have right fellowship with Him, and when we do so, we will be truly prepared to worship the Father in spirit and truth (John 4:23), when we come together with the people of God to worship Him.
David Webber
David Webber is married to Mary with four children and four grandchildren, and serves as the Pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Longview, TX. He obtained a BS in History from the University of Texas at Tyler, TX, and pursued studies at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, TX. Throughout his ministry, he has been an invited preacher and educator in numerous churches and various Bible conferences. Surrendering to the gospel ministry’s calling in 1972 at the age of 16, he received preaching licensure from Little Flock Baptist Church in Longview, Texas, in 1974. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1978, he was ordained in December of 1980 by Faith Baptist Church. Following this, he contributed his services to Faith Baptist in Longview and subsequently engaged with Grace Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, where he instructed Sunday School and delivered sermons as needed. In February of 1994, Faith Baptist invited him to lead as their pastor, a role he has faithfully held to the present day. David writes a blog for the church website and is a writer for The Art of Worship.
More from David Webber
Romans 15:1-2
“We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” – Romans 15:1-2
Hosea 6:6
“For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” – Hosea 6:6
Hebrews 11:24-26
“By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharoah’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.” – Hebrews 11:24-26
Revelation 22:20-21
“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen” – Revelation 22:20-21
Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” – Matthew 6:14-15
Isaiah 8:20
“To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.” – Isaiah 8:20
2 Corinthians 4:7
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves.” – 2 Corinthians 4:7
1 Thessalonians 5:19
“Do not quench the Spirit.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:19
Colossians 2:5
“For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.” – Colossians 2:5
Galatians 6:1
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” – Galatians 6:1