Category Archives: confession

after faith: body life

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

James 5:13-20.   James shows that faith in Christ is more than a personal conviction.  It leads to body life.  Genuine faith in a community means that the whole body of believers: prays for one another (14). confesses to one another … Continue reading →

Posted in church, confession, discipleship, genuineness, giving, prayer, reconciliation | Tagged | 1 Comment

the Holy Spirit is there

Posted on October 2, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Luke 23:26-56.   This passage records the worst human tragedy ever: the Son of God mocked, tortured and killed as a criminal.  The Holy Spirit was there.  Even in such a horrible place and the very worst of times, God’s Holy … Continue reading →

Posted in atonement, confession, evangelism, gospel, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, missions, witness | Tagged | Leave a comment

only Jesus: rewarder of God’s faithful

Posted on August 1, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

  Hebrews 10:19-39.  Jesus is Lord of our future.  What he has done for us only makes sense in the light of what he will do.     As we see the day of his coming drawing near, it only … Continue reading →

Posted in church, commitment, confession, destruction in hell, faithfulness, Jesus Christ, judgment, kingdom of God, missions, perseverance, preparation, second coming, suffering, will of God, witness | Tagged | Leave a comment

only Jesus: source of God’s grace

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Hebrews 4:14-5:10.  Jesus is one of us.  He understands us.  He knows what makes us tick.  When we fail, he knows why.  We can come to him, pleading for mercy and grace again,  because he is able to sympathize with … Continue reading →

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a prayer to the king

Posted on April 3, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Psalm 93.   LORD, today I acknowledge that you are king of the universe. You reign, and your reign is a majestic one that will last for eternity. I confess that I have been worrying about my future. I have not … Continue reading →

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against you only

Posted on February 20, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Psalm 51.  This prayer by David has given exegetes some trouble.  David is aware of his crimes against Uriah the Hittite, whom he has killed,  and Bathsheba, with whom he commits adultery. He agonizes over his sins and fears the … Continue reading →

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switcheroo

Posted on February 2, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Genesis 29:1-30.  Laban pulled a switcheroo on Jacob and gave him Leah on his wedding night. Why did God let this happen? Remember that Jacob had done the same thing to his father, Isaac, when he pretended to be Esau … Continue reading →

Posted in confession, forgiveness, relationship with God, repentance | Tagged | 2 Comments

from silence to shouting

Posted on February 2, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Psalm 32. This psalm is the story of a sinner who is under the conviction of the Holy Spirit. The urge to confess is so strong, and the knowledge of his separation from God’s will so acute that he groans … Continue reading →

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keep walking, keep confessing

Posted on December 3, 2010 by Jefferson Vann

1 John 1:1-2:6.  John uses present tense verbs (denoting continuous activity) to describe the true believer, but mostly aorist tense verbs (denoting simple action in past time) to describe the spiritual impostor. The true believer keeps Christ’s commandments, and keeps … Continue reading →

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