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Confession - Paul Fowler

In this message from our "Holy Habits" series, Lake Forest Campus Pastor Paul Fowler explores the spiritual discipline of confession. Drawing from Psalm 32, he reveals how confession—though often difficult—is a pathway to experiencing God's radical love and moving forward in our faith. Pastor Paul contrasts the peace that comes from open confession with the weight of unconfessed sin, reminding us that we are not the heroes of our salvation story, but the villains who have been rescued by the true Hero, Jesus Christ. Key Points: The Weight of Silence: When we keep silent about our sin, it takes a toll on us—like bones wasting away or strength sapped in summer heat. Unconfessed sin creates a heavy burden that separates us from the peace God intends for us. The Meaning of Confession: The Hebrew word for confess (yadah) is the same word used for an intimate knowing of God and for raising hands in surrender and praise. Confession is an open declaration—both that we are sinners and that Jesus is our Savior. Confession is Part of Salvation: We are saved by grace through faith, not by our own efforts. As Romans 10:9 tells us, if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe God raised Him from the dead, we are saved. In our salvation story, Jesus is the hero; we are the forgiven villains. Confession is Part of Sanctification: Even the faithful need to confess. Sanctification is the process of becoming more like Christ, and regular confession keeps us from getting stuck. It’s an admission that we are broken and in need of His ongoing work in our lives. Run to God, Not from Him: Like Adam and Eve, our temptation is to hide. But the antidote to guilt is not hiding—it’s running to God in confession. In our darkest moments, God’s love is most radical, saying, "I died for that." Key Scriptures: Psalm 32:1-11 (The foundation of the message: the blessing of forgiveness, the agony of silence, and the joy of confession) Romans 4 (Paul quotes Psalm 32 to explain that righteousness comes by faith, not works) Romans 10:9 ("If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord... you will be saved.")