Sunday Review: 8/22/21
On Sunday, August 22, 2021, Mickey Connolly preached the message “Test the Spirits“ from 1 John 4:1-6. To listen to this message again, click here. Please see below for Meredith Lewanowicz’s Prayer of Confession and discussion questions for this Sunday’s message.
Prayer of Confession:
Father God, we need Your help to even see our sin, let alone grieve our sin, and confess it to You. Thank You that as we confess today, we do so not to earn Your favor, but because Christ has won it for us. We come before You to confess what You already know: Our self-worship, pride, and unbelief.
We confess our desire to be worshiped. You have made us to know You, love You, and be loved by You—but we hungrily seek our own glory. We attempt to earn glory through achievement, conduct, and titles, and are angry when we don’t receive the worship we crave. In reality, or in our imagination, we make much of ourselves, believing ourselves to be something we are not, and ignoring the real identity and life You have given us to live for Your glory and our joy. We need a vision of Your glory to cast out our deluded sense that we deserve worship. Holy Spirit, shine in our hearts to reveal the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ—that we may see Him as He is, and thereby worship Him, the only worthy one (2 Corinthians 4:6).
We confess our pride and self-reliance, which causes us to try to play the Holy Spirit for ourselves and our loved ones. We confess our arrogant attempts to manipulate change in the hearts of our children, spouses, parents, friends, even ourselves—rather than running to You to change us. Forgive us for forgetting the gospel and trying to use the law to save and sanctify. Having begun by the Spirit, are we now being perfected by the flesh (Galatians 3:3)? Remind us that it is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is of no help at all (John 6:63).
We confess our unbelief in Your character and trustworthiness. We do not trust Your word that says You are good, so we run to idols that feel trustworthy and satisfying. Forgive us for despising Your Word, which guides us into all truth and declares Your character. We confess that we would rather walk by sight or by feelings than by faith. By Your mercy, forgive and replace our unbelief with the gift of faith, an abiding trust that You are who You say You are. Fill us with Your Spirit and help our unbelief (Mark 9:29).
In all these things, we confess our need for the Spirit. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. How much more will the Heavenly Father give the Spirit to those who ask Him? So as we confess our need, we cry out for the gift of the Spirit to change us, give us hearts of flesh, and renew our inner being day by day, until we see Jesus face to face.
Discussion Questions:
What is the gospel?
When listening to different teaching, do you ask yourself, “What do they say the gospel is?”
How does knowing that “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” give you encouragement this week?
Knowing that the Holy Spirit and the Word of God always work together, how does this help you know which feelings are true and which are false?
How has the Holy Spirit helped you this week?
Where do you need the Holy Spirit’s help in your current season?