Join Pastor Allen Bonnell for week four of our "40 Days of Ancient Ways" series. In this powerful message, we explore the spiritual discipline of confession and why it is essential for moving from the "grave" of our past into the freedom of Christ.
Using the story of the resurrection of Lazarus in John 11, the sermon highlights the journey from bondage to liberation:
- The Weight of the Secret: We discuss how unconfessed sin acts like "spiritual grave clothes," binding us and keeping us in a state of decay. Just as Lazarus was alive but still bound in his burial wrappings, many believers are saved but still hindered by the weight of hidden guilt and shame.
- The Healing Power of Community: Jesus commanded the community to "unbind him and let him go." Confession is not just a private act between us and God; it is a communal practice. We learn how inviting "2:00 AM friends" into our struggles provides the support needed to stay free.
- From Oppression to Forgiveness: Drawing from Psalm 32, Pastor Allen illustrates the physical and emotional toll of keeping silent about our sins. True refreshment and the "lifting of the weight" only come when we stop hiding and start being honest before God and others.
The message concludes with a powerful invitation to leave your "grave clothes" at the altar. Whether you are dealing with a small entanglement or a major stronghold, today is the day to experience the radical forgiveness and transformation that only Jesus can provide.
