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James 5:16 ESV

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

I. The Power of Confession
A. Confession is agreeing with God about our sin.
B. Confession of sin is cathartic for us all.
C. Christians can confess with confidence they are already forgiven. (1 John 1:7-10)

II. The Problem with Confession
A. Confession requires we conquer our inner conflict with pride and the pressure to be or look perfect. (Psalm 32:1-5)

III. The Purpose of Confession
A. Confession is not so God can exact revenge but so that we can enjoy the reconciliation of our relationship to Him. (Hebrews 9:22)

IV. The Proper Order of Confession
A. Confession to one another is powerful but has no power to atone for our sin. (Psalm 51:3-4, Isaiah 53:4-6, 1 Peter 2:24)
B. Confession to one another is about the accountability we need to be practically righteous not the atonement we need to be declared positionally righteous and have powerful prayers. (1 Peter 3:7)

V. The Place and Person of Confession
A. Confession should only be done in a circle of confidentiality.
B. Confession should be done not just to God or a fellow Christian but to the offended / affected person if possible. (Matthew 5:23-24, Colossians 3:12-13)

NEXT STEP
1. Say yes and confess Jesus as Lord to receive the forgiveness of your sins from God through Jesus Christ.