Crucial Confessions
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Jesus reveals two critical confessions with eternal consequences.
Text: Matthew 10:32-33
Date: 04/29/2012, the Traditional service.
Series: "Matthew" Part 95
Description:
As Jesus continues commissioning His "apostlers", He reveals there are two crucial confessions in every Christian's life. First, the confession he or she makes before men concerning Christ, and second the confession Jesus makes before the Father on their behalf. In our passage this morning, Jesus makes it clear that one will not happen without the other-- His confession is predicated on our confession! For this reason it is essential we understand what is involved with "confessing Christ", and the "weal" (blessing) received if one does and the "woe" (curse) received if one does not. We will find it is a confession involving both "lips and life", and is an absolutely crucial part of the proclamation of the Kingdom. The eschatological, christological, and soteriological implications are profound-- for eternity rests on these two crucial confessions.
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I. Introduction, Matt. 7:21-23.
II. Exposition of the text, Matthew 10:32-33.
A. Context
B. The weal of confessing Christ, vs. 32.
1. A simple look at the text.
2. A deeper look at "confessing".
a. A forensic word, Deut. 19:15.
b. The importance of "same-sayings".
i. Confessing Christ consistently, Matt. 10:17, James 1:8.
ii. Keeping Christ in the Gospel, Rom. 1:16, 1John 4:2,15.
iii. Confessing Christ with "lips and life", Matt. 10:16.
c. What it means to "confess" Christ, Rom. 10:9.
3. Summary of the "weal".
C. The woe of denying Christ, vs. 33.
1. The opposite of "confession".
a. Denying Christ with "lips", Matt. 26:74.
b. Denying Christ with "life".
c. All components required.
2. The consequences of denial, Matt. 7:23.
D. Further considerations, 1John 2:22-23.
1. Eschatological considerations, Rev. 3:5, Mark 8:38, 2Tim. 2:12.
2. Christological considerations.
3. Soteriological considerations.
a. The only way to salvation.
b. Who then can be saved?
c. Who must confess?
III. Application
A. Before the "great white throne", Rev. 20:11-12.
B. Making the crucial confession.
1. Confess Christ with your lips as Savior.
2. Confess Christ with your life as Lord.
IV. Conclusion
