WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.640 If you have Bibles, I want to turn to 1 John 1.9, 1 John 1.9. 00:00:03.740 --> 00:00:10.000 On Wednesday mornings at 11 a.m., we do midweek prayer and Bible study in the fellowship hall. 00:00:10.900 --> 00:00:15.300 And as the year ended, I was preaching through 1 John during that time. 00:00:15.400 --> 00:00:21.780 And I got to this passage and just kind of started pondering on some stuff and thought, 00:00:22.120 --> 00:00:27.260 as we begin the year together, why don't we reflect on this a little bit on Sunday morning? 00:00:27.260 --> 00:00:32.600 And so in reality, it's something I never wanted to say. 00:00:33.100 --> 00:00:37.859 I've spoken in all kinds of capacities and addressed all kinds of different burdens, 00:00:37.980 --> 00:00:39.560 but this is one I really don't like dealing with. 00:00:40.040 --> 00:00:46.380 I typically speak boldly about the things of God, but I get a little mousy with this one, if you will. 00:00:46.760 --> 00:00:47.799 It's hard to admit. 00:00:50.180 --> 00:00:51.400 I have sinned. 00:00:53.400 --> 00:00:55.740 It's not what I like to talk about, not fun to share. 00:00:55.740 --> 00:00:57.500 I've sinned. 00:00:57.539 --> 00:00:58.079 I knew better. 00:00:58.160 --> 00:00:59.980 I shouldn't have done it, but I've sinned. 00:01:01.880 --> 00:01:04.439 It took Pharaoh a long time to admit it. 00:01:05.460 --> 00:01:08.620 He had been horribly oppressive to the Hebrew people. 00:01:09.540 --> 00:01:12.420 It got worse when they wanted to worship. 00:01:13.579 --> 00:01:17.480 He started providing the straw for the bricks that they were to make 00:01:17.480 --> 00:01:20.340 and stopped providing the straw for the bricks that they were to make 00:01:20.340 --> 00:01:28.159 and told them to get their own straw, but to keep the same production level that they had when they were provided straw. 00:01:29.480 --> 00:01:31.460 When they couldn't do it, he beat them. 00:01:31.459 --> 00:01:42.459 So then God turned the Nile River, not only their source of water, but also a God to them, turned it to blood. 00:01:44.459 --> 00:01:45.699 The fish died. 00:01:46.479 --> 00:01:47.339 The water stunk. 00:01:47.639 --> 00:01:48.579 Could not be drank. 00:01:49.119 --> 00:01:50.699 Pharaoh did not take it to heart. 00:01:51.339 --> 00:01:53.299 Exodus 7 verse 23 says. 00:01:53.299 --> 00:01:57.459 A week later, the frogs came and they were everywhere. 00:01:57.759 --> 00:02:00.759 Scripture even tells us that they were even up in the bed. 00:02:02.620 --> 00:02:03.859 And then they died. 00:02:04.640 --> 00:02:06.219 And they laid in piles. 00:02:08.699 --> 00:02:09.879 They didn't stink. 00:02:10.060 --> 00:02:10.780 They stank. 00:02:12.139 --> 00:02:12.599 Horrible. 00:02:12.599 --> 00:02:18.039 But once he got a rest from them, he hardened his heart again. 00:02:19.379 --> 00:02:20.939 Then the gnats came. 00:02:21.060 --> 00:02:23.060 And then the swarms of flies came. 00:02:23.159 --> 00:02:24.680 And then the livestock died. 00:02:25.519 --> 00:02:27.079 Then they had a breakout of boils. 00:02:27.280 --> 00:02:29.780 And boils covered people and animals. 00:02:30.400 --> 00:02:31.560 Then came the hail. 00:02:32.120 --> 00:02:34.519 Worst hail they had ever experienced. 00:02:34.519 --> 00:02:38.180 Not only that, but it was mixed with fire and thunder. 00:02:38.180 --> 00:02:42.400 It broke down every budding plant. 00:02:42.960 --> 00:02:49.360 Scripture says, quote, with the barley in the ear and the flax in the bud. 00:02:49.740 --> 00:02:51.840 That means at the wrong time, folks. 00:02:52.640 --> 00:02:55.560 Every tree killed animals. 00:02:55.840 --> 00:02:57.120 It shook Pharaoh. 00:02:57.740 --> 00:03:01.760 He had a hard time saying it, but he finally did. 00:03:02.460 --> 00:03:07.540 In Exodus 9, 27, he said, this time I have sinned. 00:03:08.180 --> 00:03:11.840 Once it stopped, not a lot changed for him. 00:03:12.439 --> 00:03:13.740 Then the locusts came. 00:03:15.020 --> 00:03:21.740 Although the wheat was just beginning when the hail came and was not affected, the locusts got the wheat. 00:03:22.700 --> 00:03:27.800 It was when the hail and the locusts came that Pharaoh said, I have sinned. 00:03:28.240 --> 00:03:29.700 Please ask the Lord to forgive me. 00:03:31.040 --> 00:03:32.400 But he still didn't change. 00:03:32.400 --> 00:03:39.120 Balaam had a hard time admitting that he was not following the will of God. 00:03:39.120 --> 00:03:51.240 And it was not until God enabled his donkey to speak to him that he realized that the seemingly stubborn donkey had saved his life. 00:03:52.620 --> 00:03:55.700 Balaam admitted, I have sinned. 00:03:55.699 --> 00:03:59.239 It wasn't easy for Achan to admit. 00:04:00.519 --> 00:04:03.079 Jericho had so much when they overtook it. 00:04:03.219 --> 00:04:06.639 And he wanted so little of that to keep for himself. 00:04:06.799 --> 00:04:08.239 And it was too sweet to pass up. 00:04:08.319 --> 00:04:13.719 Even though the Lord told him not to take any of it, he did a little bit just for himself. 00:04:13.859 --> 00:04:16.419 And hid it in his tent so nobody would know. 00:04:16.419 --> 00:04:22.019 His sin caused the whole army to lose the battle that they should have won. 00:04:22.019 --> 00:04:24.299 And the question came, wait a minute. 00:04:24.639 --> 00:04:25.639 What happened here? 00:04:25.839 --> 00:04:26.759 Who sinned? 00:04:29.120 --> 00:04:31.120 It was hard for Achan to say it. 00:04:31.159 --> 00:04:33.839 There was a process that made him have to. 00:04:35.299 --> 00:04:38.659 Joshua 7 verse 20, he admitted, I have sinned. 00:04:40.879 --> 00:04:43.899 Saul was rebuked by Samuel for his disobedience. 00:04:43.899 --> 00:04:47.419 He was too busy listening to other people, not listening to the Lord. 00:04:47.420 --> 00:04:56.680 And he brought sheep that he had gained from the Amalekites instead of killing them as the Lord had told them. 00:04:56.720 --> 00:05:03.140 And the reason why the Lord would tell him that is because he didn't want himself to be profited from those things that had been evil. 00:05:07.780 --> 00:05:12.840 Samuel confronted Saul for doing this, disobeying God. 00:05:14.900 --> 00:05:16.980 With a quote that I absolutely love. 00:05:17.420 --> 00:05:26.259 Samuel said, what is this bleeding of the sheep in my ears and the lowing of the oxen that I hear? 00:05:29.080 --> 00:05:32.000 Saul said, I have sinned. 00:05:33.939 --> 00:05:37.759 When David spared the life of Saul as Saul was trying to kill him, 00:05:40.639 --> 00:05:43.160 Saul was pursuing David to kill him. 00:05:43.160 --> 00:05:49.860 And in his pursuit, Saul stopped in a cave to relieve himself. 00:05:50.820 --> 00:05:51.760 I didn't make that up. 00:05:51.820 --> 00:05:52.460 That's in scripture. 00:05:54.500 --> 00:05:57.280 David was hiding in that cave. 00:05:59.000 --> 00:06:01.760 And his men told him, this is your opportunity. 00:06:02.560 --> 00:06:04.140 Saul is in a compromised position. 00:06:05.140 --> 00:06:05.600 Get him. 00:06:05.600 --> 00:06:11.760 And David would not lift his hand to God's anointed. 00:06:12.480 --> 00:06:14.260 He spared Saul's life. 00:06:14.439 --> 00:06:24.280 And again, on another occasion, he walked up on a sleeping Saul and only took his sword and a jar to show proof that he could have taken his life. 00:06:24.800 --> 00:06:25.939 He spared him again. 00:06:25.939 --> 00:06:30.939 And in response, Saul said, I have sinned. 00:06:30.939 --> 00:06:34.779 When David became king, he had to say it. 00:06:35.560 --> 00:06:40.420 He was confronted about sleeping with an officer's wife while the officer was in battle. 00:06:40.600 --> 00:06:46.819 And David was lounging at the house in the spring when kings were to go to war. 00:06:48.920 --> 00:06:54.339 When she got pregnant, he brought the man home to somehow cover his tracks. 00:06:54.339 --> 00:07:03.159 However, Uriah would not go into his own house with his own wife because he knew his men were still in battle. 00:07:06.179 --> 00:07:17.599 And when he went back to the battle scene, David said, put him in the front of the line and then remove yourself from him, making him vulnerable to the enemy. 00:07:17.959 --> 00:07:19.719 And Uriah died in the battlefield. 00:07:19.719 --> 00:07:22.039 And David thought he had covered it up. 00:07:24.339 --> 00:07:33.879 And Nathan confronted him by telling him a story about a man who had a lot of sheep and took one man's only sheep. 00:07:34.219 --> 00:07:38.299 And David heard that story and said, what a sorry individual. 00:07:38.359 --> 00:07:39.279 That's my interpretation. 00:07:39.919 --> 00:07:41.259 What a sorry individual. 00:07:41.599 --> 00:07:47.139 And he said, who took a man's only sheep when he had plenty for himself? 00:07:47.139 --> 00:07:53.599 And Nathan said, as only the King James can pull out, thou art the man. 00:07:57.019 --> 00:08:00.879 David said, I've sinned. 00:08:03.839 --> 00:08:06.300 David got proud of his accomplishments through a census. 00:08:07.719 --> 00:08:10.199 He knew he had a bunch, so let's just start counting stuff. 00:08:10.199 --> 00:08:13.800 Let's see how much success we've had. 00:08:15.339 --> 00:08:16.719 But that was not of God. 00:08:16.800 --> 00:08:18.459 And he had to admit, I've sinned. 00:08:20.920 --> 00:08:27.459 When Shimei threw dust and rocks and curses at David, 00:08:29.459 --> 00:08:33.580 he got dragged into the king's chambers and he had to admit, I have sinned. 00:08:33.580 --> 00:08:41.360 When the prophet Micah looked at his people and realized the wickedness that he saw in them was a reflection upon his own life as well, 00:08:41.440 --> 00:08:43.860 he had to admit, I have sinned. 00:08:43.940 --> 00:08:50.940 When the prodigal son had spent the inheritance that he received early on wine and women in the world 00:08:50.940 --> 00:08:55.400 and filled his belly with the husk that the swine did eat, 00:08:55.399 --> 00:09:02.980 when he came to himself, he said, I will arise and go to my father's house. 00:09:03.379 --> 00:09:08.659 And upon approaching his father's house, he said, I have sinned. 00:09:11.039 --> 00:09:18.220 When Judas sold Jesus and his own soul for 30 pieces of silver, 00:09:21.220 --> 00:09:25.100 the guilt of the matter weighed on him heavy and he said, I have sinned. 00:09:25.399 --> 00:09:27.419 And he went out and hanged himself. 00:09:30.360 --> 00:09:31.519 I am thankful. 00:09:33.720 --> 00:09:38.419 For each one of these individuals that I've mentioned, I am thankful for myself. 00:09:39.019 --> 00:09:40.559 I'm thankful for you. 00:09:41.659 --> 00:09:49.379 That 1 John 1.9 says that if we confess our sins, he's faithful and just to forgive us of our sins 00:09:49.379 --> 00:09:52.659 and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 00:09:52.659 --> 00:09:59.360 Now, you may say this morning, but, but pastor, you don't know what I've done. 00:10:02.419 --> 00:10:08.039 If we confess our sins, he's faithful and just to forgive us of our sins 00:10:08.039 --> 00:10:09.659 and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 00:10:10.299 --> 00:10:13.500 But pastor, you know, I really hadn't done that much wrong in my life. 00:10:13.500 --> 00:10:19.659 If we confess our sins, he's faithful and just to forgive us of our sins 00:10:19.659 --> 00:10:22.159 and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 00:10:24.860 --> 00:10:25.940 But thank God. 00:10:27.860 --> 00:10:30.019 Isaiah chapter 1 verse 18 says, 00:10:30.019 --> 00:10:50.799 When the people insisted on having a king, Saul was the one that was chosen by God as the first king of Israel. 00:10:51.319 --> 00:10:53.620 He was ahead above all the others. 00:10:53.620 --> 00:11:02.759 I believe that's physically ahead above all others, but I also believe that it was also symbolically that, man, he stood out. 00:11:05.100 --> 00:11:07.360 Man like that have to say, I have sinned. 00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:09.820 So do we. 00:11:12.019 --> 00:11:15.259 If David, a man that is described, made a lot of mistakes. 00:11:15.960 --> 00:11:18.159 Scripture gives us a lot of details about David's life. 00:11:18.159 --> 00:11:22.980 But they also described as a man after God's own heart. 00:11:23.059 --> 00:11:26.719 If he had to say, I have sinned, so do we. 00:11:29.219 --> 00:11:37.219 If Michael was a prophet who God allowed to see into the future hundreds of years and see the birth of Christ, 00:11:38.139 --> 00:11:44.699 if he has to say, I have sinned, so do we. 00:11:44.700 --> 00:11:50.860 The reality is we don't really have time to monitor everybody else's sins. 00:11:51.060 --> 00:11:53.160 We have enough to deal with with our own. 00:11:53.980 --> 00:11:56.940 And we need to be saying, I have sinned. 00:11:57.740 --> 00:12:05.259 I mean, life can get so busy doing so many good and right things that if we're not careful, we'll let it slip. 00:12:06.480 --> 00:12:09.700 But when we do, we need to be saying, I have sinned. 00:12:12.840 --> 00:12:13.960 Daddies and mamas. 00:12:14.700 --> 00:12:20.000 Don't be afraid to admit, I have sinned. 00:12:21.840 --> 00:12:27.800 Until we've confronted the sin in our own lives, we'll never be an adequate judge of what is wrong. 00:12:28.360 --> 00:12:39.920 In somebody else's life or what's wrong in this country or what's wrong in our own household, our own community, or even what's right. 00:12:40.800 --> 00:12:42.040 I have sinned. 00:12:42.039 --> 00:12:50.659 I don't believe we'll ever be able to lead folks to Christ effectively unless we acknowledge, I have sinned. 00:12:50.659 --> 00:12:56.759 I don't believe we can lead our families the way they need to be led unless we've acknowledged, I have sinned. 00:12:56.839 --> 00:12:59.360 Or to lead our churches, I have sinned. 00:13:00.059 --> 00:13:09.819 I mean, our pride from being so good at hiding our sin from others has sometimes got us thinking that we are hiding it from God. 00:13:09.820 --> 00:13:12.820 It ain't true, folks. 00:13:12.820 --> 00:13:16.820 1 Samuel chapter 16 verse 7 says, 00:13:16.820 --> 00:13:23.300 The Lord sees not as man sees. 00:13:23.300 --> 00:13:29.100 Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. 00:13:29.100 --> 00:13:37.200 And if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just. 00:13:37.279 --> 00:13:39.060 That means that he will do it. 00:13:39.580 --> 00:13:41.820 That means he can do it. 00:13:41.899 --> 00:13:48.379 I've said it many times before, but if he would do it but couldn't do it, we'd be in a mess. 00:13:48.379 --> 00:13:52.200 And if he wouldn't do it but couldn't do it, we'd be in a mess. 00:13:52.299 --> 00:14:02.539 But he can and he will, and because of that, Scripture tells us that he will release us from our sins. 00:14:02.679 --> 00:14:04.259 He'll let us go. 00:14:06.220 --> 00:14:12.840 Listen, when God forgives us, he releases the ball and chain of our sin. 00:14:12.840 --> 00:14:22.160 There's fishermen in the room, and when you catch a fish and you catch it on a hook and you pull it to the boat, 00:14:25.680 --> 00:14:30.519 who got that fish that got caught by going after the wrong bait, 00:14:30.820 --> 00:14:39.960 once that hook is removed and he is placed back in the water, he is released to go. 00:14:39.960 --> 00:14:45.840 There might be a scar or two, but he's released to go. 00:14:50.160 --> 00:14:52.960 Christ cleanses us from all unrighteousness. 00:14:56.960 --> 00:15:01.860 When I get a stain on my clothes, I try to shout it out. 00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:07.580 I spray it and I scrub it and I spray it again and I scrub it. 00:15:07.580 --> 00:15:18.580 But I take the whole shirt and I put it all in the wash because it all needs to be clean. 00:15:21.740 --> 00:15:22.680 I'm like Peter. 00:15:25.280 --> 00:15:27.379 He didn't want the Lord to wash his feet. 00:15:27.480 --> 00:15:28.460 He didn't feel like that was right. 00:15:30.860 --> 00:15:34.220 And Scripture tells us in John 13, 8 and 9 that Peter said to him, 00:15:34.220 --> 00:15:36.360 You shall never wash my feet. 00:15:38.300 --> 00:15:41.740 Jesus answered him, If I don't wash you, you have no share with me. 00:15:42.420 --> 00:15:46.840 And then Peter, as only Peter can do, and a few of us other ones can do it too, 00:15:47.259 --> 00:15:48.440 go above and beyond. 00:15:49.540 --> 00:15:54.080 Peter said, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 00:15:54.279 --> 00:15:55.440 I mean, clean me all. 00:15:56.700 --> 00:15:58.860 Lord, wash me, all of me. 00:15:58.860 --> 00:16:02.340 For I have sinned. 00:16:05.840 --> 00:16:07.460 Don't you think the Lord this morning, 00:16:07.700 --> 00:16:12.340 that he does not hold our sin over our head, 00:16:13.340 --> 00:16:16.060 and that he'll forgive us, 00:16:16.620 --> 00:16:18.720 and he'll cleanse us, 00:16:18.960 --> 00:16:22.980 if we acknowledge our sin to him? 00:16:22.980 --> 00:16:30.060 That our sin is lost in the sea of God's forgetfulness? 00:16:31.980 --> 00:16:35.700 That it's removed as far as the east is from the west, 00:16:35.779 --> 00:16:37.039 is what Scripture says? 00:16:38.740 --> 00:16:40.519 And you know the significance of that? 00:16:40.580 --> 00:16:44.720 I believe that if you were to travel north today, 00:16:44.960 --> 00:16:47.259 and you were able to do it, 00:16:47.379 --> 00:16:49.659 and go all the way to the North Pole, 00:16:49.659 --> 00:16:53.379 there's a time you're going to begin to travel south. 00:16:57.679 --> 00:17:00.879 Scripture says that he's removed the sin as far as the east is from the west, 00:17:01.159 --> 00:17:02.899 and if you leave today and go east, 00:17:03.199 --> 00:17:04.240 and continue to go east, 00:17:04.440 --> 00:17:07.139 there'll never be a time when you ever automatically go west. 00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:10.420 He removed sin. 00:17:10.680 --> 00:17:11.579 It's gone. 00:17:14.220 --> 00:17:15.559 And so let's deal with it. 00:17:15.559 --> 00:17:20.940 Let's begin a year the way we ought to begin a year, 00:17:21.039 --> 00:17:23.960 and deal with what we need to deal with. 00:17:26.519 --> 00:17:28.619 If there's never been a time in your life 00:17:28.619 --> 00:17:30.819 when you've asked the Lord Jesus to forgive you, 00:17:30.879 --> 00:17:31.740 and to come into your life, 00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:33.019 and to save you, 00:17:33.079 --> 00:17:35.659 I want you to know the best decision you'll ever make 00:17:35.659 --> 00:17:37.200 is to return to your life to the Lord. 00:17:38.159 --> 00:17:39.200 And the truth of the matter is, 00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:41.159 Scripture shows us through a lot of examples, 00:17:41.279 --> 00:17:42.720 and just in what it says, 00:17:42.720 --> 00:17:44.700 that we can come as we are, 00:17:44.839 --> 00:17:46.640 and he'll clean us up from where we are. 00:17:47.059 --> 00:17:50.160 All we have to do is admit the fact that we've sinned against God. 00:17:51.339 --> 00:17:53.759 We've been separated from him because of our sin, 00:17:53.920 --> 00:17:55.920 and we ask for him to forgive us, 00:17:55.940 --> 00:17:56.799 and to cleanse us, 00:17:56.799 --> 00:17:58.180 and we walk away from that sin 00:17:58.180 --> 00:18:00.000 by the power of the Holy Spirit 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:02.180 that he indwells within us. 00:18:02.860 --> 00:18:05.559 No longer do we have to be a slave to sin, 00:18:05.700 --> 00:18:09.279 but instead we can walk in freedom away from it. 00:18:09.279 --> 00:18:11.420 And if that's never happened to you, 00:18:12.039 --> 00:18:12.740 in a few moments, 00:18:12.819 --> 00:18:13.799 Holly's going to come sing, 00:18:13.859 --> 00:18:14.399 and when she does, 00:18:14.460 --> 00:18:15.480 I'm going to stand down here, 00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:16.500 and we're going to stand together, 00:18:16.660 --> 00:18:18.799 and I want you to come down and tell me, 00:18:19.160 --> 00:18:20.720 I want to give my life to Christ. 00:18:22.599 --> 00:18:23.920 If you mean that with your heart, 00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:25.059 he'll change you forever. 00:18:26.700 --> 00:18:27.960 If you've done that privately, 00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:29.619 but you've never done that publicly, 00:18:29.779 --> 00:18:31.639 Jesus, by his example and by his commission, 00:18:31.779 --> 00:18:34.779 tells us that we need to be baptized as believers. 00:18:35.740 --> 00:18:36.960 It's the first step of obedience. 00:18:36.960 --> 00:18:40.680 A public acknowledgement of what Christ has done privately 00:18:40.680 --> 00:18:41.539 in our lives. 00:18:42.600 --> 00:18:44.220 If you've never been baptized as a believer, 00:18:44.299 --> 00:18:45.140 I encourage you to come. 00:18:45.200 --> 00:18:46.259 We're not going to do it this morning, 00:18:46.460 --> 00:18:47.440 but I encourage you to come, 00:18:47.480 --> 00:18:48.940 and let's begin that conversation. 00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:52.180 Let's ask folks to pray for us in that process. 00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:56.180 Maybe God's leading you to First Baptist Church. 00:18:56.279 --> 00:18:58.019 God's doing a wonderful work in First Baptist Church, 00:18:58.059 --> 00:19:00.019 and I know that God's speaking to the hearts 00:19:00.019 --> 00:19:01.019 of several people. 00:19:01.120 --> 00:19:02.680 Maybe God is leading you to do that. 00:19:02.680 --> 00:19:04.720 I just encourage you to just be obedient 00:19:04.720 --> 00:19:05.819 and follow his lead. 00:19:06.960 --> 00:19:08.460 But I'll be honest with you this morning. 00:19:08.539 --> 00:19:10.940 I have no clue what God has told you. 00:19:11.180 --> 00:19:12.700 That's not my responsibility. 00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:15.059 I know what he's told me to say, 00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:18.920 and so I encourage you to simply be obedient 00:19:18.920 --> 00:19:21.059 and follow what the Lord would have you to do. 00:19:22.059 --> 00:19:23.759 You can do that where you sit. 00:19:24.079 --> 00:19:25.720 You can do that at this altar. 00:19:25.860 --> 00:19:27.500 You can do it with a pastor praying for you. 00:19:28.220 --> 00:19:30.539 I just want you to deal with God. 00:19:30.539 --> 00:19:33.940 When we leave this place, 00:19:34.039 --> 00:19:36.359 let's walk through the rest of 2025 00:19:36.359 --> 00:19:39.420 absolutely committed to do everything 00:19:39.420 --> 00:19:41.159 that God would have us to do 00:19:41.159 --> 00:19:43.680 in all of our lives. 00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:46.099 Listen to me, folks. 00:19:47.539 --> 00:19:49.119 With a clean slate. 00:19:51.859 --> 00:19:53.480 Don't you just want a clean slate? 00:19:53.480 --> 00:19:57.200 If we confess our sins. 00:19:58.099 --> 00:20:00.579 He's faithful and just to forgive us of our sins. 00:20:02.059 --> 00:20:02.880 Thank God. 00:20:03.740 --> 00:20:07.480 And to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 00:20:08.339 --> 00:20:09.220 Let's pray together. 00:20:09.960 --> 00:20:11.519 Lord Jesus, I love you, 00:20:11.720 --> 00:20:13.759 and I thank you for your word. 00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:16.400 I thank you for the hope and the promise 00:20:16.400 --> 00:20:17.880 that it gives to me, a sinner, 00:20:18.120 --> 00:20:20.920 and it gives to all of us as sinners, dear God. 00:20:20.920 --> 00:20:24.080 And I pray that we'll acknowledge that we've sinned. 00:20:24.820 --> 00:20:26.160 It's not fun to do. 00:20:27.180 --> 00:20:28.759 It's not fun to talk about. 00:20:31.039 --> 00:20:32.259 But it's the truth. 00:20:33.840 --> 00:20:37.039 So God, help us to acknowledge our sin before you. 00:20:37.920 --> 00:20:39.820 To surrender our lives to you 00:20:39.820 --> 00:20:41.580 and to simply be obedient as you lead 00:20:41.580 --> 00:20:42.900 and work in our lives. 00:20:44.380 --> 00:20:45.560 We love you dearly, 00:20:45.620 --> 00:20:47.539 and we ask God that the Holy Spirit of God 00:20:47.539 --> 00:20:50.160 will have the freedom to move and work in our midst 00:20:50.160 --> 00:20:51.580 as only you can, Lord. 00:20:52.220 --> 00:20:53.800 In Jesus' precious name. 00:20:54.759 --> 00:20:55.080 Amen.